Living it up in Luxury's Lap

Imagine if you will the lush, rolling hills of the English countryside. Sheep and cows in their paddocks grazing and a large manor house taking pride of place surrounded by acres of manicured gardens, woodlands and a 16th century stable house.

That's where I spent the weekend. Or rather, my alter ego, The Freelancer, and her 'husband'* did.

Working on one of my US freelance gigs - finer details must be kept under wraps until publication - boyfriend and I took last Friday afternoon off to drive up north and stay two nights at a luxury hotel as part of a Six of the Best country escapes.

While we were met with eager smiles by the hotel staff, the Lady of the House seemed to take offence at boyfriend's choice of footwear, her disapproving glare suggesting she'd never before seen sneakers in her establishment - having spent the past six months in the London mag scene my already mild Australian accent has become accustomed to lilting into 'proper' English, boyfriend, however, doesn't take well to (apparent) snobbery and it took a little gentle nudging to keep him from taking the woman down! - Thankfully, in my capacity as 'journalist' I was forgiven my unkempt partner and together we were given a guided tour of the newly refurbished 16th century mansion.

Its decor celebrating a gloriously rich history (and a fair few royal connections), we followed our guide through a maze of passageways and across the hall to the 'Old Wing' where lay our £799-a-night, split level suite; complete with a bottle of champagne, on ice, in honour of our arrival.

Two dinners (with wine and all the extras), buffet breakfasts, a Swedish massage and 18-holes of golf later our bill should have tallied to more than £1,800... we paid a little over £120. We had also taken time out to sweat in the steam room, do laps in their mosaic tiled-pool and lazed in the Jacuzzi. Oh, and received a copy of The Times each morning to peruse at our leisure...

Quite simply, we were spoilt - rotten. Next weekend I'm off to Edinburgh with a girlfriend to review yet another five-star abode... The lesson to be learnt? Pitch stories you get something great out of!

* Due to some email miscommunication boyfriend was referred to as 'Mr Intern' for the weekend.... only fitting I would think given that it was my savvy pitching that got him his round on the golf course and unbridled access to the culinary buffet!