After years of captivating audiences with sweeping storylines, lavish costumes, and stately homes, a beloved period drama returns to the silver screen this September 12th, ushering in a grand farewell filled with romance and refined elegance. With 25%* of travelers drawing inspiration from their favorite TV shows, what better way to channel aristocratic allure than by retreating to stays that feel plucked from the pages of a storied family saga? Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel companies, spotlights a collection of opulent retreats, from turreted castles to manor houses perched above glittering seas, in destinations that invite guests to live out their own finale.
Villa in Domaine Rocabella – Le Pradet, France
Perched on southern France’s sun-drenched coast, this palatial Provençal estate evokes the charm of an age gone by, where leisure was a fine art and every sunrise belonged to nobility. Surrounded by olive groves and overlooking the Mediterranean’s sapphire waters, this stately waterfront villa blends old-world elegance with coastal tranquility. Guests are invited to sip chilled rosé from the villa’s terrace, wander through manicured gardens scented with lavender, or recline by the serene infinity pool with a novel in hand. The interiors are a portrait of refinement, with antique furnishings, flowing drapery, and creamy stone floors underfoot. A short carriage (or car) ride away, discover the hidden beaches of La Garonne or the Beach of the Bonnettes, and the quaint Le Pradet Market located on the seaside, held every Friday, that feels lifted from another century. To enjoy the area’s natural grace, taste Vin de Pays du Caume and Bandol Wines in a nearby village.
The Oyster Box – Durban, South Africa
This grand dame of the South African coast is a timeless treasure, offering guests the kind of hospitality once reserved for society’s upper crust. With sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and the iconic red-and-white lighthouse standing sentinel nearby, this resplendent hotel offers a stay that feels like stepping into a bygone era of white-gloved service and high tea by the sea. Relax in style on a Luxury Harbour Ocean Boat Cruise and see the city from a different perspective, getting a closer look at some of the area’s most esteemed vessels and marine life. Back at the hotel, guests can unwind beneath crystal chandeliers, sip cocktails on the palm-fringed veranda, or indulge in the Oyster Box’s renowned curry buffet. The lavish banquet serves everything from a fiery-hot beef vindaloo, vegetarian korma and the property’s signature dish, a traditional Durban Lamb Curry. Each suite is layered in historical charm, with ornate furniture, plush linens, and nautical touches that whisper of oceanic voyages and elegant escapes. When not basking in the opulence of the spa, be sure to take a stroll along Durban’s Golden Mile, just steps from the door.
Relais Farinati – Lucca, Italy
Tucked among the rolling hills and cypress-lined lanes of Tuscany lies the idyllic countryside adults-only estate of Relais Farinati, a picture-perfect retreat fit for lords and ladies of leisure. With its honey-hued stone façade and vine-wrapped pergolas, this historic villa exudes timeless Italian grace and style. Guests are invited to awaken to bells of a nearby chapel, devour breakfast beneath lemon trees, and cycle into the walled city of Lucca. Each room is a portrait of rustic refinement, with drape beds, hand-painted portraits pinned to bedroom walls, and views of the countryside that seem plucked from a Renaissance painting. Whether dining al fresco on truffle risotto or sipping Chianti poolside, overlooking the property’s green flora, the experience is one of pure, pastoral splendor. To explore the greater charm of Lucca, take a trip to Colle di Bordocheo, nestled in the beautiful panoramic location on the hills of Segromigno in Monte. This Wine and Olive Oil Tasting Tour will allow guests to enjoy a walking tour of the gardens, while learning about the family-owned vineyards and tasting locally produced olive oil dipped in freshly baked bread.
The Norumbega Inn – Camden, Maine, U.S.
A stone manor rising proudly along Maine’s coast, this enchanting castle-like retreat invites guests to step into a storybook of American aristocracy. With turrets, gables, and ivy-draped walls, The Norumbega Inn feels lifted from a gilded age, where handwritten letters and afternoon aperitifs were daily rituals. Inside, carved woodwork, grand staircases, and crackling fireplaces create an atmosphere of warmth and grandeur, while each room offers a unique blend of heritage charm and modern indulgence. Guests are invited to begin their mornings with a gourmet breakfast in the sunlit dining room, serving only the finest selection of freshly caught crustation. Guests can digest this feast with an exploration of Camden’s small-seaside charm. From windjammer sailing Penobscot Bay and hiking the trails of Camden Hills State Park to browsing art galleries and local markets, the region offers an abundance of coastal adventures and cultural treasures. Whether travelers are curled up in a turret reading nook or sipping wine on the veranda, every moment here is steeped in quiet luxury and timeless grace.
The Castle Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dalian – Dalian, China
A vision of traditional fairytale grandeur perched above Xinghai Bay, located on the southern coast of Dalian, this neo-Gothic castle is a regal retreat where East meets West in majestic harmony. With its turrets, spires, and stone-carved archways, the hotel feels like a fortress built for emperors and aristocrats alike. Inside, the interiors dazzle with gilded ceilings, sweeping staircases, and marble as far as the eye can see. Guests can dine like royalty at the hotel’s fine dining venues, unwind in the lavish spa, or sip jasmine tea on a private balcony that opens to panoramic sea views. Each suite is a throne of its own, with velvet upholstery, silk wall coverings, and modern touches, such as state of the art entertainment and smart controls, that never disturb the historic ambiance. Beyond the castle walls, guests can stroll Dalian’s seaside promenades, explore elegant parks and European-style squares, or immerse in local charm on the Romantic Tour in Dalian, a curated journey through the city’s most scenic and love-soaked spots that this property has to offer. As day turns to dusk, Dalian’s glittering skyline and ocean breeze provide the perfect backdrop for a noble night’s sleep.
*Research was commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who had taken a leisure trip in the last 12 months with an overnight stay and plan to travel in 2025. The sample comprised 32,106 respondents across 32 markets surveyed in January 2025. USA N=2,000, Canada N=800, Spain N=800, Italy N=800, France N=1800, UK N=1800, Germany N=1800, Netherlands N=800, Denmark N=500, Sweden N=500, Croatia N=501, Switzerland N=800, Belgium N=800, Ireland N=504, Austria N=500, Portugal N=800, Mexico N=1,800, Colombia N=800, Brazil N=1,800, Argentina N=800, India N=1,800, China N=800, Hong Kong N=500, Thailand N=800, Singapore N=800, Taiwan N=500, Vietnam N=800, South Korea N=800, Japan N=1,800, UAE N=500, Australia N=1,800, New Zealand N=500.
