Better Homes And Gardens Langley Bay Wine Cabinet Black

Mansions for sale with massive secrets

Spectacular homes hiding extraordinary surprises

In the auspicious world of luxury homes, sprawling square footage and state-of-the-art amenities are pretty unremarkable. For a plush property that truly stands out from the crowd, it's all about what's hidden from view. From aircraft hangars to movie-themed bedrooms and shark tanks, these magnificent mansions for sale harbour incredible and unexpected features that have to be seen to be believed. Click or scroll on to discover their secrets...

Modern manor, Texas, USA: $1.3 million (£971k)

From the outside, nothing seems out of place with this impressive modern manor house. Yet work your way through its grand interior and you'll begin to see that things aren't quite as they appear. For sale with Realty Solutions, this pad could never be described as boring...

Modern manor, Texas, USA: $1.3 million (£971k)

Built in 2006, the plush property can be found inside the Rancho Viejo Country Club in Cameron County, Texas, an exclusive estate that stretches 1,400 acres in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The house comes with a regal 6,979-square-foot interior: picture Grecian-style columns, elaborate chandeliers, lustrous surfaces and towering ceilings. There's an imposing entrance hall, eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms and plenty of formal living spaces.

Modern manor, Texas, USA: $1.3 million (£971k)

Things take a slightly surprising turn when you venture into the home's one-acre garden, which backs onto the waterway. As well as the palatial outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, there's also a huge model village complete with a working cable car system, miniature street lights and cute cul-de-sacs adorned with tiny houses.

Modern manor, Texas, USA: $1.3 million (£971k)

The ultimate playground for children and big kids alike, the garden also boasts its very own miniature version of the Christ the Redeemer statue, found in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The unique addition towers over the garden and greets any passersby that happen to be sailing past the home's waterfront lot. How's that for quirky?

Eclectic waterfront home, Florida, USA: $3.5 million (£2.6m)

This waterfront estate in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, definitely isn't short of personality. Occupying an enviable plot overlooking the South Grand Canal in sought-after Lighthouse Point, the characterful property has to be seen to be believed.

Eclectic waterfront home, Florida, USA: $3.5 million (£2.6m)

On the market with Castles By The Beach, the house offers an imposing welcome thanks to its colourful driveway and decorative animal embellishments. Built in 1970, the home's surprising 4,359-square-foot interior is bright, bold and unlike anything we've seen before.

Eclectic waterfront home, Florida, USA: $3.5 million (£2.6m)

From loud carpets to decorative rugs, indoor trees and one-of-a-kind furnishings, this five-bedroom house is no shrinking violet. Inside you'll find multiple living rooms and kitchens, one of which is painted all the shades of the rainbow, as well as four bathrooms and a bar. Perfect for entertaining, many of the rooms open up to the garden thanks to floor-to-ceiling sliding doors.

Eclectic waterfront home, Florida, USA: $3.5 million (£2.6m)

The home's eclectic charm extends to the spacious grounds too. There's a resort-style saltwater pool, a waterfront hot tub and a large private dock that's suitable for yachts or smaller boats. The listing also includes a floating dock for jet skis, an in-law suite with its own entrance, and a turtle pond.

Magical mansion, Utah, USA: $4.3 million (£3.2m)

Spacious and spectacular in equal measure, this modern mansion in Santa Clara, Utah, could certainly be described as a dream home. With a stunning interior, flawless grounds and breathtaking mountain scenery, the palatial property is about as magical as they come...

Magical mansion, Utah, USA: $4.3 million (£3.2m)

Constructed in 2008, the contemporary residence spans a staggering 15,053 square feet. The layout encompasses a large entrance hall with a sweeping staircase, eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a dazzling kitchen and plenty of living areas for relaxing and entertaining. For sale with RE/MAX, the luxurious home has also appeared on both MTV Cribs and Million Dollar Rooms – and we can't say we're surprised.

Magical mansion, Utah, USA: $4.3 million (£3.2m)

Things begin to get more magical upstairs, where a Harry Potter-themed loft can be found. The perfect space for kids, the corridor boasts Diagon Alley shop fronts and a replica of Platform 9 3/4, where Harry and his friends famously caught the train to Hogwarts. The attic also boasts its own Gryffindor common room and bookcases filled with magical books and trinkets.

Magical mansion, Utah, USA: $4.3 million (£3.2m)

Yet this contemporary pad wasn't just designed with children in mind – there are plenty of lavish home features to keep the adults entertained too. There's a movie theatre, a games room, an indoor racquetball court, a full-sized basketball court, a putting green, a rock climbing wall and two gyms. The lucky new owner of this luxurious property can also enjoy a swim in the 13-foot-deep pool, which comes complete with a private grotto, fire urns and a swim-up cave kitted out with a TV.

Castle mansion, Utah, USA: $4.8 million (£3.6m)

Located in the town of St George, Utah, this super-unique home is on the market for $4.8 million (£3.6m). The modern castle is a mansion in its own right with more than 25,000 square feet of living space and every amenity you could ever need, plus a few surprises along the way...

Castle mansion, Utah, USA: $4.8 million (£3.6m)

A typical luxury home, the property boasts an in-home spa, jetted hot tub, sauna and massage room, as well as a home theatre, home gym, games room and a full bar. The living spaces are spacious and feature brick cathedral ceilings, while the state-of-the-art kitchen boasts gloss cabinets and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the grounds.

Castle mansion, Utah, USA: $4.8 million (£3.6m)

Elsewhere there are eight bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, as well as a detached casita with one bedroom that sits above the four-car garage. With its stark modern décor, you'd be forgiven for overlooking one fun-loving feature that hides within the home's walls.

Castle mansion, Utah, USA: $4.8 million (£3.6m)

With a lift to access all the levels in the home, there's an even better way of getting around the castle. Tube slides can take you from one floor to another, with a giant foam pit making for a soft landing on the lower level. However, the fun doesn't stop there as the home also has a drinking fountain, a rock climbing wall and indoor swings.

Disney World mansion, Florida, USA: $11.5 million (£8.6m)

In comparison to this jaw-dropping mansion in Reunion, Florida, all other homes really do fade into obscurity. While it might seem fairly normal from the outside (if not a little ostentatious), this modern home is anything but. Step this way and let's explore one of the coolest properties we've ever had the pleasure of snooping around...

Disney World mansion, Florida, USA: $11.5 million (£8.6m)

That's right – far from being any ordinary mansion, this one has almost certainly been influenced by Disney World, which happens to be just five miles down the road. Built in 2021 the self-build home spans nearly 18,000 square feet and has the aim of "creating memories that will last generations", according to the Reunion Realty listing. As well as 15 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms and plenty of lavish living rooms, this themed home has endless extras...

Disney World mansion, Florida, USA: $11.5 million (£8.6m)

Make your way through the home's luxurious living spaces and you'll find yourself in a secret corridor, with a life-size Darth Vader mannequin standing guard in front of a door. Step through and you'll gain access to a secret loft area with a 16-seat movie theatre and arcade. The bedrooms are anything but boring, too. A set of fake hydraulic blast doors open up to reveal an incredible kids' bedroom, the likes of which you won't have seen before...

Disney World mansion, Florida, USA: $11.5 million (£8.6m)

The two bunkbed rooms sleep up to 12 and are specially equipped with a laser tag zone, Star Wars-themed beds and plenty of movie memorabilia. Now, that's one seriously amazing place to host a slumber party! Other amenities include an indoor basketball court, golf simulator, gym, two bowling alleys, a spa and sauna, making this pad perfect for kids and adults alike! Outside, there's a huge pool area with a hot tub – but that just sounds boring now, doesn't it?

Lakefront castle, New York, USA: $12.8 million (£9.6m)

There are plenty of unusual celebrity homes out there, but Derek Jeter's country house is definitely up there with the best of them. The former New York Yankees baseball player placed his magnificent residence on the market in 2018 but no buyer came forward. Just three years later and the unique pad is back up for sale and still making waves.

Lakefront castle, New York, USA: $12.8 million (£9.6m)

The beautiful lakefront mansion can be found about 45 miles outside of Manhattan and was completed in 1915. It offers a four-acre garden, while its 12,590-square-foot interior boasts six bedrooms, seven bathrooms and plenty of wow-factor living spaces with vaulted ceilings, Tudor-inspired touches and walls of glass.

Lakefront castle, New York, USA: $12.8 million (£9.6m)

Known as Tiedemann Castle, the property features endless lavish amenities too. There's a huge games room, an infinity pool, a pool house, a wet bar, a basketball court, a lagoon, a boathouse and numerous hidden grottoes where Jeter no doubt spent plenty of time relaxing after a long day on the ball field.

Lakefront castle, New York, USA: $12.8 million (£9.6m)

Described by the listing agents Corcoran as offering something for everyone, this one-of-a-kind home also features four kitchens, turretted staircases lined with rustic stone, extensive lake views and even a replica of the Statue of Liberty, which can be found overlooking the water. What more could any VIP need?

Faux English country estate, Missouri, USA: $20 million (£15m)

From the outside, this luxurious property appears to be just like any other expensive mansion, but the faux English country estate is anything but ordinary. Located in the city of Wentzville, Missouri, the lavish residence was built in 2001 and could definitely be described as a 'Peter Pan' house, designed for someone who seemingly didn't want to grow up...

Faux English country estate, Missouri, USA: $20 million (£15m)

Measuring 20,550 square feet, the mansion is currently up for grabs for $20 million (£15m), making it Missouri's most expensive home to date. And when you start to explore all of its lavish features, you'll soon understand why. As well as seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, the property also comes equipped with its very own indoor chapel, finished with stained glass windows and wooden pews. The 29-room residence also offers a huge two-storey library and endless living rooms.

Faux English country estate, Missouri, USA: $20 million (£15m)

This mansion is basically home to its own tiny town, too! Outside, you'll find 20 acres of custom-finished land, kitted out with every conceivable luxury. There's a stable block, designed to look like a traditional English store, a sports field, events venue, bowling alley, bar, movie theatre, dance hall, conference room, changing rooms, basketball and volleyball courts. We can't think of much else anyone could possibly need – and yet the owners had some ideas...

Faux English country estate, Missouri, USA: $20 million (£15m)

According to Realtor, the owners built the property and allowed plenty of input from their five kids. In fact, they let each child come up with a design for the pool and the winning idea was custom-built by a professional pool architect. If that wasn't enough extravagance, the mega-mansion also boasts two racing slides, a lazy river, a hot tub and a swim-up bar area. The 20-acre estate is also home to a fantastic playground, with a Ferris wheel and a carnival-style flying car ride.

Sydenhurst, Surrey, UK: $40 million (£30m)

This mock-Georgian mansion in the heart of the Surrey countryside has all the trappings of a statement country house, and then some. The sumptuous new build features a total of 10 bedrooms and eight bathrooms and sits on 30 acres of land. Talk about palatial!

Sydenhurst, Surrey, UK: $40 million (£30m)

Listed with Knight Frank, the pristine estate is known as Sydenhurst and offers no end of grand features, as well as a few unexpected ones too. The interior, which includes seven vast reception rooms, has been designed with 21st-century living in mind, offering grand fireplaces, spacious open-plan layouts and rich, sumptuous soft furnishings.

Sydenhurst, Surrey, UK: $40 million (£30m)

In addition to the opulent amenities you'd expect from a property of this stature, including a library, one of the world's most luxurious kitchens, and a wine cellar, the mansion has a sprawling games room with a stainless steel vaulted ceiling for the ultimate wow-factor entertainment space – and it doesn't end there.

Sydenhurst, Surrey, UK: $40 million (£30m)

The property's coolest feature has to be the full-sized bowling alley. Perfect for parties, you can hit the lanes without having to leave the comfort of home. The alley is located in a soundproofed annex, which also contains a home cinema and gym, as well as a swimming pool and spa.

Summit Cove mansion, California, USA: $49.5 million (£37m)

House-hunters in Palm Desert, California, should pay close attention to this awe-inspiring listing. For sale with Bighorn Properties for an astonishing $49.5 million (£37m), this bold and beautiful mansion has endless selling points, as well as numerous quirky additions that make it truly one-of-a-kind. Unsurprisingly, the property once had a very wealthy owner, the late hospitality tycoon, Duane Hagadone, who at one time was one of the richest people in the world.

Summit Cove mansion, California, USA: $49.5 million (£37m)

As well as an undeniably unique exterior, the 20,667-square-foot home boasts one of the most incredible interiors we've ever seen. Built in 2007, it boasts seven bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, as well as plenty of stunning living spaces featuring asymmetric ceilings, sloping walls and floor-to-ceiling automated sliding glass doors, which can be opened up fully to connect the interior to the great outdoors. Described by Robb Report as 'The Ultimate Home', this state-of-the-art mansion is almost too surreal to be true.

Summit Cove mansion, California, USA: $49.5 million (£37m)

An architectural feat, the home was constructed from Panther Slate from India, natural woods, titanium, copper and French limestone, allowing it to seamlessly blend in with the surrounding mountain landscape. Sitting on almost eight acres of land, the house also comes equipped with six kitchens, a private golf course, three swimming pools and an aquarium tunnel with its own shark tank. But that isn't all...

Summit Cove mansion, California, USA: $49.5 million (£37m)

There's also an open-air elevator, an opulent master suite with dual bathrooms, closets and a private outdoor spa, as well as a four-bedroom guest pavilion with an office that's etched into the rocky mountainside. Outside, things are equally as amazing. The billionaire backyard features waterfalls, koi ponds and a pickleball court. Designed by architect Guy Dreier, this property is undoubtedly one of the most incredible in the world.

Mesa Vista Ranch, Texas, USA: $220 million (£165m)

Mesa Vista Ranch in Pampa, Texas, is one of the largest and most expensive properties ever to come on the market in America. Built for T. Boone Pickens, a prominent oil executive and financier who passed away in September 2019, the vast estate covers more than 100 square miles.

Mesa Vista Ranch, Texas, USA: $220 million (£165m)

At the core of the ranch sits a 25,000-square-foot residence called The Lodge, which features everything from living rooms and a library to a 30-seat home cinema and a conference centre. The amazing American estate also has a chapel, as well as two additional homes with a total of eight bedrooms.

Mesa Vista Ranch, Texas, USA: $220 million (£165m)

As far as luxury features go, the ranch is hiding more than its fair share. The estate has its own FAA-approved airport, consisting of a 25,000-square-foot hangar and 6,000-foot runway, so you can jet off at a moment's notice. There's also a dedicated gun room on-site, plus a two-storey pub as well. Talk about billionaire bling!

Mesa Vista Ranch, Texas, USA: $220 million (£165m)

If that wasn't enough, Mesa Vista Ranch offers some of the best quail hunting in the world, and the seller will even throw in Boone's pack of 40 bird dogs. The animals, which have been expertly trained to retrieve shot quails, live in what must be one of the world's largest and most well-appointed kennels. The two-storey building has all the mod cons, including a meat processing centre and veterinary lab. Bet you weren't expecting that!

Loved this?Like and follow us on Facebook for more incredible homes

Be the first to comment

Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature