Five Palace Hotels Around the World That Redefine Royal Living

History proves we’ve always had a thing for royalty. Whether it was chasing the elegance of Maharani Gayatri Devi in the 20th century or admiring Princess Diana’s fashion in the 1990s, there’s a timeless fascination with how the royals live, something irresistible about the idea of living life king-size.

Thankfully, for those who don’t look at the price tag, that dream can actually come true. Around the world, there are real palaces you can stay in, which are lavish, legendary, and dripping in history. Here are our top five picks to help you feel like royalty, even if it is for just one fabulous night.

Taj Rambagh Palace – Jaipur, India

Since 1835, Rambagh Palace has topped the charts for palatial stays in India. It has stood through many royal eras and transitions, from being the home of a queen’s favourite handmaiden to a royal guesthouse, hunting lodge, and later the residence of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and his queen, Maharani Gayatri Devi, a true global icon. Today, the hotel offers 78 stunningly restored luxury rooms and suites that once housed royalty. The hotel still flaunts its grandeur with marble latticework, sandstone pavilions, Mughal gardens, and ornate interiors. Over the years, Rambagh has hosted names like Lord Mountbatten, Prince Charles, and Jacqueline Kennedy.

Badrutt’s Palace Hotel – St. Moritz, Switzerland

Switzerland knows how to do luxury, and when it comes to palace hotels, only a few places around the world offer the storybook charm quite like St. Moritz. Nestled in the Alps, this glamorous ski town is home to one of the most iconic stays in the world: Badrutt’s Palace Hotel. Opened in 1896, this fairy-tale castle marked the beginning of a new era, winter travel, and it has been raising the bar for Alpine luxury ever since. From hosting Europe’s first indoor tennis court to throwing legendary New Year’s Eve parties, the Palace mixes classic elegance with a fresh, modern spirit. With 172 rooms and suites, including the stylish new Serlas Wing, it delivers everything from Michelin-starred dining to flagship boutiques like Gucci and Cartier. Audrey Hepburn, Alfred Hitchcock, and Charlie Chaplin were once guests at the Palace Hotel.

Palazzo Avino – Ravello, Italy, Italy

Palazzo Avino is the aristocratic heart of Ravello in Italy. The 12th-century former private villa has evolved into one of the most exclusive palace hotels. Once home to the noble Sasso family, the property has welcomed elite travellers since the 19th century and was fully restored in 1997. In 2013, it was renamed to honour the Avino family, whose second-generation owners, Mariella and Attilia Avino, have brought a distinct sense of style and luxury to the hotel. The hotel’s culinary offerings are a highlight, from the Michelin-starred Rossellinis led by Chef Giovanni Vanacore to the casual Terrazza Belvedere, revealed in 2024 with panoramic coastal views and fresh Italian plates. The Lobster & Martini Bar serves local lobster with a list of 100 martinis, while the hotel’s own wine, Mar-a-viglia, is grown onsite at La Cascinetta. Just 15 minutes away, Palazzo Avino also offers an exclusive beach club, Clubhouse by the Sea, one of the few in Ravello, set along the cliffs and recently taken over by Valentino.

Le Bristol Paris – Paris, France

Established in 1925, this one was the first hotel in France to be called palatial. Located on the prestigious Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, steps from the Elysée Palace and surrounded by luxury maisons like Hermès and Saint Laurent, the hotel has hosted legends from Chanel to Charlie Chaplin. Besides its first palatial status, Le Bristol is home to four Michelin stars, with Chef Arnaud Faye leading the acclaimed Epicure and 114 Faubourg. Café Antonia and Le Bar du Bristol complete the culinary lineup. The hotel, still family-owned by the Oetkers, boasts a stunning rooftop pool with panoramic views, the tranquil Jardin Français redesigned by Lady Arabella Lennox-Boyd, and the three-floor Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, featuring the first Russian Banya (traditional Russian steam bath) in Paris. Les Ateliers du Bristol showcases on-site artisanal spaces including a cheese ageing cellar, flour mill, and chocolate factory. The 2025 centenary unveils renovated signature suites, one inspired by George Condo’s art, another by the myth of Eros and Psyche.

Çırağan Palace Kempinski- Istanbul, Turkey

Çırağan Palace Kempinski is the only Ottoman imperial palace and luxury hotel located on the Bosphorus. The hotel was originally a 17th-century Imperial Garden created for Sultan Ahmed I. It later transformed into a grand wooden palace with classical Ottoman architecture. It became the first of its kind to feature monumental columns facing the Bosphorus. After a fire in 1910, the palace was restored and reimagined. It reopened in 1991 as a Kempinski hotel. Today, it boasts 317 elegantly designed rooms and suites, including the ultra-private Sultan Suite. This suite offers butler service and sweeping Bosphorus views. A key highlight is that it remains the only hotel in Istanbul accessible by limousine, private yacht, or helicopter. Guests can enjoy Michelin-level dining, refined interiors, and spacious balconies with panoramic views across Europe and Asia. The hotel also offers 11 Palace Suites located in the original imperial building. Over the years, Çırağan Palace has welcomed an impressive roster of global icons, including names like Madonna, Oprah Winfrey, Luciano Pavarotti, and Robert De Niro.