Sure, some of us love to get a few early morning laps in, but for most travellers, the hotel pool is a place to stretch out and sunbathe beside — in full holiday mode. Ice-cold drinks delivered to your poolside lounger or cabana throughout the day, and only having to move to follow the sun. The prettier the pool, the more likely you are to spend every waking (and dozing) hour there, so we’ve rounded up the best-looking boutique hotel pools which deserve your camera’s attention (as much as your chicest swimwear).
1. Phaea Blue, Greece
Hugging the rugged coastline of Crete, Phaea Blue is neatly sandwiched between the dinky fishing village of Plaka and elegant port of Elounda. The main pool enjoys sun-dappled shade from fragrant olive trees, while private pools in the Island Suites and three-bedroom villa gaze out across the Aegean Sea towards Spinalonga Island.
2. Reschio Hotel, Italy
Huddled amidst Umbria’s undulating landscape of green hills lined with cypress trees, Reschio Hotel is a one-thousand-year-old castle which has been meticulously restored and stylishly reimagined. The outdoor pool curves around the castle’s stone walls like a moat (a drawbridge wouldn’t look out of place) and is overlooked by Il Torrino, the estate’s original watchtower turned trendy pool bar.
3. Can Ferrereta, Mallorca
Time seems to move slowly at Can Ferrereta, a converted 17th century mansion in sleepy Santanyí, one of Mallorca’s least-discovered areas. Saunter down to the sun loungers lining the landscaped pool, then surrender yourself to total bliss during a salt-and-seaweed wrap in the Sa Calma spa – with a soul-soothing indoor pool. As the hotel’s most exclusive room, the Pool Suite comes with access to an expansive second terrace and its own pool inspired by Mallorcan lavoirs, known as safareigs.
4. Malliouhana Resort, Anguilla
An ice-white landmark on the evocatively named Turtle Cove, Malliouhana Resort stands within sea spray distance of the ocean. Anguilla’s award-winning grand dame is made for slow-paced days mostly spent horizontal by the infinity pool or cocooned in a private cabana. Citrus-yellow parasols add a pop of tropical colour to the otherwise dazzling blue views from the main pool, and each of the Sea, Sand, and Sky Villas are fronted by long, slender infinity pools which hang over the golden shoreline.
5. Namia River Retreat, Vietnam
Ranging along the banks of the Thu Bon River, each of the private pool villas at Namia River Retreat looks out across the river’s shimmering surface or luscious greenery of Nipa palm forest. Indoor-outdoor spaces encourage barefoot living, as you dip between your villa’s sunken tub and outdoor pool. As night falls, flickering lanterns reflect in the emerald waters.
6. The Agora Hotel, Cyprus
Perched on the southern slopes of Cyprus’ rugged Troödos Mountains, The Agora Hotel lies at the heart of UNESCO-listed Lefkara village. After hitting the surrounding trails on one of the hotel’s carbon road bikes, return for a cooling plunge in the saltwater pool and a well-deserved afternoon spent lounging on candy-striped seating beneath retro fringed parasols.
7. Viceroy Bali, Indonesia
Wake to the early morning mists gently lifting from the hillside at Viceroy Bali, a collection of gravity defying, thatched villas set on the edge of a steep ravine, overlooking the Petanu River gorge in Bali’s mountain foothills. Unwind by your private villa pool overlooking the rich tropical landscape with glimpses of monkeys leaping through the hillside trees and exotic jungle noises in the air, after starting the day with a floating breakfast of locally sourced produce.
8. MUSE Saint-Tropez, France
With its creamy, cooling interiors and fragrant Mediterranean gardens, MUSE Saint-Tropez effortlessly captures the essence of Côte d’Azur glamour. As most of the suites feature their own plunge pools (along with a complimentary beach bag) you’re truly spoilt for choice. Bask beside the Prestige Suite’s plunge pool with a glass of local rosé in hand (straight from the suite’s own wine cellar). To make the most of the gardens, opt for the Romy Suite — with its own patch of pine tree-lined paradise, this oasis enjoys the sunshine with just the right amount of shade. The main hotel pool is fringed by white-curtained cabanas, where you can even dip your toes in the water from your luxury lounger.
9. The Plymouth South Beach, Miami
This four-storey Miami Beach hotel is an apricot-coloured Art Deco icon with a contemporary twist. Think metro-tiled bathrooms, vintage-inspired Restoration Hardware furnishings and a dash of golden-age Gatsby glamour. Many rooms at The Plymouth South Beach are also primed with glittering pool views, so you can soak up a South Beach sunrise over the deliciously pastel peach-and-cream parasols while still cocooned in luxury bed sheets.
10. Praia do Canal Nature Retreat, Portugal
Tucked away in Costa Vicentina Natural Park, sand-coloured buildings blend in with the sun-bleached surroundings at Praia do Canal Nature Retreat. Fiery-red loungers and in-water seats are thoughtfully angled along the main pool for guests to lap up the valley views which stretch all the way to Portugal’s south-west coast. Views from the glass-fronted spa pool are equally impressive, and there’s an additional marbled plunge pool sitting atop the Sky Terrace Signature Suite.
11. Xanadu Luxury Villas & Retreat, Tanzania
Just steps from the Indian Ocean, Xanadu Luxury Villas & Retreat draws inspiration from the Spice Isle’s shoreline. Each villa pokes through the jungle foliage, and is a gently curved oasis dressed in shell-white, sheltering private pools behind orchid-petal walls. The choice of where to swim is yours at Villa Nyota (which takes its name from ‘stars’ in Swahili), as its dome is topped by a rooftop pool and fronted by a full-size pool below.
12. Hotel Three Sixty, Costa Rica
The luxury villas of Hotel Three Sixty soar 300 metres above the Pacific Ocean, which means the surrounding mist-shrouded hills and rainforest canopy feel within touching distance from your private terrace. The panoramic infinity pool curves around the edge of the hotel, which is just a few barefoot steps from the 360 Bar and KuaKua Restaurant (translating as ‘butterfly’ in the local Boruca Indian language) where you’ll be treated to 60-mile views as you sip your sundowners.
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