Posada Real Castillo del Buen Amor ★★★★★

I don’t believe there is anything more romantic than staying in a fairy-tale castle, and if it is bathed in the Spanish sun and set in beautiful green countryside, so much the better. So my husband and I recently took off for a muy romántico weekend near Salamanca. The sun followed us for the entire journey, as if to forecast a radiant holiday. Driving towards our final destination, we saw the castellated towers of the majestic castle in the distance. Our royal arrival took us up a wide driveway lined with cypress trees, vines, oaks and almond trees. All around us was green countryside stretching out as far as the eye could see.

Once you reach the end of the driveway, the superb fifteenth century castle appears before you. At its feet a sparkling swimming pool invites you into its refreshing waters. The Castillo del Buen Amor, listed as a cultural heritage building by the Spanish authorities, is a Gothic-style construction with a long and fascinating history. Legend has it that it owes its name to the archbishop Don Alonso de Fonseca, who transformed the eleventh-century fortress into a residential palace to live in with his mistress. Fantastic first impressions meant our romantic getaway started on a high note, in this castle of courtly love where time seems to stand still. Prepare for a real journey back in time! On making our way inside, we were warmly greeted by the attentive and professional members of staff, and were plunged into the medieval setting.

The entire castle radiates with history. Here, medieval tapestries and oil paintings are hung on the thick stone walls, the ceilings are vaulted and a maze of corridors and staircases connect the rooms under the watchful gaze of knights’ armour. Our spacious bedroom, the aptly named Medieval room, boasted stone walls and a remarkable brick vaulted ceiling over the bed. The other bedrooms are, we were told, just as spectacular. They have a medieval design in common, but each have unique features too; some have a private terrace, other have a handsome wooden beam ceiling.
My chivalrous knight and I then decided to explore the castle and its surroundings. We happened to chance upon the hotel owner, who was delighted to take us on a tour and tell us the secrets of the former fortress. Our curiosity piqued, we were shown all the nooks and crannies of the ancient structure, from the lovely Gothic-Renaissance style courtyard, to the magnificent library and lounges with imposing fireplaces. Next, we climbed a spiral staircase to the top of the dungeons, where we admired an amazing view over the surrounding countryside that lay in store for us. Seeing this tranquil scenery, we knew without a doubt that our stay here would be peaceful and relaxing.

Having seen the grounds from above, we set out for a walk around the gardens, beside the lake and through the olive groves and vineyards. It was a lovely serene moment that we followed with a delicious dinner in the hotel restaurant, which is housed in the former stables. This was the chance to toast our little holiday, looking forward to what lay ahead. Visiting the beautiful town of Salamanca, a massage in the castle, wine tastings in the local region... the list went on! The Castillo del Buen Amor was the perfect place to spend a romantic few days together, and enjoy some well-deserved tranquillity.