Welcome in 2020 like royalty: The grand castle used as The Crown’s Windsor set opens its doors to Airbnb guests on New Year’s Eve for £300 a night
- The castle’s ornate King’s Suite is available to book for one night on December 31 and two dates in January
- Guests will enjoy a luxury stay including traditional afternoon tea, a drinks reception and a gourmet dinner
- The grand suite was built for visiting royalty and features in The Crown and the film The Young Victoria
For the first time, Belvoir Castle – the stunning Windsor Castle double in Netflix drama The Crown – is making one of its sumptuous suites available to book on Airbnb.
To celebrate the turn of the decade, the castle will open the doors of its King’s Suite, seen in the hit series currently starring Olivia Colman as well as in the film The Young Victoria, to overnight guests for three exclusive stays, starting with a lavish New Year’s Eve celebration that’s bound to be memorable.
Guests will get a taste of royal life, with their stay including traditional afternoon tea, a luxury drinks reception, and a gourmet dinner – all for just £300. And the proceeds are going to charity.
The King’s Suite in Belvoir Castle was historically used for visiting members of the Royal Family, notably Queen Victoria and George IV. The three-room suite consists of two sitting rooms either side of a bedroom and a bathroom behind a disguised door
The suite is a romantic space, decorated in warm colours and decorative details such as hand-painted wallpaper throughout
The Regent’s Gallery offers heaps of festive ambience with its gilt decor matching the baubles on a huge Christmas tree
The castle is considered by experts to be one of the finest examples of Regency architecture in the country. Pictured here is the Elizabeth Saloon
It’s easy to see why the castle served as a filming location for The Crown – its turrets and towers rise over the Vale of Belvoir like an illustration in a romantic fairy tale
Their grand suite was originally purpose-built for visiting royalty and, as well as appearing in The Crown as part of Windsor Castle, has stood in as a room in Buckingham Palace for the 1991 comedy film King Ralph and been used as the Pope’s summer residence of Castel Gandolfo in The Da Vinci Code.
While enjoying the hospitality of the Duchess of Rutland and her family – whose ancestral home, located on a hilltop in the Vale of Belvoir in Leicestershire, dates back to the 11th century – guests will have the chance to live like royalty in the three-room suite, which is adorned with opulent, regal interiors from floor to ceiling.
The royal experience will begin with a delicious afternoon tea in the very grounds where the tradition is said to have originated back in the 1840s. It will be followed by dinner served in the State Dining Room. Later in the evening, a drinks reception will take place in The Library, which fans of The Crown will recognise.
The State Dining Room is the perfect setting for a special occasion – not least during the festive season
The castle is immediately recognisable from its appearances in The Crown, and The King’s Suite is ideal for a romantic stay
The King’s Suite comprises two sitting rooms decorated with yellow silk curtains reminiscent of the Empire style
Hand-painted early 19th-century wallpaper and a large Regency gilt tester bed are some of the features in The King’s Suite
Colourful antique carpets and hand-painted Chinese wallpaper make The King’s Suite feel homely despite its grandeur
The Duchess of Rutland commented: ‘The King’s Suite is a truly unique space with a fascinating history, so I am very excited to share it with guests for the first time on Airbnb. One couple in particular, over New Year’s Eve, will get to ring in the new decade in truly unforgettable style. Whether you’re drawn to the incredible Regency architecture, want to experience the lavish royal lifestyle or simply follow in the footsteps of your favourite stars, a stay at Belvoir is sure to provide a memorable experience.’
Jeroen Merchiers, Airbnb managing director for EMEA, commented: ‘Belvoir Castle is truly a gem of the English countryside, enticing locals and tourists alike to explore the grounds and steep themselves in its history. But never before have you been able to stay overnight in The King’s Suite, so we’re delighted that the Duchess of Rutland has listed it on Airbnb for this fantastic opportunity.’
The King’s Suite at Belvoir Castle is available for three one-night stays for up to two guests on December 31, January 11 and January 25 for £300. Bookings have to be requested via Airbnb on December 20 from 1pm GMT. Potential guests must have a verified Airbnb account and the proceeds from the stays will be donated to Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.
Olivia Colman plays Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix drama The Crown
The cast of The Crown in a scene shot in the castle’s impressive State Dining Room. The high ceilings feature 91 carvings, each with a different story, open fires and views over the rolling hills of Lincolnshire
The ornate Regent’s Gallery, with its huge chandeliers and gilded mirrors, can be seen in this scene in The Crown
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