Outdoor showers aren’t just for the Shore

After a day in the sun, one of life's greatest sensations is the right shower. A cool breeze through a warm shower — or a warm breeze to temper the chilly water — can be restorative. Usually such a luxury is reserved for a vacation home or a tropical retreat. These three Montgomery County homes feature showers for the most luxe staycation.

917 Lorien Drive, Gwynedd Valley
$1,600,000
Monthly taxes: $1,056
Tell me all about it: This four-bedroom home is situated on a lot of more than an acre. The grounds include traditional English gardens, a fish pond and raised vegetable gardens. Of course they are all professionally irrigated (and zoned) as well. The in-ground pool boasts its own sun deck, hot tub and waterfall. The adjacent pool house has a fireplace, sound system, kitchen and outdoor shower. The indoors are pretty great, too: We love the sunroom with its radiant heat floors.

339 Susquehanna Road, Ambler
$1,050,000
Monthly taxes: $642
Tell me all about it: This five-bedroom home is made for entertaining. Inside, there are big rooms with fireplaces, a new kitchen, a private massage room and a large owner's suite. Outside is a large flagstone patio overlooking the substantial grounds, an outdoor shower and a vegetable garden. Bonus: the covered patio is as lovely for a crowd as it is for one.

7131 Sheaff Lane, Fort Washington 
$2,799,000
Monthly taxes: $2,151
Tell me all about it: We love the exterior features on this four-bedroom home. They include multiple gardens and landscaped vistas, as well as a filtered koi pond and a pergola. There are also a raised deck and a tiered yard. Inside, the master suite boasts dual bathrooms, a dressing area with two walk-in closets, and a gas fireplace. A third shower is just outside. The lower level features a gym and an unfinished recreation space as well.