Feb. 20th, 2021
At the heart of nearly all luxury hotels and resorts is a jaw-dropping glimmering pool that beckons guests to come for a dip. Where guests can take a dip to cool off on a hot day, to sit and relax with their favorite cocktail in hand or just to simply float away and forget about the craziness of daily life. From pools with a view to those that give the feeling you are in a tropical paradise to those with stunning visits and those that are intricately designed, vacationers love to be pampered and these pools do the trick. From around the globe, here are 12 striking hotel pools (in no particular order) that are a must go.
(credit: InterContinental Dubai Festival City)
InterContinental Dubai Festival City’s Iconic Infinity Glass Pool
Not for the faint of heart, InterContinental Dubai Festival City’s rooftop Infinity Glass Pool is 82-ft in the air. Home to one of the most unique pools in Dubai, if not the world, the pool features a glass tank section that extends off the side of the building along with a 25-meter pool balcony. With the feeling that you are swimming in the sky, this jaw-dropping engineering masterpiece is the best place to relax after a day of sand-boarding in the vast Dubai desert. Guests can watch passers-by walking beneath them while basking in the glistening pool and enjoy a different perspective of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai skyline.
(credit: Marina Bay Sands®)
Marina Bay Sands® Infinity Pool
Perched 656-ft above ground, the Marina Bay Sands® Infinity Pool is the world’s longest elevated swimming pool. The 478-ft infinity-edge pool elevates you high up among skyscrapers in Singapore and provides unobstructed 360-degree views of the Singapore skyline. 57 levels above, this unique structural masterpiece holds a massive 380,000 gallons of water and sits alongside three large hydrotherapy spas, a wading pool and a reflecting pool. Adhered directly to the stainless steel foundation (422,000 lbs. of stainless steel was used) is ceramic tiles that glisten under the serene water near the clouds.
(credit: Four Seasons Resort Hualãlai)
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Ocean Pool & King’s Pond
Surrounded by white-sand beaches and black-lava landscapes, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is a posh beach retreat on the Big Island that perfectly blends splendor with the harmony of nature. This oceanside resort has two unique pools, the Ocean Pool & King’s Pond, both inviting exploration for all ages. Hualalai Resort’s Ocean Pool is carved out of the oceanfront lava rock and features natural breakwater and is protected from the waves due to its natural sea wall. The famed 1.8-million-gallon King’s Pond is also carved out of the lava rock and stocked with more than 4,000 tropical fish and recently added a new elevated swimming pool, lounge deck, and Kumu Kai Marine Center. Take a snorkeling lesson, feed eagle ray and fish or lounge by the pool with a cocktail.
(credit: Sky Lagoon by Pursuit)
Sky Lagoon
Opening Spring 2021 just minutes from downtown Reykjavik, Sky Lagoon is an all-new Icelandic experience (watch the video here) that will showcase the expansive ocean vistas punctuated by awe-inspiring sunsets with a backdrop of dark skies and the Northern Lights. The un-obstructed 230-ft infinity-edge pool draws on the landscapes of Iceland, creating an oasis within the city that blends into the ocean landscape. Offering a distinctive guest experience modeled after Icelandic turf houses and its restorative spa-like ritual rooted in Icelandic tradition, this premium oceanfront geothermal lagoon is steeped in tradition and welcomes guests to take part in The Ritual at Sky Lagoon, a seven-step experience. The immersive and holistic approach to relaxation and wellbeing allows guests to slow down, relax, cool down, refresh and re-energize.
(credit: The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas – Nusa Dua, Bali)
The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas Oasis Pool
As one of the most inspiring and exclusive resorts in Bali, The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas is surrounded by lush landscapes and luxury villas for an ultimate island getaway. Along the dramatic coastline of Nusa Dua, it is home to seven pools, each with its distinctive charm. Its most dramatic is the Oasis Pool which is saved exclusively for guests of The Mulia and Mulia Villas. Only steps from the Indian Ocean, guests are invited to take a dip or book a private cabana alongside large signature Balinese inspired statues of ladies harvesting rice, creating an environment of pure serenity. Other pools include Ocean Pool which features a swim-up bar, the sprawling Ladies Courtyard, kid’s friendly Splash Pool, Aqua Pool, Courtyard and Cabanas.
(credit: Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort)
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort’sHibiscus Pool
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort is a sprawling resort nestled on 40 acres of lush, tropical gardens fronting Maui’s Wailea Beach. The beachside resort features two pools, and offers the best pools and water activities for all ages from the Lava Tube slide, Wailea Canyon Activity Pool and most notably the giant Hibiscus Pool. Made from over 630,000 pieces of Mexican glass mosaic tile, the Hibiscus Pool is named for the giant Hibiscus flower inlaid on the bottom of the pool. Measuring at 4,850 sq. ft., the adult’s only pool contains over 2.2 million individual tiles, features two Jacuzzis and a beautiful array of fountains and waterfalls at its west end while overlooking Wailea Beach.
(credit: The Westin Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa)
The Westin Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa’s Tlaquepaque Pool
In a 14-acre tropical oasis in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, The Westin Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa is laden with hundreds of century-old palms. Previously used as a palm tree plantation, the land has been developed into a resort set in lush landscaping and features two on-site pools. The freeform unique shape of Tlaquepaque, which means ‘best of everything’ in the Nahuatl Native Indian language, features a multitude of mini palm tree islands and a convenient swim-up bar. Strategically built around the trees to preserve their charm, the pool allows guests to enjoy sun-soaked bliss or relax in a chaise and find the perfect balance of sun and shade.
(credit: InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort)
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort’s L_O_N_G POOL
The resort’s signature infinity pool is just as its name states, it is long. Measuring at 164-ft and 23-ft wide, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort’s L_O_N_G POOL is an adults-only pool offering the best view of the resort and surrounding peninsula. Featuring a striking vista of the horizon surrounded by the beautiful Son Tra Peninsula and set against the backdrop of the South China Sea, the pool offers a blissful spot to view the ocean beyond and hear the soothing sounds of the waves against the shore. The climatic pool is great for those who want to get in some laps, sit alongside the edge to view the horizon or just lounge around to see the skies above.
(credit: JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa)
JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa’s Infinity Pool
Offeringfront row seats to a jaw-dropping beach in the Mexican Caribbean, JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa in Cancun, Mexico recently unveiled a $40 million renovation. Along with its interior renovations which bring out the distinctive blues of the Mexican Caribbean, the resort’s Infinity Pool perfectly compliments its surroundings. The beautiful curvature of the pool wraps around lawn chairs and cabanas and features a delightful swim-up bar. The adult-only infinity pool overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea inspiring those to dream beyond the edge.
(credit: Grand Hotel Tremezzo)
Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s WOW Pool
On the shores of the famed Lake Como, Grand Hotel Tremezzo offers its guests three awe-inspiring pools, but none as memorable as its WOW Pool. WOW stands for Water-On-The-Water pool and it is exactly what your imagination leads you to believe. This pool floats on the lake waters and offers a serene dip alongside the Grigne Mountains. Other pools include its Flowers Pool tucked away alongside age-old trees and fragrant flowers and their indoor Infinity Pool which is connected to the T Spa and offers a breathtaking illusion blending into the boundless lake beyond
(credit: Andronis Boutique Hotel)
Andronis Boutique Hotel’s Cave Pool
Carved into the dramatic crescent cliff of Santorini, Andronis Boutique Hotel in the village of Oia offers breathtaking views to the infinite blue of the Aegean. Steeped in history and culture, their Executive Suite with Cave Plunge Pool takes inspiration from its surroundings and offers a plunge pool built into an authentic cave. The magical private pool is built right into their accommodations and is kept slightly heated to be comfortable all day and is accompanied by a private sun deck for laying out and catching the rays. Overlooking the volcano that shaped Santorini, adjacent to the cave plunge pool is a Jacuzzi and an elegant secluded terrace.
(credit: The Langham, Sydney)
The Langham, Sydney’s Saltwater Indoor Pool
Located in The Rocks District of Sydney, The Langham, Sydney is a boutique luxury hotel close to the Circular Quay and right across the harbor from the Sydney Opera House. Offering a spectacular 65-foot saltwater indoor pool that evokes a starry night in Sydney with its star-dappled ceiling, surrounding the pool are pale stone columns and there are also two summer-inspired beach murals on adjacent walls. Located on the sub-basement level, the tranquil turquoise waters invite guests to partake in a few energizing laps or relax with some private reading on the poolside lounges.