Europe doesn’t have a monopoly on castle stays. Scattered across the United States, from the rocky coast of Maine to the rolling bluegrass fields of Kentucky, there are genuine stone fortresses, Gothic manors, and fairytale estates where you can book a room, pull back heavy drapes, and wake up feeling like you’ve wandered into another century. Some of these properties have hosted presidents. Others have appeared in films. A few carry whispers of hauntings.
What ties them all together is simple: they’re real, they’re open, and you don’t need a passport to get there. Whether you want a romantic weekend, a family adventure, or simply something wildly different from a chain hotel, these thirteen American castle stays deliver.
1. Norumbega Inn – Camden, Maine
Built in 1886 and 1887 for duplex telegraph inventor Joseph Barker Stearns, Norumbega Castle is one of Mid Coast Maine’s most elaborate 19th-century summer houses, exhibiting a sophisticated Queen Anne style in stone and wood. The castle-like structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Norumbega offers eleven unique and elegant guest rooms, including two luxurious suites, all furnished with King beds, sitting areas, and en-suite baths, and guests enjoy a gourmet breakfast while an intimate bar offers wine, beer, and classic cocktails most evenings. In 2025, it was named the Best Inn in the Continental United States by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards and was awarded a Michelin Key that same year.
The inn is within walking distance of Camden’s picturesque harbor and its charming downtown, full of independent shops, amazing restaurants, and art galleries. This is one property that genuinely earns its accolades.
2. Thornewood Castle – Lakewood, Washington
Thornewood Castle is a supposedly haunted Gothic Tudor marvel situated on four acres at American Lake surrounded by fir trees, with construction materials that were originally built in England over 500 years ago. It’s renowned for its historic significance, having served as the backdrop for films like Stephen King’s “Rose Red.”
While staying at Thornewood Castle, guests can enjoy elegant common rooms, three acres of grounds and lake frontage, a half-acre sunken perennial English garden designed by the famous Olmsted brothers, a summer porch with a lake view, and a beautiful loggia. A few American presidents have spent the night at Thornewood Castle over the years.
Thornewood Castle is ranked number one of six bed and breakfasts and inns in Tacoma on TripAdvisor. The castle is located in a private gated community, and advance reservations are required – walk-up guests are not accepted.
3. Oheka Castle – Huntington, New York
Oheka Castle, nestled in Huntington, New York, is built in European style and stands as the second-largest private residence in the United States, constructed by financier Otto Hermann Kahn in the early 20th century. The property features grandiose stone walls, tucked-away rooms, massive fireplaces, and a grand sweeping staircase leading to the entry hall.
Guests may choose Chateau Rooms with one king bed, Gatsby Suites with decadent accents throughout, or Olmstead Suites with two balconies overlooking the lawn and pools. All rooms are stocked with luxury furnishings, including Frette linens, Molton Brown toiletries, down pillows, and luxury bathrobes.
Each morning, guests are invited to partake in complimentary continental breakfast, and the OHK Bar and Restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, serving modern European fare. Few properties on the East Coast match its sheer scale and grandeur.
4. The Kentucky Castle – Versailles, Kentucky
The Kentucky Castle is perched on a hill amongst fields of verdant farmland, just off a major interstate highway in Versailles, Kentucky, close to downtown Lexington and positioned along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail road trip route. At its heart, the castle sits amid views of 110 acres of rolling bluegrass farmland.
The castle was originally dreamt up by Rex and Caroline Martin, who traveled throughout Europe and hoped to bring the magic of fairytale castles back to Kentucky, though construction began in 1969, and before it was complete, the Martins’ relationship ended, leaving the castle unfinished and forgotten for decades.
Today it features luxurious rooms, a bourbon bar, a restaurant, and a spa. Visitors to the castle can opt to spend the night, reserve a table for dinner, or book spa services. It’s an only-in-America story with a very satisfying ending.
5. Belhurst Castle – Geneva, New York
Belhurst Castle is a former private residence on the shores of Seneca Lake in Geneva, New York, designed by architects Fuller and Wheeler and built between 1885 and 1889. The three-story, nine-bay Romanesque Revival style mansion is constructed of Medina sandstone, features a slate gable roof, four rectangular stone chimneys, projecting porches, towers with conical and pyramidal roofs, and a porte cochere with a Syrian arch.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Supplemented by modern facilities, Belhurst Castle has been adapted for hotel and retail uses, and it holds a hotel with three distinct choices of lodging, including the Vinifera Inn, Chambers in the Castle, and White Springs Manor, as well as two ballrooms and two restaurants.
Seneca Lake frames nearly every window, and the surrounding Finger Lakes wine country gives guests plenty of reason to linger for more than one night.
6. Castello di Amorosa – Calistoga, California
Castello di Amorosa is an authentic recreation of a 13th-century Tuscan castle. It’s nestled in 170 acres in Calistoga in Napa Valley. It’s not only a highly acclaimed winery but quite literally a castle, beginning as the dream of winemaker Dario Sattui before becoming an Old World experience in modern times.
The affiliated Castello Victorian Inn, built in 1886, is a historic four-bedroom, four-bathroom Victorian home of 3,600 square feet located three blocks from downtown Calistoga, recently restored to its historic charm and converted into an inn perfect for individuals, couples, or families. Beyond the Castello, the Napa Valley offers an unparalleled experience for food and wine enthusiasts, with Michelin-starred restaurants, vibrant farmers’ markets, and artisanal shops.
Few castle experiences in America come with world-class wine quite so naturally built into the itinerary.
7. Smithmore Castle – Crossnore, North Carolina
Also known as “the castle above the clouds,” Smithmore Castle offers six guest rooms for overnight stays on a private mountain estate of more than 100 acres. Guests can partake in amenities including massages, guided hikes, and cooking classes, as well as an onsite restaurant, vintage “starlight” bar, and a Tuscan-themed lounge area.
For destinations outside the castle, guests can venture out to nearby Asheville and Boone for shopping and dining, or hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway, just 10 minutes away, for a scenic drive and access to other nearby destinations. The Blue Ridge Mountains wrapping around the property give this stay a genuinely dramatic backdrop.
With only six rooms, availability moves quickly and the intimate scale means the whole property rarely feels crowded – a rarity for a castle stay of this quality.
8. Mohonk Mountain House – New Paltz, New York
Mohonk Mountain House, nestled in the scenic Shawangunk Mountains of New York, is a Victorian castle that offers a unique blend of history and adventure, and has been family-owned for generations, providing a welcoming atmosphere. The property rises dramatically from the cliffside above Lake Mohonk, giving it that unmistakably castle-like silhouette.
The resort spans thousands of acres of preserved wilderness, with more than 85 miles of trails accessible directly from the property. Guests can hike, horse ride, or simply sit on the sprawling veranda with views stretching out over the lake. Winter brings ice skating on the lake, and the spa is available year-round.
Although the castle preserves its historic decor and charm, most amenities and features are typically very modern, and thanks to these comforts, it makes an excellent pick for longer trips as well as short weekend getaways.
9. Castle Hill Inn – Newport, Rhode Island
Romantic and intimate in the beautiful New England countryside, Castle Hill Inn delivers an extraordinary experience, and when you wake up in a grand antique bed looking out on perfectly manicured grounds through floor-to-ceiling windows, you may feel you’ve woken up royal. The property overlooks Narragansett Bay, with some of the most consistently photographed sunsets on the entire East Coast.
The inn was originally built in 1874 as the summer residence of renowned marine biologist Alexander Agassiz. The main Victorian-era chalet, harbor houses, and beach cottages across the property offer different price points and atmospheres, making it accessible for a range of travelers. Newport itself adds a layer of history, with the famous Gilded Age mansions all a short drive away.
10. Chanler at Cliff Walk – Newport, Rhode Island
The Chanler at Cliff Walk sits proudly on Newport’s famed Cliff Walk, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, and this historic hotel was once a private mansion. Built in 1873, the property was originally known as the Cliff Lawn estate before eventually being transformed into the boutique hotel it is today. Each of the twenty rooms is individually designed in a distinct period style, including Renaissance, Tudor, Colonial, and Art Deco.
The Chanler’s Spiced Pear restaurant has built a strong reputation in its own right, making dinner reservations at the property worth planning around as much as the room itself. At many castles like this, you’ll have more of the space to yourself, which is ideal for guests who want more privacy than a larger hotel typically allows.
11. Storybook Castle – Fairhope, Alabama
The Storybook Castle is not only budget-friendly compared to expectations, but it’s perhaps the best spot to enjoy a vacation in the historic town of Fairhope, Alabama in a uniquely memorable style. Fairhope is a charming arts town perched on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, and the combination of the castle’s quirky character with the town’s independent galleries and restaurants makes for an unexpectedly satisfying weekend.
For travelers who assume castle stays are only for high-end splurges, this Alabama property offers a more grounded counterpoint. Castle stays in America include both hotel-like accommodations and vacation rentals available through platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, with affordable options alongside worthwhile splurges. The Storybook Castle sits firmly at the more accessible end of that spectrum.
12. Pythian Castle – Springfield, Missouri
Built in 1913 by the Knights of Pythias fraternal order, Pythian Castle in Springfield, Missouri is one of the more unusual castle stays in the country. The stone fortress served multiple purposes over the decades, including as a military convalescent hospital during World War II, before being restored and reopened for overnight guests and events. Rooms are set within the original stone structure, giving the stay an authentically historic feel that newer builds simply can’t replicate.
The castle has developed a reputation as one of the most haunted locations in Missouri, and ghost tours are offered regularly. Many castles like this have more remote or distinctive locations, so it’s usually a good idea to have your own vehicle for exploring the surrounding area. Springfield itself offers plenty of dining and entertainment options just minutes from the castle’s gates.
13. Loveland Castle – Loveland, Ohio
Loveland Castle, also known as Chateau Laroche, is one of the most unusual properties on this list. It was built almost entirely by one man, Harry Andrews, who began construction in 1929 and worked on it for more than five decades. The castle was constructed largely from river stones carried from the nearby Little Miami River, and it reflects a genuine lifelong commitment to medieval architecture and ideals.
While primarily open as a museum and attraction, the grounds and unique atmosphere make it a destination worth including for travelers fascinated by American castle history. Located in a small Ohio town, it stands as a fantastic testament to the power of the human imagination, billed as an “inspiring castle built entirely by one man.” The Knights of the Golden Trail, the organization Andrews founded, still maintains the property today, keeping the story alive for visitors.
Planning Your Castle Stay
A good way to start searching for the best castle is by determining which area of the USA you want to visit, as there are great castles located all around the country, from mountain landscapes in the Rockies to proximity near the beaches of Florida. Thankfully there are plenty of castles here in the states where you can actually stay overnight, ranging from full hotel-like accommodations to private vacation rentals.
Although castles preserve some sort of historic decor and charm, most amenities and features are typically very modern. Booking ahead is almost always essential, particularly for peak travel seasons, as these properties tend to have limited room counts compared to standard hotels. The intimate scale is part of the appeal, but it also means availability disappears fast.
There’s something quietly compelling about the fact that America, a country with no hereditary castles, has managed to build and restore so many of them anyway. Some arose from Gilded Age ambition, others from pure eccentricity, and a few from the simple desire to bring a piece of Europe home. Whatever their origin, they’re open, they’re real, and a night inside one tends to stay with you long after checkout.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.