Luxury travel is all about having the best and most unique experiences possible. So, of course your accommodations should reflect that goal. With that in mind, what could be more exclusive and magical than staying at a castle?

If you need convincing about choosing such an ethereal place for your next vacation stay, have a look at these five reasons a castle stay might make sense for you:

Peace and Tranquility

You will actually be able to hear yourself think in such a quiet and peaceful setting. Whether you’re sitting in the breathtaking gardens or soaking in a hot bath, swimming in the pool or riding a horse on the grounds, the environment of a castle is incredibly meditative. Since your everyday life is most likely constantly brimming with things to do, give yourself the gift of stress release and relaxation at an extravagant and exclusive castle!

Experience the Authenticity of the Past

Castles are overflowing with history. Nowhere other than staying at one can you get a real feeling of what life must have been like for the aristocracy centuries ago. Castles have records of what transpired on the property. You likely will be able to find such documents in the library, which all castles have. Staff will assist you in finding some very interesting information not only about the history of the structure, but of the area as well.

Privacy and Luxury

Castles are for travelers wanting total privacy with maximum comfort and luxury. These castles have been updated with modern features like central heating and electricity. Rooms have the most incredible pieces of furniture – most of them prized antiques and the most expensive linens and fabrics have been used for window treatments and bedding. Nothing in a castle is ordinary. Everything is of the highest quality.

Be Treated Like Royalty

Experience the feeling of being in a chapter right out of an Arthurian legend storybook. You will indeed have pulled the sword from the stone when you stay at a castle, no matter where it is located. They are harbingers of affluence where you will be treated like royalty. Whether you are seeking spa treatments, decadent meals, interesting activities – they are available in spades during a castle stay.

Make a Huge Impression

If you would like to entertain family, friends or perhaps business associates, there is no better place to do so than at a palatial castle! A chateau is the ultimate venue to host a gala or a wedding and everyone is sure to be wowed not only by the beauty of the surroundings, but by the service and attentiveness of staff who will happily accommodate the wishes of you and your guests.

Here are three castles at which you really should seriously consider staying on your next vacation:

Belvoir Castle

Home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland and their five children, Belvoir Castle in the lush countryside of Leicestershire in the UK, is one of the most stunning examples of Regency architecture in the country. This particular castle is the fourth that has stood on the property, the first built in 1067. Past structures were destroyed by wars. The current castle was built between 1801-1832 for the 5th Duke and Duchess of Rutland. The castle has been featured in the television series, The Crown, as well as movies like the Da Vinci Code and Young Victoria. You can choose from 14 exquisitely appointed rooms at Belvoir, including the King’s rooms used by Royal Family members such as George IV, Edward VII and Queen Victoria.

Chateau Ophelia

With 22 bedrooms to accommodate 44 guests, Chateau Ophelia will have you feeling like you’re on your own, private island, yet it’s just a 45-minute drive from Paris. The castle has never been open to the public, but you have the opportunity of staying within its walls that hold secrets of the ages. Chateau Ophelia is one of the most stunning moated medieval castles in France, restored to its original exquisiteness by its current owners. Not only will you be staying in an impeccably-appointed room, you will also have use of a spectacular 80-foot-long indoor heated pool, a billiard room, board game room, tennis courts, and two libraries, to name just a few amenities. For outdoor weddings, there is a sublime garden behind the chateau, complete with pergolas.

Chateau de Vallery

Elegant and sophisticated Chateau de Vallery is just an hour outside Paris. Built in 1548 for a French marquis, the chateau features four stunning halls, 28 bedrooms and vaulted 12th century cellars that are lit only by candlelight. This property is the height of romance from a bygone era and you will feel the chateau’s sultry past envelop you, sweeping you off your feet with its opulence. St. Thomas of Canterbury church stands on the edge of the chateau’s forest, making Chateau de Vallery the ideal venue for a truly unforgettable wedding. Outside, you will find a breathtaking rose garden and a number of swimming pools. The vast grounds make the chateau the perfect place for events of all kinds.

LVH can help you find the ideal castle at which to stay for your next adventure. Experience the unprecedented feeling of what it must have been like to wear a crown and have your own aristocratic distinction on your next royal vacation!