We had 5 families, each with 2 kids (5 and 2 years), for a total of 20 people stay at the Castle in the Sky. We couldn't believe how lucky we got that the weekend we were hoping for was available.
The Castle in the Sky is amazing, as you can very clearly tell by the pictures. There's no other place like it near Los Angeles. It's truly a breathtaking properly that's just as nice on the outside as it is on the inside. It doesn't have a castle-y feeling on the inside, however. Instead, it has a very modern, ultra-luxury, home-like feel to it.
Regarding the space, over 9000sq feet at your disposal, with 7 beds and baths?? Every family slept very comfortably. Plenty of room for all of us. Bedding was very nice. Great that every room has its own attached bathroom. It's so big that you won't even know where your friends or kids are at. They'll just disappear for a couple of hours and then eventually roll back into the kitchen looking for a snack.
Speaking of the kitchen, it is the stuff of dreams. So big that 20 people can huddle around and there's still plenty of space. Massive Viking refrigerators and range. Would've been super fun to cook on, except we just didn't have the time. The great thing is that there's really good pizza and mexican restaurants nearby too, just a few minutes away. As they say in Jurassic Park, "We spared no expense."
The Castle is way too clean for a property this big. I'm talking spotless. Whoever took the time to clean after each guest, possibly a small army of people, left no pillow unturned.
The entire experience, from asking questions, booking the place, getting confirmation, signing the contract, checking in/out was very smooth. Communication was very fast and the host would respond within a few hours with any questions.
Did I mention just how nice the property is?? So nice that my friends asked me to take some photos of their families in the master bedroom (corner window by the sofa) and the courtyard area and the photos look like we're in Downton Abbey.
This is a long review for something that should be a relatively simple decision. Treat yourself, it's been a rough year for everyone. You deserve it. The Castle in the Sky is the ultimate experience. Look no further and just do it. Trust me, at the end of the trip, you won't even blink at the cost. That will all be washed away by the incredible experience you've just had.