We chose Chateau D'Ivoy as a base for exploring the Sancerre vineyards and could not have been happier with our choice.

The Chateau is in a quiet location, in a nature reserve and is decorated beautifully.

Inside, every room was full of stunning - and sometimes very quirky - antiques and decorative items. From the gold arms extending from the walls holding candelabras to the butterfly collections to the breakfast table decorated in the most beautiful Limoges china collection (every single guest photographed it when we were there because it was so beautiful) there is a reason to gasp in admiration whenever you enter a room.

Real thought has gone into your comfort; wih CD players and CDs provided in each bathroom for a pre-dinner soak and a flask of whisky in each room for a nightcap.

However, don't think that this will make it either an intimidating or formal place to stay - the owners are relaxed and are delighted to for you to explore (within reason!) their home and invite you every evening to share an aperitif (as their guest - no charges) before giving you directions to the restaurant they have booked you into for the night.

We had one of the best meals either of us had ever eaten in one of the recommendations and the advice we were given re vineyards to visit was invaluable.

As we left, the owners invited us to drop in the next time we were in the area but stressed this was to be a visit as friends not guests - you don't get that kind of hospitality at an anonymous hotel chain!