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Published September 27, 2009 The Royal Treatment
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 THE BREWERYSchlosshotel Liebenstein
One perk of castle living is having everything you need on the grounds—you know, a haute-Swabian
restaurant, a champagne brewery and, most important, a beer garden tucked into the drained moat. Not that
you're above downing steins with the commoners.
 THE LAKEHotel Schloss Waldeck
In case a castle isn't a large enough playground, you can always look for a little water. Luckily, this fort
is perched on a rock overlooking the massive Lake Edersee, and offers both the perfect opportunity for
sauna-fueled skinny-dipping and, we hear, the most authentic banquets this side of Medieval Times.
 THE DIPLOMATSSchloss Cecilienhof
This Potsdam palace played host to an historic postwar summit, and while the Churchill, Truman and Stalin
suites have since been transformed into a museum, one of the wings is still devoted to the hotel business.
You can even try your luck with a nearby horse-riding outfit…if you aren't too busy negotiating your
way into Churchill's old bedroom.
 THE RELICBurghotel auf Schoenburg
The only castle on the list with more than 1000 years worth of peasant-repelling behind it, this fortress
boasts hidden rooms and an imposing tapestry-equipped dining room. Head to the upper terraces and you can
see the same spectacular Rhine views the Holy Romans enjoyed… give or take a few barbarians.
 THE LEGENDDornroschenschloss Sababurg
This 14th century stronghold was the basis for the Brothers Grimm's "Sleeping Beauty," a good fit given its
fantastically spiral-staircased tower suite and the enchanted-looking forest outside. It's also next door to
one of the world's oldest animal reserves, in case you want to try your hand at a little chivalrous stag
hunting. (Fair warning: the game wardens might not see it that way.)
 THE MOATParkhotel Wasserburg Anholt
A castle's only as good as its moat, so this fortress (effectively built on top of a pond) has two distinct
advantages: the golf course has some pretty spectacular water hazards, and if you get in a little
phrasebook-related trouble at the festivities, all you have to do is raise the drawbridge…
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