Hotel Štekl (Hluboká nad Vltavou, Czech Republic)

Stekl occupies a stately period property adjacent to the famous Hluboká Castle, considered one of the Czech Republic’s most beautiful castles. Boasting landscaped grounds and an on-site spa offering massages and wellness treatments, this romantic chateau-style property lies three minutes’ walk from the castle. Festooned with prints of artworks by Dutch masters, the individually decorated rooms have period-style furniture, minibars, safes, satellite TVs and en-suite bathrooms. Upgrade quarters add features like canopied or four-poster beds. Selected suites offer superb castle views. Leisure facilities include a sauna, indoor swimming pool, salt steam cabin, therapy bath and gym. There’s also free Wi-Fi throughout, on-site parking, event space, an outdoor courtyard terrace and bowling lanes. Pánů z Růže, the on-site restaurant, offers local and European dishes, plus a buffet breakfast. It also boasts seasonal outdoor seating. Stekl lies about 15 minutes’ drive from historic downtown České Budějovice for the Museum of South Bohemia. Hluboká nad Vltavou Swimming Pool is five minutes’ drive away.