CastlePost Media Tour
November 24, 2008
The Versailles Road castle in Woodford County has been renovated after a devastating fire in May of 2004. The Castle, now dubbed CastlePost by owner Thomas R. Post, is open as a tourist home/inn. There are sixteen bedrooms, four of which are in the outside turrets. Hear what Post has to say about his dream come true during the media interview. Photos and audio by David Perry | Staff
Related Posts:
I wish him the best of luck. It looks beautiful!
Hi,
I would love to see the inside , my parents did some work there years & years ago. My uncle, worked with the old owner of it , they were friends as well ,( Rex Martin & my uncle Jesse Barnett). My granddaughtersuncle Shawn work there also , getting it ready for the openning. I wish you all the luck in the world . I’m just so glad that it is done.
Gloria
The view of the castle is great.. I am thinking if you added a Spa Resort to this it would add to the Castle..You could have massages,saunas, mineral pools and swiming and etc..I thought this would be a great place since we have a lot of events coming to Lexington in 2010………I visited the resort in Ashland , NC… “THE GROVE PARK INN ” this would be an ideal place to have a resort here in Lexington..
it was an eyesore when it was first built and it is an eysore now!
Tom
Congratulations on doing a beautiful job on completing a Kentucky Landmark. From the pictures posted here the beauty of the inside of the main house exceeds expectations. Good Luck to you as an Inn Keeper with this property and the Kentucky Manison across the road. Welcome back to Kentucky. From a fellow 1963 Graduate of Lafayette High School
Fred Baumann
I didn’t think it was possible to make that joke of castle more useless than it was before, but turning it into a $1000 a night “hotel” is pretty good attempt at it.
My family had been waiting for this for years. We have lived in the Woodford County area all or lives. We had told our daughter who is now 15. That we would look into having her Sweet 16 birthday there. Unfortually we spoke with the Reservation department and found out it was $25,000.00 a night. We were hoping to have Media coverage for this as well. But, the price was too overwhelming for us to pay. This was a big let down for her and the family. But, we are just excited that Mr. Post was successful. Godd luck Mr. Post, job well done.
I would love to take a tour - I have been in the hotel business 23 years - worked with Marriot - and some other brands.
We will it be opened to tour?
Thanks
He says that he hopes the people of Kentucky enjoy the new castle as much as he does. For the vast majority of Kentuckians, the castle will still be inaccessible because of the entrance restrictions (cost) and the fact that it isn’t open for public tours.
I’m really glad that he refurbished the castle, but wish he would make it more available to people to visit. I’d pay a reasonable admission fee just to tour it, but I certainly can’t pay $1,000/night to stay there!
Isn’t it odd how the more things change, the more they stay the same? Three centuries ago, castles were built and staffed by the working-class locals, for the enjoyment and amusement of the wealthy class. What a shame that most fans of “The Castle” will never be able to afford to celebrate there.
The interior of the castle looks absolutely beautiful. I greatly appreciate the “peek” inside. I presume to speak for everyone when I say we’ve been very curious for years about what is behind those mysterious walls.
I do think it unfortunate, however, to discover that the cost to the public is so prohibitive. I could see this as a quick get away destination for middle income couples but I think the pricing eliminates that market possibility. We all need a night or weekend away from the house, the kids, the job….I imagine we’ll have to continue to go to Gatlinburg for that…too bad when something so beautiful is right next door.
thats just why that d***n castle doesnt belong in ky give me a run down shack with a moonshine still in the back and id be happier…..im a professional have a college degree so i do pretty well for myself…but any dummy out there that is going to pay 1000 dollars a night to stay in a hotel in ky is well just plain stupid.. now i would gladly pay it if i was italy or some place like that but in ky no way….ill stay at a mom and pop b&b…i hope that this guy goes under for being so stupid leave it to rich people to pay that…….
It’s very clear that Mr Post does not live in or have any connection with the world you and I live in. At $200 or $300 a nite, it would be booked up for years to come. At $1000, its a good bet the vacancy sign will always be lit up.
All he needs to do is reincorporate it as a bank and he can get a bailout from the Feds. At those prices, he is gonna need one.
I’ve always been fascinated with “the castle” and the pictures are beautiful. I am dissappointed that it’s been priced so extreme.
Sometimes know matter how much money you sink into a place, you have to realize that location has more to do with the price of a nights stay, than the price of the rehab.
I’d gladly pay this price for a night in a castle in Ireland, Scotland, etc…………, but in the Lex., Versailea area,….I don’t think so………..
It’s still beautiful though, hey, maybe some of those Saudi princes that own some of the horse farms around the area will use it ……….
I think the Castle looks amazing. I used to pass that Castle years ago when I would go back home to Louisville after visiting my mother and sister in Lexington. I now know what it looks like on the inside and it’s beautiful. The $1000 a night is obviously a bit steep for the common folk, but I’m almost willing to bet that is why the price is so high to stay there. To keep the common folk out.
Oh well, it’s free to look at online, so, it’s not all bad…
I thought it was owned by Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett back then, anyone know if that is true?
I Think that is beautiful. I would never pay 1000.00 for a room in ky. but as i was growning up it was a fanatsy of mine to stay there. as a little girl i always ask my parnets to drive by my castle. I always wondered if the castle would become a Inn. I have been in the hotel biss. for 10 years, and now i can make my dream come true. people say that is way too much, but if u were rasied here in kentucky and always wondered about the castle, there is so many people that dreamed of just being able to walk up to the doo… so to me you made a dream come true for alot of people. where do i need to go for employement.
Living in Florida now after many years in Lexington i find this article absolutely amazing! What a beauty this man created! And to have the money to do this mind boggeling task must be a joy! Hooray for you Mr. Post!
I think it’s absolutely beautiful and am also disappointed that he has priced it out of range for the majority of people here or anywhere really. He says he hopes the people of Kentucky will be able to enjoy it, well, for the most part they won’t because he has priced it out of their range.
I respect that this is his work of art and he has a right to do whatever he chooses with it, but I am disappointed that I will certainly never see the inside of it like most people in the community.
I agree with all the others that the $1000 a night is steep….but I believe that is the point….they don’t want us common folks.
But great to hear is it done.
What a shame the common folk who have driven by for so many years can not afford to enjoy the “Castle” but from afar…I grew up looking at the progress and have watched my children do the same. Many Woodford county kids have dreamed of the possibilities of visiting and haveing parties at the castle…so sad that only for a select few it would become a reality! Shame on Tom Post for not taking the community into consideration, but then after all he doesnt live here. Thanks for finishing it all the same, even if the most of us can only still dream….
Being beyond the reach of common folk is part of the castle mystique. I think we would all be more than a little disappointed if there was a RedRoof Inn lurking behind those stone walls.
Make no mistake this is price pointed toward the Keeneland Sale crowd. It will be ultimate convenience for Kentucky’s “Saudi” horse industry “benefactors”.
Besides — if you really want to be treated like royalty (and have fun) — Disney has opened Cinderella’s castle to the public ……..
My grandfather, My uncle and I used to work on the castle during the summer for Rex Martin, The castle never looked as good as it does now nore was it this developed, there was alot of imagination and class put into it as well as a great deal of work. It lokos like a true Castle and despite what any one else says its an accomplishment of a life time!.
you do realize that this is built right next to the biggest cash cow in our city, Keeneland. Do you really think the millionaire horse people are not going to pay 1,000 a night? Have you ever researched hotels in New York? The opportunity and prestige of staying at The Castle will suffice enough to book enough guests. They aren’t in it to allow the commers and fill up their guest book. They are in it to allow those that can pay 1,000 have the prestige of being able to stay in it. What’s the point in having such a great mystery landmark if everyone and their brother is allowed to tour and stay in it? What makes it so unique is its mystery. We’ve all heard the stories and driven past it. If it remains a mystery, people will anti up the dough just to say that they stayed there and have been inside. It is what it is. If they get 500 people to stay in it in a year and a handful of weddings and events, they’ll more than likely make 1 million dollars. That’s a nice start after how much he’s put into the restoration. Post is not stupid. Now of course, after staying their once, I don’t know what would inspire to stay again. At that point, I’d expect the number to fall. Until then, consider a smart business practice from a tremendously intelligent human being, who is also one of the proudest graduates of our state and University. Good for him. No donate some cash to UK so we can become a Top 20 University.
That thing is gaudy and dumb. It is worse than strip mining.
The mystery is what you pay for, not the view of interstate 60. Give me a break people. If everyone can get in, why would anyone stay there? What would be the attraction? Woodford County’s gas station across interstate 60?
It saddens me to hear people say they would pay the price elsewhere, but not in Kentucky. We are known around the globe as the “Horse Capital” of the world. When Queen Elizabeth visits the States, she only lands here, and goes nowhere else in America. Going to the White House is the Prime Minister’s job. She visits her friends in Kentucky, then returns to her, well, it’s not a castle, it’s a palace. Bucking-something-or-other.
Mr. Post has invested a personal fortune to realize a dream. He could have invested his money in building another “affordable” hotel, or simply a vacation castle.
But chances are he needed financial backing to make this dream come true. People get rich by spending other people’s money, and the other people want to know how their investment will appreciate. So Post created a hospitality castle.
If you need to share your property with other people, why not share it with royalty and movie stars? I think he has a better chance of breaking even than the Webb’s do with CentrePointe…
Hate to say it…but the interiors look tacky-modern and cheap. If they were going to spend millions to fix it up, why can’t they spend a few more and really do it right. Barring that, why can’t they at least put some Vegas into it?
Those cheap looking curtains, furniture, drapes…looks like any old mid-city Marriot. It looks especially forlorn with those typically Lexington SUVS parked out front.
It’s his money and doing. Y’all don’t have to like it. I’d hate to see what the majority of you would do, if you could.
I think it’s great that Lexington has an expensive place the rich and famous will certainly want to stay in. Just think who’ll be there during events like the Kentucky Derby! I do think Mr.Post should have considered a special introductory price for the (KY?) public for, say, $500 a night. He could’ve done it for a limited time, during Keeneland off-season, of course. It would have given more “common people” a chance to stay there and dream a little. He could still do something like this a couple of times a year. Congratulations, though. I think it looks interesting.
They will never rent all those rooms at $1000 a night. That is CRAZY. We are NOT New York City. I can stay at the most luxurious hotels in NY for that price. The only people that are going to stay there are the Rich and Famous and lets face it, we do not have those type of visitors. The inside look ok. It would have been better if they had not used so much gold which I think cheapens it.
Tom,
Its a magnificant sructure greeting people as they drive by! Its really beautiful! Nice Work!
~Joe and Teresa Brown
Wow, $1000 per night to stay there! Guess that’s what Mr. Post has to charge to try and get his money back on what he spent for renovations. I hope for his sake that works out for him. My uncle, Lexington native Jim Varney, had at one time considered buying the castle. He thought it would be neat to turn it into a bed and breakfast and have medieval fairs on the lawn. He later decided against it and I am glad he did. That place will end up being the biggest money pit and, although I think the renovations are beautiful, no one will ever stay there. Maybe if a bunch of us pool our money together we could stay there one night……HA!
IT LOOKS AMAZING YOU ALL DID REALY GOOD ON THE CASTLE.
I too have driven by this castle every time that we were in Lexington. I am so happy that someone has finally completed it. It is so beautiful. The interior reminds me of the castles I have visited in Europe. Those who say it is tacky apparently have never seen the interiors of these European castles with their grand ballrooms, hallways, bedrooms, etc. I also wish that I could afford the $1000/night, but in all honesty, am glad that the rates are high enough that the clientele will match the environment, eg Arabian Sheiks, actors, etc. The limos in front of the castle will look appropriate now that it is completed. Hooray for Mr. Post. Thank you for what you have done for the state that I love.
As a Kentuckian, now living in Alabama, we make numerous trips back to Ky via Versailles Rd. I have watched the castle for years and wondered if it was ever going to be anything. It is most unfortunate that Mr. Post does not see fit to let most of the public enjoy any of it. Public tours, gift shop and a nice restaurant, and perhaps even some nice gardens, would have been affordable for most people. Obviously, he planned it for an elite clientele, and at those prices, that will be exactly what he will have. Seems it would have been a good site for the state to have bought, and made it into a nice tourist attraction.
I can remember the castle since I was a little girl and I am thrilled that someone finally finished it. I always thought it was sad that it was sitting there in disrepair all those years. From the pictures I’ve seen its beautiful and done in “Castle” style. I do think that $1000+ a night per person is ridiculous and I wouldn’t pay that to stay anywhere in the world. I can think of a lot of things I can better use that money for, like a week long trip to the coast. However, if my income was in a different bracket, say multi-millionaire……then my opinion might be different. Times are tight for most of the world, but the rich……..most of them aren’t going to notice it too much. I believe that he will be able to rent the rooms and the Castle for events for years to come. I always thought it would be nice to be able to go inside the Castle for a tour, but in all honesty I knew that that was never a real possibility. The logisticsof allowing the public to tour it would be crazy and next to impossible. For most of us the mystery is all we had, have and will ever have and we will have to be satisfied with that. I think alot of people feel a sense of ownership towards the Castle after seeing it there all these years and that is what leads them to believe they should have had some right to at least see it once it was restored but the truth is that Mr. Post is catering to an elite crowd and that is his right, whether it is perceived as fair or not. I am glad that Mr. Post restored the Castle and I wish him the best of luck.
Your castle is beautiful. Ever since I moved to Kentucky when I was 14yrs old i’ve been in love with that castle. I’ve only seen pictures and what can be seen from the street and can’t wait to hopefully go there one day. I’m actually married now and have an 8mth old baby. But I never got to have a wedding although I did get to buy my dress haha. I was wondering if you had thought about hosting a ceremony there? And if so, how much would you charge. It would be great to hear back from you if you read this. Thanks!!! And God bless, you’re doing an amazing job.
My family and I got a sneak peak into the castle post and it is beautiful. I assume most of the people complaining are just like me, just everyday people. I have waited for years to see this Castle and now my children have pictures to prove they were there. I want to say Thank you to the person who made that possible only you know who you are and I will never forget what you did to make my dreams come true. I cried when it burned in 2004 and now I am so pleased with what Mr. Post, and his amazing workers have done to finish this masterpiece. JOB WELL DONE
We live in Louisville and would like to tour the castle when it is finished. Will there be a time when the public can walk through? It is going to be beautiful when completed.
char wallace
To all those people who keep saying its in lexington, it’s not!
IT’S IN WOODFORD COUNTY!
As I understood it and it was I believe reported in the Herald Leader and local TV outlets, Woodford County gave a special use permit in order for the Castle to be used for special events and non-profit fund raising. Not sure the zoning commission would have been so quick to give a zoning change to a luxury only use Hotel. Also, not sure what provisions were included in the “special use permit”. If an unconditional zoning change was given then either the news outlets got it completely wrong or the wool was pulled over the citizens of Woodford County.
It was also reported that the fire that destroyed the original structure was “suspicious” but there was not enough evidence for an indictment.
All things given it would not surprise me if there were some sort of backlash against the “Castle” by the people of Woodford County. As for its beauty and grandeur…
I always kind of shuttered at the sight of those big stone barns built by the outsiders that came a bought their part of the Bluegrass and turned regular horse farms into foreign estates. The Castle now simply reminds me of those. Sad, but as long as we have the real bluegrass to live in and enjoy, I guess the rich foreigners can come here and spend their money and pretend to live the dream. It still don’t make it so…… The original castle was a styrofoam and stucco make believe castle. After all the money and effort it will remain just that, make believe to most Kentuckians. So, we won’t be enjoying it anytime soon other than the way we always enjoyed it. As a make believe place that some crazy guy built.
The more things change the more they stay the same.
Yeah sure I will pay a 1000.00 bucks a night to view Versailles Rd and then going shopping the next day at Fayette Mall, that’s about all Lexington has to offer. But hey, thanks for keeping us working class folk close to your heart!
I was wondering if this location is available for weddings and such?If so please contact us at the address provided above.Thank you for your time and consideration.
Beautiful…just beautiful
I WAS RAISED IN WOODFORD COUNTY BUT NOW LIVE IN INDIANA. WHEN I WENT HOME I ALWAYS TOOK A PICTURE OF THE CASTLE. IT IS A FASCINATING PLACE. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN THAT LIVE IN VERSAILLES AND THEY DRIVE BY THERE A LOT.
BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER. I DON’T THINK IT IS UGLY ETC I THINK ITS BEAUTIFUL AND WISH THEM ALL THE LUCK IN THE WORLD.I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THE SO CALLED “HOOSIER HOSPITALITY” FOR 30 YEARS AND HAVEN’T FOUND IT YET BUT I HAVE NO TROUBNLE FINDING IT DOWN IN THE HEART OF THE BLUERASS COUNTRY.
5023560312 stil working at the hassle
I would like to take a tour?
[...] View CastlePost media tour audio slide show here. [...]