Here are the top 10 most spectacular pools at some of the world’s most well known luxury resorts; some designed by famed architects and designers too. So, if you’re looking forward to a relaxing poolside break, complete with romantic moods and scenic views, these are the places you wouldn’t want to miss.
| Anantara Resort, Golden Triangle
Overlooking the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, the Anantara Resort stood tall in the heart of the Golden Triangle. The structure draws its strength from the rich cultural traditions, historic heritage and natural beauty of its surrounding; creating an atmosphere of freedom and harmony that goes along with its name—without end, in Sanskrit. |
Pelican Hill, Newport Harbour
Built by Donald Bren, chairman of the Irvine Company, the Pelican Hill is a Meditteranean-style resort, located in California’s Newport Coast—also dubbed as the American Riviera. The clubhouse pool of the resort is probably has one of the best view a pool can have, taking in not only the lower terraces and golf courses of the hotel but the whole of Newport Harbor. Lining the pool are 300,000 hand-cut blue glass tiles.
Esperanza, Cabo San Lucas
Originally designed by Howard J. Backen in 2002, architect and designer Jim Rimelspach was later sought to renovated the compounds of the Esperanza, an Auberge resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; its infinite pool being one of the prominent features of the resort. The infinity pool, gazing out to the Sea of Cortes, is interrupted only by the swim-up bar.
Shanti Ananda Maurice, Mauritius
The beachfront hotel and spa in Mauritius is designed as a calm and holistic environment for all its visitors. The designer, Chandu Chhada collaborated with architect Jean-Marc Eynaud on the structure, while Bill Bensley landscaped the 32-acre project. The 3 swimming pools added to the desired effect—the quietness and calmness is in line with the spiritual atmosphere of the hotel and spa, as stated by Eynaud.
Intercontinental, Kowloon
In a city best known for having the best view of Hong Kong as a whole, the 340-square-foot infinity pool, located on the terrace of the hotel’s Presidential Suite, overlooks an impressive panorama of the city’s skyline across the Victoria Harbour. The pool is open to all visitors at the hotel, located on the third floor.
| Hotel Caruso Belvedere, Ravello
Hailed by French poet André Gide as “between the sky and the sea,” the infinity pool at the Hotel Caruso in Italy creates a horizon that seems to go on forever. The pool itself, located on the top floor of the hotel, perched about 1’000 feet above the famed Amalfi Coast—a scenic view that has captured the breath of even the famed, including Hollywood legend Greta Garbo and former First Lady Jackie Onassis. |
Four Seasons, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Unlike the others, this Four Seasons is the most spectacular during the time of winter. The 3 hot-spring-style outdoor whirlpools, filled with hot water, not only beautifully complements the winter wonderland, but also offers visitors a panoramic view of the Tetons as they soak themselves in the warm water, enjoying a warm drink or simple the scenery.
Observatory Hotel, Sydney
Talk about swimming under a starlit sky. A first glance at Sydney’s Observatory Hotel’s indoor swimming pool and you may not believe you’re actually indoors. The ceiling of the pool is design to mimic the vast starlit night sky of Australia, with fibre optic stars glittering upon deep blue; while the inner pool is finished using glass tiles from Mexico in 4 shades of aqua and blue.
La Mamounia, Marrakesh
Winston Churchill once called the hotel, located in Morocco, the most beautiful place in the world; now, restored to its former grandeur, the hotel now has a few newly-added features to its landscape, including an outdoor pool. Set amid La Mamounia’s fabled gardens, the pool is a tribute to the Menara basin, an oasis fit for royalty.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap
The Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor certainly reminds us of Cambodia’s long ago past—an age where the Khmer kings still ruled. Its main swimming pool is inspired, both in design and proportion, by the ancient bathing pools the temple of Phimeanakas in Angkor—a luxury privilege once only reserved for royalty. The pool is also the largest in the kingdom, being 114 feet long.
