Either-Or: A Swanky Ritz Carlton Condo vs. An English Country Estate in Dover

Photo via Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage | Photo via Mary Crane/Berkshire Hathaway

To remind you that real estate price tags around Boston are a special breed, we’ve been presenting two homes listed at the same price from time to time. This round, it’s a showdown between a five-star hotel roost and a sprawling home with 14 glorious acres, where the decision could come down to whether you prefer your luxury with views of the city or country. Both of these stunning homes are asking for $3,495,000.

For a truly ritzy living experience, bask in this downtown condo inside the Residences at the Ritz Carlton. From the 27th floor, you can scan the Boston Common directly below, or look to the horizon to take in unobstructed views of Back Bay and the Charles River, and over into Cambridge. When you close the electric blinds on the series of floor-to-ceiling windows, though, the interior is just as lovely to look at. From the marble foyer to the master bath with double rain shower heads, a renovation has completely cloaked the condo in modern luxury. Take the eat-in kitchen as an example: Marble countertops and white lacquer cabinets make the room shine, while a built-in espresso machine, double oven, and wine fridge accommodate cravings from day to night.

And not only do the condo owners enjoy all the same services as hotel-goers, but they can stay at Ritz Hotels around the globe at a discounted rate. Have the valet retrieve your car (the unit comes with two garage parking spaces) to make the 20-mile drive east to a scaled up and equally lavish spot in Dover.

Listing agent Mary Crane says this Dover home’s owner built it as their dream house. But from its wooden exterior to its Cedar shake roof, it was designed to be “underestimated upon arrival”—the “aha moment” takes place when you open the round top door to reveal a view of serene Lyman Pond out back. Along with full access to the pond (and easy entry to the fields and trails beyond it), other gems of the 14 acre property are the sunken gardens with raised beds lined with bluestone edging, a trickling fountain that lets you hear water while also seeing it in the near distance, and a heated greenhouse attached to the main residence. Best of all, the acreage abuts 85 acres of Trustees of Reservations land, so the bucolic scenery isn’t going anywhere.

Inside the home, 11 rooms and 6,440 square feet make this single-family nearly three times the size of the Boston Common roost. And 11 foot ceilings, Red Birch hardwood, and no fewer than 70 windows—plus several round top sliding doors—help the open-concept space glow with warm opulence.

With the choice of Ritz Carlton digs on the 27th floor for $1,559 per square foot, or an idyllic country estate 20 miles southeast of Boston for $543 per square foot, the question is: What’s more worth it to you?

For information, contact:
(Boston) Lili Banani, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, coldwellbankerhomes.com.
(Dover) Mary Crane, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate, 74farmdover.com.