The Goring Hotel, London, UKGetty
Fancy living like Royalty for a few days? Here are the top Royal residences you can stay overnight in the UK.
From King Charles III’s Welsh estate in Wales to the very hotel Kate Middleton spent the night before her wedding to Prince William, the Royal family has many favourite spots that they like to vacate every now and then.
In June 2023, Betway revealed which hotspot has proven to be the most popular*. The Mandarin Oriental, located in Knightsbridge, London, came on top. A popular royal location, the venue is known for being Kate and William’s chosen spot for their gala dinner - where they dined in a 24-carat gold-clad ballroom the night before their 2011 wedding. It is also the place that saw Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret learn to dance.
In second place was The Goring Hotel, a short stroll from Victoria Station, which saw Queen Elizabeth II visit in her teenage years to celebrate the end of World War II. Kate Middleton also stayed at the Goring on her last night as a single woman, while closely behind was Borthwick Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots spent her final few months of freedom. Now transformed into a popular venue to stay overnight, the castle has room for up to 85 guests and is located on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
Top 6 most popular Royal residences to stay
- Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, London
- The Goring Hotel, London
- Borthwick Castle, Scotland
- Hartwell House and Spa - Aylesbury and North Range and West Range, Llwynywermod, Wales
- The Granary Lodge, Castle of Mey, Scotland
- Garden House, Sandringham, Norfolk
Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, London - Prince William and Kate Middleton
Built in 1963, The Mandarin Oriental is located in Knightsbridge, London, and holds a special place in the Royal family’s heart - with a dedicated royal entrance off Hyde Park. As well as having ties to Queen Mary and Edward VIII, it was the place Prince William and Kate Middleton had their gala dinner the night before their 2011 wedding.
The Goring Hotel, London - Queen Elizabeth
The London hotel is a longtime favourite for the Royals, including Queen Elizabeth - as she famously visited the hotel for celebratory sausages and scrambled eggs at the end of World War II.
Borthwick Castle, Scotland - Mary Queen of Scots
Near the Scottish Borders and on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Borthwick Castle was apparently where Mary Queen of Scots stayed in her final weeks of freedom ahead of her execution. Now, members of the public can even stay in the same bedchamber - boasting a four-poster bed, and decorated with suits of armour, swords, wall tapestries, and medieval fireplaces.
Hartwell House and Spa, Aylesbury - William the Conqueror’s son
Hartwell House is one of England’s stately homes, located just 40 miles north west of London. The Grade I listed country house was visited by William the Conqueror's son and the King of France, Louis XVIII - who held court in the country house from 1809 to 1814. Now, the stunning hotel and spa is owned by the National Trust - and many venture over for a relaxing break to escape the bustling city.
North Range and West Range, Llwynywermod, Wales - King Charles and Queen Camilla
Many will be familiar with Llwynywermod, the Welsh residence of our now King and Queen - boasting three cottages and a grade II-listed traditional barn. Located in the beautiful Carmarthenshire countryside, the West Range and North Range cottages are part of Llwynywermod Farm - within 192 acres of farmland and woodland - and have views over the Welsh countryside. Camilla bought the farm back in 2007, before going on to renovate the residence.
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The Granary Lodge, Castle of Mey, Scotland - Queen Mother
The Castle of Mey, in the Highlands of Scotland, was the beloved home of the Queen Mother. Following her death in 2002, the estate was opened to the public, with one of its cottages now a rental property. It also boasts The Granary Lodge - a ten-bedroom bed and breakfast house situated between the castle and the sea. The venue is known for its beautiful views of the Scottish coast and plenty of spectacular sunsets.
Garden House, Sandringham, Norfolk - Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana
The public can now also stay at Sandringham - Queen Elizabeth's country estate in Norfolk. The Garden House, which was once the home of the estate's gardener, is available for overnight stays. Visitors who want a taste of being Royal can also catch a glimpse of Anmer Hall - the home that the Queen gifted to Prince William and Kate Middleton - during their stay. Princess Diana’s childhood home, Park House, is also situated on the estate, which is known for its beautiful gardens.
* Betway measured popularity by a unique index score - generated by the number of views on TikTok and hashtags each location has racked up on Instagram, as well as Google and Tripadvisor reviews.
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