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.

In the latest episode of our podcast, author Meg Stafford joins her daughter on a high school project to Nepal and Bhutan researching happiness. It was a mother-daughter trip that pushed Meg outside of her comfort zone. She found herself avoiding avalanches while climbing to Annapurna basecamp and dodging paint at the Holi Festival in Kathmandu. It also gave her the opportunity to examine what it means for a parent to love and to let go. 🎧 Link in bio to listen! ...

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Istanbul`s beauty lies in its historic architecture, the Bosphorus Strait`s scenic charm, vibrant neighborhoods, bustling markets, rich cuisine, Sufi traditions, captivating sunsets, street art, and its unique blend of cultures as a crossroads of Europe and Asia.

Reel: @samisrt
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Sweeping mountain views of the Dolomites, beautiful wildflowers, and the most delicious dinner included with your stay at @hotel_dolomitenhof_u_altepost.

Reel: @tc.travels
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In the latest episode of our podcast, Christine Winebrenner Irick, entrepreneur (@lotussojourns) and podcaster (@souloftravelpodcast) shares the story of her first big trip to Asia. In the midst of a period of rebirth, as her career and marriage were crumbling, Christine took inspiration from Alex Garland`s book, The Beach, and set off for Thailand with one good friend and no solid plans. What unfolded was a perspective-shifting experience that would, in Christine`s own words, "reveal who she would become." 🎧 Link in bio to listen!

#tttcm #traveltok #thetripthatchangedme #podcast #travelpodcast #thailand #travelthailand
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Is it too early to think about Fall? Daydreaming of autumn in Patagonia.

Reel: @ramirotorrents
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A lovely town on the French Riviera, Menton is known for its beauty, mild weather, colorful buildings, and lemon production. Enjoy beaches, history, and a laid-back vibe.

Reel: @sofikulin
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Full-Time Travel`s sister brand, @kingdomgolf, invites you to a join special guests from the world of golf and entertainment, including Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sörenstam, for a luxury island experience. Play the incredible courses at Wexford and Palmetto Hall Golf and Country Club. ⛳️ Link in bio to reserve your spot at the 2023 Kingdom Cup on Thursday, September 21st thru Sunday, September 24th. ...

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One night in the desert inspires a corporate worker to follow her dream of becoming a travel journalist.

In the latest episode of our podcast, The Trip That Changed Me, travel journalist, podcaster, and entrepreneur Yulia Denisyuk (@insearchofperfect) shares the story of a career-altering trip to Morocco. It`s an ode to the power of looking for signs when you need confirmation you`re on the right track. If you`re harboring a dream but it never quite feels like the right time to make the leap, this episode is for you. 🎧 Link in bio to listen!

#fulltimetravel #travelreel #ftt #thetripthatchangedme #podcast #travelpodcast
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Submerged beneath the ocean waves or inside a kaleidoscopic aquarium, these rare underwater restaurants serve meals alongside a cast of aquatic creatures. Book a table and enjoy a whole new spin on dinner and a show. ...

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Bike through the world`s largest salt flats in Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia.

Reel: @islayjoy
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Known for its stunning sand dunes that create a landscape resembling white sheets (lençóis in Portuguese), Lençóis Maranhenses is a unique national park located in the state of Maranhão, Brazil.

The park`s most iconic feature is the series of turquoise lagoons formed by rainwater that collects between the dunes. These lagoons are a stark contrast to the surrounding white sands and provide a refreshing oasis for visitors.

Reel: @melly_ba
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A travel entrepreneur rows 3,000 miles in 36 days, completely unsupported.

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🎧 Link in bio to listen!

#thetripthatchangedme #fulltimetravel #ftt #travelpodcast #podcast #jimmycarroll
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