King of your own castle! Beautiful palaces and stately homes that tourists can stay in

                             

Bored of snippy concierges, pokey rooms and no parking? Perhaps it’s time to book into a palace.

As upkeep costs spiral and monarchies dwindle, authorities are looking for inventive ways to make use of stately piles.

The latest palace to be turned into a hotel is The Schobrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria. It’s been operating as a museum since the 1950s, but is inviting tourists to stay in the former suite of Emperor Franz Joseph, from £1,022 (€1,398) per night for four people (£255 (€350) a night per person).

The top floor apartment sleeps four people: it has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, one living room, a kitchen and sweeping views over the Gloriette, Neptune Fountain, Crown Prince Garden and 160 hectare Schlosspark.

Walk over herringbone parquet floors, underneath Maria Theresa chandeliers and past delicate stucco work in a suite that ‘exudes imperial charm’, according to the website go.unusual.com on which the property is listed.

Guests are to be treated like royalty too, with a private chef, limousine and butler as optional add ons .

                          

The palace was built between 1740 and 1750 but was bought beforehand by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II in 1569. 

Franz Joseph – the longest reigning emperor of Austria – was born at the Baroque palace and spent much of his life there. In November 1918 it became property of the Austrian Republic.

 

The Schobrunn is far from alone in its public transformation. MailOnline Travel takes a look around the other beautifully lavish residences you can check in to – no title necessary.

Circagan Palace – Istanbul

Several Sultans of Turkey have passed through this magnificent property, located on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul. The palace has 284 rooms, 31 suites and a sultan suite.

 

                                                 

Building work started in 1836 under Sultan Abdülâziz and the inside was made from wood while the exterior was plastered in marble.

Construction and decoration was finally finished in 1872, then in 1877 Sultan Murad V moved in.

It wasn’t until 1999 that the palace was converted into a hotel, after a fire in 1910 and rebuilding work. 

  

Now the front desk will arrange anything from a boat, limousine or helicopter for you to travel in. Eleven private suites mimic the decadence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, and come with a private butler and a pillow menu.

Lake Palace – Udaipur, India

One of the most beautiful properties in the world, the eighteen century palace is built on Lake Pichola in Udaipur.

The four acre man-made island is reached by private boat and is made-up of open air courtyards, marble, lotus ponds and carved wood.

  

It was built by Maharana Jai Singh II in 1746, originally named Jag Niwas, and intended to be a summer retreat for royalty.

Over the last few years it has been transformed into a five star hotel with immaculate rooms and elegant sun decks.

 

You might also recognize it as the property that James Bond infiltrated, dressed as a crocodile in the 1983 film Octopussy. Double rooms start at about £300 a night but vary throughout the season. 

Hampton Court Palace – Surrey, England

Up to eight guests can stay at The Georgian House, just north of Hampton Court Palace on an alley leading to Henry VIII’s tennis court. The house costs £807 for four nights (£25.22 per person per night).

  

The property was built in 1719 for King George I and used by him and his son George, Prince of Wales as a kitchen. It was later split into two to house the Clerk of Works and the Gardener.

The apartment is self-catering with a private walled garden and view over the palace roofs. Tourists can explore the lush gardens, courtyards and grand public rooms of the palace during opening hours.

  

Highclere Castle - Hampshire, England

The Carnarvon family has opened up a guest lodge on the Highclere Castle estate for Downton Abbey fans looking for a quick getaway.

The accommodation called London Lodge is a part of two newly restored buildings, dating from 1840, that are attached to either side of the estate’s Grade II-listed gatehouse, originally built in 1793.

                          

Each lodging sleeps two people and has a kitchen, sitting room and bedroom. The imposing boltholes are self-catered and sit at the top of the mile-long driveway that leads to the stately home, famously used throughout the ITV series.

The lodges are fully booked for 2015, but Highclere has promised to release more dates for 2016 this autumn.

 

Built between 1928 and 1943 there is a heavy Art Deco influence to the interior and furnishings. 

Guests can take a milk bath in a pink Italian marble bath designed by Polish artist Stefan Norlin, walk through landscaped gardens or see magnificent peacocks displaying their plumage.

It’s also a favorite haunt of celebrities. Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Sir Bob Geldof have all checked in. Rooms start at around £613 a night.'

So these days to don't have to be a princess to live or spend a night or two in a palace, you just need money. #teamRichGang