These days the idea of owning a second home in the country seems a little old fashioned.

I mean, do you really want to pay the heating bills for some crumbling old pile that has eight more bedrooms than you really need?

In these time-starved disposable times, deluxe, rentable hideaways are becoming more and more popular. No longer is your only option a secluded B&B run by a dotty old woman. Nowadays you can take your pick from a selection of classy, intimate havens complete with all mod cons; perfect for a weekend away with friends.

Take Cliff Barns in Norfolk for example. Yes it's named after J.R's arch nemesis from Dallas, but don't let that put you off. This American-style hunting lodge comes complete with mounted stag head, hot tub and sauna. Everything you need for a good soiree!

If you want somewhere further afield, there's always the exceedingly swish
The Third Floor, tucked away in the backstreets of Barcelona complete with meditation and massage room. Okay, so it's not on the 38th floor (à la the Serenity spa at Hotel Arts), but you don't have to travel to Port Olímpic to get there, either.

Or what about The Club House in Chamonix? Brought to us by Jonathan Downey of Milk & Honey, Sosho, etc., it's like a hotel, only just you and your mates. They have both bunk and individual luxe rooms, a shared communal space (complete with member's bar, of course), and if you're clever you can pick up some rather tempting mid-week rates.

So forget the country mansions, let's face it they became unfashionable the moment Madonna got herself one anyway. These days it's all about the rent-a-house.