The 50 Most Beautiful Swimming Pools in the World
Lesley Chen
Lesley Chen
Lesley Chen is a California native who writes about travel, health/fitness, and other lifestyle topics. She has a serious case of RBF and exercises mainly to balance out an aggressive candy addiction.
The only thing better than a vacation is a vacation with a truly spectacular pool. Hidden in a cave, suspended on a cliff, or extending into an endless ocean, these 50 amazing swimming pools are what wanderlust dreams are made of. Click through the slideshow to dive into the world’s splashiest scenes.
Bondi Baths, Bondi Beach, Australia: The Bondi Baths have been a landmark of Bondi Beach for over 100 years; the swimming club started in 1929 as a way for lifeguards to stay fit in the winter months. The 50-meter pool is open to the public and located at the southern end of the beach at the Bondi Icebergs Club. (Photo via Getty)
Crown Metropol, Melbourne, Australia: The floor-to-ceiling windows of the relaxation deck lets in plenty of natural light where hotel guests can lounge in the serene infinity pool and look out toward Melbourne’s city center. (Photo via Crown Metropol)
Alila Villas, Uluwatu, Bali: The hotel sits at the top of a limestone cliff 100 meters above the Indian Ocean, where you can catch an epic sunset from the infinity pool or overhanging cabana. (Photo via Alila Villas)
Hanging Gardens of Bali, Ubud, Bali: The spectacular infinity pool at this award-winning resort above the Ayung River is two-tiered and appears as if it’s floating above the rainforest. (Photo via Hanging Gardens of Bali)
Fasano Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: This Ipanema beachfront hotel has a rooftop infinity pool that overlooks the beach and the Dois Irmãos Mountains. (Photo via Fasano Rio de Janeiro)
Phum Baitang, Siem Reap, Cambodia: The tranquil 50-meter infinity pool is stunning at this resort in the Cambodian countryside, and it’s right next to an open-air bar. (Photo via Phum Baitang)
San Alfonso del Mar, Valparaíso, Chile: Go big or go home — the Saltwater Lagoon that runs along the coastline at this Chilean resort is the largest outdoor swimming pool in the world. It’s the size of 20 Olympic pools, is 115 feet deep, and contains 66 million gallons of crystal clear water. It’s so large, you can sail down it in a boat. (Photo via San Alfonso del Mar)
Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao, Shanghai, China: Talk about a view. This pool extends beyond the hotel’s 24th floor, where the brave can swim 300+ feet above the ground with nothing but a layer of (very thick) glass beneath them. (Photo via Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao)
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE: This ultra luxurious hotel has a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce, helicopter trips, and an indoor infinity pool, which has panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and can be booked for private moonlight swims. (Photo via Burj Al Arab Jumeirah)
The Berkeley, London, England: The Berkeley was formerly a coffee shop 300 years ago, and its roof pool, with iridescent gold and white tiles, has sweeping views of London and is adjacent to a green secret garden. (Photo via The Berkeley)
Soho Farmhouse, Oxfordshire, England: The Soho Farmhouse is set on 100 acres of beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, and the indoor-outdoor pool is housed in a chic boathouse on a lake. (Photo via Soho Farmhouse)
Laucala Island, Fiji: The 25-villa private island resort has a 25-meter pool encased in a glass cube, set inside the main lagoon-style pool. (Photo via Laucala Island)
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes, France: This hotel along the French Riviera has hosted numerous writers a well as the Hollywood elite, and the dramatic infinity pool was built into basalt rock on the Mediterranean Sea. (Photo via Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc)
La Bastide de Gordes, Provence, France: Take a dip in one of the pools on the lush terraces of this 16th-century hilltop manor house and enjoy the Provencal countryside. (Photo via La Bastide de Gordes)
Grace Hotel, Santorini, Greece: The picture-perfect infinity pool on the hotel’s white terrace looks over the cliffs of Santorini toward the caldera and the turquoise Aegean Sea. (Photo via Grace Hotel)
Katikies, Santorini, Greece: The Katikies Hotel in Oia, Santorini has multiple infinity pools facing the sea, as well as a pool inside a whitewashed cave for a truly relaxing experience. (Photo via Katikies)
InterContinental Hong Kong, Hong Kong: The hotel rooftop terrace is home to the outdoor infinity pool, which sits above the busy city and looks out over Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. (Photo via InterContinental Hong Kong)
Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa, Grindavik, Iceland: Technically this is a lagoon, but it’s man-made, you can swim in it, and just try to find a travel list or Instagram feed without Iceland in the past few years. The warm waters of the lagoon are rich in minerals and said to cure skin ailments. If you want something smaller, the Silica Hotel is located just a 10-minute walk away and has its own geothermal pool. (Photo via the Blue Lagoon)
Oberoi Udavilas, Udaipur, India: The outdoor pool of this luxury hotel looks out on the lush grounds, which is spread over 50 acres on the bank of Lake Pichola and includes a wildlife sanctuary. (Photo via Oberoi Udavillas)
The Sanchaya, Bintan Island, Indonesia: This sparsely populated island off the coast of Singapore is the perfect tropical escape and has a 50-meter infinity pool that looks out to the South China Sea. (Photo via The Sanchaya)
Belmond Hotel Caruso, Amalfi Coast, Italy: This pool is located in an 11th-century palace turned resort and looks out on the cliffs of Italy’s amazing Amalfi Coast from the highest point in Ravello. (Photo via Belmond Hotel Caruso)
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy: Located on the west side of Lake Como (a vacation fave of George Clooney), the hotel has three pools, including Water on the Water, a floating pool that sits on the surface of the lake. (Photo via Grand Hotel Tremezzo)
Rocca delle Tre Contrade, Sicily, Italy: The L-shaped infinity pool at this 19th-century villa faces Mount Etna and is accessed via a secret staircase that tunnels through a lava stone wall. (Photo via Rocca delle Tre Contrade)
Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, Dead Sea, Jordan: There are nine celestial pools at this hotel located at the lowest point on Earth — including this circular infinity pool — and they all have views of the magical Dead Sea. (Photo via Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea)
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Rangali Island, Maldives: You can’t beat the white sand beaches and crystal clear waters of the Maldives, but this infinity pool that practically blends into the Indian Ocean is close. Bonus: The hotel also has an underwater restaurant. (Photo via Conrad Maldives Rangali Island)
Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, Meradhoo Island, Maldives: The infinity pool at this island resort looks out on the crystal waters of the Indian Ocean and is dazzling by day or night. Each of the villas has its own private pool as well. (Photo via Jumeirah Dhevanafushi)
Porto Montenegro Yacht Club, Montenegro: If you’re living your best Champagne-filled luxe life, here’s the place to park your yacht. The exclusive Members Lounge has a 64-meter infinity pool cantilevered over the water facing the mountains and the Boka Bay. (Photo via Porto Montenegro Yacht Club)
Habita Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico: This modern design hotel’s rooftop has two infinity pools separated by a bar and 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. (Photo via Habita Monterrey)
Riad Yasmine, Marrakech, Morocco: The stunning pool at the Riad Yasmine Hotel is a favorite among bloggers, and it’s not hard to see why — the gorgeous tilework, green foliage, and patterned lounge furniture create the most Instagram-worthy relaxation spot. (Photo via Riad Yasmine)
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore: The largest rooftop infinity pool is 150 meters long and built on a cantilevered platform hanging over the 57th floor of the Marina Bay Sands hotel. Going for a swim at Singapore sky level might be worth getting over your fear of heights. (Photo via Marina Bay Sands)
Singita Sabi Sands, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa: There are three different lodges located on the Singita Sabi Sand Game Reserve — Boulder, built around a bolder; Ebony, a classic safari lodge; and Castleton, originally a family house — and each has its own pool. (Photo via Singita Sabi Sands)
Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain: The rooftop pool at this centrally located hotel is just a few stories above the hustle and bustle of Barcelona's streets below. (Photo via Mandarin Oriental Barcelona)
Boucan Hotel, Soufriere, St. Lucia: This boutique hotel is built on a cocoa estate with views of the Piton Mountains. Treat yourself with some homemade chocolate after a swim in the infinity pool. (Photo via Boucan Hotel)
The Cambrian, Adelboden, Switzerland: This design hotel is nestled in the Swiss Alps and boasts an infinity pool with scenic mountain vistas that are breathtaking in both the summer and winter. (Photo via The Cambrian)
Hotel Villa Honegg, Honegg, Switzerland: Set high above Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, the outdoor infinity pool at the Hotel Villa Honegg is heated year round, has breathtaking mountain and lake views, and has a hot tub within the pool. (Photo via Hotel Villa Honegg)
Sanctuary Swala, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania: After a day of safari activities, guests at the Sanctuary Swala can relax in the infinity pool while looking out at a watering hole frequented by wild game such as elephants and big cats. (Photo via Sanctuary Swala)
The Residence Zanzibar, Zanzibar, Tanzania: The glass-walled pool at The Residence allows you to gaze out onto the white sand and the clear Indian Ocean from underwater. (Photo via The Residence Zanzibar)
The Library, Koh Samui, Thailand: At first glance, you may be taken aback by the red pool at The Library Hotel. Rest assured: The crimson water is not due to foul play but rather due to the colorful red, orange, and yellow tiles that line the pool. And it certainly stands out against the azure sky and nearby ocean. (Photo via The Library)
Phulay Bay Ritz-Carlton, Krabi, Thailand: This Ritz-Carlton property is located on the white beaches of southern Thailand and has an infinity pool you could spend all day in. (Photo via Phulay Bay Ritz-Carlton)
Keemala, Phuket, Thailand: This pool villa is located in the quiet hillside rainforest of Kamala, on the west coast of Phuket. There are four types of villas (Clay, Tent, Tree, and Bird’s Nest) and each has distinctive architecture and a private pool. (Photo via Keemala)
Mardan Palace, Antalya, Turkey: The luxury hotel’s giant cascade pool is the largest swimming pool in Europe, with gondola service bordering the perimeter, an aquarium in the middle, and an adjacent 350,000 gallon swim reef. (Photo via Mardan Palace)
Museum Hotel, Cappadocia, Turkey: The Roman style pool at this hotel is surrounded by thousand-year-old caves and stone houses and Cappadocia’s distinctive “fairy chimney” geological formations. (Photo via Museum Hotel)
St. Regis Lhasa, Tibet: If you like your swim with a little bling, look no further than the gold energy pool at the St. Regis Lhasa: The saltwater pool is lined with thousands of real gold-plated tiles. (Photo via St. Regis Lhasa)
The Standard, Los Angeles, CA, US: The rooftop pool at this downtown LA hotel has hosted many a party and celebrity and is the place to see and be seen. The heated pool is surrounded by mod red waterbed pods, a bar, and panoramic city views. (Photo via The Standard)
Grand Wailea, Maui, HI, US: The Grand Wailea has nine pools, but the main attraction is the Hibiscus Pool. Along with two jacuzzis, the pool bottom features a mosaic Hibiscus flower created with 630,000 pieces of Mexican glass tiles. (Photo via Grand Wailea)
The Raleigh, Miami, FL, US: The iconic art deco Miami beachfront hotel has been a staple of the South Beach scene since 1940 and has a glamorous pool surrounded by palm trees. (Photo via The Raleigh)
Amangiri, Canyon Point, Utah, US: The pool at the 600-acre Amangiri resort is built around natural rock formations and serves as a cool oasis in the Utah desert. (Photo via Amangiri)
The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam: This resort is located on a peaceful stretch of Ha My beach. The infinity pools cascade down three levels to the beach and are surrounded by gardens and tall palm trees. (Photo via The Nam Hai)
I-Resort Spa, Nha Trang, Vietnam: This hotel specializes in hot springs and mud treatments, and the modern pool is covered by a striking asymmetrical wooden roof. (Photo via I-Resort)
Chongwe River House, Lower Zambezi, Zambia: The pool at this private safari house has views of Lower Zambezi National Park and the Chongwe River, where you’re likely to see huge elephants and other animals. (Photo via Chongwe River House)
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Lesley Chen
Lesley Chen is a California native who writes about travel, health/fitness, and other lifestyle topics. She has a serious case of RBF and exercises mainly to balance out an aggressive candy addiction.