The Doe & The Stag

Sitting at the foot of the Spanish Pyrenees, this charming home has contemporary ski-chalet charm in spades. Wooden panelling, A-frame ceilings upstairs and squishy sofas only add to that cosy atmosphere – exactly what the doctor ordered after a day spent on the slopes.

Thaw frosty toes in front of the crackling pellet stove and warm your insides with a vino caliente, Spain's version of mulled wine. For dinner, rustle up something hearty in the sleek kitchen – we suggest a classic Aranese stew – or nibble on local cheeses, pâtés and cured meats picked up at the gourmet food stores in Arties. Afterwards, wind down with a board game or two, then snuggle up in the sumptuous beds for a good night's sleep.

In the winter, the Val d'Aran is a snow-covered wonderland, with family-friendly skiing at the nearby Baqueira-Beret resort 2km away. During the summer, frost turns into flowers – be sure to pack your hiking shoes as you won't want to miss a jaunt through the Aigüestortes National Park.

Home truths:
*The eighth guest will sleep on a pull-out trundle bed in the second bedroom – we think this is best suited to children
*This home is set over three floors with no internal lift – it may not be suitable for those with limited mobility
*The TV has a Chromecast
*There's not enough space around the dining table for all eight guests – the living space may also be a squeeze
*There's one on-site parking space here
*You'll also have access to a ski locker at the foot of the slopes
*This is a self-catering home – the hosts provide a small number of complementary items to start you off (such as one roll of toilet paper per bathroom and a small cleaning kit) but you'll need to supply your own food and other provisions