Once upon a time, luxury living meant having the family’s fire inside the cave. 

With the blaze enclosed in stone or cased in clay, and a vent to take the smoke away, the hearth was born. This was luxury living at its finest … some 300,000 years ago.   

Along came 10,000 B.C. or so and the Neolithic Revolution invented agriculture and the new technology that literally raised the roof: post-and-lintel construction. At last, we could build houses around our fires.   

That hearth evolved into a highly decorative and symbolic architectural form that has warmed the winter tales in ancient castles, royal palaces, and stately homes.   

With the advent of central heating and eco-friendly technology, today, fireplaces blend artistry and innovation. Whatever its style, be it an intricate, stone-carved gothic mantelpiece or a contemporary, high-tech bio-fueled flame, a fireplace brings comfort and grandeur to any hearth and home.   

Herewith, this Luxury Defined edition presents the tale of five homes with cozy fireplaces to warm body and soul this festive season. 

1. Goose Point Compound in Duxbury, Massachusetts 

Goose Point Compound is a 25-acre multi-dwelling coastal sanctuary with 1,060 feet of private beach frontage, a deepwater pier, and parklike gardens in Duxbury, Massachusetts, about 35 miles south of Boston.  

The 14,000-square-foot Shingle Style main residence provides 16 rooms—seven with wood-burning fireplaces, including the gourmet kitchen and primary suite— as well as indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, a private overlook with 180-degree views of the ocean, the gunite pool, and the perennial gardens.  

Several ancillary dwellings have wood-burning fireplaces, including The Alexander Standish House, a 2,000-square-foot antique cottage, and The Dock House, with its chef’s kitchen and a large deck overlooking the private pier. 

The property also includes a three-bedroom beach house, a pond with an Adirondack-style boathouse (with boat storage and a golf simulator), and a garden pavilion for alfresco dining and entertaining. 

Adding to the functionality of the estate is a barn with a caretaker's apartment, three-bay equipment garage and workshop, and a canning kitchen for preserving the fruits and vegetables from the estate’s orchard, berry pavilion, greenhouse, and garden.  

Related: Discover the Enduring Appeal of the U.K's Cultural Heart 

>2. Point Dume Estate in Malibu, California

Laid back amid the lush, landscaped greenery atop a majestic Malibu ocean bluff, this 1.5-acre, gated estate offers panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean and private beach access to Little Dume Beach. 

Architect Peter Choate's masterly design for coastal living created a seven-bedroom, six-bathroom residence with airy living spaces that open to shady verandas over a sunny terrace and firepit, and a pool—all with views of the Pacific.  

Nestled among majestic coral trees and cascading bougainvillea, the white farmhouse-inspired facade is complemented by a slate tile roof and copper accents. Inside, oakwood floors and French doors enhance the seamless indoor-outdoor lifestyle.  

The chef's kitchen, with nautically inspired brass fixtures, offers a Wolf six-burner range, Sub-Zero refrigerator, a wine refrigerator, and honed Calacatta marble countertops. It serves an eat-in breakfast nook with a curved built-in bench. The living room features a wood-burning fireplace and beamed ceilings. 

Upstairs, the tranquil primary suite boasts dramatic ocean views, 11-foot ceilings with wood beams, and a gas fireplace. Four additional bedrooms offer Juliet balconies and dormer windows. 

Further highlights include guest suites with garden views and a sunlit conservatory.    

3. Manastirski Livadi Penthouse in Sofia, Bulgaria 

This 3,347-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bathroom penthouse offers panoramic views of Vitosha Mountain and the cityscape of Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital.  

The residence crowns a luxury building in Manastirski Livadi, a residential neighborhood in the mountain foothills south of the city center. 

The central living space is a formal living and dining room with illuminated onyx wall panels, opulent marble finishes, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and solid oak parquet floors by Porcelanosa. 

The adjacent gourmet kitchen is fitted with professional-grade appliances from AEG. Just beyond is a beautifully landscaped winter garden with a breathtaking city view. 

All three bedrooms are en suite, including the primary suite with its unique, latticed wood pillars, herringbone floors, deluxe bathroom, walk-in closet, and French doors opening to a terrace.  

Related: Explore Homes with Indoor Pools

4. Elk Highlands Ski Lodge in Whitefish, Montana 

Perched on a pine-clad promontory above Whitefish Lake, just steps from the Elk Highlands chairlift, this three-acre mountain retreat offers ski-in, ski-out access to the slopes of Montana’s Whitefish Mountain Resort.  

The 12,024-square-foot shingled log home was built for entertaining on a grand scale, served by a marble-clade, professional-grade kitchen with a breakfast bar.  

There are five fireplaces, including a monumental fieldstone fireplace in the great rooms. A wooden deck extends the living spaces outdoors, inviting après-ski relaxation with a show-stopping view of Whitefish Lake. 

The main-level primary suite is one of 10 opulent bedrooms. There are 10 spa-worthy bathrooms in total, as well as a caretaker's suite and a separate guest apartment with a kitchen. 

An elevator serves all levels, including the lower-level theater, wine room, full bar, and game room.

The garage extends to 931 square feet, room enough for on- and off-road vehicles and a workshop.  

5. Crabadon Manor in Devon, England 

Crabadon Manor encompasses 125 acres in England’s South Hams, a state-listed AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) 10 miles from the south Devon coast.  

The property is steeped in history. It was built in the 13th century as a summer retreat for the Cistercian monks of Buckfast Abbey, a medieval monastery on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.  

While the building used to comprise four sides around the lily pond, part of which was made into cloisters, the manor has been reconfigured to take full advantage of its elevated, southerly aspect. 

The overmantel in the drawing room denotes its heritage from the monastery at that time. Other period details include a two-story porch leading into a central cross passage. 

From there, the principal reception rooms include a library, drawing room, and dining room, served by a farmhouse-style kitchen/breakfast room. The upper floor houses the principal, en suite bedroom, an adjoining bedroom (ideal as a dressing room) and four double bedrooms. 

The grounds include a lily pond and a lawned terrace running down to the wooded valley below. To the west, a parcel of some 104 acres of farmland offers purchasers the opportunity to develop a number of agricultural, leisure or biodiversity interests. 

Dreaming of home and hearth this holiday season? Explore our collection of luxury homes with festive fireplaces here.