There’s a moment on every vacation—after unpacking and sorting out dinner plans—when you finally relax and say those five perfect words: Let’s go to the pool. For many travelers, true relaxation begins once you’ve claimed your sun lounger, slathered on sunscreen, and cracked open a book. At the best hotel pools, time slows down, and everything feels right in the world (at least for the afternoon).
While you might not book a hotel just for its pool, a great one often reflects the quality of the entire property. Stunning views and top-tier amenities for swimmers usually mean the rest of the resort follows suit. With that in mind, here’s our guide to the world’s most breathtaking hotel pools, from Africa’s wild landscapes to Paris’s zinc-roofed skyline.
### Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape
Photo: Courtesy of Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape
Time seems to stop at this open-air retreat nestled in a Balinese valley. At Buahan, the connection to nature is constant—especially at the main pool, which extends into the misty jungle. Each of the 16 villas also has its own private pool, ensuring magical swims throughout your stay.
### Alila Ventana Big Sur
Photo: BFS Landscape Architects
While Alila Ventana Big Sur is known for its Pacific Ocean views, the resort’s pool (and infinity-edge hot tub) brings you face-to-face with towering redwoods—arguably even more awe-inspiring than the coastline.
### Canaves Oia Epitome
Photo: Canaves Oia Epitome
Santorini has no shortage of picture-perfect pools, but Canaves Epitome in Oia, with its volcanic stone design, is pure magic. Perched above the colorful Ammoudi fishing village, it features a floating pool deck.
### Few & Far Luvhondo
Photo: Few & Far Luvhondo
This newly opened safari lodge in South Africa’s Vhembe Biosphere Reserve has just six cliffside suites overlooking 62,000 acres of untouched wilderness. When you’re not soaking in your private plunge pool, the infinity pool offers serene mountain views.
### Ceylon Tea Trails
Photo: Ceylon Tea Trails
Tucked into 2,000 acres of Sri Lankan tea plantations, Ceylon Tea Trails consists of five historic bungalows—each with its own pool. The Dunkeld bungalow, for example, has an infinity-edge pool and hot tub overlooking Castlereagh Lake and the Great Western mountain range.
### Naturhotel Forsthofgut
Photo: Naturhotel Forsthofgut
In the Austrian Alps, Forsthofgut’s year-round heated outdoor pool offers stunning views of the Leogang Mountains. For those who prefer activity, there’s also an 82-foot lap pool kept at a cooler temperature.
### Castello di Vicarello
Photo: Castello di Vicarello
This Tuscan hideaway feels like a dream. Set in a 12th-century castle, the boutique property has nine suites and two outdoor pools—one with sweeping views of vineyards, rolling hills, and even the distant coastline on clear days.
### The Oberoi Udaivilās, Udaipur
Photo: The Oberoi Udaivilās, Udaipur
Swimming in the 50-meter pool here makes you feel like royalty. Framed by the Aravalli Hills and lush gardens, it’s a cinematic experience. Afterward, enjoy a private poolside dinner under intricate Rajasthani arches, accompanied by live traditional music.
### Playa Grande Beach Club
Photo: Karyn Millet
This Dominican Republic retreat feels more like an artist’s private getaway than a hotel. With just nine pastel-hued bungalows, Playa Grande offers an intimate escape.Here’s the rewritten text in clear, natural English:
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Beach Club, nestled in lush jungle, features a charming lap pool with white latticed cabanas.
Grand Hotel Minerva
The rooftop pool at Florence’s Grand Hotel Minerva offers one of the most dramatic views imaginable. While swimming, guests can admire the distant Duomo and other historic landmarks across the city’s skyline—preferably with a classic Negroni in hand.
Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo
In 2012, Karl Lagerfeld designed the pool at this iconic Côte d’Azur hotel, now called Odyssey at Hôtel Métropole. The heated seawater pool is encircled by a fresco-style glass installation depicting the story of Ulysses.
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Made famous by The White Lotus, this adults-only pool remains a sought-after spot. Guests can sip tropical drinks at the swim-up bar while scanning the horizon for whales and dolphins.
Le Bristol Paris
Rooftop pools are rare in Paris, making Le Bristol’s yacht-inspired pool even more special. With teak decking and a nautical mural, it offers 360-degree views of Sacré Coeur and the Eiffel Tower amid the city’s iconic rooftops.
Torre Vella
Escape to wild Menorca at Torre Vella, where a mineral pool is surrounded by olive trees and aromatic plants. After a swim, unwind with an outdoor massage under ancient holm oaks.
TWA Hotel
Inspired by the 1960s surf film Endless Summer, this year-round rooftop pool overlooks airport runways where jets take off. The 10,000-square-foot deck is perfect for sipping aviation-themed cocktails like the Jet Fuel, made with cucumber mint water, Aperol, lemon, and watermelon.
Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto
Set near Nijo-jo Castle, this luxury hotel boasts a natural onsen pool fed by a hot spring 100 meters below. A gentle rain curtain enhances the serene atmosphere every 30 minutes.
Passalacqua
Perched in an 18th-century villa once owned by composer Vincenzo Bellini, Passalacqua offers unmatched Lake Como views. The outdoor pool features lily-petal parasols and bespoke designs by JJ Martin of La DoubleJ.
Hotel Unique
This São Paulo hotel’s pool feels like a Wes Anderson scene—playful and imaginative. Designed by Ruy Ohtake with interiors by João Armentano, it includes an indoor pool with a slide and underwater music.
Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa
Just minutes from Johannesburg’s hustle, this 10-acre retreat features an infinity pool overlooking indigenous gardens. The terrace is ideal for post-swim drinks or meals—a perfect stop before a safari in Kruger or Sabi Sand.
Hotel Le Grand Ma
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Le Grand Mazarin
Photo: Hotel Le Grand Mazarin
It’s no surprise that a Parisian hotel inspired by Gertrude Stein’s salons would feature a stunning pool. At Le Grand Mazarin, swimming is a stylish experience, starting with a striking mural by local artist Jacques Merle that spans the vaulted ceiling and extends down to the striped mosaic tiles of the indoor pool.
Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô
Photo: Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô
Nestled in a province known as the “land of the rising sun,” this design-forward hotel sits within a breathtaking bay, offering everything you’d want from a secluded beach retreat. The main pool perches on the hillside with panoramic bay views, while guests in beach and hilltop villas enjoy private infinity pools with equally mesmerizing vistas—including glimpses of fishermen hauling in their daily catch.
Paradero Todos Santos
Photo: Courtesy of Paradero Todos Santos
Mexico’s Baja Peninsula is a spectacular landscape, especially when viewed from the half-moon pool at Paradero Todos Santos. The infinity design blurs the line between hotel and desert, while still providing comforts like shade sails and cozy loungers.
Azura
Photo: Azura
Head to Bermuda’s stunning south shore for this new oceanfront resort, where an ocean-fed saltwater pool sits right on the cliffs. Positioned at beach level, the pool lets you soak in the sound of crashing waves—perhaps with a cocktail from the beach bar in hand.
The Yeatman Hotel
Photo: The Yeatman Hotel
Porto is the gateway to the famed Douro Valley, home to world-class Port wines. A visit to this historic region should start with a stay at The Yeatman Hotel, where the pool is cleverly shaped like a decanter. But the real highlight is its prime position facing the old city, offering Porto’s best views.
Borgo Santandrea
Photo: Adrian Gaut
The Amalfi Coast is a favorite for panorama lovers, and Borgo Santandrea makes the most of its oceanfront location. Its saltwater pool gazes directly over the Mediterranean’s shimmering waves.
Alila Uluwatu
Photo: Alila Uluwatu
At this luxury resort on Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, the boundary between pool and ocean dissolves. The infinity pool contrasts beautifully with the wooden latticework of the sunset bar, making it the perfect spot for a swim—or simply watching the sun sink into the Indian Ocean.
Raffles Jaipur
Photo: Raffles Jaipur
Just an hour from Delhi, Raffles Jaipur invites you to unwind by its rooftop infinity pool, overlooking the ancient Aravalli Hills. After a spa treatment, don’t miss the hot and cold mineral pools for the full wellness experience.
La Mamounia
Photo: La Mamounia
This nearly century-old palace hotel in Marrakech exudes atmosphere. The indoor pool dazzles with intricate tilework, Moorish arches, and marble columns—don’t forget to admire the carved wooden beams on the vaulted ceiling.
Tierra Patagonia
Photo: Tierra Patagonia
Few swims compare to floating with a view of the Andes. At Tierra Patagonia, the heated indoor infinity pool (complete with hydro-massage jets) offers just that. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Chilean Patagonia landscape, perfect before slipping into a robe for a spa session.
The Setai, Miami Beach
Photo: The Setai, Miami Beach
The Setai is anything but an ordinary Miami
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Let me know if you’d like any refinements!Escape to a beachfront paradise where luxury and relaxation take center stage. This resort is all about indulgence, from the stunning suites to the blissful spa treatments. The pools are a highlight, designed to face east and west for breathtaking sunrise and sunset views. With three infinity pools, each set at a different temperature, there’s a perfect spot for everyone.
Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé
Steeped in history and charm, the pool at Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé in the Loire Valley offers a peaceful retreat. Nestled in a lush garden, the circular pool sits beside an original 18th-century greenhouse and orangerie, adding to its timeless elegance.
Mwiba Lodge
Blending effortlessly into Tanzania’s wild beauty, Mwiba Lodge perches on massive boulders overlooking the Arugusinyai River. The pool offers a front-row seat to a natural spring where wildlife frequently gathers—so keep your eyes open for unforgettable sightings.