Take me there: Paxos, Greece

Peaceful little Paxos, all sparkling coves and olive groves, is one of the most appealing of the Greek islands, but it has always been somewhat lacking in the hotel department – until now. The Purple Apricot is a brand new retreat for adults, with just seven airy suites, each with a balcony or terrace, and a lovely pool overlooking the Ionian Sea. Furnishings from Turkey and Morocco and outdoor seating areas with floor cushions and lanterns lend a bohemian air. A week in June costs from £998pp, including flights, booked with Simpson Travel (simpsontravel.com).

It's a good time to… stay at a country house hotel

This weekend sees the opening of Kentisbury Grange in Devon, the first of an exciting new crop of country house hotels due to launch this summer (rooms from £195; kentisburygrange.co.uk).

While this restored Victorian manor house on the edge of Exmoor National Park will appeal to lovers of the great outdoors, Brimstone, which opens in the Lake District next month, seems to be trying its hardest to make sure guests never want to leave their room. The 16 suites will have large balconies overlooking the Langdale estate, woodburning stoves, in-room dining and indulgent spa therapies (from £225, brimstonehotel.co.uk).

Also in Cumbria, Askham Hall will offer a more relaxed take on the country-house hotel when it opens later this summer. It will have a restaurant serving seasonal food from the estate's kitchen garden, a small spa and an outdoor pool (from £165, askhamhall.co.uk).

And finally, the popular Pig Hotel in the New Forest is opening an offshoot near Bath later this year. The former Hunstrete House Hotel in the Mendip Hills will be given a shabby-chic makeover and relaunched before Christmas (thepighotel.com). Just don't forget your wellies.

Give me a break: the week's best deals

Spa break Seaham Hall, the five-star spa hotel near Durham, has completed a £1.5m refurbishment which includes the creation of a new lounge bar and seafood restaurant (opening in July). To celebrate the relaunch, the hotel is offering three nights for the price of two until the end of August. This brings the price of three nights' B&B to £590 for two people – a saving of £295 (seaham-hall.co.uk)

Rhine cruise Book before 15 June and you can save up to 35% on a Rhine cruise. The River Cruise Line has cut prices on several of its July trips, including a seven-night Rhine and Moselle Highlights cruise which has been reduced to £795pp – saving £330. The price includes full-board accommodation, Dover-Calais ferry crossing and transfers (rivercruiseline.co.uk)