For family holidays in rental houses, the less places there are for sand and ice cream to hide, the better. Enter the recently renovated La Maison des Champs, which sleeps 12, in Saubrigues in the French Basque Country.
A light, open-plan modern living space, the almost sparse interiors are cheerfully livened up with splashes of greens and reds.
There is a home cinema, a second TV room, a snooker room and a playroom with toys and table football. The high-spec kitchen includes a large Gaggenau fridge and freezer with ice machine, induction hob, oven and steam oven. There's also the now expected wi-fi, Sky television and useful highchairs and cots.
The grassy grounds hold a large, gated swimming pool, with a shallow beach, sunbathing terrace and a Boules pitch. Nearby lies the endless stretch of surfer-strewn sand, Hossegor, with Biarritz, the nearest airport, 30 minutes' drive away.
Seven nights at La Maison des Champs with SJ Villas costs £635pp (8,750) including daily maid service. sjvillas.co.uk
