Editor's Note: Houston is loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. In this continuing series, CultureMap Editor-at-Large Shelby Hodge snoops through some of our faves and gives you the lowdown on what's hot on the market.

369 Piney Point

This palatial property had me at the entry gate. A curving, herring bone-patterned brick drive leads from the gate, no house in sight, just verdant lawn and mature trees.

Goodbye, Houston. Hello, paradise. Right here in Piney Point Village.

Our vision of what might await at the end of the drive is fulfilled on first look at the vast Mediterranean-style villa. Think spectacular. This is one of popular builder Andy Abercrombie's masterpieces and the owners, soon-to-be empty-nesters, have decided to move to smaller quarters.

This means opportunity for those with deep pockets.

Walk through: The soaring ceiling of the entry hall sets the spacious, airy tone of the entire house as it leads directly to the open-plan living room straight ahead and the open dining room immediately to the left of the foyer. Adjoining the dining room is a sunken wine room, separated by glass doors, with a two-story ceiling, plenty of wine storage and room for a luncheon or dinner party.

In fact, the entire house is designed for entertaining. The living room overlooks the back terrace where a spacious swimming pool with a rock waterfall is flanked by seven towering palm trees.

The bar to the left of the living room also serves the open-plan kitchen and vast family room which opens to a dramatic lanai complete with summer kitchen where a working fireplace adds to the glamour.

Back to the living room, we move past the spiral staircase and into the billiard room, rich with paneling, that doubles as dad's office thanks to the elevated study area. While this room looks to the front of the house, the master suite, located next door overlooks the pool area. Any Mr. and Mrs. will appreciate the amenities here including a hidden safe room, breakfast bar, two ample walk-in closets and a bathroom straight from the pages of House & Garden.

A house this size requires two staircases, the just-mentioned spiral and a second behind the kitchen. The second floor is entertainment central for the couple's two sons. There is a wide-open play room and a movie theater, plus two bedrooms with full baths and in a far corner a separate bedroom with bath that has served as quarters.

Love: The resort feel of this mansion transports us far beyond the esthetic confines of Houston. We really feel removed from city life here. We also love the rich finishes and attention to every detail in the house, a signature of Abercrombie Builders, which has high standing in the Memorial area.

Would love more: Landscaping in the backyard ends at the pool area. We can just imagine banks of azaleas or green hedges of ligustrum lining the wooden fence that is visible from the house. A few more trees or banks of cane to block the rooftops of neighboring houses would be beneficial as well.

Square footage: 9,392

Asking price: $3.8 million

Listing agent: Colleen Hudgens with Heritage Texas Properties