For many travelers, a pool can be a dealbreaker for deciding which hotel to book and as such, hotels work to create unique, eye-catching pools to allure guests. Hotel pools continue to evolve from being a just body of water to cool off in to a feature that completes the overall design and experience of a hotel. Read more for the cool pools around the world worth checking into to make the hotel experience a splash.
Hotel Arts Barcelona
The infinity pool and lounge at Hotel Arts Barcelona looks out onto the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, while also offering a view of Frank Gerhy’s iconic fish sculpture over its vanishing edges. The addition was constructed by Duran Arquitectes and was built to complement the existing pool in a distinctive area of the property, truly blurring the line between city and sea. The space surrounding the pool is a new, versatile area that acts as a relaxing, urban oasis during the day where guests can soak up the Mediterranean sun while the the lounge area into a vibrant hotspot lounge at night and is designed for both guests and locals alike to mingle while enjoying refreshing cocktails and tasting small bites underneath the stars.
The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa — Johannesburg The expansive infinity pool at The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa in Johannesburg is the central point of the hotel. Surrounded by the magnificent indigenous gardens of the property, the infinity pool provides peaceful and tranquil views stretching out into the distance. Ideal for relaxation, the seemingly never-ending pool and terrace is a great spot to relax, watch the sunset and admire the nearby well-stocked Koi pond.
Hotel Lou Pinet — Saint-Tropez Hôtel Lou Pinet, a luxury hideaway in the French Rivera’s legendary town of Saint-Tropez features the largest hotel pool in the iconic coastal village. The pool takes a majestic center stage on the terrace and garden, which presents a chic design to the property’s outdoor space and completes the grounds by connecting the three houses that make up the hotel. Hidden from view, the turquoise-tiled pool blends in seamlessly with elegant design of the hotel and is tucked away inside a Mediterranean style garden. Enclosing the pool are stylish sunbeds with white cushions and sun umbrellas with a colorful red trim, adding to the overall charming aesthetic of the carefully planned outdoor area and a quaint space to lounge poolside.
Singita Pamushana — Tanzania Perched high on a sandstone ridge, Singita Pamushana is set within the 130,000-acre Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe’s remote southeast corridor. Each of the eight elegant and secluded suites have their own private plunge pools and there is a larger infinity pool in the main lodge area where guests can swim while enjoying the expansive views of the Malilangwe Dam below.
Tschuggen Grand Hotel — Arosa, Switzerland The Tschuggen Grand Hotel, a luxury resort set in the spectacular Alpine region of Arosa at an altitude of over 5,900 feet, features four amazing pools at their Tschuggen Bergoase Spa. Complete with massage jets, hydro-jets and a recliner bench, the Tschuggen Bergoase’s indoor/outdoor relaxation pool is the perfect retreat after a day on the mountains. Designed by Mario Botta, the Tschuggen Bergoase brings the outdoors in, combining nature, warmth, light, water, and rock to create a one-of-a-kind spa and pool area.
Fregate Island — The Seychelles Newly reopened Fregate Island is home to 17 villas, all complete with their own infinity pools. The villas’ pools are designed to spill into the seemingly endless blue horizon of the Indian Ocean, truly making guests feel like one with nature. In addition to the pool, there is a jacuzzi, outdoor dining area and large terrace complete with day beds to enjoy in between dips.
The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui — Koh Samui, Thailand The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui, a tropical paradise set against the natural beauty of the Gulf of Thailand, features a stunning infinity pool at their Spa Village Koh Samui. The one of a kind spa pool cascades down and is surrounded by the property’s open-air treatment pavilions. Occupying its very own section of the resort, guests can take a dip and lay out in the luxury cabanas after their treatments for undisturbed relaxation time.
Tswalu Kalahari — South Africa Tswalu Kalahari is home to the newly renovated Motse, which boasts 6 luxury legae and 3 luxury family legae. The main building offers guests a massive outdoor swimming pool. The pool, located next to the Motse’s dining area, expands outwards into the Kalahari, so guests do not have to compromise a view when taking a swim.