In a world where the cost of living keeps rising, experiencing true luxury and opulence can feel out of reach for many. However, an alluring travel trend is allowing more people than ever before to step into the shoes of royalty – if only for a night or two. Around the globe, a growing number of former palaces and grand estates have been painstakingly transformed into world-class luxury hotels, offering guests a chance to live like kings and queens.

Besides the draw of their architectural magnificence, these unique properties afford the opportunity to step back to a simpler time and experience the rarefied world of royalty and aristocracy. At Villa d’Este in Italy, you can sip Prosecco while relaxing on the very same outdoor terraces that once hosted European princes. At the Taj Lake Palace in India, you will be waited on hand and foot by an army of discreet, highly trained staff, just as the Maharajas once were. At Ashford Castle in Ireland, you can imagine yourself as a lord or lady of the manor, exploring the same tapestry-lined halls that have borne witness to centuries of history.

Of course, these ancient palaces and castles also offer ample modern comforts and amenities to complement their historic charms. Lavish spas, Michelin-starred restaurants, state-of-the-art fitness centres and beautifully appointed guest rooms ensure that every creature comfort is catered to. The level of personalised service is unparalleled, with many maintaining a nearly one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio, with butlers, concierges and other attendants anticipating every need.

So, whether you are celebrating a special occasion, planning the ultimate romantic getaway, or simply craving a taste of the high life, consider indulging in a stay at one of these storied hotels. From quaffing Champagne in a marble-clad palace suite to gliding across a tranquil lake in a private boat, the chance to live like royalty, if only for a moment, is an experience you’ll never forget.

Historic Charm

Palace hotels are able to balance their historic legacy with modern luxury amenities through a fastidious approach to restoration and renovation. At their very core is the preservation of the original architectural details and character of the buildings. Great care is taken to maintain features like ornate mouldings, grand staircases, intricate tilework and towering ceilings. Furnishings and décor often pay homage to the property’s past, with antique furniture, vintage artwork and traditional textiles and materials.

The goal is to enable guests to feel truly immersed in the history and grandeur of the place as if they have been transported back in time. At the Aman Summer Palace in Beijing, for example, the guest rooms are housed in a series of refurbished Qing dynasty pavilions, allowing visitors to experience the elegant aesthetics of that era. And at Ashford Castle, the 13th-century castle walls and towers have been meticulously restored and maintained.

Modern Essentials

While the historic shell of the palace is preserved, the hotel management companies diligently integrate all the modern amenities that today’s discerning travellers expect. This often involves thoughtful additions and renovations that do not compromise the integrity of the original architecture.

The goal is to create a harmonious fusion of old and new, where guests can experience the elegance and refinement of a bygone era alongside modern comforts and conveniences. The resulting effect is a sense of luxury that is both timelessly regal and freshly contemporary. Visitors are made to feel not just like esteemed guests but as illustrious members of a former ruling class.

Lakeside Luxury

One of the most iconic examples of this trend can be found on the shores of Italy’s picturesque Lake Como. Villa d’Este has welcomed nobility, celebrities and the international elite since first opening its doors as a hotel in 1873. Originally built in the 16th century as the summer residence of a Cardinal, this sprawling villa features stunning Renaissance and Baroque architecture, meticulously manicured gardens, and a world-famous floating pool that appears to drift on the lake’s surface. Today, its sumptuous guest rooms, suites and private villas, refined dining and impeccable service have made Villa d’Este a bucket-list destination for luxury travellers.

Here in Asia, you’ll find another former palace that has been transformed into the ultimate in extravagant accommodation. The Taj Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur, Rajasthan, occupies a breathtaking white marble island in the middle of Lake Pichola. This 250-year-old royal residence was once the pleasure palace of the Maharana of Mewar, and its grand, ornate halls, intricately carved details and shimmering reflection in the lake’s still waters create a sense of pure enchantment. Guests arrive by private boat to be welcomed by royal guards; they can get lost in another, magical time amid the intricate network of hidden pathways and courtyards, then dine in ceremonious style on the Royal Barge.

From palace to castle, the turrets, towers and sweeping grounds of Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland, have delighted guests of the landed gentry for more than 800 years; it was once the seat of the powerful Guinness family. Today, the Ashford Castle Hotel is renowned for its exceptional service and facilities. Take your meals in the George V Dining Room, the Drawing Room or the Dungeon, and experience a vast array of activities from falconry to fishing on the private lake.

Palace Pride

To our north, the Aman Summer Palace conjures up the magnificence of the Qing dynasty. After exploring the imperial marvels of the Summer Palace, guests can relax in the hotel’s own serene gardens and partake in calligraphy or the tea ceremony in the Cultural Pavilion before retreating to their luxurious suites, which seamlessly blend traditional Chinese design with modern amenities.

On the other side of the world, another palatial wonder awaits in the bustling seaside city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Conceived by the president as the country’s premier hotel, the Copacabana Palace opened in 1923, and its striking neoclassical façade, grand marble staircase and iconic swimming pool have made it an enduring symbol of old-world glamour. Over the decades, this legendary hotel has hosted everyone from royal families to Hollywood’s biggest stars, who come to enjoy its splendid service, fine dining, prime beachfront location, and during the Rio Carnival, sensational Copa Ball.