12 of the world’s most photogenic hotel pools

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.

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.

The Agora photographed by Natalia Chaban

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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