TripAdvisor(R), the world's largest travel community, today announced the top 10 castle hotels in Europe, according to traveler popularity and TripAdvisor editors.

  1.  Feathery Fun: Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland - Average nightly rate
      $362
      With its opulent rooms, endless hallways, numerous dining options, and
      health and beauty spa, you may never leave the estate of the Ashford
      Castle, built in 1625. But if you do wish to meander outdoors, try
      your hand at falconry, an ancient art originating in the Far East in
      2000 B.C. or, stroll the famous Woodland Walk, restored in 1996 with
      oak, beech and chestnut trees. As one TripAdvisor traveler pointed
      out, "Where else can you find 'falconry' as an option to your day on a
      lake that will take your breath away, in a castle that can only be
      described as Versailles but better?"

  2.  Fit for a King: Thornbury Castle, Thornbury, England - Average nightly
      rate $409
      Feel like royalty as you sleep in your bedchamber at Thornbury Castle,
      built in 1521, where Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII and Queen Mary II
      once resided. History buffs can peruse the historical details,
      including coats of arms, bay windows and arrow loops throughout the
      castle. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, "Thornbury Castle is a
      genuine medieval castle with really thick stone walls, low doors and
      fantastic stone spiral staircases."

  3.  Raise Your Glass: Chateau de Bagnols, Lyon, France - Average nightly
      rate $663
      Enjoy a glass of Beaujolais while at the Chateau de Bagnols, situated
      among vineyards and forests in the French countryside. Also an
      historic monument, the 13th century fortress features Renaissance-
      period wall and ceiling murals, a dry moat, and a grand entrance
      across a drawbridge. According to one TripAdvisor member, "Every
      detail of this hotel is just grand -- the garden, the pool, the rooms,
      the restaurants for both breakfast and dinner, and the salon for
      drinks."

  4.  Highlands Praise: Inverlochy Castle, Fort William, Scotland - Average
      nightly rate $932
      The mountainous backdrop of the Inverlochy Castle, located in the
      Scottish highlands, inspired praise from Queen Victoria who wrote in
      her diaries, "I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot." The
      stained glass windows, chandeliers and grand hall reflect the elegance
      of the interior. One TripAdvisor member noted, "From the moment we
      arrived the beauty hit us, the old castle just looked out-of-this-
      world with the stunning lake and terraces."

  5.  Historically Over-Booked: Castle Hotel Auf Schoenburg, Oberwesel,
      Germany - Average nightly rate $240
      The Castle Hotel Auf Schoenburg overlooks the medieval town of
      Oberwesel, in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a World Heritage site. At
      one time, the castle was home to more than 250 people from 24
      families. In 1689, the castle was burned down by French soldiers and
      remained abandoned for two centuries until its restoration in 1914.
      One TripAdvisor member said, "Hotel Auf Schoenburg was what I had
      dreamed of when I wanted to stay in a castle. I felt like I was in the
      middle ages!"

  6.  Labor Intensive: Parador de Cardona, Cardona, Spain - Average nightly
      rate $166
      Atop a spectacular hill, Parador de Cardona, built in 986, was once
      maintained by the local residents, in exchange for a supply of much-
      coveted salt. Preserving many original architectural details, the
      castle contains a medieval restaurant with arched ceilings, wrought-
      iron torch holders, a Duke's patio, a cistern for storing water and a
      gothic cloister. As one TripAdvisor member said, "The setting is
      stunning, the history of the castle and the surrounding area is mind-
      boggling."

  7.  Tasty Retreat: Swinton Park, Masham, North Yorkshire, England -
      Average nightly rate $463
      Surrounded by 200 acres of parkland including a river, lake, and
      gardens, Swinton Park offers numerous activities including croquet,
      fishing, and horseback riding. If that doesn't satisfy your appetite,
      visit the cookery school, a converted Georgian stable, which is run by
      renowned chef Rosemary Schrager. According to one TripAdvisor member,
      "This is an absolutely stunning place, from the location to the
      amenities to the staff, I could not find fault at all."

  8.  Undercover Charm: Castle Stuart, Inverness, Scotland - Average nightly
      rate $475
      Once a retreat for the Stuart Family, the Castle Stuart was abandoned-
      except for reports of an occasional ghost-for 300 years. Put on your
      Sherlock Holmes hat and discover unknown secret passageways, hidden
      doorways and the secret revolving door that hastens the walk from the
      drawing room to the bar.  As one TripAdvisor member said, "The house
      was SO much fun. There was even a secret doorway to get to the dining
      room, which was gorgeous."

  9.  Italian Antiquity: Castelletto de Montebenichi, Arezzo, Italy -
      Average nightly rate $242
      In the heart of the Tuscan countryside, the Castelletto de
      Montebenichi combines 12th century architecture with 21st century
      amenities. Frescoes, antique drawings and paintings, sculptures and
      archeological finds engulf the castle's hallways, while a panoramic
      swimming pool, sauna, hot tub and gym are just steps away. One
      TripAdvisor traveler said, "The castle is exquisite - each public room
      is thoughtfully decorated with the owners' own collections of art and
      antiques."

  10. Brug-ti-ful: Castle ten Berghe, Bruges, Belgium - Average nightly rate
      $177
      Within walking distance of Bruges, Castle ten Berghe is a perfect base
      for visiting the historic town and enjoying the Belgian landscape.
      Recently expanded, the castle now features eight guestrooms, making
      getting a room easier. As one TripAdvisor member noted, "The Castle
      ten Berghe is a wonderful Gothic style castle hidden away down a long
      driveway and surrounded by its own moat and is crammed full of charm."

"What's great about these top castle hotels is that there is a wide price range, allowing anyone to stay in one of these ancient fortresses and have a truly unique experience," said Michele Perry, director of communications for TripAdvisor. "These castle hotels particularly stood out among the properties reviewed by our 20 million monthly visitors because they offer modern amenities and great service to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay."

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