At the coalface of opulence

Of course, she had help. From 43 staff, to be precise. And the "summer cottage" was actually a 50-room mansion that took three years to build. Known as The Elms, it was modelled on an 18th-century French chateau.

It is one of dozens of extravagant homes built in Newport circa the late 1800s - the so-called Gilded Age - by some of the US's richest men. Many houses offer tours and the sheer lavishness on display is staggering. But, then, so was their owners' wealth. In 1900, Edward Berwind controlled two-thirds of the world's coal supply.

The Elms is unique in that it also has a Servant Life Tour, a behind-the-scenes glimpse into where the staff lived and worked.

After passing through the deliberately concealed staff entrance, we ascend the back staircase to the staff quarters on the third floor. Accommodation is sparse, with bars at the windows to prevent theft and discourage any shenanigans between co-workers.

We visit the room of maid Nellie Lynch Regoli and learn a little about her life.

After admiring the sweeping views of the grounds and Newport Harbour from the roof, we descend into the basement to inspect the coal cellar, laundry rooms and kitchen. The cavernous copper pots hint at the industrial scale on which food was often prepared.

It's an interesting insight, only soured by one thing: our guide. From her disinterested demeanour, I can only assume she's a descendent of one of the house's disgruntled scullery maids.

Dreary guide aside, I'd still recommend the tour - before you look around the main house. The outrageous opulence seems even more excessive once you've seen how the other half lived.