Spectacular design leaves an impression even when it comes to hotel swimming pools. And in the Instagram age, even more so. An impression made on a single person can be transferred into millions of impressions on people from all ends of the earth. For this reason, gone are the days of sketchy holes in the ground filled with water, hotels are going to extreme lengths to create swimming pool designs that provide a luxury experience that create lasting memories.
It doesn’t matter the climate, any luxury hotel worth its salt has a pool and we’ve complied a list of some of the most incredible and extravagant hotel swimming pools around the world:
1. Four Seasons Safari Lodge – Serengeti, Tanzania
The Four Seasons Safari Lodge is located deep in the heart of the Serengeti, one of the world’s most well-renowned wildlife reserves and home to lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, rhinoceros and many other wildlife species.
Poised on a series of elevated platforms, their free-form infinity style swimming pool overlooks a natural watering hole, where you can watch herds of elephants drink and play in the water as you do the same. The viewing deck which surrounds the pool also provides views over the endless and untamed landscape of the Serengeti plains, the ideal vantage point for thrilling wildlife observations. It has even been said that the area surrounding the lodge attracts so much wildlife, that guests might not even have to leave the poolside to spot the entire Big Five!
2. The Lake Argyle Resort – Australia
Who would’ve thought Australia’s best infinity pool would be in the middle of the Outback? Well its not all that surprising when you consider the region readily reaches temperatures of over 40-degrees celcius!
Right on the edge of the border between Western Australia and the Northern Territory, lies a 35 metre (115ft) Outback Oasis overlooking Lake Argyle – a haven for all sorts of nature – think crocodiles, monitor lizards and freshwater turtles set in a vast lake between the mountains.
The large infinity edge pool is open to all day and overnight guests.
3. Marina Bay Sands – Singapore
When you imagine the most expensive hotel ever built, its hard not to picture it being paired with a rooftop infinity pool and views over never ending rows of skyscrapers.
The Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore is exactly that, comprising of three 55-storey towers which encompass 2,560 luxury suites. 200m (656 ft) in the sky and nestled on top of the three towers, the Sands SkyPark rooftop is home to the world’s largest public cantilever with a public observatory deck, lush gardens, exclusive restaurants and of course a breathtaking 150 m (492 ft) infinity pool to complete the luxurious experience.
4. Grace Hotel – Santorini, Greece
You’d be forgiven if you thought Santorini was designed with Instagram in mind. Stacks of whitewashed villas and hotels is the picture of Greece in almost everyone’s mind.
In the romantic setting of Imerovigli, 300 metres (1,000 ft) above the Caldera, sits Santorini’s largest infinity pool, unrivalled in size, shape and exclusivity (with just 14 lounge chairs available). It is the perfect view point from which to enjoy the famous Santorini sunsets. The exquisite pool, offers guests uninterrupted views across the bay and forms part of the ultimate Santorini experience.
5. Villa D’este – Lake Como, Italy
Originally used as a residence for a 16th century cardinal, Villa D’Este was converted into a resort in 1873 and is widely praised for its exquisite cuisine, lush gardens, extravagant decor and impeccable hospitality.
The hotel has a uniquely designed swimming pool, floating on Lake Como with a built-in Jacuzzi Spa and stunning views in every direction. Guests can transport themselves into a different time and experience the grandeur of the Renaissance with glorious 360 degree views over Lake Como.
This experience might not be any more than an Instagram photo op for those susceptible to sea sickness, as the deck supporting the pool and adjacent loungers, does move with the lake.
6. The Cambrian – Switzerland
Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, The Cambrian Hotel is renowned for its panoramic views of the mountains that surround it on every side. The resort is a mecca for keen skiers and alpine adventurers, with the unmatchable beauty of the Bernese Oberland right on your doorstep.
The real star of this stunning mountain retreat is the 700 square meter hot-pool. Steam rises from the long infinity edge in winter, when the hot water provides relief from the icy surroundings, while summer time creates the feeling of sitting in an amphitheater designed by nature with white-capped mountains, hillsides, and picturesque waterfalls. The ideal spot for some rest and relaxation.
7. Huvafen Fushi – Maldives
The Maldives is arguably the world’s most beautiful beach destination, and always a top contender among travel bucket lists. Huvafen Fushi was one of the country’s pioneer hotels and still a firm favourite today.
Built on the beach and stretching out into the crystal clear ocean water – synonymous with the Maldives – lies the large lagoon-like infinity pool. Bleeding out into the Indian Ocean, the pool’s proximity means you can choose between relaxing on a four-poster day bed or stretching out on the sugar-white sand. You can also alternate between the snorkelling the reefs and wading within the confines of the pool.
8. The Silo – Cape Town, South Africa
The Silo Hotel, which gets its name from the historic grain silo on which it’s built, is set on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art in the heart of Cape Town. The Silo boasts one of the world’s best rooftop hotel pools, thanks to the unique design and the 360-degree views it offers.
Access is exclusive to guests of the 28-room boutique hotel, who can enjoy an afternoon sipping on a cold beverage while floating on a striped cushion in the glass-sided T-shaped pool. With views over Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, the atlantic, and the city, there’s no where else to be at sunset.
9. Laucala Island, Fiji
The only way to better a 21,500-square-foot lagoon-style pool is with an 82-foot glass cube lap pool planted right in the middle of it. Placing it in Fiji is probably not a bad idea either!
The crystalline cube seemingly floats over the slightly more standard pool offering for a private island resort and is perfect for swimming laps or capturing those cliché but also awesome underwater Instagram snaps. The surroundings are no slouch either: a pristine beach paired with the blue South Pacific Ocean, towering palms and a shell-like bar that you can swim up to when the inevitable thirst for a cocktail sets in.
10. The Mulia – Bali, Indonesia
This Mulia resort in Bali is a veritable maze of pools, some for swimming and some for relaxing and reflecting. Some even have sunbeds placed in shallower parts for total immersion. The overall design has caused the Oasis pool to become somewhat of a sensation and one of the most Instagrammed hotel pools in the world. With shapely 20-foot statues of Balinese women holding rice on their heads, said to represent prosperity. At the resort’s Ocean pool the statues are bearing bowls of water to symbolize purity and Bali’s ritualistic cleansing ceremonies.
11. Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, France
Frequented by super stars and statesmen, France’s Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc has long been one of the most luxurious locations on the Cote d’Azur.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc was leaps and bounds ahead of its time when architects took dynamite to the basalt cliffs with plans on putting in a pool in 1914. Now, with its shape organically following the lands natural curve, the pool juts out past the rock and over the cobalt Mediterranean Sea.
12. The Berkeley, U.K
Though not too many of the hotel pools featured on this list have been rooftop pools, they are still an overall favourite. The Knightsbridge hotel boasts one of the most luxurious pools in London, with exceptional views over Hyde Park and London’s skyline.
The Haybarn spa and it’s secret rooftop pool were designed as a floral escape within the city, creating a serene oasis with neutral hues against which the cerulean rectangle pops. Bordered by a contemporary colonnade, sun-lounge chairs and plenty of plants enhancing the decidedly anti-city environment.
Cover Image – Hide Away Beach Maldives