As a girl, I dreamed of waking up in a castle. Clad in a flowing princess dress, jeweled crown on my head, my pet pony just outside the front door, a prince waiting for me on the other side of the moat …

Unlike my dream, today I live in a condo in the desert, but that doesn’t stop me from reliving my childhood dreams of being a princess.

Europe is packed with castles, palaces, convents, monasteries and more – some of which have been converted from the historic dwellings to present-day hotels. There is a certain draw to adding a night (or nights) sleeping in a castle.

For some, it’s the history enveloping the traveler in the stone walls, the arched doorways, the large courtyards. For others, it’s the lush feeling of feeling like royalty for the day. And for others (like me), it’s getting back in touch with those childhood magical fantasies, when the imagination flourished and being a princess seemed like the most realistic thing since a unicorn.

There are many options for staying in castles today (without being actual royalty), from the extravagant to the budget-friendly. The most popular castles include Ashford Castle in Ireland, as well as Scotland’s Thornbury Castle, and more in France and Spain.

But, beyond the majestic and well-publicized castle hotels, there is a world of other options tucked into some seriously scenic spots, hidden away in countries you may have never thought to visit, or blending into the multitude of historical buildings also located within a city.

Hotel Duque de Feria, Parador Zafra – Badajoz, Spain - This battle-ready castle, complete with nine watchtowers, was built in 1437. Originally, the Dukes of Feria resided in the house. Today, the castle is a four-star hotel run by the popular Parador company, which offers luxury lodging in castles, fortresses and more. It has 50 rooms and keeps the feel of the time it was built with coffered ceilings and decorative details, some remaining from when it was used as a castle. While it keeps its historic roots, the hotel also features modern amenities like free wifi, lifts, satellite television, air-conditioning, central heating and more. The hotel includes a large garden, swimming pool and a restaurant serving traditional Spanish dishes from the Extremadura region where it is located.

Hotel Kazbek – Dubrovnik, Croatia: This former summer castle of an old Croatian noble family was built in 1573. The stone castle is nearby to the city marina and beach and about 3 km from the old city, so it’s a nice walk to the UNESCO site, but far enough away to avoid the tourists and get some peace and quiet. Hotel Kazbek is a five-star hotel and offers a private holiday spot with its 13 rooms. The castle contains a heated pool, sauna, library and three restaurants – the main restaurant, the terrace and the balcony overlooking the bright blue waters of Gruz Bay. It delivers traditional Croatian dishes to its guests, using local produce. The rooms are all decorated differently, each with their own coat of arms and antique design. The hotel also has air conditioning, HD TV and free wifi.

Konti Castle – Tirana, Albania: Five miles northwest of Tirana’s city center, Konti Castle is a budget-friendly option, mostly due to the fact that Albania has yet to hit experience a huge rise in tourists, or hit the higher prices of some of the surrounding countries. A luxury hotel, Konti Castle features ornately gorgeous rooms echoing the time it was built in the 1400s. It includes broadband connectivity, interactive TV, a bistro-style restaurant serving dishes made from local produce, and a bar.

Castle Hotel Liebenstein – Kamp Bornhofen on Rhine, Germany: For picturesque views of the River Rhine, this is the place to stay. Perched atop a hill, the Castle Hotel Liebenstein provides sweeping views of the entire river valley. A family-run hotel, each room is housed in the old part of the castle (where there is a rumored ghost) and has a cozy, romantic feel. The restaurant on the property offers a medieval banquet, complete with storytellers and minstrels. Fun fact: the restaurant is housed in the Knight of Liebenstein’s former lounge.

Xara Palace – Island of Malta: Luxury meets elegance in this stunning 17th century property. Xara is located within Mdina, dubbed the “silent city” and former capital of Malta, high atop a plateau. This restored five-star family-run hotel offers nothing less than a high-end experience. It has massage and reflexology therapists who maintain the privacy of guests with in-room visits to any of its 17 uniquely designed rooms. The restaurant at Xara serves some of the finest cuisine on the island and provides stunning views of the island from the tables. Here, the city offers the step back in time while the hotel offers simple decadence and beauty.

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Diana Edelman is a travel blogger who resides in Las Vegas. In 2010, she decided to take a career-break and quit her job, put her life in storage and headed across the Atlantic for seven months of solo backpacking through Europe and Africa. You can follow her on Twitter or check out her blog, where she documented her backpacking experiences and continues to provide readers with tips and travel notes on her popular site, The Adventures of D. When she isn’t traveling, or planning to travel, she works in PR for a restaurant group in Las Vegas.