Crossword Genius

Richly furnished residences in buildings around America (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

palaces

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'richly furnished residences' is the definition.
'palaces' can be an answer for 'residences' (palace is a kind of residence). I am unsure of the 'richly furnished' bit.

'buildings around america' is the wordplay.
'buildings' becomes 'spas' (spa is a kind of building).
'around' means to look at the middle letters.
'america' becomes 'laces' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
The middle of 'spas' is 'pa'.
'pa'+'laces'='PALACES'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for palaces that I've seen before include "Offical residences of sovereigns" , "Royal residences" , "kings and queens here?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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