Let’s be honest, you’d be pretty bummed out if you arrived on your vacation to find no pool. But a pool can be so much more than “just a hotel pool”. If looking through a glass bottom pool to the street 29 stories below, check out lions hanging in the wild beneath the safety of your resort or just taking in a ridiculous sunset is more your style, you’re going to want to venture to one of these beyond extraordinary resorts to scope out their pool…

a pool with a building and a pool

The Oberoi Udaivilas, India

Literally swimming with gorgeous views-over Lake Pichola, this 5 star hotel is set over fifty acres, which includes a twenty acre wildlife sanctuary where deer and wild boar roam freely. Though it’s hard to go wrong at a place like this, the semi private pools which you’ll find with most rooms actually offer better views than those with fully private pools. You can’t go wrong.

a pool overlooking the ocean

Canaves Oia Suites, Santorini

Watch the rim of the pristine blue pool fade into the awe inspiring sea of blue below. Offering spectacular panorama views of the Aegean, these suites offer the perfect place to relax in pure tranquility whilst enjoying the delights of Greece. It’s hard to think of any other place on earth that looks like this…

a pool overlooking a lake and mountains

Villa Honegg,  Ennetbürgen, Switzerland

Villa Honegg has both an indoor and outdoor pool, but for those brave enough to adventure to the outdoor pool, you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views of the Swiss Alps. Don’t worry it’s heated. With indoor and outdoor pools and those things called the Alps in the background, it’s a wonderful place to relax all year round…especially after a day out- hitting the slopes.

a group of animals near a body of water

Sanctuary Swala Camp, Tanzania

It’s hard to stay cool during those safari drives! After a fun, hot and sticky day of game viewing, what better way to relax and cool down than sipping on a cocktail- sitting in an epic infinity pool overlooking a nearby waterhole. You can watch elephants, zebra, lions, leopards and many more animals in their natural habitat as the waters (and drinks) pull you back together. Get the cameras ready (just don’t drop them in the pool!)

a palm tree next to a pool

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

There are some things in life you simply must see to believe- and this is one of them. The Marina Bay Sands offers the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool, so it just had to be included! 57 floors up with spectacular views of the Singapore skyline and harbour, the word infinity never took on so much meaning! Oh, and you might as well order a Singapore Sling while you’re at it, as you do on the 57th story of an iconic building swimming in the sun…

a pool with a hut and a thatched roof

One & Only Reethi Rah, Maldives

Let’s be honest, if you’re going on holiday to the Maldives, you’re probably going to find yourself in an amazing pool surrounded by endless oceans and having a lovely time wherever you go. At the appropriately titled “One & Only” however, you can relax in paradise- in a pool, within a pool, in the ocean, whilst enjoying all 50 shades (or more) of blue that surround you. Now that is living!

a pool overlooking a body of water

Delamore Lodge, Waiheke Island, New Zealand

Surprise, surprise- it’s another infinity pool! This time though- with breathtaking views of the too beautiful to be real, Owhanake Bay. Grab a cocktail, watch the sunset and enjoy incredible natural surroundings from the comforts of a perfectly temperature controlled pool. No wonder people love New Zealand…

a pool with lounge chairs and umbrellas on a ledge

Viceroy Ubud, Bali

If you like the idea of combining a love of mojitos with bar service in a pool, this is definitely “the one”. Sip a spiced mojito from the infinity pool’s wet bar, with  beautiful views of the lush rainforest and the river gorge below, complete with monkeys in the background. You can relax for hours just taking in the beautiful surroundings, and if you’re lucky, your personal villa will also include it’s own plunge pool for personal enjoyment in total seclusion.

a row of red umbrellas next to a pool

The Library Koh Samui, Thailand

Who said pools need to be blue?! Well red (get it?) travelers hit The Library for it’s stylish and modern vibe, located on Chaweng Beach. The hotels surroundings giving the perfect balance of culture and nature, mixed with the curiosity of a red pool. Heck, even the towels are red! Enjoying the peace and tranquility of this Thai island never felt so easy…

a pool with a stone building and a stone building on the edge

Belmond Hotel Caruso, Amalfi Coast

Picture this: you’re swimming up in the clouds, high above the gorgeous Amalfi town of Ravello, with gorgeous coastline views. Now pull out your wallet, hand over your life savings and it’s yours. Set at the highest point above the town of Ravello you’ll experience the rare dream of swimming from the heavens. If Italian wine, bowls of pasta, and stunning pool views are your thing, there’s a lot to love here!

a pool on a rooftop overlooking a city

Hotel Indigo, Hong Kong

If you’re afraid of heights, maybe avoid this one. If you’re not, you may still want to dip your feet in before diving. This epic pool is on the 29th floor, with a section cantilevered out glass bottom floor looking straight down-29 stories! If the Hong Kong skyline wasn’t already thrilling enough, this will certainly do the trick. Don’t forget to wave to pedestrians, or just give them an extra foot flutter.

a dock in a body of water

Silica Hotel, Iceland

The hotel is just a ten minute walk away from the famous Blue Lagoon, but since that gets crazy crowded, the hotel offers guests their own private bathing lagoon to avoid the crowds. Silica Hotel is set in the heart of a spectacular, brooding lava landscape with stunning views of the volcanic fields that surround you. Throw in the chance to witness the northern lights and this is some serious kind of magic.

Gilbert Ott is an ever curious traveler and one of the world's leading travel experts. His adventures take him all over the globe, often spanning over 200,000 miles a year and his travel exploits are regularly...

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2 Comments

  1. Another contender – Kempinski Dead Sea in Jordan. Infinity pool, obviously.
    I was lucky to spend my last. Irthday there ?

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