From Castles and Mansions to a Former Prison, These Properties Promise an Unforgettable Stay

Still debating where to spend your next vacation? Think of the stories you could tell after spending the night in a former prison — or checking into a haunted hotel. Read on to find six unusual hotels where simply spending the night has all the makings of an extraordinary stay.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Live Like Royalty in Germany

Built in the late 1800s, Schloss Lieser, Autograph Collection looks like its design was taken straight from the pages of a children’s fairy tale. Surrounded by vineyards in Germany’s Moselle Valley, the Belle Epoque castle sits perched on the riverbank and even boasts a small beach perfect for sun-filled summer days.

The carefully restored 49 rooms and suites have a regal feel, featuring sparkling chandeliers and dark wood furnishings with ornate gold accents. River-view rooms are worth the splurge.

Cozy Up in a Country Estate in Ireland

Experience the verdant beauty of Ireland from the comfort of a historic, centuries-old Georgian estate. Built in 1757, Mount Juliet Estate, Autograph Collection served as the home for seven generations of earls before becoming a country resort.

Today, the property’s 18th-century Manor House features 32 rooms, many with views of the River Nore and the paddocks of the Ballylinch Stud farm, famous for its winning stallions. The 93 bedrooms at Hunters Yard have a more modern feel and are good for families.

At Mount Juliet Estate, set among 500 acres of Kilkenny countryside, choosing how to fill your days will be the toughest decision you’ll have to make. From fishing and archery to falconry, world-class golf and Michelin-starred dining at the Lady Helen Restaurant, it’s impossible to go wrong.

Sleep Surrounded by Vineyards in Argentina

Nestled in the heart of South America’s most famous wine region, Auberge du Vin, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Tupungato is surrounded by sweeping vineyards and framed by the Andes Mountains. The journey to get here is part of the fun — driving along an unpaved road through row after row of grapevines makes you feel almost as though you’ve stumbled upon an undiscovered stretch of wine country.

The property’s spacious rooms take advantage of its backyard, offering jaw-dropping vineyard views that at times put oenophiles within arm’s reach of grapevines. After a busy day of wine tasting, retreat to the hotel’s outdoor terrace to watch the sun dip below the vineyard and give way to star-filled skies.

Spend the Night in a Haunted Hotel in Canada

Having welcomed royalty, world leaders and everyday travelers since 1889, The Algonquin Resort St. Andrews By-The-Sea, Autograph Collection seems to have left some guests (or at least their spirits) deciding they never want to leave the property — even in the afterlife.

Have no fear; only friendly ghosts seem to be long-term guests at the picturesque resort overlooking New Brunswick’s Passamaquoddy Bay. Along with reports of an older woman spirit that enjoys spending her evenings putting her personal touch on restaurant place settings, there’s apparently a helpful bellhop and jilted bride floating through the halls.

It’s easy to understand the apparitions’ attachment to the resort. Along with an 18-hole golf course, spa, fitness center, outdoor pool and hot tub, the 233-room, Tudor “Castle-by-the-Sea” boasts an indoor pool with a three-story waterslide.

Stay on a Picturesque Farm in South Africa

Fancy waking up to the sound of cows mooing gleefully in the distance? Happy bovines graze the green pastures surrounding the African Pride Irene Country Lodge, Autograph Collection, located between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Visit the farm’s maternity ward and you might be lucky enough to snag a few baby-calf cuddles. After viewing cows being milked, you might sip farm-fresh milk, or take the farm-to-table experience to another level and indulge in a gourmet milkshake tasting.

Don’t expect farm life to feel like you’re roughing it at this luxe spot; from soaking in postcard-worthy lakeside views, to hitting the links, to sipping afternoon tea and munching on scones at the farm, you may never want to go back to city living.

Snooze in a Helsinki Slammer

Spend the night in a former prison — without breaking the law — at Hotel Katajanokka, Helsinki, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. Dating back to the 1830s and once home to the Helsinki County Prison, the space detained convicts here as recently as 2002. Extensive renovations have taken place inside, though the exterior remains, for the most part, unchanged.