Introduction
Luxury has always been associated with comfort, style, and grandeur. And nothing represents luxury more profoundly than the world’s most lavish villas and extravagant houses. These houses are a sign of opulence, boasting about the wealth and social status of their owners. These are more than just houses; they are architectural marvels, featuring top-notch designs, extraordinary facilities, and priceless art pieces. This article takes you on a tour inside the most luxurious villas in various corners of the globe.
Villa Leopolda – France
Located on the French Riviera, Villa Leopolda is named after its original owner, the Belgian King Leopold II. The expansive property spans 18 acres, featuring an outdoor kitchen, a greenhouse, a pool house, a guest house, and a main house adorned with 19 luxurious bedrooms. Villa Leopolda gained much prominence when Lily Safra, the widow of the deceased Lebanese banker Edmond Safra, sold it for €500 million, making it one of the most expensive houses in the world at the time.
Villa Les Cèdres – France
Also located in the French Riviera, Villa Les Cèdres is a centuries-old mansion with its private zoo, chapels, 14 bedrooms, and an Olympic-size swimming pool. Formerly home to Belgium’s King Leopold II, this villa is set amidst a 35-acre botanical park filled with 15,000 rare tropical species. The house was sold for a whopping €1 billion in 2017, marking it as the world’s most expensive house at the time.
Antilla – India
Antilla, an ostentatious high-rise mansion in Mumbai, India is a 27-story skyscraper and is claimed to be the world’s most exorbitant private residence, surpassing Buckingham Palace. Owned by Mukesh Ambani, the richest man in India, and the Asia’s richest, this house features a 50-person home-theatre, three helipads, a four-story garden, and a staff of 600 people to maintain the residence.
Buckingham Palace – England
Though it is technically not a villa, no list of luxurious residences can be complete without mentioning Buckingham Palace. The official residence of UK’s reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, the palace boasts 775 rooms, including 19 staterooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff rooms, and 78 bathrooms. It’s not just the size that’s impressive; the palace is home to a priceless art collection featuring masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Rubens.
Villa La Palladiana – Italy
Perched on Lake Como in Italy, Villa La Palladiana is a sight to behold. Its architectural elegance and opulent décor give it a royal air. With suites offering panoramic views of the lake and Alps, swimming pools, an amphitheater, a Venetian-style dining room, the Palladiana manifests vintage glamour with perfect subtlety.
Conclusion
The luxury of these villas goes beyond walls, marbled floors, crystal chandeliers, and state-of-art facilities. They constitute fantastic realms of retreat for their fortunate inhabitants. An elite lifestyle, marked by sheer opulence and high living standards, gets reflected in every corner of these premises. A look into these villas is therefore like a glimpse into the real ‘grand life’.
FAQs
Q: Which is the most expensive villa in the world?
A: Currently, Villa Les Cèdres in France holds the title of the most expensive house in the world when it was sold for €1 billion.
Q: How many staff does it take to run Antilla in Mumbai?
A: A staff of around 600 people is required to run and maintain the 27-story skyscraper known as Antilla.
Q: Who was the original owner of Villa Leopolda?
A: Villa Leopolda was originally owned by Belgian King Leopold II. Today, it is owned by Lily Safra.
Q: What makes Buckingham Palace unique?
A: Buckingham Palace, home to the Queen of England, consists of 775 rooms, contains a vast art collection, and is known for its architectural grandeur. It’s considered one of the most iconic buildings in the UK.
Q: Where is Villa La Palladiana located and what is special about it?
A: Situated on the shores of Lake Como in Italy, the Palladiana boasts vintage glamour, panoramic views of the lake, and the Alps, making it unique and special.
