This Beautiful Castle Hotel Offers A Luxurious Stay Just Outside Of Lexington, Kentucky

There's something magical about visiting castles. Some travelers plan entire trips around touring well-preserved historic palaces and exploring crumbling ruins of once-grand castles. Staying overnight in a castle hotel is equally special. There are incredible castles you can actually stay in all over the world — from the highlands of Scotland all the way to the French Riviera. Most tourists expect to see marvelous castles on a trip to Europe, but a fabulous castle hotel in Lexington, Kentucky may come as a delightful surprise. 

The U.S. state of Kentucky is well-known for Bluegrass music, bourbon whiskey, and the Kentucky Derby, but it might not be at the top of your bucket list if you're hoping to visit a castle. That really ought to change, because The Kentucky Castle is a destination worthy of royalty, and Lexington is an underrated American city you need to add to your bucket list. 

The Kentucky Castle hotel is perched on a hill amongst fields of verdant farmland, just off a major interstate highway in Versailles, Kentucky. It's close to downtown Lexington, and makes a wonderful overnight stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail road trip route. It has luxurious rooms, a bourbon bar, a restaurant, and a spa. Whether you're planning a romantic weekend getaway for your special someone, or looking for a fun destination to enjoy with friends, The Kentucky Castle is an excellent choice.

The Kentucky Castle was dreamt up by Rex and Caroline Martin. They had traveled throughout Europe, and hoped to bring the magic of the fairytale castles they enjoyed on their travels back to Kentucky. Construction began in 1969, but before the castle was complete, the Martins' relationship ended. For decades, the castle was left unfinished and forgotten. Eventually, the property was purchased by new owners and a restoration project began in the early-2000's. Despite a fire that caused major damage, the Kentucky Castle finally opened to the public in 2008. It's located about 15 minutes from downtown Lexington, and less than 10 minutes from the Bluegrass Airport. 

Within the castle are 18 different guest rooms with unique decor. The interior castle rooms start around $195 per night, and each has a beautiful king size bed and a sitting area. The deluxe king rooms with four poster beds cost $225 per night. Suites have king size beds and separate seating areas. Some also have pull-out twin beds for families with kids.

The Tower Suites are the most luxurious rooms within the castle. They're located in the castle's corner towers, and each room has two-levels. The lower room has an elegant seating area and a kitchenette. A staircase leads to the bedroom with a king size bed and a balcony overlooking the grounds. Tower suites start around $347 per night. In addition to the interior castle rooms, there are other units on the grounds. Tiny cabins are the most budget-friendly option at $150 per night. If you're traveling with a large family or group of friends, the Farmhouse or the Cabin are ideal choices, as they can sleep eight people.

When you're staying in a hotel as beautiful as The Kentucky Castle, you probably won't want to leave — and that's totally okay because there's plenty to keep guests busy on the property. During summer, you can enjoy lounging all day in the sunshine by the pool with a good book. The hotel's spa is a great place to indulge in wellness treatments like massages, facials, and body scrubs.

The onsite restaurant serves up tasty cuisine with local ingredients — some of which were grown on the property. For breakfast you can choose between southern classics like chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, and crab cakes. The lunch menu has tasty sandwiches, soups, and salads. Dinner is an event at the Kentucky Castle. Start with delicious deviled eggs, a charcuterie board, or scallops. When it comes to main courses, there's something for everyone. Vegetarians will love the sweet potato gnocchi or the stuffed eggplant. If you're in the mood for something hearty, you'll adore the fried chicken or short rib. Make sure to sample Kentucky bourbon and craft cocktails at the bar.

Throughout the year, The Kentucky Castle hosts some seriously fun events. The Bourbon Market is held every March. Attendees enjoy bourbon-tastings, live music, and shopping for artisan goods. There's also a Galentine's Day market in February and a Holiday Market in December. On New Year's Eve, the castle hosts a fabulous formal ball with live music. Murder mystery dinners are a fun date night activity, and afternoon teas are perfect for girls' weekends. If you visit in June, make sure to plan your trip around the annual Lavender Festival, where you can pick your own lavender bouquets and dance to live entertainment.