8 Spectacular Hotel Pools

Let’s face it, swimming laps in a pool can be a bit boring. But not if you’re in a pool with a mesmerising view: think urban skylines, jungle environments and lots of wildlife. Take a dip in one of these spectacular choices we (would have loved to) have tried out for you.

1. INDONESIA – the mindful stroke

The trip from Ubud, Bali’s spiritual heart, to the nature-fringed compounds of the Hanging Gardens Resort is a trip into a sanctuary. All 38 villas and suites are located amid lush jungle and rice terraces, and so are all their private infinity pools. Taking a pre-breakfast plunge in your own secluded pool, where granite walls flow as organically as the surrounding paddies, means swimming while in the face of numerous shades of green. According to local beliefs, the adjacent bamboo forest restores emotional calm and stimulates creativity. Now, wouldn’t that be the perfect excuse to get wet?

2. SINGAPORE – larger than life

The Marina Bay Sands, a 2,561-room casino hotel, claims to have the world’s largest elevated infinity swimming pool. Given the fact that their rooftop pool is on the 57th floor and that the building is sandwiched between skyscrapers, gardens and the harbour front, a swim in this 150-metre-long pool comes with stunning views over both Singapore’s skyline and its waters.

3. CHINA – private nights

The views from the indoor infinity pool at the Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai at Pudong are unparalleled. Slip into the waters on the 41st floor and meet Shanghai’s skyline. The bubble-bath panorama stretches across three of the world’s tallest skyscrapers to the historic banking area at Huangpu riverside, the Bund, where the grand dames of the 1930s timelessly stand. Looking for an even more extraordinary experience? For a fee, the whole pool area can be exclusively yours at night.

4. HONG KONG – salutation to the sun

As do most of the rooms and suites, the pool terrace of the Intercontinental Hong Kong overlooks both Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. Scattered around the pool cabanas, lily ponds and waterfall, the infinity pools await you for a swim with a view. That dip is even more rewarding after taking part in one of the early morning tai chi or yoga classes that are offered on the teak-decked pool pavilion.

5. ZAMBIA – swim on the wild side

Somewhere in southern Zambia, on the riverbank of the Chongwe, sits the Chongwe River House. While it only has room for eight guests, afternoons along the riverside can get quite busy with Zambia’s wildlife, including visiting elephants, impala antelope and kudus alike. Watch them washing and drinking from the river just a few metres below, while you swim around your very own private pool.

6. MUSCAT – a cool dip

The Chedi in Muscat, Oman is spoilt with the region’s coolest swimming pools. While the broad Chedi Pool tempts with views over the Gulf of Oman, the palm-fringed Long Pool is famous for being the longest in the region. You can swim along its 103 metres or simply relax on the pool deck and while away the time with one of the hotel’s homemade gelatos.

7. ITALY – the italian job

Unfortunately, Lake Como in northern Italy isn’t the most suitable place to swim. So until recently, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, sitting on the shores of the lake, was spoilt with Alpine views but missed a decent swimming area. Which is why it added three gems of pools. The most eccentric one is named WOW, short for WaterOnWater. As its name suggests, this giant pool floats on Lake Como and gives the sensation of swimming in the lake.

8. INDIA – imperial swim

A stay at The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur’ will take you back to the era of the maharajas, a feeling that is supported by the fact that this palace-like hotelis located on a 200-year-old hunting. Private pools connect the elegant suites with the tranquil Lake Pichola that borders the compounds. And when the sun sets behind the jungle and the stars arise in the evening, flaming torches light up the sandstone columns of the domes and corridors that surround the main pool.

Source: KLM Inflight Magazine Holland Herald | Words by: Daan Vermeer