The World’s Best Swimming Pools
Perhaps it’s because I’m a Pisces, or because I just really bloody love a good swimming pool. There’s something about them that just looks so appealing and calming. My building’s outdoor swimming pool even helped sway me to sign up for the apartment, because what’s better than an inviting swimming pool in the summer? I also have a Pinterest board dedicated to beautiful swimming pools. Based on all of this, I thought I’d pull together a list of the world’s best swimming pools. Maybe I’ll make my way to all of them at some point in my life. I certainly hope so, anyway.
Infinity Pool at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
The impressive Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore boasts the world’s largest rooftop pool. I, for one, am desperate to get into it! From the pool, you’re able to see across the whole city from 57 levels high. Besides being glued to the phenomenal views, there are dozens of luxurious loungers. You can take a dip while grazing on tasty appetizers and clutching a cold drink. One thing to note is that you have to be a guest of the hotel in order to use the pool.
Bondi Icebergs Pool, Sydney
Open to the public all year round, Bondi Baths are an icon of Sydney’s glorious Bondi Beach and have been for well over 100 years. Here, you’ll find a large lap pool, and a smaller pool for kids. Both pools are open early until late, except on Thursdays. The views from the pool are phenomenal, stretching across Bondi Beach and beyond. A sauna is also included in the entry fee of $8 per person.
Kitsilano Pool, Vancouver
Known as Vancouver’s only saltwater pool and North America’s longest saltwater pool, it’s also one of the world’s best swimming pools in my opinion. Having undergone recent renovation, it’s also better than ever for the 2019 summer season. While swimming in the chic neighbourhood of Kitsilano (or simply ‘Kits’), you’ll have beautiful views across the beach, city, and snow capped mountains.
Red Pool, Library Resort, Koh Samui
Firstly, this spectacular red swimming pool has created quite a buzz in the Thai hotel industry. It’s a huge contrast to the natural beauty of Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui, on which the is sat. The pool gets its colour from the yellow, orange, and red tiles for quite an opulent and stunning effect. The exotic bursts of red also extend into the rest of the Library Resort’s minimalist decor.
Riad Yasmine Pool, Morocco
It’s pretty likely that you’ve seen the lavishly tiled pool of the Riad Yasmine on Instagram at least once or twice, and rightly so. Created to be a relaxing environment, with striped mattresses next to it, it’s an exceptionally beautiful pool. The boutique hotel is elegantly Moorish in design, and the central courtyard with the pool is the main focus.
Cave Pools, Dana Villas, Santorini
Dana Villas & Suites on the Greek island of Santorini boasts some of the world’s best swimming pools. Their luxurious Honeymoon Suites have an indoor cave plunge pool that leads into heated outdoor plunge pool jacuzzis. As they’re located in the highest part of the hotel, guests can enjoy stunning views across the bay, iconic island, and also those remarkable Santorini sunsets, all from the swimming pool. It doesn’t get much better than that really, does it?
Hanging Gardens Pool, Bali
The beautiful, luxurious resort of the Hanging Gardens of Bali is located in the middle of the jungle, with one of the world’s best swimming pools. It offers remarkable views across the rain forests and rice terraces. With some wonderful architecture, the pool itself hangs over the rainforest, so it feels as though you’re swimming among the treetops. The pool also has two tiers which cascade, and it has won a number of ‘World’s Best Swimming Pool’ titles by various travel and architecture titles.
Banff Upper Hot Springs, Alberta
Located deep in the magnificent Canadian Rockies in Alberta, the Upper Hot Springs must be visited if you’re in Banff. The pool has unique hot mineral water and is open all year round to visitors. At 1,585 meters above sea level, the Banff Upper Hot Springs is also the highest in Canada. It’s such a treat to take a dip when it’s in the minus temperatures outside, and you can enjoy the snowy Rocky Mountain views from the hot pool.
Rooftop Pool, 1 Hotel South Beach, Miami
It doesn’t really get much more glamorous than Miami, and 1 Hotel South Beach‘s rooftop pool is the epitome of glamour. 18 storeys high, the 30,000 square feet rooftop pool offers beautiful views of Miami’s iconic South Beach. Enjoy the adults-only vibe, relax in a poolside cabana, or simply enjoy Miami’s only oceanfront hotel with a rooftop pool.
Infinity Pool, Miramar Hotel, Rio de Janeiro
It’s no secret that Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro has one of the most recognizable beaches in the world. The Miramar Hotel by Windsor on Copacabana Beach has undoubtedly one of the world’s best swimming pools. An infinity pool that blends the sea with the sky, it also has one of the best views. Architects gave the pool a granite bottom so that it appears just like the ocean beside it. Swim while looking out at the iconic beach, Sugarloaf Mountain, and beyond. At 16 storeys high and complete with a poolside bar, the sunset views across the beach are simply unforgettable.
Laucala Island Resort Pool, Fiji
The luxurious resort of Laucala Island in tropical Fiji has one of the most desirable pools I’ve ever seen. Despite each and every villa on the resort having its own private infinity pool, this wasn’t enough. Oh no. Say hello to the 2,000 square metre lagoon pool in the middle of the resort. It overlooks a beautiful beach and is also surrounded by palm trees in every direction. The most impressive part of the beach in my eyes is the 25 metre glass cube which is designed for lap swimming. You’ll also find artificial tropical islands for exploring and relaxing, as well as a beautiful swim-up pool bar.
Infinity Pool, Four Seasons Serengheti, Tanzania
This beautiful hotel from the luxurious Four Seasons has an amazing infinity pool overlooking a Tanzanian watering hole. Guests can enjoy a swim with a view over the Serengeti plains, with elephants and giraffes coming to drink from the nearby pool. It’s undoubtedly one of the world’s best swimming pools thanks to this uniquely wild and wonderful view. There are also sunbeds and bar service, with drinks being served from sunrise to sunset. Sip, swim, and watch the sunrise.
Rooftop Pool, Joule Hotel, Dallas
The luxurious Joule Hotel in downtown Dallas features a glorious swimming pool. It’s unique in that for eight feet, it’s a cantilevered pool that gives swimmers the feeling of swimming out beyond the hotel’s edge. From the pool, you can enjoy the incredible views of downtown Dallas and also Main Street below. It’s fully heated, and open to hotel guests from 10am to 10pm.
Villa d’Este Pool, Lake Como
Villa d’Este boasts not one, not two, but three heated swimming pools in its gorgeous Italian setting. Most impressive, however, is the floating swimming pool on Lake Como. With an avant-garde design, it’s been around for more than thirty years and well and truly makes the most of the incredible landscape. It’s located in front of the villa, and contains an amazing 45,000 litres of water. With an attached jacuzzi, there’s no better way to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Lake Como and beyond.
Which of these pools appeals the most to you? Where do you consider the world’s best swimming pools?
