Would you believe me if I told you in the rolling green hills of Kentucky, hidden down windy roads, black covered fences, was a majestic place that can only be dreamed of in a fairytale or faraway land. Yes, you read that right. In the land of Versailles, Kentucky you’ll stumble upon the rare site of a castle sitting on a hill. Now, this isn’t a historic castle nor has it been around for centuries, but the castle walls will have you mesmerized by this magnificent site in the horse capital of Kentucky. If you’re looking for a unique and romantic getaway, let me introduce you to the Kentucky Castle.
My husband and I stayed here for a weekend in February, and seriously, can staying in a castle get any more romantic? Pulling into the entrance and up the long driveway, I was giddy like a school girl. I found myself anxiously waiting to park, check in and explore the grounds. Checking in was an easy process, the staff were attentive and friendly and ensuring we knew all the amenities available throughout our stay. The castle boasts 18 accommodations including 4 tower suites. They provide you an actual key at check in, and don’t lose it or you’ll be paying a hefty fee to replace. Our room was located on the 1st floor. The room welcomed us with warm open arms. The light and airy room was adorned with tall ceilings, a king size poster bed, bathroom with luxurious robes, and a quaint sitting room. I would advise not to stay on the first floor and would recommend the second floor or a tower suite. I loved our room but was not thrilled on the location. The first floor rooms are close to the check-in desk, and you can hear everything outside the door. The second floor will provide you a much quieter and private location. The quality of the castle is impeccable and you can tell a lot of thought and planning went into providing an exquisite experience.
The castle also provides a farm to table restaurant, The Castle Farm. You don’t need to be a guest at the hotel to reserve a dining reservation. There were many people dining that were not guests of the hotel and enjoying themselves or celebrating a special occasion. We had a superb meal and service basking in buttered rolls, rabbit dumplings, elk and grits. We couldn’t end the evening without ordering the strawberry cake, covered in strawberries and glaze.
The castle is low key, relaxing, and perfect when you want to wind down with your significant other. We didn’t do any events that the castle hosts, but they host a number of events throughout the year. Some events include the murder mystery dinners and princess tea time and much more. You can check their website for the most up to date calendar. https://www.thekentuckycastle.com/experiences
If you’re wanting to explore nearby areas from the castle there are plenty of options to enjoy the area. We spent the afternoon at a nearby vineyard and winery. Located 20 miles in the town of Lawrenceburg on the back roads of Kentucky awaits the Lovers Leap Vineyard and Winery. Although we were there in February, it was still beautiful to see the vineyard among the rolling hills. We absolutely loved this winery! The staff were welcoming and knowledgeable on the wine selections. You could select up to 6 different tastings for $12 per person and that included the wine glass that you were able to keep. This also included their reserve wines which were higher in price and quality. We ended up taking home a bottle of the Reserve Rose which is a fan favorite and I can see why.
You also can’t go to the Kentucky Castle without stopping in one of the many bourbon distilleries. To keep the castle theme going, take a visit to Castle and Key Distillery. Castle and Key was built in 1887 by E.H. Taylor and was forced to close during the prohibition era. Thankfully, Castle and Key can be enjoyed today and you will not be disappointed. Stroll along the beautiful grounds, gardens, and walk along the river or take a bourbon tour and stroll their gift shop. There are other distilleries nearby that are also worth visiting such as Four Roses and Buffalo Trace.
The Kentucky Castle was a beautifully unique experience and it’s not everyday you can say you slept in a castle.
So to conclude on this glorious weekend in my home state:
If you look around the corner, follow the winding roads, you can find a hidden treasure, that will escape you from what you know. Experience those unique places, soak in those forever moments, time is not meant to be wasted, but a gift that has been given, and given only once, so use your time wisely, experience the KY Castle under the sun.
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