In the event you’ll by no means get an invite from royalty, you possibly can at the very least examine into these real palace motels for a style of regal residing.
SCHONBRUNN PALACE, VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Photograph: Austria Development
Though the adjoining imperial guesthouse has lengthy been a resort, now you can keep within the east wing of Schönbrunn, the gilt- and cherub-laden summer time palace of Austrian emperors. The one suite has a salon, drawing room and two bedrooms, and supplies magnificent outlooks over expansive baroque gardens and splashing fountains. With a horse-drawn carriage experience thrown in, you will really feel like a cheerful Hapsburg. See schoenbrunn.at
CIRAGAN PALACE, ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Photograph: Kempinski
The Ottoman sultans knew a factor or three about luxe residing, though you possibly can out-do them by arriving on the Çırağan Palace Kempinski by helicopter. The resort is fabulously sited on the Bosporus and flanked by swimming swimming pools and luxurious lawns. Tuck into Ottoman delicacies at Tuğra restaurant, wallow within the OTT marble hammam, and lounge on the gazebo over Turkish espresso and pastries. See kempinski.com
LE GRAND CONTROLE, VERSAILLES, FRANCE
Photograph: Chateau de Versailles
Okay, this is not the precise palace, however you possibly can keep on the Versailles property in a mansion constructed on the identical time, and which as soon as housed Jacques Necker, Louis XVI’s finance minister. It has simply 14 guestrooms in historic fashion (although fortunately with trendy plumbing) in addition to a spa and Alain Ducasse gastronomic restaurant. Company get unique behind-the-scenes entry to the palace. See airelles.com
ROYAL MANSOUR, MARRAKESH, MOROCCO
Photograph: Royal Mansour
Lastly, a resort owned by a king (Mohammed VI) nonetheless on a throne, although you will not discover him on the reception desk. Wedged into the medina’s previous partitions, the property seems in direction of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and is bewitchingly stunning due to its conventional tiling, stucco work and opulence. You aren’t getting a room however an entire home with non-public butler, and the service is impeccable. See royalmansour.com
RAMBAGH PALACE, JAIPUR, INDIA
Photograph: Taj Inns
The maharajas of Jaipur as soon as referred to as this huge, elegant and turreted palace residence, and in the present day you would possibly nonetheless rub shoulders with actual and Bollywood royalty on the Polo Bar. VIPs are welcomed by a pair of elephants. Mughal structure combines with French chandeliers, gigantic four-poster beds, polo memorabilia and British-era knickknacks; a Victorian prepare carriage is now a bar. Peacocks strut by way of gardens that sprawl for acres. See tajhotels.com
GRITTI PALACE, VENICE, ITALY
Photograph: Gritti Palace
A doge is not fairly a king, though the doges mightn’t have agreed. Nonetheless, this fifteenth-century palace on the Grand Canal treats you want one. The go-to selection of celebrities and aristocrats is, as you would possibly anticipate of Venice, encrusted with chandeliers, Murano glass, painted ceilings, artworks and interval furnishings. It is so plush that should you sink into a settee you would possibly by no means rise up once more. See marriott.com
AMAN SUMMER PALACE, BEIJING, CHINA
Photograph: Aman Inns
This former nineteenth-century guesthouse of the imperial household is tucked right into a nook of the sprawling Summer season Palace and consists of a collection of courtyards and enclosed gardens replete with Ming Dynasty furnishings and picket lattice screens. You additionally get top-notch eating places, a up to date spa and flawless service. Indulge your inside princess with tea on the water pavilion as you are serenaded by conventional Chinese language musicians. See aman.com
ROSERSBERG PALACE, ROSERSBERG, SWEDEN
Photo: Rosersberg Palace
This elegant palace on the outskirts of Stockholm was as soon as owned by Karl XIII. Guestrooms inhabit a number of wings, together with the previous theatre, and handle the trick of being stylishly modern whereas nonetheless having an echo of occasions previous. You may dine in a fancy French restaurant and take advantage of the fantastic historic baroque-style gardens and parkland, stuffed in late spring with lilac blossoms. See rosersbergsslott.se
UMAID BHAWAN PALACE, JODHPUR, INDIA
Photograph: Taj Inns
Colossal Umaid Bhawan, constructed within the Nineteen Thirties in putting Artwork Deco fashion, is without doubt one of the world’s largest non-public residences, nonetheless partly occupied by Jodhpur’s royal household. The remaining is a swanky resort whose foyer sits beneath a 32-metre-high dome and whose retro suites are luxurious with vintage furnishings and artworks. Benefit from the maharaja way of life over afternoon tea and croquet within the manicured gardens. See tajhotels.com
BUSSACO PALACE HOTEL, LUSO, PORTUGAL
Photograph: Almeida Inns
You’d suppose some fairy queen had designed this little palace of neo-Gothic arches, attractive plasterwork and absurd romance, set amongst formal gardens and mirrored in a swan-paddled pond. It was in actual fact in-built 1885 as a searching lodge for Portuguese royals, full with anachronistic gargoyles and fits of armour. You may nonetheless dine like a king on suckling pig within the banqueting corridor. See almeidahotels.pt
Brian Johnston has travelled as a visitor of quite a few tourism places of work and journey firms.
