“Dining Alfresco: 8 Homes for Entertaining Outdoors” is the title of an article in Christie’s International Real Estate’s online magazine Luxury Defined about luxurious villas that are specially built for summer. It says that outdoor dining is one of life’s great simple pleasures, whether at a sidewalk café in Paris, a Deep South barbecue, or a clambake on the Maine coast. Midsummer’s long, sunny days and balmy evenings invite dining alfresco, especially in a scenic location. Whether it’s dinner and cocktails at an elegant riverfront restaurant or a picnic for two in the park. And what better way is there to enjoy time spent at home, alone or in the company of family and friends, than in a dedicated dining space outdoors?
From enclosed garden courtyards to poolside pavilions and grand waterfront terraces, the eight homes in this Luxury Defined collection showcase a wide variety of open-air options for alfresco dining in style:
Ranch-Style Retreat on Lake Norman in Mooresville, North Carolina
This mid-century home on North Carolina’s Lake Norman was reimagined for alfresco living, dining, and entertaining at the water’s edge.
The Luxury Villa Sea View in Koh Samui, Thailand
This idyllic Thai villa was designed to open up to extensive outdoor spaces, including an oceanfront sala and an alfresco dining terrace under a canopy of palm trees.
Historic Townhouse in Savannah, Georgia
A beautiful three-story atrium and a roof deck with an alfresco dining space are among the contemporary additions to this historic Savannah townhouse.
Santa Maria Estate in Mellieħa, Malta
This contemporary cliffside villa on Malta’s northern coast offers three levels of indoor-outdoor entertaining areas accessed via an external staircase. At the top is a private roof terrace with a freeform pool and spa, alfresco dining area and bar, and an observation deck facing the Mediterranean Sea.
Gated Manor in Sandy Springs, Georgia
This gated estate in Sandy Springs, Georgia, has the Old World elegance of a country manor, yet with all the amenities for resort living. The living spaces open to a lavish pool terrace with a lagoon-style heated pool, sunken spa, summer kitchen, and cabana with fireplace.
Villa Rosas in Nueva Andalucia, Spain
A poolside dining pavilion is just one of the highlights of this resort-worthy villa in Marbella’s Golf Valley.
Villa Guttoso in Porto Rotondo, Sardinia, Italy
This waterfront villa on the Costa Smeralda captures the spirit of alfresco entertaining, enhanced with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Minimalist Villa in Gelderland, Netherlands
This chic contemporary home in the Netherlands features a covered terrace with comfortable seating, ideal for those long summer evenings enjoying good food and good company.
