Best for… Regency glamour

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Bellinter House, Navan, County Meath, Ireland

Jane Austen would have liked the Palladian splendour of Bellinter House. She'd have loved watching Regency ladies sweep up its grand, cantilevered staircase, and fan themselves coquettishly as they giggled over the society gentlemen tripping fancily below. She might, though, have felt a little unsure of all the modern art on the walls and the primary-coloured contemporary furniture in the glorious Main House attic rooms. But for those of us who like our Philippe Starck as much as our Lizzie Bennet, there's just the right blend of luxurious noughties trappings - huge flatscreen TVs, Bose sound systems, mood lighting - and authentic 18th century features.

Doubles from €225, including breakfast.

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