Just 30 miles west of Vienna, this castle has been inhabited since 1185. But no worries: It’s been thoroughly updated. The original moat has given way to a scenic modern pond that surrounds the castle. It sleeps 18 people in nine bedrooms, and the ground floor has a sauna. The royal digs even come with horses in the castle’s surrounding park. All this can be yours for only €13,200 per week, or about $18,748. A cook will cost you extra though.
This 23-bedroom castle dates back to the 1590s, and it was converted into a hotel in 1965. A night’s stay costs about €115, or $160, and includes a full Irish breakfast. The castle has a rich history of leasing: The legend goes that Sir Edward Denny rented out the castle in the 1590s to Thomas Blennerhassett for the rent of a single rose to be presented each year on Midsummer’s Day.
From its stately position atop a hill overlooking the Bristol Channel, Walton Castle in Clevedon has 360-degree views of six counties in England, and a bit of Wales, too. The manor’s site dates back to the Iron Age and is actually mentioned in the Doomsday Book, though construction on the current structure began closer to 1615. Today, it sits on 3.8 acres and adjoins the Clevedon Golf Club. The castle keep comprises the main parts of the accommodation, but there are also suites located in the outer turrets. Modern amenities include an indoor pool and plasma televisions.
While the genealogy of Castle McKenzie, deep in the heart of the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, is unclear, the fact that it’s a Scottish-style castle is certain. McKenzie is available not only overnight as a vacation getaway, but it’s also for sale by the owners. A night for two costs $155, and there’s a major perk: You’ll be the only guests at the palace. There are also modern amenities like a private, outdoor hot tub—atop a castle turret, no less—high-speed Internet; and a flat-screen television in the living room.
A 16th-century palace, Kssour Agafay holds court in the middle of acres of olive groves in the heart of Marrakech. It is one of the oldest riads in the area (that’s Arabic for a Moroccan home with an interior garden) and the only one to have a courtyard on the first floor. The castle has six bedrooms that can sleep up to 12 people. The entire complex can be rented for €2,000, or $2,840, per night, which covers the cost of the full staff and a full Moroccan breakfast. However, if a king or queen wants to save some royal cash, the rooms can also be rented individually for as low as €150 per night, or $215.
There will be plenty of Bordeaux wine to go around at this popular wedding destination. This luxe mansion dates back to the 15th century, and has survived some periods of “financial ruin” over the centuries before its current incarnation as a nuptials retreat. On 29 acres, the grounds include woodlands, prairies, a lake, and even a modern pool. The place can sleep up to 40 people in 15 bedrooms, but you’ve got to commit to the whole shebang—meaning 10 or more bedrooms. For seven nights, the chateau will run anywhere from €5,150 ($7,300) to €8,900 ($12,600), depending on the season.
MARK GASHI
