Once upon a time, castles were homes for feudal lords. The imposing structures represented wealth, privilege, and military strength. For the modern aristocrat, however, inheriting a castle creates a heavy burden. Few people can afford to pay the taxes or the enormous costs of maintaining the building and grounds. To cover the expenses of maintaining their castles, many modern baron and baronesses have opened their doors for visitors. In Great Britain, Ireland and Europe, hundreds of castles, chateaux, and grand manor homes have been transformed into inns and resorts.

Here's a roundup of the most romantic castle lodgings, selected by your About.com Guides. Stay at one of these inns, and you may catch a count fixing the plumbing or a countess setting chocolates on your pillow. If you're lucky, you may even meet a resident ghost.

Castle Inns Reviewed
Your Guide to Bed and Breakfast Inns reviews favorite Castle Inns around the world.

Dromoland Castle, Ireland
This five-star resort has a cottage for two nestled inside. Review by your Guide to Honeymoons and Romantic Getaways.

More About Castles
A brief history plus a comprehensive index of Net links for castles around the world, from your Guide to Architecture.

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