Dunellan Hall: America's most expensive homes

Dunnellen Hall in Greenwich, Connecticut, is a $75 million (down from $125 million) home on 40 acres of rolling hills, with lawns and meadows broken up by tree lines that provide privacy, this Jacobean manor has 21,897 square feet, 14 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms. Vaulted ceilings, travertine marble floors, bay windows, limestone walls and wood paneling are notable interior features, as is a 52-foot-long indoor swimming pool.

Updown court

It's so huge that you will have to shed 1 million pounds a year to just run this damn thing. Located 25 miles outside of London, the estate’s neighbours are the Duchess of York, Elton John and at nearby Windsor Castle, the Queen. So, what exactly would you get for your money? Well, you know, just the basic:

• 103 rooms
• five swimming pools
• 50-seat screening room
• 24-carat-gold leafing flooring
• squash court
• bowling alley
• all-weather, floodlit tennis courts
• 58-acre estate
• 22 bedroom and bathroom suites
• Gate lodge
• estate manager’s office
• Private cinema
• Stables
• Heated marble driveway
• Underground garaging for eight limousines
• a shooting gallery
• 30 self-contained luxury apartments
  

The master bedroom has its own swimming pool accessed by a private glass lift. The roof has an infinity pool and hot tub encased by a glass barrier that allowed sky and water to meet. The reception hall occupies a footprint larger than most five-bedroom houses. It is dominated by marble columns and a sweeping double staircase modelled on one owned by fashion designer Versace. The owner of Updown Court is multi-billionaire crown prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The racehorse owner, who already owns a property in Chertsey in Surrey, is expected to entertain official guests at the mansion.