The Oaks

The Oaks: Dorset

This luxurious home has starred in magazine and TV ads but there's no need to worry, there's as much substance as there is style. A home built to be lived in, it perfectly blends opulent furnishings and on-trend design with everything you might need to make for a comfortable stay. The high-end kitchen is the heart of the house, with sliding doors opening up onto an outdoor terrace – just perfect for an evening soiree. The living room has an open fire at each end, and the host has provided plenty of logs to keep you toasty during winter stays. Upstairs, the master suite is a delightful space, with a free-standing tub, powerful shower and cloud-like bed. The guest shower room doubles up as a steam room for that 'spa-at-home' feeling. But our favourite spot is the basement, playfully kitted out and complete with a comfy, oversize sofa and TV screen. Outside, there's even a small pool to dip in and out of on hot summer days. But we guess you're likely to be headed to the beach. It's just a seven-minute walk to Southbourne's, or a fifteen-minute drive to Bournemouth's main sands.

Home truths:
*The master bedroom and en-suite shown on the floorplan are not available to guests – these rooms will be locked. Guests have exclusive use of all other spaces, except for the small office and loft space.
*There’s plenty of free parking outside as well as space in the driveway
*There’s a dedicated workspace with super fast Virgin Fibre Broadband
*The heated pool is open from April to September
*Two guests can sleep on the double sofa-bed in the basement