The appeal of a lavish and beautifully designed pool is hard to beat. And if you think so too and want to relax in a magnificent pool on your next trip, we’ve rounded up the world’s most insanely luxurious pools which are alone worth the journey.
These hotel resorts, from locations as diverse as Tibet, Miami Beach, and France, to islands spanning Santorini and Bali have all taken their hotel pools to the next level, providing unparalleled luxury and comfort. Here are the 15 most spectacular hotel pools worth your consideration.
St Regis Lhasa Resort, Tibet
Overlooking the magnificent Potala Palace, St Regis Lhasa Resort offers unparalleled luxury accommodation while “standing on the roof of the world”. This five-star hotel boasts 162 guestrooms, suites, and villas with premium amenities, large marble bathrooms, a bose sound system, and 24-hour butler service.
What really sets St Regis Lhasa Resort apart is the large swimming pool plated in gold. The Gold Energy pool is lined with a thousand gold tiles that offer indulgence and an out-of-this-world view at the towering Himalayan peaks that surround it. “The world’s most blinding pool” provides a decadent experience in an opulent resort.
Amangiri Resort, Utah
Blissfully remote, Amangiri Resort is considered one of the best desert hotels in North America. Located in the Grand Circle region near the border between Arizona and Utah – just arriving at this hotel is an adventure in itself. The heated swimming pool is located around an escarpment of sandstone rock overlooking the stunning desert scenery.
Guests can enjoy themselves on king-size loungers or soak in the hot tub built conveniently on the edge of the pool. The best way to spend the day at Amangiri is to practice yoga on top of a monolithic rock at sunrise and then relax on the cushioned sun loungers around the pool all day long.
Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore
Decadently opulent to the very end, Marina Bay Sands Hotel is one of the most expensive hotels ever built, boasting 2561 rooms all equipped with luxury amenities and floor-to-ceiling windows. This must-see hotel has three 55-story towers overlooking the magnificent Marina Bay. On the 57th floor, guests can have a dive in the world’s largest rooftop pool.
Drink champagne by the Infinity pool and watch the city from 57 stores up or get ready for a long swim in this 150-meter long pool. Whatever you choose, you can be sure it’ll be pure indulgence. Guests are provided with towels, sun lodgers, swimwear, and sun care products. Don’t forget to watch the spectacular sunset and get a taste of the light meals served from the poolside restaurant.
Villa D’Este, Lake Como, Italy
Beloved by a refined clientele, Villa D’Este is an inviting five-star hotel that used to be a popular residence for princesses and aristocrats. The hotel is divided into two opulent buildings: the Cardinal Building and the Queen’s Pavilion, both with aesthetically pleasing guest rooms all supplied with unique artworks and rare pieces of furniture.
Villa D’Este was the first hotel that introduced the concept of “floating swimming pools” in 1966. The initial swimming pool was recently replaced with a new one that also has a built-in jacuzzi. Overlooking Bellagio, this masterpiece of technology allows swimmers to float on the lake, given that the pool is installed literally over it. The pool features a contemporary design and is equipped with cushioned sun loggers which only add to the comfort and splendor Villa D’Este offers. What a treat!
1 Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida
1 Hotel definitely hits all the Miami high notes with its elegant guest rooms, luxurious dining venues, and a vast garden that houses over 11,000 local plants. Tucked between the South-Beach and Mid-Beach – Miami’s most-talked-about shores – 1 Hotel seduces a number of celebrities that want to stay at the heart of the city.
If you want to contemplate the waves, head over to the Cabana rooftop pool which not only boasts the most spectacular views over the Atlantic but is also known for the wild parties that are frequently thrown there. Open from sunrise till sunset, the Cabana pool is the perfect retreat for grownups that want to unwind and relax in a comfortable retreat equipped with cabanas, chic sun lodgers, and natural fabrics.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, France
This secret movie-star retreat hosts the best parties during the Cannes Film festival and has seduced a number of big-shots, including Kirk Douglas, Rita Hayword, the Kennedys, and the Churchills. Built in 1914, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc is a true gem on the French Riviera with its saltwater infinity pool that is a real oasis when it comes to relaxation.
The pool is placed into the edge of a cliff and features a retro design that blends perfectly with the hotel’s old-world glamour. It gives guests direct access to the sea, and if that strikes you as too tranquil, you’ll be pleased to know that daredevils can also experience trapeze hanging over the cliffs. Moreover, the 700 sqm pool deck has a nicely designed restaurant overlooking the Lerins Islands where guests can enjoy a light meal or time-honored cocktails.
Laucala Islands, Fiji
It doesn’t get better than this – a luxurious resort located on a pristine beach surrounded by the blue waters of the South Pacific. The resort boasts 25 luxurious villas, all equipped with a private pool. But what sets Laucala Islands apart is the 21,500-square-foot-pool located at the heart of the hotel.
The lagoon-style pool blends perfectly with the island’s natural environment and offers stunning views of the sea. The pool features a glass end, so guests from the lower parts of the hotel can see the swimmers in the pool. If you’re up for some energetic activities, the hotel organizes water polo, aqua aerobics, and diving classes for its guests. Towering palms and rare island flowers set the scene for soaking in this grandiose saltwater lagoon pool.
Belmondo Hotel Caruso, Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast is certainly one of Italy’s most popular tourist spots. While the uniqueness of Amalfi’s natural landscape and jaw-dropping architecture captures the attention of its guests, the Hotel Caruso offers visitors luxury accommodation in an 11th-century palazzo overlooking the Bay of Salerno. The hotel features a huge infinity-edge pool where visitors can enjoy a glass of wine while looking at the mesmerizing Tyrrhenian Sea.
The staff at the pool are well-mannered and attentive and can provide you with a fresh fruit appetizer, a glass of local Italian wine, and even a Kindle with a selection of books. The surroundings around the pool easily fuel the fantasy: upscale hotels, blue waters, gardens full of roses, plus a restaurant with panoramic views and a poolside piano bar. Grab an in-pool cocktail and watch the overwhelming sunset at one of Amalfi’s most opulent hotels.
The Mulia – Nusa Dua, Bali
Blissfully remote, The Mulia resort is the perfect spot to escape from the world for a little while and unwind on a secluded sandy beach in Bali. This 30-hectare property is surrounded by huge walls of blue marble which gives its guests a thorough taste of pure, peaceful indulgence. The resort boasts 4 luxurious pools including The Oasis pool, The Ocean pool, The Ladies Courtyard pool, The Splash pool.
Overlooking the Indian Ocean, The Oasis pool will certainly make you feel like royalty. It has comfortable and elegant sun lodgers and is surrounded by Balinese statues of ladies carrying goods on their heads which creates a luxurious atmosphere.
The Courtyard pool and The Splash pool are surrounded with lush tropical gardens and have a swim-up pool bar. If that’s not enough to trigger your attention, you can head over to the Ocean pool located on the sandy Geger Beach. This artful pool features traditional Balinese sculptures and numerous comfortable sun loungers. The breathtakingly picturesque atmosphere at the Ocean pool has inspired a number of celebrities to pose there for the perfect Instagram shot.
Four Seasons Resort, Hualalai
Known as “the residential resort for billionaires”, The Four Seasons Resort captivates guests with its grandiose property spreading on half a mile of white sand oceanfront in the much-talked-about Hawaii Island. At this exotic hotel guests are far away from the hectic crowds and bustling streets of the Hawaiian Island and can relax at 8 different pools.
The King’s Pond is the biggest and most unique pool at the resort: it’s carved out of lava rock and it holds over 4000 tropical fish from 98 different species. The hotel offers guests snorkeling equipment so they can embark on an underwater adventure which is an experience on its own.
Snorkeling lessons, fish feeding, or underwater exploration; the King’s Pond offers entertainment and a whole lot of fun in a 1.8-million gallon pool. Guests that want to spend the whole day in a quiet and intimate atmosphere can head over to the Beach Tree Pool, which is just steps away from the Pacific Ocean.
One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives
Located in an ultra-luxurious resort on an octopus-shaped island, the One&Only Reethi Rah is one of the grandest hotels on the Indian Ocean. The heavenly swimming pool seems like it blends perfectly with the ocean and it features the most mesmerizing blue water views. Guests can relax on the cabanas for two and drink a cocktail or two while marveling at the ocean view.
The iconic pool stretches out into the blue lagoon, and one can’t but feel as if they’re floating on the ocean. And if that’s not enough, guests can also relax on a carved stone lounge bed or indulge in the swimming pool built-in jacuzzi. For even more intimacy, guests can book a villa at the resort with a private pool. It doesn’t come as a surprise that The Beckhams and Tom Cruise have experienced the luxury accommodation at One&Only Reethi Rah.
Grace Hotel, Santorini
Located in the marvelous Imerovigli, the Grace Hotel boasts Cycladic minimalist design, excellent Mediterranean cuisine, and the best views of the sunset in Santorini. The hotel’s iconic infinity pool is a stunning 22-meter pool that blends perfectly with the Aegean Sea and is intended for adults only.
The pool stretches on the caldera and is framed by multicolored cliffs. It also features plush chaise loungers, a poolside, and dining service. The unique view of the gorgeous sunsets from the infinity pool makes Grace Hotel the perfect spot to experience Santorini’s bewitching beauty.
The Joule Dallas, Texas
Can you imagine swimming in a pool that just hangs over the busiest street in town? At the Joule Dallas hotel in Dallas, guests can have a taste of this exquisite experience. Designed by Adam D. Tihany, this 8-foot cantilevered pool creates the illusion of swimming beyond the hotel’s edge. Guests can swim next to the glass edge wall located on the 10th floor and take a look at the hustle of the downtown Main Street below.
Guests’ favorite pastime is to take a dive in the swimming pool at midnight or drink at the pool bar where a number of celebrities can usually be spotted. Additionally, The Joule Dallas is also considered as one of the most luxurious pools in Downtown Dallas boasting stylish interior, artworks by Andy Warhol, and excellent service.
Hanging Gardens, Ubud, Bali
Located on an isolated and remote spot surrounded by jungles, The Hanging Gardens in Ubud is one of the most talked-about resorts in Bali. This extravagant resort is surrounded by bamboo and coffee trees that stretch all along the Ayang River. The infinity pool at the Hanging Gardens has been listed as one of the most beautiful pools in the world numerous times, which is exactly why it’s on our list of the world’s most insanely luxurious hotel pools.
It offers a magical view of the surrounding jungles and swimming in it feels like hanging off a cliff. The candle lights and orchids surrounding the pool add even more luxury to the view. Guests can spend the day on cushioned sun loungers and dine in the intimate pool restaurant, which is especially popular with couples. The infinity pool at the Hanging Gardens is the ultimate romantic getaway.
The Chedi Muscat, Oman
Set on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula amid 21 acres of palm tree gardens, the luxurious Chedi Muscat resort boasts opulent accommodation that is known for the eclectic mix of the Middle East aesthetics and contemporary accommodation. The resort features three pools including the Long Pool, which is the longest pool in the Middle East.
This is an adults-only, mesmerizing pool surrounded with grandiose palm trees. Here guests can have a long swim or spend the day on the generously sized sun loungers. The service at the pool is at its best with staff delivering fresh water and fruit kebabs as a refreshment while you relax on the cushioned lounges.