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Living like royalty for a night: a traveller's guide to palace stays

A castle was built to keep enemies out. A palace was built to impress the people who were let in. That difference is exactly what makes a palace stay so special. Instead of arrow slits and battlements, you get painted ceilings, marble courtyards, mirrored halls, fountains, gardens designed for strolling and rooms where rulers once received their guests. Across the world, many former royal and princely residences now welcome travellers, and a growing number of new hotels are built in grand palace style.

This guide looks at the different kinds of palace stays around the world, what daily life inside one is like, and the practical details worth checking before you book one of the palaces listed on this page.

A world of palaces

Palace hotels exist on almost every continent, and each region has its own style of grandeur.

• Rajasthan, India. Perhaps the most famous palace destination of all. In cities such as Udaipur, Jaipur and Jodhpur, and in smaller towns across the state, the families of former maharajas and local rulers have turned their residences into heritage hotels. Expect carved stone balconies, courtyards, lakeside or hilltop settings and staff who can tell you the history of the family.
• Morocco. Behind plain walls in the old medinas of cities such as Marrakech and Fez, riads and former palaces open onto courtyards with fountains, orange trees, zellige tilework and carved cedar. Some are intimate, with only a few rooms around one courtyard; others are sprawling former residences of wealthy families.
• Italy. The palazzo is a city palace built for a noble or merchant family. In Venice, Florence, Rome and many smaller towns, palazzi now house hotels and guest apartments, with frescoed ceilings, grand staircases and, in Venice, rooms that look out over the canals.
• Spain and Latin America. A palacio can be an aristocratic town house in Seville, Granada or Madrid, or a colonial-era mansion in the historic centres of cities in Mexico, Peru and elsewhere in the region. Many are built around a patio, which keeps the rooms cool.
• Central Europe. Baroque and neoclassical palaces in cities such as Vienna, Prague and Budapest, and country palaces with parks and orangeries in the countryside, some of them restored after long periods of neglect.
• Thailand and Southeast Asia. Some hotels occupy former residences of royal or aristocratic families, or colonial-era mansions, while newer resorts borrow the architecture of royal pavilions, with tall roofs, teak and water gardens.
• The Middle East. In the Gulf region, grand palace-style hotels in cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Muscat are built on a spectacular scale, with domes, marble, gold leaf and vast gardens. These are usually modern buildings, so the comfort is contemporary while the style is regal.

Heritage rooms, suites and everything in between

Rooms in a historic palace are rarely identical. The former royal apartments, state rooms or rooms with the best views are usually offered as suites, often with original furniture, murals or a private terrace. Heritage rooms are typically in the historic part of the building and carry plenty of character, but can be smaller or have unusual layouts. Many palaces have also added a newer wing, with more standard rooms that are comfortable and quieter but have less history. When comparing rooms, look beyond the name of the category and ask which part of the palace the room is in, what the view is, and whether the bathroom is original, modernised or newly built.

A day in a palace

Part of the joy of staying in a palace is that the building itself becomes your destination. Many palace hotels offer guided tours of the building, sometimes led by a member of the family or a long-serving member of staff, covering the history, the art and the stories of the people who lived there. Some have a private museum, a collection of vintage cars or old photographs, or rooms that are only open to guests. Breakfast in a courtyard, an afternoon by the pool or in the gardens, and dinner on a terrace or in a former banquet hall can fill a whole day without leaving the grounds.

Dress codes and etiquette

Some palace hotels, especially the more formal ones, have a dress code for dinner in the main restaurant, such as long trousers and closed shoes for men, or smart casual clothing for everyone. It is worth packing at least one nicer outfit. In palaces that are still partly family homes, or that contain a temple or prayer room, some areas may be private or require modest dress and shoes removed. Follow the lead of the staff, and ask before taking photos in rooms with valuable art or in private areas.

Stairs, corridors and courtyards

Palaces were built for display, not for convenience. Expect long corridors, grand but tiring staircases, steps between courtyards and levels, and uneven historic floors. Lifts may be missing in older buildings or added only in some wings. If anyone in your party has limited mobility, ask about the route from the entrance to the room and to the restaurant, and whether a room on the ground floor or near a lift is available.

Heat, monsoon and the best seasons

Many of the world's best-known palace regions have strong seasons. In desert and semi-desert areas, the hottest months can make sightseeing tiring, although thick walls and courtyards help keep palaces cooler. In parts of South and Southeast Asia, the monsoon brings heavy rain, but also green landscapes and quieter hotels. In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed, so the cooler months fall in the middle of the year. Ask whether the rooms have air conditioning or heating, and whether the pool, gardens and terraces are in use during your stay.

Weddings and celebrations

Palaces are dream locations for weddings, anniversaries and milestone birthdays. Some can be booked in full, with courtyards, lawns and halls used for ceremonies, dinners and music. Popular dates in the best season are often reserved well in advance. It is also worth knowing that, as a regular guest, you may find a large event taking place during your stay, which can mean music late into the evening or some areas closed. Ask about planned events when you book.

Questions to ask before you book

• Is the room in the historic part of the palace or in a newer wing?
• What is the difference between the heritage rooms and the suites?
• Is there a dress code for dinner in any of the restaurants?
• Are guided tours of the palace included, and how often do they run?
• How many stairs are there, and is there a lift to our room?
• Do the rooms have air conditioning or heating for the season we are coming?
• Are any weddings or private events planned during our stay?
• Are meals included, and is there a restaurant open to non-guests?
• Are children welcome, and are any areas off limits?

Tips for making it memorable

Arrive early enough on your first day to explore in daylight, and stay in the courtyards or on the roof terraces as the light changes in the evening, which is often when palaces look their most magical. Book dinner at least once in the most atmospheric setting the palace offers. Ask about the history of your own room. And if the palace sits in a historic city, spend time in the streets outside too, since many palaces only make full sense when you see the town that grew up around them.

Browse the palaces on this page

The palace stays on this page are grouped by continent, country and region, so you can easily explore the part of the world that interests you. Each link takes you to the owner's own website, where you can see the rooms and suites, check availability and book directly. Do you own or manage a palace that welcomes guests? Add your link for free with the button above and share it with travellers everywhere.