Grab a unique opportunity to celebrate Christmas and/or New Year in the masterpiece of a refurbished water tower that offers a blend of luxury accommodation and contemporary living.

This award-winning, Grade II listed home offers spectacular views of the countryside, and boasts a roof garden, a hot tub, ambient lighting and a high-spec audio system.

Enjoy all the luxuries of a five star hotel, within the privacy of a magnificent private retreat on the banks of the River Fowey. 

Glass and stone walls offer riverside views from every room, the location and contemporary interior are second to none, and the icing on the festive cake comes in the form of the housekeeper, private chef and a skippered motor yacht.

Open log fires, a huge country kitchen (with an Aga and a big squishy sofa) and views overlooking a wooded valley - what more could you want for a festive break? If it's tasteful accommodation, a crowd of family and friends, and gym to work up an appetite, this is the place for you. 

You can organise quite a banquet around a dining table that seats 36, making Christmas celebrations at the estate a grand and memorable affair. 

Each of the four country cottages are decorated and have a Christmas tree, and there's even an indoor pool so you can keep the festive feasting off your waistline, a snooker table for less exertive recreation and a hot tub to wallow in and simply relax.

Make yourself at home in a luxury lodge planted in a beautiful organic estate overlooking Dartmoor National Park. Indoors you will feel snug, cosy and pampered in your country pad, whilst outdoors you can enjoy the landscaped garden and a huge range of outdoor pursuits on the doorstep.

Lapping up the life of luxury in a rural retreat with an indoor pool, sauna, gym and six bicycles for your use, there is little chance that the festive trimmings will have time to sit on your waistline. 

However, with so much action you might prefer to skip the DIY catering and call in a private chef, maids and even a chauffeur.

Get festive in this large 19th Century barn that's been transformed into a chic party house where you can get comfy amidst kitsch, style and luxury.

Toast the festive season in the outdoor hot-tub and sauna, take a picnic to the private beach hut and throw a lavish feast in the huge dining area - or call in the outside caterers to prepare if for you (at an additional cost).

Throw a New Year party fit for royalty in a castle that can be exclusively yours (plus 17 friends) for the celebrations. 

In addition to excellent service in your regal pad, enjoy a traditional Scottish dinner followed by a Ceilidh and Hogmanay fireworks, and on New Year's Day go Clay Pigeon shooting in the castle grounds.

In the grounds of a stunning period house, the granary barn has been split into four cottage apartments and a large dining area where a festive feast can be laid on (using outside caterers if required). 

Curl up by the Inglenook fireplaces and enjoy a stunning backdrop of wild and formal gardens, meadows and woodland.

A beautifully situated Victorian country house renowned for its relaxed atmosphere and historic character fused with luxury trimmings. 

Each of the bedrooms is an individually designed en-suite boasting stunning views (3 rooms adapted to accommodate disabled guests), and the fresh, homemade banquets can be served in the dining room or the conservatory.

Notes: 

*

This is a small selection of our Unique Home Stays Country/Coastal retreats. Please see our website for more ideas and accommodation to suit you. We have properties in the UK, USA, Spain, South Africa, Morocco, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, India, Greece, France and the Czech Republic.

*

Please contact Unique Home Stays in the event of featuring any of our properties.

*

A selection of high-resolution images is available.

*

We can organize press trips for select journalists and we work alongside a handful of professional journalists who can provide bespoke write-ups if required.

*

Launched in 2001, Unique Home Stays offers the crème de la crème of privately hosted accommodation that offers a unique alternative to run-of-the mill hotels. Having travelled the world, MD Sarah Stanley knew what she expected from top quality accommodation: Intimate and luxury hospitality, pristine homes oozing with character, excellent regional cuisine and comfortable bedrooms with all the trimmings. Today Unique Home Stays offers superior accommodation in over 100 homes scattered over 14 different countries. The properties include castles, priories, rectories, windmills, water mills, townhouses, coastal homes and even a house in the sea.