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20 of the World’s Most Enchanting Homes You Can Rent

From a castle fit for a fairy tale to a seaside villa with breathtaking views, you can live like royalty anywhere in the world—even if it's just for a few days.

Westbury-Castle
Courtesy HomeAway

Westbury Castle, North Wales

You (and 37 of your nearest and dearest) can pretend you are the new royal family when you sleep in this grand castle built by the Mostyns, an historic Welsh family. The gorgeous, antiques-filled space features nine bedrooms with intricately carved four-poster beds, a billiards room, and even a knight in shining armor (literally). Check out more fairy tale accommodations you can spend the night in.

Montego-Bay-Jamaica
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Beachfront Villa, Montego Bay, Jamaica

You won’t have to lift a finger if you stay at this gorgeous Jamaican villa, thanks to the full-time staff—chef, housekeeper, bartender/butler, and gardener—included in the price. The house sits on a swath of private beach with its own thatched-roof bar and in-ground pool.

Kennebunkport-Maine
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Oceanfront Estate, Kennebunkport, Maine

Live like one of the presidential Bush clan when you stay at this grand estate with New England flair. Each of the five bedrooms boasts gorgeous ocean views, with your own private beach just steps away. The estate also features a heated pool and private tennis courts, just in case you ever grow bored taking in the view. Check out more incredible and unusual places where you can spend the night.

Bali-Indonesia
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The Cove, Bali, Indonesia

Get a taste of life in Bali at this luxe villa, built from locally sourced teak, stone, and ironwood. The house includes the services of a private chef who will source local ingredients for all your meals, plus babysitters, masseuses, and yoga instructors, as needed. Amenities include a stone-built infinity pool, tennis court, and gorgeous ocean views from every bedroom.

Tocqueville-France
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Pavillon of the Château de Tocqueville, Tocqueville, France

Author Alexis de Tocqueville, a 19th-century French diplomat and author of Democracy in America, once lived in this gorgeous chateau near the beaches of Normandy. You’ll have gorgeous ocean views, Old World splendor, and a chance to stroll around the English gardens that Alexis’ wife designed. Check out the best castles on Airbnb.

Punta-Cana-Dominican-Republic
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Villa Can Nico, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The owner personally greets you at the airport to whisk you off to this resort—the Villa Can Nico, nestled in the Punta Cana. You’ll be a short stroll from powder-soft sands at one of three private beaches, and have access to the services of a personal chef and housekeeper. The resort also offers several restaurants, a golf course, horseback riding, and other activities if you get bored.

Sonoma-California
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Wine Country Escape, Sonoma, California

A brand new pool with a submerged hot tub is the perfect place to unwind after a day touring Sonoma’s wineries—and at this sleek new luxury home, you can do just that. In between tours, play ping-pong or bocce on their sets or check out the amazing mountain views, then dine under the stars at the teak wood table beneath a canopied gazebo (with plenty of good California wines, of course). You’ll want to avoid these vacation rental mistakes.

Tipperary-Ireland
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Bansha Castle, Tipperary, Ireland

Feel like living happily ever after? Get a look at Bansha, a 300-year-old fairy tale castle set in gorgeous English-style gardens against the backdrop of the Galtee Mountains. The owners of the estate can help you arrange golfing, hiking, or fishing nearby—and the billiards room is a perfect place to unwind if the weather’s not cooperating. You have plenty of fairy-tale like lodging to choose from on the Emerald Isle.

Quepos-Costa-Rica
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Casa Playa Vista, Quepos, Costa Rica

You’ll feel like you’re in a tree house at Casa Playa Vista, which features a dramatic floating bridge entrance and an infinity pool that rises above the trees. Stairways lead down to the private beach below—where monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds regularly make an appearance on the property—and from the wraparound deck, you’ll be able to sneak a peek.

Princeville-Hawaii
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Mauna Pua, Princeville, Hawaii

Wraparound lanais let you take in breathtaking views of the ocean and the valleys from Mauna Pua, a family-friendly home on Kauai’s North Shore. Gleaming wood floors cover the living spaces, including the gourmet kitchen. Use the included bicycles to pedal out to one of several white-sand beaches nearby, including the legendary Hanalei Bay. If you’ve had enough of taking in the island, you can retreat indoors to play a few games on the ping-pong table.

Phuket-Thailand
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Villa IDEAL, Phuket, Thailand

Set high in the treetops, Villa IDEAL offers a blue-tiled infinity pool suspended right off the top deck, overlooking gorgeous views of the Adaman Ocean and Bang Tao Bay—a great place to cool off when you’re not lazing on one of Thailand’s best beaches. A staff of three maintains the sleek, modern Asian-style home, and you can also arrange for a chef to take prepare your meals.

Provence-France
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St. Roch, Provence, France

Built nearly 300 years ago, this grand stone farmhouse set in the French countryside features a charming combination of modern and antique furnishings in its five bedrooms. A heated in-ground pool and gorgeous landscaping—including a lush rose arbor—make the outside spectacular. Indoors, you can cozy up around the fireplace, or challenge your guests to billiards in the game room.

Noord-Aruba
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Malmok, Noord, Aruba

A Spanish-style villa set right on the ocean, Malmok has a gorgeous tiled pool featuring a swim-up bar. Enjoy Caribbean breezes from one of several patios and gazebos with tropical landscaping sheltering you from onlookers. There’s more than 5,000 square feet of space on the sprawling grounds, so you and your crew can spread out. Check out these unique places where you can spend the night.

Miami-FL
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Mango Villa, Miami, Florida

Live like a rock star (or a reality star!) just minutes from trendy South Beach in this Spanish-influence villa. Included are hot tub and pool, putting green, home theater, and that all-important selfie wall. You and fellow guests will battle over who gets the room with the sprawling custom “ultra-king” bed—that’s 50 percent larger than a California king.

Surat-Thani-Thailand
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Villa Maphraaw, Surat Thani, Thailand

Villa Maphraaw rises up out of the rain forest and is surrounded by gorgeous landscaping. With sleek Asian styling on the inside and an ornamental pond and grand infinity pool on the outside, what’s not to love? Most of the five bedrooms feature updated en suite bathrooms with rain shower heads—and have grand views of the rain forest and the ocean beyond.

London-UK
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Townhouse, London, England

Host a truly proper British house party at one of the oldest private residences in Kennington—just a short walk from Westminster. The backyard boasts a secret garden with a croquet green, perfect for indulging in a little Pimms and wickets. Inside, you’ll find nods to history among the updates, including a gorgeous canopy bed and classic chandeliers. There are a few welcome modern upgrades, including a state-of-the-art sound system and gourmet kitchen.

Playa-del-Carmen-Mexico
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Alcazar De Playa, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Each of the five bedrooms in this hacienda comes with its own private balcony and en suite bathroom—and all are decorated with gorgeous Mexican art. You’re a short walk to a golf course, beach, tennis court, pool, and the picturesque village of Playa del Carmen.

Sonoma-California
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Wine Country Escape, Santa Rosa, California

Turn your wine country adventure into a spa retreat at this grand house, which offers a full-size steam and sauna rooms and a rain shower. Most of the rooms feature French doors that open to a courtyard with an in-ground pool and hot tub. Wander the grounds and take in the gorgeous Sonoma scenery and citrus and fruit orchard by day, then gather around the fire pit at night. The game room comes equipped with a vintage pool table and casino-style blackjack table, and both the living room and dining room feature massive 6-foot-plus screens, ready for your impromptu movie night. Don’t forget to pack these must-have items for your next vacation rental.

Bali-Indonesia
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Villa Asmara, Bali, Indonesia

Asmara means “love and romance,” and this luxe villa certainly has all the trappings to inspire that vibe. The villa’s five bedrooms overlook lush tropical gardens leading down to the ocean. The gorgeous thatched-roof lounge beside the infinity pool makes a perfect spot to unwind. Villa staff will handle all the cooking and help book yoga, scuba diving, and other activities, so you can just relax and enjoy.

Siena-Italy
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Villa Santa Virginia, Siena, Italy

Set among vineyards, olive groves, and cypress trees in the Tuscan countryside, Villa Santa Virginia offers a true taste of Tuscany. The traditional Italian farmhouse has been updated with modern amenities, including an in-ground pool, en suite bathrooms, and upgraded kitchen. The owner will help arrange cooking classes or a personal chef—and will even give you an inside peek into what goes into making Italian wines.