La Maison Maitre – Coco Suite

La Maison Maitre is a very special find indeed – a glamorous blend of French country chic interiors with the best elements of self catering i.e. spacious, private accommodation and freedom to cook for yourselves, and the style, luxury and optional additional services of a boutique hotel such as bathrobes, slippers, champagne, flowers etc.

Lovingly restored by its owners, designers Juliet and Deane, and their team of local artisans, this grand 18th century former barn is now home to three luxury self catering suites with one, two and three bedrooms, fully equipped modern kitchens and their own private outdoor terraces. Each suite is stylishly decorated with an eclectic mix of modern, antique and traditional style furniture, attractive soft furnishings, antique mirrors and crystal chandeliers, and painted in cool restful colours. A fourth suite in the luxuriously converted former pigeonnier tower offers couples with a baby or small child a little extra romance as well as all the same standards and facilities of the barn suites.

Despite their 18th century character, each has plentiful supplies of contemporary fixtures and fittings too. Their fully equipped kitchens come with free standing cooker, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, kettle, toaster and coffee machine, plus a full complement of crockery, cutlery, and glassware, cooking utensils, iron and ironing board; whilst their living areas boast UK satellite TV and Video or DVD player, selection of films and a CD player. There's even a hairdryer supplied for each suite, completing the boutique hotel suite feel. Younger guests are well looked after too with a comprehensive list of nursery gear from sippy cups and sterilisers to cots and baby baths plus baskets of toys, books and colouring materials.

The icing on the cake is the wonderful setting on an 8-acre country house estate complete with parkland, fields and orchards, plus a glistening 12 × 6 m pool with truly fabulous views over the surrounding countryside and villages. Here guests relax easily and time goes slowly. Days start taking in the views over al fresco breakfasts on the suite terraces or cooked for you and served on the lovely communal terrace. Later on it’s a tough choice between lounging by the pool soaking in the views or packing a picnic (self-made or ordered from the owners) and pottering around the grounds, perhaps a stroll into the pretty village for supplies or lunch? Or a daytrip to one of the pretty nearby towns or a St Emillion Vineyard? Evenings are generally spent sitting on the terrace enjoying the lavender scented breeze whilst enjoying a cool glass of local wine. Such an idyllic setting is sure to refresh even the most frazzled of parents!

Accommodation overview

The Coco Suite is a romantic suite ideal for a couple and a baby with its spacious double bedroom, white wrought iron bed, and gorgeous bathroom complete with indulgent roll-top bath and L'Occitane toiletries. The open-plan living space is light and airy thanks to the large French doors, natural limestone flooring, exposed vanilla stone walls, white-washed beams and subtle lighting. Guests can enjoy views across the gardens and onwards to the enchanting ‘pigeonnier' from the comfy three seater sofa, set beside a traditional ‘Toulouse stone' feature fireplace. To one side sits the fully equipped traditional galley kitchen and dining area, with French antique table and chairs. The French doors open onto an extensive covered veranda (shared with Lartigue suite), with teak garden dining furniture, perfect for enjoying outdoor dining or leisurely hours in the shade. In addition, there's a dedicated sunny seating area perfect for sitting with an evening aperitif and watching a spectacular sunset..