Last year, we caught wind of the fact that Koos Bekker had purchased a rather pricey piece of property in rural Somerset in the UK.

The idea, we were told, was to convert it into the UK equivalent of Babylonstoren, the Cape-Dutch-farmhouse-come-boutique-hotel that people visit to improve their Instagram feeds.

Just over a year later, The Newt in Somerset Hotel was up and running, with plans to open for bookings in July.

So far things seem to be going very well. The hotel has recently, and officially, opened its doors to its first guests.

According to the Telegraph, the stunning design of the hotel is due to Bekker’s partner Karen Roos, a former editor of Elle Decoration in South Africa, and the driving force and creative director behind the Bekker estate projects.

Let’s take a look inside the luxury estate, starting with a tour of the gardens:

Roos said the following about the decision to buy a country estate in England:

“As children, we were immersed in England through literature: whether Enid Blyton, Jane Austen or Chaucer,” she told The Telegraph. “People in Somerset have been so positive about it.” She is said to have fallen in love with the county and its heritage, which is partly why local craftsmanship has been used and celebrated throughout the elaborate garden, and the hotel.

A look inside with some info from The Newt In Somerset’s website:

Hadspen House, built around 1690, captures the essence of a Georgian country home. A place to delight, its elegant rooms have been restored and reimagined, while its unique setting inspires our garden-to-table dining and garden-scented Spa.

You can book rooms in the manor house or, for a more private experience, rooms are available in the converted stables:

Stunning.

I’ll leave you with more pictures of the gardens:

[source:telegraph]