La Maison Maitre – Dovecote

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:

Dovecote is a very luxurious little bolthole set slightly apart from the other suites in its own converted Pigeonnier tower. It is a wonderfully romantic suite ideal for a couple and a baby or young child. The ground floor space is 5x5metres with limestone tiled floor. To one side there is a traditional french galley style kitchen with limestone work surface, linen curtains and a retro style Smeg cooker, kettle, toaster, washing machine, dishwasher and under counter fridge. There is a cosy lounge area with retro style high back 2-seater sofa which looks out over the gardens and onwards across the valley, a re-claimed stone feature fireplace and antique mirror. The UK satellite TV, DVD player and toy box will aid lazy mornings with little ones! There is a central dining area with table and chairs set below a beautiful antique crystal chandelier. The pale grey colour washed staircase with wrought iron railings has built in stair gates top and bottom, and rises up to the mezzanine bedroom level. The bedroom area is 5.5 x 3 metres and is decorated with luxurious solid oak flooring, elegant bird wallpaper and of course another crystal chandelier! The sumptuous king sized bed sleeps two with space to spread out, and to one side, the single bed/cot sleeps one child/infant. There is an antique painted armoire with mirrored doors and a little tall boy chest of drawers. A narrow corridor leads to the front window which looks out across the beautiful valley. There is a luxurious shower room on this level, fully tiled with limestone tiles, a double sized shower with glass screen, charming converted antique wash stand with bowl sink and WC. Outside, mature shrubs naturally screen Dovecote's own garden dining area from the barn on the other side of the garden. It is furnished with table, chairs, parasol and BBQ. A little private gate leads to the childrens' play park. It shares the use of the heated pool.