The Most Stunning Castle Hotels in America for a Truly Regal Escape
Travel across the United States starts to reveal something most people overlook. Some of the country’s most ambitious homes were never meant to be hotels, and a few sat unfinished, abandoned, or kept private for decades before opening to guests.
Many trace back to the late 1800s or early 1900s, while others grew out of personal projects inspired by European travel. What you get now is a range of castle-style stays that can make a regular trip feel far more memorable without leaving the country.
Norumbega Inn
Norumbega Inn is located above Penobscot Bay in Camden, Maine, and its story begins with its original owner, Joseph Barker Stearns. He built the Queen Anne-style mansion in 1886 after making his fortune in Boston, then returned to what he believed was the most beautiful place in the world.
The property became an inn in 1984, but the most important change came much later. Architect William Tims and partner Brett Haynie completed a full restoration before reopening it in May 2023. By 2025, it had already earned major recognition, including Best Inn in the Continental United States from Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards and a Michelin Key. The inn has 11 rooms, which keeps the experience personal, and rates start at about $260 per night.
Thornewood Castle
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Joe Mabel
In 1907, banker Chester Thorne purchased parts of a 400-year-old English manor, shipped them to Washington on three vessels, and rebuilt the structure into a 27,000-square-foot Tudor Gothic home completed in 1908.
Original elements still define the property, including 16th-century stained glass and doors crafted from centuries-old English oak. The estate covers several acres near American Lake and now operates as a hotel with 22 guest rooms starting at about $255 per night. It has hosted United States presidents and also served as a filming location for Stephen King’s “Rose Red.”
Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Unlike the others, the Mission Inn in Riverside, California, didn’t start as a castle at all. It began in 1876 as a modest structure called Glenwood Cottage and, over time, expanded into a sprawling property that now covers an entire city block.
By the late 20th century, the building had fallen into disrepair, but a major restoration in the 1990s brought it back to life. The property had already been designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977 and later joined Historic Hotels of America in 1996. With 238 rooms and 27 suites, it is one of the largest, and rates start around $210 per night. Its guest list has included figures like Harry Houdini and Ronald Reagan.
Kentucky Castle
Construction on the Kentucky Castle began in 1969 when Rex Martin Sr. decided to build a European-inspired residence after traveling abroad. The project stalled in 1975 due to personal setbacks, leaving the structure unused for decades.
New ownership eventually completed and renovated the property, which opened as a hotel in 2008 near Lexington. The castle now spans more than 100 acres and includes a spa, event spaces, and a farm-to-table restaurant that uses ingredients grown on-site. Guest rooms feature canopy beds, antique-style furniture, and private terraces, with rates beginning around $170 per night.
The Erlowest
Edward Morse Shepard completed Erlowest in 1898 as his summer home overlooking Lake George in New York. The estate became a gathering place during his time, welcoming guests such as George Foster Peabody and members of the Trask family.
The property changed hands several times before reopening as a hotel in 1999. It now runs as an adults-only inn with 10 suites. The design keeps period features like four-poster beds and fireplaces, while also including private balconies and spa-style tubs for added comfort.
Oheka Castle
Image via Wikimedia Commons/OhekaCastle
Few properties match the scale of Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York. Built in 1919, the estate spans 109,000 square feet and originally sat on more than 440 acres, making it the second-largest private home in the United States at the time.
The castle hosted lavish gatherings attended by actors, royalty, and political figures during the Gilded Age before eventually falling into decline. A $40 million restoration later brought it back, marking one of the largest private renovation efforts in the country. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Oheka operates as a hotel with 32 guest rooms.
Landoll’s Mohican Castle
Landoll’s Mohican Castle in Loudonville, Ohio, traces its origins to Jim Landoll, a soldier who returned from Europe inspired by the castles he visited. After building a successful publishing company, he sold it in 1997 and used the proceeds to construct the castle, which opened in 2002.
The property covers 30 acres and includes 11 suites. The interiors feature carved wood furniture, chandeliers, and traditional design details throughout. The castle is still family-run and includes an on-site restaurant called The Copper Mug. Guests can also join guided tours of the property for $12.