Hot property: love nests

Dante Gabriel Rossetti described William Morris’s Red House as “a most noble work in every way, and more a poem than a house”. Romantic retreats should be described in similar terms.

It is this poetic quality, imbued by nature or the architecture itself, that turns a property into a love nest. Below is a selection of the best from around the world.

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▲ Lavandula, House 11, Rou Estate, Corfu, €650,000

Where: Set in a private, elevated position within a renovated, traditional Greek village of 12 houses, next door to Lord Rothschild’s estate, on the island of Corfu.

What: Built over 200 years ago, this three-bedroom, three-bathroom stone house, of 120 sq m, is over two levels, with a terrace, plunge pool and barbecue area. The lower level has a Jacuzzi on a private terrace with sea views over Albania and the Ionian channel, and the upper level has an open-plan kitchen/living area. The whole house has underfloor heating and fireplaces for the winter, so can be used all year round.

Why: The Rou estate is utterly private while also being connected by fragrant walkways to a shared spa, gym and swimming pool.

Who: Savills, www.savills.co.uk/abroad, tel: +44 (0)20 7016 3740

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▲ House 4, Tai Wan Tau Village, Clearwater Bay, New Territories, Hong Kong, HK$16m (£1.28m)

Where: 30 minutes from the centre of Hong Kong, Tai Wan Tau village is on the edge of Clearwater Bay, close to the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club.

What: A four-bedroom, four-bathroom beachfront property, with home cinema and built-in sound system, overlooking the three beaches of Clearwater Bay and refurbished in a minimalist style.

Why: Tai Wan Tau is a quiet, traditional Hakka Village, untouched by development and within Clearwater Bay Country Park. Because of its position, it misses the pollution from Hong Kong island and has crystal clear water from the South China Sea, perfect for midnight swimming.

Who: Habitat Property, www.habitat-property.com, tel: +852 2869 9069

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▲ 304 East 65th Street, NY, US, $12m

Where: On the Upper East Side of Manhattan, overlooking Central Park.

What: A four-bedroom (configured as a two-bedroom), four-bathroom, 4,000 sq ft home designed by William Hicks on the 37th floor. The building has a concierge and fitness room, heated pool and landscaped roof deck.

Why: The master suite has a spa bath, a sauna, and a secret wall to reveal a hot tub. Four terraces offer 360 degree views of the skyline.

Who: Savills, www.savills.com/abroad, tel: +44 (0)20 7016 3740

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▲ Chippenhall Hall, Fressingfield, Nr Framlingham, Suffolk, UK, £1.5m

Where: Two miles south of Fressingfield, 10 miles east of Diss in Suffolk, to the northeast of London. Regular trains to London’s Liverpool Street station take 90 minutes.

What: A Grade II-listed manor house, mentioned in the Domesday book, approached through half a mile of tree-lined private drive. The house has 5,000 sq ft of internal space, seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms – most with south-facing views. The house is set in three acres of land and has a Roman-stepped swimming pool, mature gardens, kitchen garden, orchard and pond.

Why: The natural setting and rural views are exceptional, the exposed timbers and inglenook fireplaces make it cosy, and it is half an hour from the beach of Southwold.

Who: Jackson-Stops & Staff, www.jackson-stops.co.uk, tel: +44 (0)1473 218218

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▲ The Baglioni Marrakech Hotel Residences, Rue Amizmiz, Marrakech, Morocco, €2.3m

Where: Ten minutes south of the Medina, in the centre of Marrakech, close to Marrakech Menara airport.

What: Set within 34 acres of parkland, this is one of 15 private residences launched in October as part of a new development. The five-bedroom property, with 840 sq m of interiors designed by Jade Jagger for Yoo, has its own private garden, roof terrace and swimming pool. Owners have access to the boutique hotel facilities, including two restaurants, a pool bar and a spa and fitness club.

Why: The spa on site has steam baths, hammam massage, and other therapies to enjoy as a couple.

Who: The Baglioni Marrakech, www.thebaglionimarrakech.com, tel: +44 (0)203375 1710