Brendan Vacations reports rising demand for castle stays

Brendan Vacations shares that they are on pace for 70 per cent of 2025 bookings on customizable itineraries to include at least one overnight stay in a castle.

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, demand for stays at Ireland’s iconic Ashford and Dromoland Castles continue to rise, surpassing 2024 levels when nearly 60% of bookings featured at least one castle overnight.

“An overnight stay in a historic castle is the ultimate exclusive experience advisors can offer their clients,” says Catherine Reilly, Managing Director of Brendan Vacations. “Today’s travellers—whether honeymooners or multigenerational families—are seeking stays that blend history, culture, and elegance. With Brendan Vacations’ expertly curated itineraries, advisors can offer journeys that connect travelers to the rich heritage of Ireland and Scotland, all while enjoying the magic of a castle stay.”

Brendan Vacations currently offers ten extraordinary castle stays across Ireland and Scotland including the iconic 16th-century Dromoland Castle, the former home to the O’Brien family, descendants of the last High King of Ireland and the 13th-century Ashford Castle, once owned by the Guinness family. Other castle stays in Ireland include the family-owned Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, the 4-star Ballyseede Castle,  the 18th-century Kilronan Castle Estate and Spa and more. In Scotland, guests can enjoy the 17th-century Crossbasket Castle, the family-owned Fonab Castle Hotel and the Inverlochy Castle Hotel.

In addition to castle stays, Brendan Vacations is continuously expanding its catalog of elevated lodging options to meet demand including luxury 5-star hotels and charming family-owned bed & breakfasts. Recent additions include Cashel Palace, a nearly 300-year-old charming red brick manor in Ireland and Old Manse of Blair, an authentic Scottish mansion with a 5-star restaurant.

Brendan Vacations offers travellers a variety of customizable itineraries across several travel styles designed to accommodate every type of travel including Rail Vacations, Private Chauffeur, Self-Drive and Lux-Self Drive. Each style allows guests to experience the mysticism of Ireland and Scotland, offering flexibility with both budgets and independence including booking an overnight stay in an elegant castle hotel.

Learn more about Brendan Vacations’ castle stays at www.brendanvacations.com/en-ca/plan-a-trip/where-to-stay/castles.