Whether it’s with luxury accommodations or a spa package, plenty of hotels advertise that they will make you feel like royalty. But, the reality is, no fancy facial or thread count can substitute for the grand grounds of Balmoral, the monarch’s Scottish castle. So not why just go stay there instead?
Anyone—well, as long as your plans don’t interfere with the royal family’s schedule—can summer at the same place as the King of England. And at plenty of other real-life palaces, too. Whether you’re a royalist, a history buff, or just looking for a taste of aristocratic life, here’s a handful of royal residences that any commoner can stay in, even if just for the night.
Balmoral Castle, Scotland
Every summer during her reign, Queen Elizabeth and other members of the royal family would decamp to Balmoral, her estate in the Scottish Highlands. King Charles, on the other hand, prefers his own house on the estate, Birkhall, which he inherited from the Queen Mother in 2002. While the castle is certainly the main attraction, there are roughly 150 buildings on the grounds—a handful of which are cottages available to rent on a weekly basis. One of them, the regal-rustic Rhebreck Lodge, overlooks a scenic valley and has a lounge with a log burning stove. All of the properties come with the option to arrange the services of a local chef or home-cooked meals.
Sandringham Estate, England
