Gray Head House

Comprised of ten-interlocking pavilions, the Gray Head House looks like a quaint Swiss village rather than a Rocky Mountain estate. The 6,500-square-foot vacation home is situated on a picturesque 35-acres just outside of the Colorado ski town Telluride. Organized around a circle drive, the network of limestone volumes make a crescent shape offering a distinct vantage point from each one. Living spaces are sorted by function and spread throughout the interior where contemporary furnishings offset the rustic setting. Vaulted ceilings make way for expansive glass walls to take the dramatic views of the surrounding meadows and mountain peaks.

Photos: Sotheby's International Realty

Istoria Hotel

Overlooking the Aegean Sea, the Istoria Hotel feels more like an ancient Santorini estate than a contemporary resort. Plastered walls and volcanic stone are adorned with wood furnishings and mosaic tiles giving the 12-room retreat an authentic feel. Each suite offers a king-sized bed dressed in handcrafted textiles and a terrace with views of the volcanic sand beach and surrounding mountains, while some feature private pools and hot tubs. The property also houses a spa and restaurant headed by former Noma chef Alexandros Tsiotinis.

CDLR House

Many homes attempt to blend into their surroundings but the CDLR House takes the idea one step further. Aside from its green roof and black exterior, the concrete structure used dead trees found on the property to imprint its facade and hide among the Mexican forest. Its Y-shape is nestled into the existing vegetation, offering unique views in every direction. Large glazed panels cap each wing, framing in the landscape while ensuring natural light flows throughout the interior. Exposed concrete was left raw on the inside, pairing with wood ceilings to create a warm backdrop for the selection of mid-century modern furnishings. At the center of the home is a living pavilion. The open-air room provides a protected space for outdoor entertaining or lounging within views of the lake below.

Photos: Sandra Pereznieto / Cadaval & Solà-Morales

Olea Hotel

Surrounded by olive trees, verdant hillsides, and the Ionian Sea, the Olea Hotel emulates the Greek landscape with impressive results. The Zakynthos island resort sits in the middle of a 4,000-square-meter freeform pool. The lake-like waters flow throughout the property, connecting its restaurants, bars, and 93 suites. Guests can swim right up to their private balconies, offering views of either the gardens or the bay below. Inside, natural materials meet modern design for a calming atmosphere that is luxurious yet comfortable. The tranquil vibes lead guests to their on-site spa where treatments are paired with the relaxing aroma of Mediterranean herbs.

By the Way House

The By the Way House sits in the Polish countryside overlooking a nearby river. Rather than drawing inspiration from the pristine landscape, the home takes its shape from an unconventional entity — its long, winding driveway. The concrete road twists and turns around the property not to disturb any of the existing trees. At the middle of the site, the driveway lifts off the terrain, folding itself into a two-story dwelling. The solid material forms the ceiling, walls, and roof, giving the structure a sculpted quality that stands out from the verdant landscape like a modernist statue while a minimalist interior is housed within. The facade eventually unravels into a pathway off of the main living area that leads to the nearby beach.

Photos: Juliusz Sokoàowski and Olo Studio / KWK Promes

The Inn at Kenmore Hall

When the former head of J.Crew's menswear and an artist open a bed and breakfast, you get The Inn at Kenmore Hall. The five-bedroom hotel is housed in a 1792 Georgian estate, nestled on 20 wooded acres in the Berkshires. Each room is impeccably designed, fusing the home's historic architecture with a unique mix of antiques and mid-century modern pieces. From the wood-burning fireplaces to the personal collection of books and artwork, the cozy atmosphere feels more like you're a guest at the couple's home rather than paying patrons. For a more secluded stay, opt for the Carriage House Cottage. Located across the courtyard from the main house, the space offers its own living area, kitchenette, and a private porch to admire the surrounding orchards.

Charbonniere House

Overlooking the St. Lawrence River, the Charbonniere House is ingrained into a mountainside in the Charlevoix region of Québec. Its charred cedar exterior follows the terrain, creating a series of volumes arranged around a central courtyard. From the road, a lack of windows gives the structure a monolithic presence. Upon entry, the somber facade fades into a dreamy, rustic interior created by stone floors and white planked walls mixed with an abundance of natural light. While the front of the home is opaque, its rear is fitted with large panels of glazing. The black frame windows open the inside to the outdoors, affording expansive views of the pristine riverscape ahead.

Photos: James Brittain Photography / Alain Carle Architecte

Shapeshifter House

Rising from the sandy terrain like a desert mirage, the Shapeshifter House is a sculpted extension of the Nevada landscape. The home was built for a pair of art collectors. Its angular exterior reflects their love for contemporary art while its mounded zinc facade blends into the surrounding environment. Internally, exposed zinc panels overlap to form the ceiling, creating a shiny contrast to the polished concrete floors. Contemporary artworks adorn the bare concrete walls and large glazed panels frame in the local vegetation. The upper level houses the master bedroom. Cantilevering over the ground below, the glazed room is afforded extensive views of Reno and the Sierra Nevada mountains beyond.

Photos: Joe Fletcher / Ogrydziak Prillinger Architects

Solana Estate

After a three-year renovation, the Solana Estate is a turn-of-the-century stunner packed with every modern-day essential. The Montecito mansion was originally designed by Francis T. Underhill for Frederick Forrest Peabody in 1914. Spanning 22,000 square feet, its interior includes everything from a theater and beauty salon to a wine room and Gatsby-like entertainment spaces. Rooms are fitted with the finest historic details like pre-WWII beamed ceilings in the kitchen and an 18th-century French limestone fireplace in the master bedroom. Every living space opens out to a series of terraces and loggias overlooking the Montecito Valley, Pacific Ocean, and Santa Ynez mountains. The exterior is just as grand. Offering 11.2 knoll-top acres, the property consists of a statuary, pond, swimming pool, and a 500-rosebush botanical garden.

Morukuru Beach Lodge

Explore South Africa's coast at the Morukuru Beach Lodge. The oceanfront resort is located within the De Hoop Nature Reserve on the country's Western Cape. Its seaside setting offers a unique spin on the traditional African vacation offering rolling sand dunes and limestone cliffs. Instead of the usual bush expeditions, their coastal safari experiences and marine walks allow you to explore the area's fynbos and rock pools, opening your eyes to a new range of wildlife. When you're done scoping out the local Bontebok, you can retire to one of just five suites. The sleek rooms are fitted with walls of glass overlooking the Indian Ocean. Step out on the private balcony and you just might catch a glimpse of southern right whales with your morning coffee.

Tranquility House

Built in the countryside outside of Seoul, the Tranquility House is a generational family retreat. The property is surrounded by a rustic landscape of wooded hillsides and a lake. Although the home is very modern in design, a neutral material palette is meant to blend its unconventional form into the environment. Internally, concrete walls are met with a plywood roof. The open, double-height space is afforded views of the local scenery through a wall of glazing. These glass panels fold open to create a seamless connection with the outdoors. While there is a bedroom below for grandparents, a staircase leads to an upper-level master. The cantilevered room is capped by a wall of windows, drawing inhabitants out to a floating balcony.

Photos: Jaeyoon Kim / Snow AIDe

Shelter Island Hill House

Clad in a mixture of cedar and stone, the Shelter Island Hill House is a tribute to its natural setting. The home is situated on a hillside where the forest opens to a meadow. A pair of timber boxes is perched above the landscape on a glazed ground floor. Housing the dwelling's private spaces, the upper level extends out past the glass living area and cantilevers over a stone retaining wall. This design allows the structure to float above the terrain for minimal disruption to the protected land while also creating a series of sheltered terraces overlooking the waterfront ahead.

Photos: Scott Frances / Leroy Street Studio

Virgin Hotel San Francisco

From their tech-savvy rooms to free uninhibited Wifi, the Virgin Hotel San Francisco is changing the boutique hotel game. Their 192 guest rooms are more than just impeccably designed suites with plush bedding. Although they are great looking, the Chambers, as they like to call them, are also highly functional. A sliding door divides the quarters into a dressing room and the sleeping lounge. The former features a Poliform-designed closet while the latter is fitted with a custom-made hybrid bed where you can order room service and control the thermostat via your smartphone. To top it all off, there's no charge for extra bandwidth. The hotel also features a restaurant, coffee shop, and rooftop bar overlooking the entire SoMa neighborhood.

Twin Tea House

Down a path of artificial mountain stone, the Twin Tea House is a tranquil addition to a retreat garden in China. The cast concrete pavilion sits among lush landscaping like a modern stone temple. While a bathroom and studio occupy the ground floor, a winding walkway with a bamboo handrail leads to a second-story tea room. The exterior facade was left exposed to the interior where warm wood accents create a Zen sanctuary. Encased in class, the room cantilevers over the neighboring pond affording views of the surrounding willows and pine.

Photos: Ryan Chiu / Hill Architecture

Mono Cabin

The Mono Cabin isn't just easy on the eyes, it's also easy to obtain. The tiny prefab shelter sits on a steel base so there's no need for a foundation. At 106 square feet, it doesn't require any prior permits or planning allowing you to simply "Plug and Play". This minimalist philosophy also carries over into the aesthetics. The gabled exterior is clad in a sturdy standing-seam metal facade. Its birch-lined interior features vaulted ceilings and a wide-open layout giving you the freedom to customize it with lofts, desks, benches, and cabinets. Available in three variations, standard models come with electric heat but optional solar panels and a wood stove offer an off-grid alternative.

Photos: Drop Structures

Zero Real Estate

Situated along the Swiss Alps in the Toggenburg region, the Zero Real Estate pop-up hotel is as close to nature as it gets. The three open-air suites are nothing more than a double bed and two nightstands sitting on a wooden platform. Free off walls and roofs, the rooms are subject to sweeping views of the landscape including the Churfirsten mountain range, the Schwendi lakes, and the Rhine Valley. Fall asleep under the stars and get woken up by the sunrise for breakfast in bed. Each package comes with a one night stay, a backup room with for bad weather, and a butler. Reservations are being taken until September 1, 2018.

Ramat HaSharon Pavilion House

A series of sleek concrete cubes form the minimalist facade of the Ramat HaSharon Pavilion House. Intricate screens continue the geometric theme, filtering in light while adding texture to the flat exterior. Inside, the same delicate pattern is replicated in the stairway connecting all four floors. Private areas are housed above while the ground floor is occupied by the main living area. Polished concrete floors and white walls create the same restrained aesthetic throughout the open interior. Facing the backyard, a wall of glazing slides open to a terrace. The roof extends out over the patio, sheltering the area from the intense Israeli sun.

Photos: Amit Geron / Tal Goldsmith Fish Design Studio

Go Kart Track House

If you've never had a desire to live in Ireland, you might want to reconsider. A home in the Moneymore region just went on the market and it comes complete with its own go-kart track. The 1,100-yard course offers 10 turns, a race control office, and podium as well as workshops and garages to keep your karts race ready. A helipad, indoor swimming pool, and cinema complete the adult playground. There's also a residence on the property. The two-story home features four bedrooms and five baths with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. The entire estate is all set within 28 sprawling acres.

Photos: Stanley Best Estate Agents