Ever wanted to dive straight into the pages of a fairytale? These fantastical hotels let their guests do exactly that. From age-old historic strongholds to majestic modern structures, these castle stays are sure to fire the imagination.

Scroll on to discover some of the most amazing castles you can spend the night in...

One of Ireland's most illustrious castles, Ashford Castle has a history that stretches as far back as 1228, when the first building was erected at this site. Through the centuries it's been added to and owned by various noble families, including the Guinness family, until 1939 when it was transformed into a luxurious hotel.

It's since welcomed many notable guests such as Prince Rainier III of Monaco and his wife Princess Grace, President Ronald Reagan, John Lennon and Pierce Brosnan.

The 350-acre private estate has 83 rooms and suites, plus the standalone Boathouse, which have all been individually and elegantly designed. If you're expecting a sedate stay at this 800-year-old castle, you'll be surprised.

The castle grounds have space for all manner of thrilling activities, from clay pigeon shooting and archery to kayaking and zip-lining. There's a nine-hole golf course and tennis courts too, while those with a passion for food will adore the estate's many dining and bar options. 

Towering over Old Québec's Upper Town (Haute-Ville) is Château Frontenac, an opulent grand railway hotel built in the 19th century to bring in the well-heeled tourists travelling on the Canadian Pacific Railway.

With a full selection of towers, turrets and steep roofs, the imposing 18-floor building has a serious Gothic feel about it. Inside are an impressive 610 rooms, elegantly decorated in cream and beige tones. Its suites are named after famous guests including Queen Elizabeth II and Celine Dion.

Overlooking St Lawrence River, the landmark hotel is perfectly placed for guests to explore Québec City's most famous sights and museums. For the ultimate stay, rooms at the Gold Level (from the 11th to 17th floors) offer the best views and allow guests access to the executive lounge and other perks.

The castle-like hotel also has all the mod-cons, such as a spa and fitness centre, indoor pool and hot tub – perfect for getting ready for a night on the town. Or for hitting the hotel's renowned restaurants and bars.

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Overlooked by storybook turrets, this splendid hotel sits within Carcassonne's ancient walls, right next to the Saint-Nazaire Basilica. While Hotel de la Cité, which dates back to 1909, isn't part of the historic fortress as such, it's one of only a handful of hotels set within the ramparts of the medieval fortified town in southern France.

Its 59 rooms and suites are all beautifully decorated in an eclectic mix of medieval- and Art Deco-inspired furnishings with balconies overlooking the battlements.

Hotel highlights include the lovely library bar, where cocktails and live piano music are on the menu, a spa and outdoor swimming pool and the Michelin-starred restaurant La Barbacane. The medieval-style dining room's stained glass windows, high ceilings and imposing fireplace are the perfect background for its impressive Mediterranean cuisine.

The staff are also more than happy to organise river cruises and wine tastings in the on-site cellar.

Italy may be peppered with characterful castle hotels, but this one in Umbria is particularly picture-perfect. Castello di Monterone overlooks a gorgeous valley, just outside of the city of Perugia.

Now a luxury hotel, the 13th-century castle's walls house a relaxation area complete with a steam room, sauna and both indoor and outdoor pools, and the Gradale restaurant which has a pretty outdoor terrace overlooking the Umbrian countryside. The castle's charming rose garden is fragrant with more than 20 different varieties of the flower.

There are just 18 rooms in the Umbrian castello that all feature exposed stone walls, wood-beamed ceilings and windows looking out across the stunning surrounds. Each of the rooms is named after a different story connected to the castle's history.

For example, La Segreta is a secret room that was found during the castle's restoration project, while Dell'Angiolo is named after the angel sculpture found inside the room.

A stay at Dairsie Castle certainly puts you in good company – James VI, King of Scotland, fled to safety here from captivity in 1583. The castle, which has a history dating back to the 14th century, eventually fell into ruin in the 1800s before being rebuilt in the 20th century.

Now sleeping 14, the six-bedroom castle can be completely yours for the night. Not only can you rule the opulent residence, but you'll also have six acres of grounds to explore, stretching down to the River Eden.

With inviting four-poster beds, two bedrooms in the towers, open fireplaces, vaulted ceilings and a great hall dining room for feasts, guests can really live like kings at this unique holiday property.

Located just a short drive away from St Andrews and a little over one hour's drive from Edinburgh, Dairsie Castle is also a great base for exploring more of Scotland's history. 

Although a palace by name, this sprawling walled fort looks a lot more like a defensive castle. Carved into a hillside in Neemrana, Rajasthan, the lofty complex was first built in 1464 and was home to the city's rulers until 1947 when the crumbling castle was abandoned.

It opened as a hotel in 1991 with just 15 rooms and a renovated facade, but today the heritage property has been lavishly restored with 81 rooms and suites that span 14 tiered levels. Wherever you stay, the views are sensational.

Set across nine wings, the rooms and suites here are just as gorgeous as the fort itself with traditional decorations and all the modern amenities. There are lots of places to explore during your stay in the hillside fort, which covers six acres, from hanging gardens and two enticing pools to an amphitheatre and Ayurvedic spa. 

For those after a bit more action, the hotel is also home to India's very first zip-line complex. You could easily spend a few leisurely days here without ever leaving the hotel.

Land of ancient kings and fierce warriors, Northumberland’s turbulent past makes it a must-visit for castle lovers. Built in 1350 by Sir Thomas de Lucy, Langley Castle Hotel oozes history at every turn and the hotel has accentuated many of its original features.

There are nine bedrooms within the castle itself, including the Radcliffe Room which has a charming window seat set into the seven-foot-deep (2m) stone walls.

Guests can head to the cosy drawing room for an indulgent afternoon tea or head off to explore the castle further on one of Langley's daily Battlements Tours, which take in its fascinating medieval garderobe (toilet) tower, rooftop battlements and chapel.

For a more contemporary abode, the hotel has 18 rooms in its Castle View area, located in the rambling grounds. Though they are less historic, the rooms make up for it in terms of stunning vistas.

Built in 2014, The Castle Hotel might not be an authentic structure, but it certainly has great ambitions with its jaw-dropping architecture and fairy tale-like setting.

With a mission to make every guest feel like royalty, the hotel was modelled after the grand castles of Bavaria like Neuschwanstein, with its soaring vaulted ceilings, turrets, mock defensive walls, Neoclassical columns and marble floors.

The opulence continues inside the Luxury Collection Hotel, where guests bed down in one of the 292 luxurious rooms that are adorned with crystal chandeliers, plush silk furnishings, historically-inspired touches and antique pieces.

Perched on the side of Lotus Mountain, overlooking the gorgeous coast of Xinghai Bay, many of The Castle Hotel's rooms also benefit from balconies facing the bay and across the Yellow Sea.

With a history that can be traced all the way back to AD 800, a stay at this enormous medieval castle will make anyone feel like they've travelled straight back to the Middle Ages. It sits on a hill and surveys the historic town of Cardona and an old salt mine, the source of the Dukes of Cardona's wealth. 

Every part of the Catalan castle, from structural elements such as its moat and turrets to small details like the wooden beams and exposed stonework, has been carefully restored to preserve its medieval glory.

But don't let its imposing exterior give you the impression that it's not a welcoming retreat. Inside, the parador (state-owned luxury hotel) has 54 cosy guest rooms with traditional decor and entrancing views over the town and Cardener River below. There are also intriguing courtyards to explore and an impressive medieval dining hall that's now home to a superb restaurant.

Just over an hour's drive from Barcelona, this age-old castle is a great escape from the thrills of the city.

A vision in white, set against a jaw-dropping Alpine backdrop, it's hard to imagine that this well-preserved Austrian castle is nearly a thousand years old. Along with the estate's former farm buildings, the castle is positioned around a horseshoe-shaped courtyard that overlooks the stunning mountain scenery of the Schladming-Dachstein region.

As well as soaking up the hotel's history, guests can go skiing and snowboarding in winter or hike into the green hills in summer. The staff can also arrange castle tours for guests keen to learn more about its history.

Inside the schloss, there are 10 adorable double rooms, all with plenty of historic charm. The Knight's Hall is a grand setting for meals with a big open fire on colder days.

As well as celebrating its heritage, the hotel has forward-thinking environmental and sustainability credentials, using a groundwater heat pump and private hydroelectric pump to power the hotel with green energy.

Could this be the fairest château of them all? Château de la Caze has a dreamlike beauty about it and an extraordinary setting. Tucked into a narrow stretch of land in the spectacular Gorges du Tarn, the 15th-century castle rises above the river.

One of the first castles to be converted into a hotel in France, it opened its doors in the early 1900s and has since captivated guests with its tapestries, paintings, stone floors and stairways, plus vaulted ceilings. It also has a beautiful courtyard, gardens and pool. 

There are 10 rooms and suites in the main hotel, all of which are named after former castle residents. Most have four-poster beds and beamed ceilings while the old barn houses six more rooms.

For the best views of all, book into the Soubeyranne. This royal suite has windows running along the length of its wall, overlooking the river. Fine dining is also on the menu in the castle's acclaimed restaurant.

Built in the 1920s, this Hungarian castle in the Bükk Mountains charms with its eclectic style. Once a high-society hangout transformed into a World War II military hospital and then workers' holiday resort, the Hunguest has had many incarnations in its century-long existence.

Today, it's a luxury hotel with 133 rooms. The castle has a bizarre but delightful mix of styles with onion domes, church-like belfries and distinctly Flemish gables. 

Guests come here to breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy the Hunguest's fantastic wellness offering. It has a swimming pool, sauna and steam bath, spa and beauty salon. There are two bowling lanes and two pool tables for entertaining games nights, while traditional Hungarian food and drinks are served in its restaurants and bars.

Oenophiles shouldn't miss a tour of the wine cellars where they can sample an excellent selection of Hungarian wines, including ones local to the hotel.

Teetering on the cliffs of Cape Tainaron in Greece's wild Mani, the Tainaron Blue Retreat has an extraordinary location overlooking the sea. The exclusive hotel occupies an early 19th-century stone tower, a perfect example of the defensive architecture characteristic of the area.

The three-storey tower lay in ruins before being saved and converted into a guest house. Today it's a serene escape on the most southern point of mainland Europe – and what feels like the edge of the world.

There are just four rooms on offer here – the top floor and loft houses the two-bedroom master suite with its exceptional sea views. The junior suite occupies the lower floor and has a roomy double and a separate single bed and overlooks the mountain. An executive double room, meanwhile, can be found in an out-building just next to the tower with views out across the sea.

All of the rooms are a gorgeous blend of old and new with exposed stonework and cool, contemporary finishes. The absolute highlight of a stay at Tainaron Blue Retreat, however, has to be a swim in its infinity pool that laps the cliff edge.

Named after the lake it overlooks, Schloss Fuschl is another castle with a seriously storybook-esque location. Located near Salzburg, it was originally built as a 15th-century hunting lodge and owned by the local archbishops followed by a succession of aristocrats.

The Nazis commandeered it during the Second World War. It was subsequently converted into a hotel in the 1950s – and rightly so, as it's hard to beat its gorgeous lakeside setting.

Guests can go for one of the grand suites in the main castle or contemporary country-style suites in the outbuildings. There are also lakeside chalets with delightful balconies looking out over the azure water. Days can be spent relaxing in the lovely spa, which has a fitness centre and an indoor pool too, or zipping about the lake by boat.

The upscale on-site restaurant is also a reason to visit with its celebrated kitchen team serving up a delicious selection of Austrian dishes hailing from the surrounding Salzkammergut region.

Right in the heart of prosecco country to the north of Venice, CastelBrando is one of the oldest and largest hotels in Europe. It sits atop a wooded hillside overlooking the medieval village of Cison di Valmarino and has a history that stretches all the way back to Roman times, when a defensive fortress sat on the lofty site from AD 46.

Changing hands many times during its long history, it was purchased by a private company in 1997 and converted into a hotel and a museum.

Today, the opulent hotel wows guests with its dramatic location, historic features and luxurious touches. A delightful spa sits in the space of the ancient Roman baths, the remains of which can still be seen, and there are several museum areas within the hotel including in the old prisons. Guided tours reveal more about the castle's fascinating stories.

The large bedrooms ooze character too with canopied beds, noble crests decorating the walls and vintage furniture while the suites feature Murano glass chandeliers and Venetian-style interiors. 

Castles don't really get much more impressive than Warwick Castle. A thousand-year-old turreted stronghold built by William the Conqueror on the banks of the River Avon, today the castle offers guests the chance to explore and spend the night in a majestic historic setting. 

It's also packed with an array of fun medieval-themed events and activities.

Overnight guests can either experience the high life by checking in to one of the two opulent suites within Warwick Castle's 14th-century Caesar's Tower, or spend the night like commoners in woodland lodges at the Knight's Village.

Suite guests can expect the full royal treatment with Champagne on arrival, a private after-hours tour of the castle and breakfast in the grand dining room. During the summer, medieval-style glamping is also on offer in well-equipped tents (pictured).

A castle has overlooked the bottle-green waters of Lake Fernsteinsee since the 13th century, and Schloss Hotel Fernsteinsee features plenty of architectural styles from different eras that reflect its long history. 

In 1856, the eccentric King Ludwig II of Bavaria visited this remote Austrian Alps region via a newly-built road – and was immediately captivated by the stunning setting. Today, Schloss Fernsteinsee is a veritable paradise for nature lovers and history buffs.

Though there are plenty of hotel rooms in the ski-style chalets in the grounds, the castle itself has eight stunning suites to spend the night in: all come with atmospheric wood panelling, antique furniture and even convenient kitchenettes.

For exploring the great outdoors, this resort has 53,820 square feet (5,000sqm) of green space to stretch out on, while the Fernsteinsee lake offers everything from pedalos to paddleboards – and even diving in the crystalline depths.

On the outskirts of Los Angeles is the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa – which began life as a simple adobe boarding house in 1876, but took on its current palatial appearance in 1903, when it was converted into a full-service hotel.

Built in a spectacular Mission Revival style, three more wings of the hotel were opened by 1931, and the glittering Mission soon became a hangout for high-profile celebrities including aviator Amelia Earhart and President Herbert Hoover.

The Mission Inn and Spa now has 238 rooms, each equipped with a unique detail that reflects the building’s character – from desert-style houseplants to luxurious reading nooks. 

Eight on-site dining outlets mean guests can taste their way from Italian trattorias to afternoon teas, while regular tours of the hotel show off its finest spots, including an illuminated poolside courtyard and a six-storey spiral staircase.

Situated on the Swiss shores of Lake Maggiore is this charming magnolia-coloured castello, which was originally built in the 13th century as the home of a noble family from Milan. 

Though the western half of the castle fell victim to decay over the years, the eastern half (including a crenellated tower) was continually used as lodgings for travellers and artists, which would become a hotel in the 1920s. Today, there are 45 rooms to choose from, including two suites in the castle’s tower.

Providing direct access to the waters of Lake Maggiore, Castello Seeschloss is the ideal place to sample the region’s unique fusion of Swiss and Italian influences – think rich pasta dishes for dinner paired with light Ticinese wines.

Swimmers will love the hotel’s heated pool, but in the summertime, dips can also be taken on Lake Maggiore’s beaches – just a few minutes’ walk away. 

Two large cannons standing guard at the entrance to this sand-hued fortress are immediate clues to this hotel’s military origins. Situated at the westernmost point of continental Europe, the Fortaleza do Guincho was built in 1642.

Lookout points dotted along the battlements and thick wooden doors remind travellers that the Fortaleza was built to withstand an attack, but today, it’s a peaceful 5-star hotel.

Although the castle is just 45 minutes from the lively Portuguese capital, Lisbon, the Fortaleza do Guincho gives off a rugged vibe. The 27 rooms have relaxing, sun-baked balconies on which to listen to the Atlantic waves, while the restaurant serves up the best in Portuguese cuisine – don’t miss the chance to sample delectable Douro wines.

An impressive roster of activities is another bonus: as the castle is within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, there’s plenty of hiking, biking, and even kitesurfing to enjoy around the hotel.

The unapologetically Gothic Czocha Castle in Poland’s verdant Silesia region was built in 1247 under the orders of King Wenceslas I. After changing ownership over the centuries, a cigarette magnate from Germany purchased Czocha in 1909, faithfully restoring the red roofs, Rapunzel-esque tower and cosy interiors of the castle to their 1703 glory days. 

Czocha served as a secret holiday home for Soviet soldiers in the 1950s, before opening to the public in 1996 – after the fall of the Soviet Union.

As you’d expect of a castle perched on a meander of a river, there are plenty of panoramic views to marvel at, as well as a fine-dining restaurant and a luscious spa featuring treatments from honey massages to endorphin-boosting chocolate scrubs.

Guests will also delight at the variety of tours on offer. Guides regularly cover the castle’s history and varied architectural detail, but the hotel also runs romantic night tours of the castle, as well as occasionally delving deep into the dungeons.

Now marvel at Europe's most beautiful castles