The Traitors has captivated viewers with its dramatic atmosphere, shadowy corridors, and the illusion of aristocratic life inside a historic Scottish castle.
But while fans imagine the cast sleeping beneath stone turrets and crystal chandeliers, the reality behind the scenes is far less glamorous.
Despite the show’s carefully crafted fantasy, contestants on the Peacock hit series do not stay at the iconic Ardross Castle where filming takes place.
Instead, production sources reveal that stars are housed in a modest airport hotel located miles away from the action.
According to insiders, cast members from both the U.S. and UK versions of The Traitors stay at a Courtyard by Marriott near Inverness Airport, approximately a 40-minute drive from Ardross Castle in Scotland.
The hotel, while practical, is a far cry from the gothic luxury viewers associate with the show.
“It’s a standard, affordable chain hotel within walking distance of the airport,” one source explained. “People would be shocked if they knew.
Everyone assumes the cast lives inside the castle like royalty, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
The hotel reportedly costs around $70 per night, with prices fluctuating depending on demand.
It was chosen not for comfort or aesthetics, but for logistical reasons. Production needs a location large enough to accommodate both cast and crew while maintaining strict isolation rules.
“All the contestants — including wealthy celebrities and glamorous reality stars — stay in the same place,” the insider added. “The priority is control and separation, not luxury.”
While The Traitors strongly implies that contestants sleep at the castle, sources say this is purely for television.
Once filming wraps for the day, each contestant is escorted back to the hotel in separate vehicles, ensuring no interaction takes place off-camera.
“The cast is required to keep up the illusion,” the source said. “But they never actually spend the night at the castle.”
Interestingly, the UK version of The Traitors is more transparent about this process.
Due to broadcasting regulations, British producers are not allowed to mislead viewers about contestant accommodations, which is why hotel stays are openly acknowledged in the UK series.
“The U.S. version doesn’t have that restriction,” the insider revealed. “So production leans into the castle fantasy for visual impact.”
The castle illusion doesn’t stop there. Fans may recognize the eerie turret where Traitors secretly meet under cover of darkness, but insiders claim it isn’t even part of Ardross Castle.
“That turret is actually a production-built set located closer to the hotel,” the source revealed. “It’s designed to look like it’s attached to the castle, but it’s not.”
This setup allows Traitors to attend late-night meetings discreetly, without alerting other contestants or requiring long travel back to the castle grounds.
Every movement is meticulously planned to preserve secrecy and tension.
“It’s all about controlling what the cast sees and when they see it,” the insider explained. “Everything is staged for maximum drama.”
While viewers are treated to a fantasy of candlelit halls and medieval mystery, contestants experience a far more practical version of reality TV — one filled with shuttle buses, hotel corridors, and tightly managed schedules.
“It’s riches to rags,” the source concluded. “On-screen, it’s a fairytale. Off-screen, it’s just television logistics. But that illusion is part of what makes the show work.”
Season 4 of The Traitors continues to deliver shocking twists, betrayals, and early exits as contestants battle for the $250,000 grand prize. New episodes stream every Thursday at 9pm ET on Peacock.