Ever dreamed of living like royalty? Around the world, there are real palaces you can stay in and enjoy the experience. From awe-inspiring architecture and grand interiors to rich cuisine, culture, and art, these historic residences offer a one-of-a-kind experience.
The Gezirah Palace Hotel, Egypt
Built by Khedive Isma’il Pasha in the 19th century, the Gezirah Palace holds a significant place in Egypt’s royal history. The palace famously hosted Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, during the celebrations of the Suez Canal’s inauguration and was the setting for the lavish 40-day wedding festivities of Khedive Isma’il’s children.
Originally designed to host distinguished guests, the palace was later converted into a luxury hotel in 1894 under the name the ‘Ghezireh Palace Hotel’. Over the years, the property changed hands several times and even served as a hospital during World War I, treating casualties from the Battle of Gallipoli. In the late 1970s, two large towers were added, and the hotel underwent a major redevelopment. It reopened in 1982 as the Cairo Marriott Hotel, which today still preserves much of the palace’s original artwork and historic furnishings.
Çiragan Palace Kempinski, Türkiye
This majestic 17th-century palace, with more than 300 rooms, sits on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul. Once the imperial court and home to the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, it also hosted notable guests, including the French Empress Eugénie, making it one of the most distinguished palaces of the 19th century. Converted into a hotel in 1991, its interiors reflect the lavish Baroque style of the old empire, while the exterior boasts a sprawling pool and garden overlooking the water.
Royal Mansour Marrakech
Commissioned by HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco to host heads of state and visiting royalty from around the world, the hotel has long served as a royal retreat. More than 1,200 artisans worked on its ornate details, from carved cedar ceilings to intricate zellige tile mosaics. Luxurious materials like velvet, silk, crystal, marble, cedar and copper decorate the property’s 53 spacious accommodations, which range from one to four bedrooms.
Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, India
Built in 1835 for the Maharaja of Jaipur, this architectural wonder was once home to Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and his wife, Maharani Gayatri Devi, who was considered one of the most glamorous women of her time. Nicknamed the “Jewel of Jaipur,” the palace was originally built as a garden retreat before evolving into a royal residence and now a Taj Hotel.
Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia
Built between 1817 and 1820 for Prince Alexander Lobanov-Rostovsky, this grand 19th-century palace in St. Petersburg is a landmark of Russian imperial architecture. Designed by renowned architect Auguste de Montferrand, the residence became famously known as the “House with Lions”, named after the imposing marble Medici lions, that guard its entrance.
Over the years, the palace served several important government roles, including housing the Ministry of War of the Russian Empire. Following a meticulous restoration, the historic residence reopened in 2013 as the Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg, offering guests a rare chance to experience the opulence of Russia’s aristocratic past.
