Dream Sleeps: Castles and Palace Hotels of Europe (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Austria was once the heart of the great Habsburg empire, which lasted for more than six hundred and forty years..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Why spend your vacation in a boring hotel chain when you could be staying in a castle? It's not just a matter of opulence and splendor (not that there's anything wrong with a taste for grandeur)--there's history and romance, too. Want to experience the flavor of Scotland's past? You can sleep in Mary Queen of Scots' bedroom at Borthwick Castle and dine by candle and firelight in the rustic great hall. For a moderate fee you can stay in a 14th-century Portuguese Castle (Pousada de Dom Dinis) or a medieval French Castle (Domaine de Castel Novel)--with a history that includes the Hundred Years' War and the author Colette, who wrote several of her novels there---or splash out for a night in the Gritti Palace, a 15th-century Venetian doge's spread that's hosted the Aga Khan, Queen Elizabeth II, and Ernest Hemingway. Pamela Barrus introduces 132 schlosses, chateaux, paradors, and villas across Austria, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, and Great Britain, telling their history, describing rooms and grounds, and providing details such as rates, fax numbers, amenities, when they're open, and what else there might be to do nearby beyond lolling in the lap of luxury. --Stephanie Gold

From Library Journal

In his revision of The Guide to Recommended Castle and Palace Hotels of Europe (Globe Pequot, 1988), Barrus?who has traveled solo in more than 150 countries?uses the castle and palace hotels of Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, and Spain as a peg to hang a book on. Arranged by country, it lists 132 hotels. Each two-page listing provides a photograph of the exterior and sometimes the interior, a brief history of the castle or palace, a present-day description of the setting and accommodations, room rates, dining facilities, and the names of the U.S. booking representatives. Directions to the hotels are provided although they are accessible only by car. The appendix lists other useful resources, a glossary, and a bibliography for adults and children. A good choice for public libraries that serve adventuresome travelers.?Ravi Shenoy, Hinsdale P.L., Naperville, IL
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Carousel Press; 2nd edition (April 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0917120167
• ISBN-13: 978-0917120169
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #329,260 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Does a good job of being what the title says, November 10, 2000

By	M. Broderick "mikebinok" (Oklahoma City, OK USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

An intriguing book. I have already dreamt up enough vacations to last the rest of my life, and I've only had this book two days. The book has short, two or three page descriptions of 132 hotels. Most of them are based on old castles or palaces, though there are a couple based on convents, and at least one is an old royal hospital. They are all appropriate for the book. There is usually an exterior photo and an interior photo, and good information on the history of the place, both as a castle (or whatever) and how it came to be a hotel. There is fairly detailed information on accommodations, including comments on virtues and vices of specific rooms in some of the hotels (at least one specific room is listed as allegedly haunted). I could wish for a bit more detail in some cases, but that is probably unrealistic.

I hadn't planned to go to Europe in 2001, but now may have to change my plans....

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Primer for Castle Vacations, April 11, 2002

By	JerseyGirl (NYC) - See all my reviews

As editor of a web site (GetawayWeddings.com) devoted to romance travel, Dream Sleeps piqued my interest. I was very interested in learning about fairy-tale vacation destinations in Europe. And, more importantly, how to find the most romantic castles and how to make reservations for a stay. Happily, Pamela L. Barrus answers aof these questions - and more - in her latest revision of Dream Sleeps: Castle & Palace Hotels of Europe.

Every chapter is devoted to a different region including Austria, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Chapters begin with a short introduction that will give you a sense of the country, historic significance, and regional customs. Contact information for relevant departments of tourism are also included. Then, it's on to the matter at hand! Which castle is right for your next vacation? Each property is described in one or two pages and most entries include a black and white photograph. A handy "fast facts" section follows the description and includes basics like contact information, room types, rates, dining options, facilities for the disabled, on-site recreation, nearby attractions, and much more.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If your are interested in staying overnite in a castle...., April 4, 2002

By	Catskill Jason (Mid Hudson Valley, New York, USA) - See all my reviews

Then this book is for you. You will need more detail and updated information as the book is from 1998. However, this extra info can usually be found on the internet. The book provides a great starting point for finding places to stay (in different price ranges as well). I would definitely recommend this book because it saved me time and energy. It doesn't have every castle but it sure has a bunch. Even staying at just one of the places listed can possibly turn your trip into a great one.