So much more than a laid-back activity option in between adventuring and lazing in the sun, these hotel swimming pools offer views – from infinite to panoramic – so stunning they’ll push conventional sightseeing further down the bucket list. Check out these 12 swimming pools to dazzle and inspire you.
Ohla Barcelona – Barcelona, Spain
A bird’s eye view of Barcelona’s domes and spears © Ohla Barcelona
Soaring over the Spanish city, almost in arms reach of the Sagrada Familia, floats the rooftop swimming pool of the Ohla Barcelona hotel. The recognisable façade of protruding porcelain eyeballs, designed by artist Frederic Amat, will grab your attention from the street, but it’s the rooftop terrace that will give you an eyeful with its panorama of the best of Barcelona’s wonders. The rooftop Chill-Out Terrace of this former palace is best savoured with a sweet cocktail, your toes dipped in the pool. Early birds can also look forward to occasional yoga classes and green smoothies to kick off a day of sight-seeing. Conveniently situated close to Plaza Catalunya, reach the city centre in minutes – if you ever decide to leave the pool!
Hanging Gardens of Bali – Payangan, Bali, Indonesia
Exclusivity is having both the pool and the view all to yourself at Hanging Gardens of Bali
Bliss is an infinity pool in Payangan. The Hanging Gardens in Bali, the island of the gods, offers the ultimate luxury pool-side experience. By day, wake up in your grass-roof villa, and soak in the wild surroundings of cocoa trees, coffee trees, and orchids that compose this tropical paradise. By night, devour a refined dinner sitting on a floating pavilion, admiring the candle-lit Dalem Segara Temple, lulled by the sounds of the Balinese jungle. Don’t stop there – immerse yourself in the rejuvenation of body and mind at the award-winning spa. For total relaxation, the spa offers therapies and treatments with high-quality local ingredients and ancient techniques. This paradise awaits a 90-minute drive away from Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Find a room at Hanging Gardens
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti – Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Catch a glimpse of thirsty elephants directly from the pool
In the heart of the world-famous wildlife sanctuary, Serengeti National Park, in Tanzania, you will find the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti. The hotel is surrounded by sweeping plains and, due to the proximity to a watering hole, you don’t need to go on a bumpy safari tour to see the animals. Just relax by the infinity pool, while elephants, lions, giraffes, baboons and many other creatures appear in front of you, coming to quench their thirst. Cool down in the crystal clear pool, enjoy a refreshing cocktail, and marvel at the parade of the African animal kingdom.
Find a room at the Four Seasons Serengeti
Delamore Lodge – Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Gaze at the blue horizon
The boutique resort Delamore Lodge is an oasis of luxury, style and privacy. Located on a cliff edge on the Waiheke Island, the Delamore Lodge is built in the shape of a traditional Maori fish hook. Here, relaxation is key. Unwind in the cave-like jacuzzi, get a massage in the luxurious spa, and take a walk in the expansive olive garden. The star attraction, however, is the heated infinity pool, built right on the cliff. The infinite view over Owhanake Bay creates a feeling of being far away, on an isolated island, and a mere 35 minutes away from Auckland mainland.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo – Tremezzina, Italy
A vision of blue at Grand Hotel Tremezzo © Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Extravagant, lavish and sophisticated: these are just a few words that come to mind when describing the 100-year-old Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Located on the west shore of Lake Como, this Art Nouveau landmark comes with exceptional views of the Bellagio peninsula and the surrounding Grigne Mountains. The best way to take in the views is from the floating pool, situated on the lake’s transparent surface. It’s water on water, and the dazzling blue shades will surely awaken your senses. After taking a refreshing dip, soak up the sun on the private beach facing the pool.
Find a room at Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Shangri-La at the Shard – London, United Kingdom
London is at your feet
The name of this pool says it all: Skypool. On the 52nd floor of London’s iconic skyscraper, The Shard, you’ll find Europe’s highest swimming pool. As a guest of the 5-star hotel Shangri-La at the Shard, you’ll have access to their magnificent infinity pool, affording fantastic views of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, the Gherkin and Buckingham Palace. Heated to 24 degrees Celsius, you’ll most likely never want to get out. If you can’t get enough of London’s skyline, get a drink from adjacent Gong bar, lounge around on the soft sofas by the pool and take in the view.
Find a room at Shangri-La
Read more: Best venues to soak up the nightlife in London
Thompson Toronto – Toronto, Canada
This is it. We bet you won’t get a better view of Toronto
The Thompson Toronto opened its doors in 2010 in the artsy King West Village neighbourhood, home to the Toronto International Film Festival. This hotel oozes sophistication and luxury, from its ultra-sleek guestrooms to its cuisine that’s known to meet the highest of standards. The cherry on top is the rooftop pool offering a full 360 degrees views of Toronto’s skyline and of Lake Ontario. Accessible only to hotel guests, this pool sits on a raised platform, meaning you’re at eye level with the water the moment you step out of the elevator. During the summer months, the glass wall separating the pool area from the indoor bar is removed, creating an open space for mingling.
Find a room at Thomson Toronto
Amanyara Villas – Providenciales, The Turks and Caicos Islands
Relaxation is easy when you have this view © Amanyara
Derived from the Sanskrit word for ‘peace’, Amanyara Villas fully lives up to its name. The resort is located in secluded surroundings, on the western shores of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The neighbouring Northwest Point Marine National Park guarantees peace and quiet while being fully taken care of. Among many luxurious amenities, Amanyara Villas boasts an impressive black infinity-edged swimming pool. Designed by architect Jean-Michel Gathy, this pool offers calming ocean views and is lined with sun loungers along a timber deck. If you’re there between February and April, you’ll be able to spot migrating humpback whales from the comfort of your sun lounger.
Find a room at Amanyara Villas
Upper House – Gothenburg, Sweden
Go for a dip into the future at the Upper House hotel in Gothenburg © Gothia Towers
If you’re staying in Sweden’s second-largest city, Gothenburg – and your budget allows – go for the 5-stars hotel Upper House. Located on the top floors of Tower 2 of Gothia Towers, this luxury hotel has a heated outdoor glass-encased pool, floating high over the city. Inspired by the viewing glass platform at the Grand Canyon, taking a swim in this pool will offer spectacular views of the city below and the starry sky above. This might just be one of the best ways to see the city!
Hacienda Uayamon – Campeche, Mexico
Swimming in ruins has never been more appealing © Hacienda Uayamon a Luxury Collection Hotel
Built in 1700, Hacienda Uayamon is a historic boutique hotel, just a 30-minute drive from Campeche, whose priority was to preserve the original architecture and decor of the hacienda (a large estate, used for farming or ranching). The hotel exudes a romantic atmosphere with its mix of lush vegetation, overgrown ruins and modern comfort. A prime example of this is their one of a kind swimming pool. Housed in the roofless ruins of a machine room, the small, but intimate swimming pool has been built around Roman-inspired columns. In the absence of a roof, light embraces the pool all day long, from the warm, bright morning sun to the soft glow of dusk.
Find a room at Hacienda Uayamon
Atlantis Royal Towers Autograph Collection – Paradise Island, The Bahamas
Go on an adventure in the Mayan-themed pool © Atlantis, Paradise Island resort
You may think pools aren’t necessary in the Bahamas, a place rich in sandy, tropical beaches. A stay at the Atlantis, Royal Towers might convince you otherwise. North of Nassau sits this gargantuan ocean-themed resort counting a whopping 11 swimming pools. There’s a pool to satisfy every need: the Mayan temple-themed pool is fit for adventure seekers, the Blu Pool is for lovers of 80s and 90s music, and the Grotto Pool with its cascading waterfalls is perfect for relaxation. While 10 of the 11 pools are open to families, there is one pool – the Cain at the Cove – only accessible to adults. Here you’ll find an ultra-pool, which consists of two separated infinity swimming pools, surrounded by sun loungers and private cabanas.
Find a room at Atlantis Royal Towers
Marina Bay Sands – Singapore
Take in the view of Singapore’s skyline from your sun lounger
Atop the magnificent Marina Bay Sands hotel, high up among the clouds, you’ll find a 150-metre long infinity pool, corresponding to one and a quarter football pitch, and boasting panoramic views of Singapore’s skyline. Only accessible to hotel guests, this pool has been engineered with a vanishing edge, giving the impression that there’s nothing between you and the nearby skyscrapers. The pool spans the three towers of the hotel that rise up in the city’s Financial District. If you’re looking for the ideal place to take a selfie that’ll make everyone at home jealous, this is it.
Find a room at Marina Bay Sands
