Whitehouse

Rooms

A wide staircase takes you up to 6 airy bedrooms. Expect stripped oak floors, quirky Florence Broadhurst wallpapers, arc lamps, handmade wooden beds, and clever blinds which lift from below. Mattresses are superb, sheets are Frette linen and there are heaps of pillows, as well as fluffy white towels and bathrobes. We liked the unusual minibars: wood-clad chill boxes filled with Champagne, wine, beer, organic drinks and complimentary milk and water in old-fashioned bottles. You also get all the gadgetry: plasma TV, Sky HD, DVD player, CD stereo, iPod dock, free WiFi, and a Nespresso coffee machine.

Bathrooms have good-quality showers and baths (either free-standing or unusual square-shaped Omni tubs with rain showers overhead). The owners have created their own range of toiletries, hand-blended locally using natural oils such as sandalwood, damask rose, peppermint and grapefruit. You'll find at least 7 different products to try depending on whether you want to be revitalised, invigorated or relaxed. All come in large aluminium bottles which you can buy at reception to take home.

Our favourite is Room 5, with an enormous emperor-size bed, a purple velvet armchair big enough for 2, and a row of windows overlooking the lawn. Our young daughter loved the big Fatboy beanbag, but the highlight was the fabulous bathroom with a lead-clad bath, huge rainshower and enough space to fit a cot!

Room 4 lacks the garden view but has a romantic 4-poster bed, a black crystal chandelier, and a roll-top bath in the bedroom. Room 3 faces the side of the house and the road behind; the bathroom is lovely, and you can watch TV from a swinging basket chair. Rooms 1 and 2 can be connected for families.

The largest is Room 6, tucked away in the eaves and accessed via a private staircase. It has a bedroom and a separate sitting area with a sofabed that can be made up for 2 additional guests (ideal for families), as well as a free-standing tub and a huge shower in the bathroom. It’s lovely, but the low beams mean tall guests will have to duck.