Palace Stays - Full-Time Travel

Palace Stays

Get Your Royal On

Jaw-Dropping Palace Hotels

@Hôtel de Crillon

Travel like royalty at these historic palaces that have opened their refurbished doors to overnight guests — noble lineage not required. With wing after wing of unrestrained interiors, Doric pillars and frilly columns, glittering chandeliers and marble staircases, palace hotels give new meaning to over-the-top opulence with service fit for a king — and queen.

FIELD NOTES


While visiting Lisbon’s Palacio Belmonte, don’t miss the swoon-inducing palaces of nearby Sintra.
 
Yes, Quinta da Regaleira beckons with ornate embellishments and spires, but it’s the extensive gardens with labyrinthine paths and connected underground tunnels that really get us gawking. Hello, inverted tower dedicated to tarot mysticism.
 
Gothic and all-white, The National Palace, with its centuries-long list of visiting kings and queens, is a present-day house museum. The room full of 18th-century azulejos tiles in the Sala dos Brasoes is worth the trip alone.
 
One of the grandest examples of Romantic architecture in the world, the opulent, architecturally indulgent Pena Palace was built in the 19th century by Ferdinand II. Consider it a visual feast of vivid color and beyond-ornate design tucked into forested parklands.

@Palacio Belmonte

Inn Crowd

In a busy tangle of Alfama’s ancient cobblestone streets along the walls of the Castelo de Sao Jorge, Palacio Belmonte is a sumptuous reminder of Lisbon’s regal past. Dating back to 1449 (and surviving the earthquake of 1755), it’s one of the oldest buildings in the city. Renovated to be more like an intimate home, the shared spaces and 10 spacious suites read like a luxe residence, one with centuries-old blue-and-white Portuguese tiles, plush yet lived-in furniture, ancient tapestries and contemporary art. Owners Frederic and Maria Coustols, who have palace-sized personalities themselves, infuse the space, as well as your stay, with history, literature, music and art. “We live in permanent movement,” says Maria. “We love art, and the walls keep changing after new exhibitions.” The latest: a beautiful light installation by Polish artist Joachim Slugocki in the lobby.

@Hôtel de Crillon

The Brag

Located in twin Parisian palaces commissioned by King Louis XV, Hôtel de Crillon is home to some of history’s most famous — and infamous — moments. Benjamin Franklin signed a treaty to recognize the Declaration of Independence there, while Marie-Antoinette was guillotined at its nearby square. Today, the hotel gives guests the chance to interact with a different kind of royalty: fashion. Karl Lagerfeld recently designed its Grands Appartements, a pair of interconnecting suites with no shortage of opulence: Baccarat chandeliers, hand-finished wood panels, sweeping Place de la Concorde views and even some of the designer’s favorite books.

"With wing after wing of unrestrained interiors, Doric pillars and frilly columns, glittering chandeliers and marble staircases, palace hotels give new meaning to over-the-top opulence with service fit for a king — and queen."

@La Posta Vecchia

Cheat Sheet

Palace Stays Around the World

One of the oldest palaces in Jaipur, Sujan Rajmahal Palace is tucked into lush gardens and decorated in an elaborate riot of patterned wallpaper and endless charm, worthy of its gilded history. The hotel is widely — and justly — considered the gold standard of Indian luxury.

Formerly a home to Ottoman sultans, Istanbul’s waterfront Ciragan baroque palace-turned-Kempinkski hotel sits directly on the Bosphorus, with gardens stretching nearly a mile along the waterfront.

Overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea (and just 25 miles from Rome), La Posta Vecchia oozes glamorous Italian splendor with jaw-dropping interiors, rarefied collections, frescoes and pinch-me panoramic views.

"This sculpture is called "Transmission" by artist Daniel Popper. Its a reminder that we are all rooted in love, unity and the divine. She stands a towering 28 feet tall and is located on Mojave Moon Ranch in Joshua Tree. The land is private property, so you can see it from the viewing platform off of Sunfair Road. And take it from me, it's best viewed at sunset."

Reel: @johnofah
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There's more to Greece than the white and blue buildings and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea. If you're planning a visit, check out these places below!

📍Kokkinopilos. Preveza
📍Verliga Dragon lake, Thessaly
📍Ithaca island, lonian Sea
📍Aoos springs lake, Epirus
📍Lake Prespes, Macedonia
📍Balda di Stringa waterfalls, Epirus
📍Meteora, Thessaly
📍Pelion, Thessaly
📍Lake Zorika, Epirus
📍Mt Lakmos
📍Crete island, Aegean Sea
📍Gistova Dragon lake, Macedonia

Reel: @farawayfarers
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Swim or kayak through the limestone cliffs of the Twin Lagoon, a must-visit destination for those traveling to Coron, Palawan, Philippines. It is called "twin" lagoon because it consists of two lagoons separated by a limestone cliff, with one lagoon on top of the other. The water in the inner lagoon is warm and clear, with a stunning turquoise color that makes it popular for swimming and snorkeling.

Reel: @travelifejournal
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Take a dip in a series of seven saltwater lagoons located in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The Lagoons of Baltinache are known for their beautiful turquoise waters and unique geological formations. The high concentration of minerals in the water gives it a unique buoyancy that makes swimming in the lagoons a unique experience.

Reel: @everchanginghorizon
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Watching the sun rise above the clouds at Haleakalā National Park is one of the most memorable experiences you could have. Haleakalā is a Hawaiian name that means “House of the Sun” and is an awesome place to watch the clear night sky and stars fade away as the sun lights up the sky and the earth.

Reel: @girlchill_sunset
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Just 1 hour from Shanghai by train, Cherry Blossom Valley is a popular tourist destination, particularly in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The valley is named after the thousands of cherry blossom trees that cover the area and create a stunning display of pink and white flowers. The trees were originally planted in the 1980s by a group of Japanese experts who were invited to China to help with reforestation efforts. The best time to visit is typically in late March or early April. Get there early to beat the crowds!

Reel: @cyncynti
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New Zealand is unbelievable. See it for yourself:

1. Fiordland National Park
2. A classic backcountry hut trip
3. Blue Pools walk
4. Hooker Lake
5. Milford Sound
6. Lake Pukaki

Reel: @kylekotajarvi
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Surrounded by lush greenery, towering karst mountains, and the river flowing through, the Detian Waterfall is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the close relationship between China and Vietnam. It is the largest waterfall in Asia and the fourth largest cross-border waterfall in the world.

Reel: @sophoebelous
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Escape to a serene and peaceful oasis away from the bustling city of Marrakech at Le Jardin Secret—a beautiful and historic garden where visitors can escape the noise and chaos and enjoy the beauty of nature. The garden was originally built in the 16th century and is home to many different species of plants, including exotic flowers, citrus trees, and palm trees.

Reel: @hypermiggzz
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For a magical moment and bucket list travel experience, visit the end point of the annual monarch butterfly migration. Starting in August, the monarchs travel 2,800 miles south from Canada, making a temporary home amid the towering trees of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, where the two most popular sanctuaries to view them are el Rosario in the state of Michoacan and Piedra Herrada in Estado de México. Standing in silence while thousands of delicate wings beat in unison is something you'll never forget.

Reel: @juliiathompson
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There's just something beautiful about snow covered landscapes like this popular attraction in southwestern Utah. Known for its unique geology, @brycecanyonnps_gov consists of a series of natural amphitheaters, called "hoodoos," formed by erosion of the rock layers.

Photo: @nathanleeallen
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As we experience a couple more weeks of winter, we can't help but dream of tropical destinations like Hawaii. The warm water, sunny skies, and consistent waves make it an ideal destination for surfers. Hawaii has a vibrant surf culture and community and is also a beautiful place to explore outside of the water, with lush green mountains, stunning beaches, and unique cultural experiences.

Reel: @christopherballadarez
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5 PLACES IN THE U.S. THAT FEEL LIKE ANOTHER PLANET:
1. @sequoiakingsnps, California
2. @canyonlandsnps, Utah
3. @olympic_nps, Washington
4. @whitesandsnps, New Mexico
5. Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
6. Knik Glacier, Alaska

Reel: @nathanleeallen
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