This was published 6 years ago
The 10 British royal residences where you can stay the night
By Paul Ewart
Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, London.
THE RUBENS AT THE PALACE, LONDON
When it comes to being "neighbours'' with HRH herself, you literally can't get closer than London's The Rubens at the Palace. Overlooking the rear of Buckingham Palace, the hotel was built in 1912 and quickly became a go-to for debutantes and other aristocrats attending functions at the palace. From the windows you can watch the guardsmen in the Royal Mews and at the aptly named Palace Lounge, guests can enjoy afternoon tea. But not just any afternoon tea, at the Rubens it is, of course, a "royal" one, comprised only of royalty-associated foodie fare. From coronation chicken sandwiches (thought to have been devised for the silver jubilee of George V), to the Queen's beloved "jam pennies" and bite-sized portions of William and Harry's favourite chocolate sweet treat – there's a story behind every bite.
See rubenshotel.com
An actor portrays a guard at Hampton Court Palace, the former seat of Henry the VIII.Credit: Shutterstock
CASTLE OF MEY, SUTHERLAND, SCOTLAND
The most northerly castle on the British mainland, the 16th-century Castle of Mey had a blood-soaked history until the Queen Mother bought the old pile after the death of her husband, King George VI. Renovating and restoring the building and its extensive 12-hectare of grounds, she spent several weeks there each August and October until her death. Two years ago, the castle became the first royal residence open to paying guests, who can now stay at the Captain's House cottage, which was the late Queen Mother's favourite spot for an indoor picnic.
HAMPTON COURT
Henry VIII's very own pleasure palace, Hampton Court was the Tudor equivalent of the Playboy Mansion. Situated on the banks of the Thames just south-west of London, the infamous king's pad was the scene for excessive parties and boasted pleasure gardens, a tennis court and even a bowling alley. These days you can get your own taste of royal grandeur by renting the Georgian House apartment on site, which comes complete with private walled garden and views over the surrounding palace rooftops.
HARTWELL HOUSE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Dating back almost 1000 years, this Grade I listed, English country house has been the seat of William the Conqueror's son, but its most famous resident was the exiled King of France, Louis XVIII, who held court here from 1809 to 1814. Now a slick spa and hotel, guests can even stay in the king's old room, which comes complete with a suitably majestic four-poster bed.
MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK, LONDON
You really can't get more exclusive than a dedicated royal entrance off Hyde Park, which requires direct permission from the Queen herself to use it. Positioned in chichi Knightsbridge overlooking the park, the Mandarin Oriental is still London's premiere address more than a century after it first opened. This is not least due to its long-term patronage by the blue-blooded. Queen Mary was a regular here, alongside the Prince of Wales – later Edward VIII – who came for society balls. Queen Elizabeth II and the late Princess Margaret first learned to dance at the hotel and, most recently, the gala dinner before the royal marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took place in the 24-carat gold-clad ballroom. And if you don't already feel like royalty after a night in its hallowed rooms, by the time you leave the in-house spa – a luxurious retreat spread over two floors – you definitely will.
See mandarinoriental.com/London
BALMORAL, ABERDEENSHIRE, SCOTLAND
The royal family's Scottish hideaway, Balmoral is one of the Queen's favourite residences. Surrounded by more than 20,000 hectares of forests, lochs and glens; each summer HRH and her family retire from public life to enjoy their favourite country pursuits. And mere mortals can follow in their footsteps by renting one of the six holiday cottages on the royal grounds. Available when the family aren't in residence, accommodation varies in distance from the main castle.
ASTLEY CASTLE, WARWICKSHIRE
The childhood home of the tragic "nine-day queen", Lady Jane Grey, Astley Castle was owned by her family until she, her husband and father were beheaded for treason in 1554. After being largely destroyed by fire in the 70s, it was recently restored and can now be rented for up to eight people. Just watch out for the resident headless ghost.
OSBOURNE HOUSE, ISLE OF WIGHT
Commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as the formal entrance to Osborne House, the family home of the couple, Sovereign's Gate has welcomed an A to Z of European aristocracy, including Napoleon and Tsar Nicholas II. It was also where the old queen made her final departure in 1901 after passing away in her favourite seaside retreat. Nowadays, the grand entrance is only used by the royal family, but two holiday apartments – each sleeping four – developed inside it are available for rent to the public.
LANGTRY MANOR, BOURNEMOUTH
For a scandalous break, check into the former seaside home of King Edward VII's long-time mistress, Lillie Langtry. Built in 1877 by the future king, the house was customised especially to his tastes, from the lofty ceilings so he could smoke cigars, to the dining room that allowed him to spy on his guests before deciding whether he'd join them for dinner. Now a boutique hotel, the manor is a stone's throw from the nearby beaches.
SANDRINGHAM, NORFOLK
Bought by Queen Victoria as a marital home for her son, Edward VII, who decided it was too small and demolished the original structure to start from scratch, Sandringham is a firm favourite with the royal family. Since the present Queen spent her first Christmas in the property (at only eight months) the entire Windsor clan decamp to their Norfolk bolthole each December. But when HRH isn't in residence, two of the cottages on the 8000-hectare estate used by her staff are available to let.
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