Chateau or similar accommodation for New Year

Planning to go away for New Year with a party of 10-12, and one of the ideas that came up was to rent a chateau or something similar in France, Spain, Italy or Scotland or so. I know there there is a lot of info available on-line, but was just hoping on some first hand experience from you guys.

It needs to be self catering, exclusive for our party, and not too far away from shops and pubs.