Houses with great views: Hale Ali'i villa, Hawai'i, United States

From unspoilt countryside to tropical beaches, we bring you ten properties for sale that enjoys magnificent, inspirational views

A palm-fringed, golden beach, the tropical island of Molokai, and crystalline waves where dolphins and humpback whales come to frolic - there can't be a place on earth with better views than this opulent villa in the heart of Maui's Oneloa Bay. Most rooms look out towards the sea, but perhaps the best place to relax and soak up the panorama are the many covered patios (lanai). Through Christie's International Real Estate. For more great properties, visit the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Upton Fold Farm, Bosley, Cheshire

Upton Fold Farm, Bosley, Cheshire

This pretty stone farmhouse enjoys sweeping views across the Cheshire Plain from the all the main reception rooms and the terraces. Sunsets in particular are spectacular. Through Savills. For this and other great properties, visit the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Bay House, Crooks Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Bay House, Crooks Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Imagine waking up to see a kaleidoscope of blues as the deep azure sea on the horizon line gently turns into a soft turquoise close to the soft sandy shore. That's the view that greets the owners of Bay House every morning. This contemporary villa, which stands just steps away from a secluded beach on Virgin Gorda, makes the most of its magnificent location with large windows, French doors and huge terraces - you can even soak up the panorama as you take a shower. Through Knight Frank. For more great properties, visit the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Westbury Cottage, West Meon, Hampshire

(Image credit: Picasa)

Westbury Cottage, West Meon, Hampshire

The windows of this charming house frame quintessentially English views: thick woodland, tidy fields and the glorious curves of the Hampshire countryside. Through Knight Frank. For this and other great properties, visit the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Podere Belvedere, Val D'Orcia, Italy

Podere Belvedere, Val D'Orcia, Italy

Belvedere means fine view in Italian, and this traditional stone house couldn't enjoy a finer one. The sinuous hills of Tuscany's beautiful Val D'Orcia stretch at your feet, framed by majestic cypresses. Through Knight Frank. For more great properties, visit the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Tomphubil Lodge, Foss, Perthshire

Tomphubil Lodge, Foss, Perthshire

Once home to the quarry master for Tomphubil quarry and lime kiln, the lodge has been carefully renovated in contemporary style. What makes it really special, however, are the dramatic views across Kinardochy Loch, the Pertshire countryside and the peaks of Schiehallion. The best place to enjoy the panorama is the hot tub in the covered verandah of the Scandinavian style chalet next to the house. Through Savills. For this and other great properties, visit the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Riverview Manor, McLean, Vermont, United States

Riverview Manor, McLean, Vermont, United States

Every inch of this huge mansion oozes luxury - the marble foyer, the great room with its coffered gold-leaf ceilings, the living room with carved mouldings. Yet all this pales by comparison with the views of the majestic Potomac River. With just the river and the wooded hills in sight, you'd almost expect to see Pocahontas peeking from behind a tree. Through Christie's International Real Estate. For more great properties, visit the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Boat House, Halton-on-Lune, Lancashire

Boat House, Halton-on-Lune, Lancashire

Grade II-listed Boat House is one of the most photographed homes on the river Lune, according to selling agents Fine & Country. The views from the main house across the manicured gardens to the river are just as magnificent. Through Fine & Country. For more great properties, visit the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Tingalayo, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

(Image credit: Don Hebert)

Tingalayo, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Perched on the crest of a hill, Tingalayo looks out across Tortola's West End to the islands of Jost Van Dyke and St John and St Thomas. It's hard to tell which is the best vantage point - whether the the outdoor dining areas, the infinity pool, or the romantic Master Suite Pavilion, complete with four-poster bed. Through Knight Frank. For more great properties, visit the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Moor Park, Crickhowell, Powys

Moor Park, Crickhowell, Powys

Situated in the Brecon Beacons National Park, this magnificent, Grade II*-listed country house overlooks some of Wales' most spectacular scenery, across lush paddocks and dense woodland to the Sugar Loaf and Blorange mountains. The master bedroom and the stunning drawing room in particular make the most of the glorious views. Through Knight Frank. For this and other great properties, visit the website of our sister magazine, Country Life.

Carla Passino

Carla Passino is a multimedia journalist with more than seventeen years’ experience in national and international media.


Carla's primary areas of interest are political, economic and housing trends in global cities. Much of my time is spent writing about the world’s prime property markets and the factors that affect it, covering fiscal, legal, political and financial issues linked to home ownership, and reporting on major shifts in British, European and international housing. Over the years, Carla has written about culture, education, interiors, farming, travel, food, wine and more.