America's 5 Most Stunning Castle Hotels For A Lavish Getaway, According To Visitors

Every traveler should treat themselves to a stay in a luxurious castle hotel at least once in their lifetime, but you don't have to travel all the way to Europe in order to have a royal experience. Although the United States doesn't have kings and queens, it does have some gorgeous castle-inspired hotels where you can stay overnight.

From coast to coast you'll find hotels that will have you feeling as though you've somehow wandered into a fairytale storybook. We researched castle hotels all across the country to bring the most enchanting options that are perfect for luxurious getaways. Whether you're looking for a romantic retreat that will woo your special someone or somewhere opulent to relax and pamper yourself on a solo trip, these spots are well worth splurging on. After reading through hundreds of customer reviews, we narrowed down our list to five of the most stunning castles where you can stay overnight.

In the Northeastern state of Maine, Norumbega Inn offers historic accommodations overlooking Penobscot Bay. Thornewood Castle in Washington is a Tudor Gothic marvel constructed with materials that were shipped over from Europe. In California you can stay in a sprawling Spanish colonial-style palace. You might choose to relax at an adults-only Queen Anne-style mansion on the shores of New York's Lake George or bring the whole family along on a trip to a medieval-inspired castle in the American South. There are options for every kind of traveler, so pack your bags and get ready for the lavish getaway of your dreams.

Norumbega Inn is located on the east coast of the United States and overlooks Penobscot Bay. Before it was a boutique hotel, the castle belonged to Joseph Barker Stearns. He was born in Maine, but left the state to work in Boston. After building his wealth, he returned to Camden, which he believed was "the most beautiful place in the world," according to the Norumbega Inn website. He finished building his grand home in 1886 and named it the Norumbega, but locals and travelers nicknamed the magical Queen Anne-style mansion the "Stone Castle by the Sea."

After serving as a private home for generations, Norumbega was purchased in 1984 and turned into an inn. In 2022 it was sold to an architect named William Tims and his partner Brett Haynie. They set out to restore the property, which re-opened to the public in May of 2023. Since then, it has won multiple awards. In 2025, it was named the Best Inn in the Continental United States by the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards. That same year, it was awarded a Michelin Key. "The Norumbega Inn seems pulled straight from a master painting. Set right on Route 1 overlooking Penobscot Bay in Midcoast Maine's charming Camden, this castle promises a singular stay," the Michelin Guide states.

Hundreds of guests who have stayed at the castle hotel have left five-star reviews. It has a 4.9 star rating on Tripadvisor and a 4.8 star rating on Google. "The rooms, and the entirety of the Norumbega, are absolutely STUNNING. We are completely in awe of the attention to detail during our stay," Meg Friel wrote in a Google review. The Norumbega Inn has 11 rooms, and prices start around $260 per night.

The United States doesn't have a royal family, but it does have presidents, and a few of them have spent the night at Thornewood Castle over the years. The gorgeous stone manor was built in the Gothic Tudor style. It's over 27,000 square feet and sits on four beautiful acres near the American Lake. It makes for a great stop on a Washington road trip.

Thornewood was constructed in 1908, but the materials used to construct it are much older. "A century ago, pieces from a 400-year-old English castle were shipped around the horn from England to the Pacific Northwest. These pieces were used to completely rebuild and recreate an authentic traditional English Tudor Gothic castle right here in America," the website states. Some of the colorful stained glass windows date back to the 16th century. On the 4-acre property guests can stroll through the secret garden or wander towards the lake to take in the views.

Thornewood Castle is a 3-star hotel with hundreds of rave reviews and a 4.6-star rating on Google. "Thornewood Castle is magical! The rooms and private baths are lux! Quiet, private with great amenities. There's no room service but you can bring food or have it delivered. Each room has a mini-fridge and a microwave. The castle and grounds are full of beautiful and interesting art pieces and rich history," a guest named Danielle wrote in a Google review. The hotel has 22 guest rooms, which start at around $255 per night.

A stay at the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa will make you feel as though you're walking in the footsteps of Spanish nobles. If you're looking for a romantic getaway with old-school European charm, but you don't want to travel outside of the United States, this is the perfect destination. The gorgeous hotel is located in downtown Riverside, California, and covers a whole city block. It began as an adobe-style boarding house called Glenwood Cottage that opened in 1876. In 1880 its transformation into a marvelous Spanish colonial-style castle began. 

Over the decades that followed, the building was expanded upon. Intricate domes, archways, buttresses, and towers were added. Sadly, the hotel began to deteriorate by the 1960s. Local citizens joined together to help save the historic hotel. It was eventually purchased in the 1990s, and the new owners worked hard to restore the property. Notable guests include Hollywood royalty, politicians, writers, and intellectuals. Multiple movies have been filmed in and around the hotel. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1977, and has been a member of Historic Hotels of America since 1996.

The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa is a 4-star hotel and has an average rating of 4.5 stars on Google based on over 10,000 reviews from guests. "I was utterly charmed by this quirky, historic, mission-themed hotel, which brims with discovery around every corner. I was lucky enough to arrive after dusk, greeted by thousands of twinkling lights and into the beautiful lobby. My room was beautiful, with a balcony and chairs overlooking six-story palm trees and the pool," a guest named Kim Kasbian wrote in a Google review. There are 238 guest rooms, and prices start at around $210 per night.

The Bluegrass State is best known for bourbon, horses, and bluegrass music. It's also a wonderful place to visit if you'd like to spend the night in a castle. Located in the southern United States, it's home to some stunning natural scenery and is a popular destination for hikers and climbers from around the world. Travelers often visit for outdoor recreation, to attend the Kentucky Derby, or to road trip along the Bourbon Trail sampling the state's famous spirit. The Kentucky Castle is a beautiful hotel that offers a luxurious stay just outside of Lexington, and it makes an excellent home base for exploring Kentucky.

In the late 1960s Rex and Caroline Martin decided that they wanted to build a fantastical castle inspired by their European travels. Sadly, construction was never completed, and the couple divorced. The castle was left abandoned for around 30 years until it was purchased and renovated by new owners. The Kentucky Castle finally opened to the public in 2008.

Guests can enjoy lounging in the elegant guest rooms decorated with antique elements or pampering themselves at the spa. An onsite restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and uses ingredients grown in the castle's garden. The bar is a wonderful place to enjoy a craft cocktail made with Kentucky bourbon. Throughout the year there are fun events like tea parties, craft markets, and murder mystery dinners. The 4-star hotel has an average rating of 4.5 stars on Google based on over 2,400 customer reviews. "We have stayed at The Kentucky Castle on numerous occasions, and every visit continues to feel like stepping into a fairytale. This historic property has a charm that never fades," a guest named Jason Simon wrote in a Google review. Prices start at around $170 per night. 

With sweeping views overlooking Lake George, one of the best of New York's mesmerizing Adirondack lakes, The Erlowest truly delivers a magical experience. Thomas Jefferson once said, "Lake George is without comparison the most beautiful water I ever saw," and there's no better place to enjoy the views than from the balcony of this historic Queen Anne-style castle hotel. In 1898, construction began on The Erlowest. It was originally designed as a private residence for a lawyer and politician from Brooklyn who enjoyed the lavish dwelling during the summer. In 1999, after changing ownership a few times, the stately mansion was converted into an inn. 

The Erlowest is an adults-only hotel, so it's a wonderful place to visit if you're looking for some peace and quiet. The Castle Suites are perfect for a romantic stay. Each of the spacious rooms has its own unique style and decor. Antique details like wooden four-poster beds and luxurious handwoven rugs will make you feel as though you've time traveled. Some rooms have jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces. There's a heated pool overlooking the lake, a gym, and an upscale restaurant onsite. The hotel also offers tours on a vintage wooden Hacker-Craft boat called Miss Erlowest for $1,000 per hour.

The Erlowest is a 5-star hotel with 10 suites. Prices start at around $250 per night. Hundreds of guests have left excellent reviews after their stay, and the property has an average rating of 4.6 stars on Google. "Absolutely loved my experience at The Erlowest! From the moment we arrived, everything felt special. The rooms were beautiful and cozy, blending charm with comfort perfectly. The service was exceptional—staff were attentive, friendly, and made sure every detail was taken care of," a guest named Thanapol Engel wrote in a Google review.

To formulate our list of America's five most stunning castle hotels for a lavish getaway, we sifted through hundreds of reviews from real guests. We researched castle hotels all over the country and chose the most luxurious properties we could find. Each option on our list has a unique location and plenty of opulent amenities. We included 3, 4, and 5-star hotels on our list and only included properties with Google ratings of 4.5 stars or higher. If you're looking for even more gorgeous options, check out these historic castles in Europe.