It’s no secret that we are both total water babies and so our travels generally never take us too far from water whether it be the sea, lake, river or a hotel with an amazing pool. When we travel we tend to book hotels with a swimming pool as there’s nothing better than coming home after a big day of exploring a new destination and diving into the refreshing water of your hotel pool. We’ve rounded up 20 of our favourite hotel pools from our travels (with a few hot tubs thrown in the mix) which span Europe, the UK, the US, Africa and Australia.
1. Riad Noga, Marrakech
Set centrally inside the bustling medina of Marrakesh is the hidden gem that is Riad Noga. We visited Marrakech in the middle of summer a few years ago and couldn’t have chosen a better place to stay to enjoy everything Marrakech had to offer. We were located inside the Medina and after hours of exploring the souks and bazaars (and getting lost) returning to the huge, sparkling pool that was a perfect 24 degrees was an absolute saviour!
2. Nostos Apartments, Santorini
On our recent visit to Santorini we stayed at Nostos Apartments in Oia, which was one of the most magical and romantic hotels we’ve ever experienced. The hotel had a beautiful pool which overlooked the caldera, the volcano and the beautiful white cliffside buildings of Oia. Again, we visited Santorini during the middle of summer and the pool was an absolute saviour during those long, hot days!
3. Hotel Belvedere, Grindelwald
It had been a long time dream of mine to be able to experience an outdoor pool or spa in the snow and for our anniversary last year we visited Switzerland where I was finally able to tick this item off my bucket list! We were staying in the picture perfect alpine village of Grindelwald at Hotel Belvedere and we were lucky enough to arrive for the first heavy snowfall of the season! It literally bucketed snow all weekend and there honestly is no better feeling than sitting in a toasty jacuzzi in the middle of a blizzard with just your favourite person in the world next to you! It was truly magical and an experience I’ll never forget.
Ahhhh writing this makes me want to get on a plane and go back right this minute!
4. The Marmara, Bodrum
Bodrum was the final destination on our land tour leg of our travels around Turkey earlier this year. We were staying at the gorgeous Marmara Bodrum which overlooks the city of Bodrum and has the most magnificent view of the whole region. Turkey was HOT and Bodrum was by far the hottest place we visited, with temperatures barely dropping below 40 degrees during our stay. We were so thankful for the beautiful pools at the hotel, with a half-sized Olympic pool as well as our favourite one which offered breathtaking views over the city!
5. Grand Hotel Toplice, Lake Bled
Grand Hotel Toplice is without a doubt the most luxurious and elegant hotel in Bled and has the most incredible views of stunning Lake Bled. Grand Hotel Toplice has a lovely wellness centre, the Luisa Studio which offers a range of baths, massages and saunas. The centre also features some thermal baths and a thermal water spring, where guests can drink the thermal water. The water temperature in the Luisa Wellness Studio pool is 22 °C and the mineral water is beneficial for your health so we made sure to take a dip each day after we’d finished in the saunas (all in the name of good health of course)!
6. Maison La Minervetta, Sorrento
Our love for Maison La Minervetta began in 2014 during our first visit to the Amalfi Coast. Set high on the cliffs overlooking Sorrento, the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius, Maison La Minervetta oozes understated luxury with its unique, stunning decor and the best views of the whole region. Maison La Minervetta is not just a stunning boutique hotel, it is a luxury experience that you will never forget. We were lucky enough to return recently and again, this gorgeous hotel left us lost for words as we rediscovered the reasons why we fell in love with it in the first place. Minervetta has a beautiful swimming pool that is built into the cliffs which is an incredible place to swim, relax and admire the breathtaking views.
7. Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
Mandalay Bay offers the best of both worlds in Vegas, with its strip location and also island resort feel. The hotel has world class pools that have been voted by TripAdvisor as one of the best pools in the US! There is something for everyone with a 11 acre tropical sand and surf beach, a wave pool and a lazy river as well as a beach side casino and bikini bar!
8. Tharroe of Mykonos, Mykonos
Tharroe of Mykonos is a luxurious, five star boutique hotel that has breathtaking views overlooking Mykonos Town, the Aegean Sea, the iconic Windmills and neighbouring islands. We loved the fantastic pool and jacuzzi on its terrace as well as a pool bar! The location of the hotel, on top of a hill and surrounded by stunning scenery means it is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy discreet elegance, charm and privacy! We loved relaxing by the pool, enjoying the sunshine and views away from all of the crowds.
9. Cotton House Hotel, Barcelona
One of our favourite places in the beautiful Cotton House Hotel in Barcelona was the beautiful rooftop which also had an outdoor lap pool that boasted the most magnificent city views. The views from the roof stretch across the city to the mountains and we could even see the incredible Sagrada Familia in the background! We spent many hours a day relaxing on the sunbeds by the pool soaking up the sunshine and views.
10. Q1 Resort & Spa, Gold Coast
During our stay at the luxurious Q1 Resort & Spa on the Gold Coast we made full use of all the facilities in the resort which included two large outdoor lagoon pools surrounded by beautiful landscaping and an indoor heated lap pool with spa and sauna.
11. Old School 11: Fort Augustus
During our visit to Loch Ness we stayed in a luxury holiday apartment which was located in the Highland Club at the Fort Augustus Abbey. The Highland Club is located on the shores of Loch Ness and boasts 20 acres of beautiful gardens and unparalleled views of the famous loch. The gorgeous “Category A” listed historical building holds an incredible history as a Abbey where generations of St Benedictine Monks lived and worshipped for many, many years. The Abbey has since been respectfully renovated and converted into luxury holiday apartments. Swimming in Loch Ness had been on my bucket list and despite it being the middle of winter we still took a very freezing dip! We were so grateful for the heated swimming pool and sauna in the Highland Club which we made full use of to warm up and relax.
12. Mezzatorre Resort & Spa, Ischia
Mezzatorre Resort & Spa is a five star hotel located in Forio d’ Ischia, surrounded by seven hectares of pinewood and perched on the cliffs overlooking it’s own private bay and is truly a piece of paradise. We fell in love with Mezzatorre when we visited in 2014 at the end of the summer season and jumped at the opportunity to return to this hotel. The hotel boasts its own private thermal source, an extensive spa, three indoor pools, an outdoor seawater pool and its own private beach. A visit to Mezzatorre is good for the mind, body and soul and we left feeling relaxed and rejuvenated after our return to one of our favourite places in the world.
13. Astir of Paros, Paros
Astir of Paros, on the beautiful Greek island of Paros is located among gorgeous tropical gardens with excellent facilities available for all guests at the hotel. We particularly loved the beautiful hydro massage swimming pool which was located next to the hotel’s private beach. The enormous swimming pool is surrounded by tropical palm trees and a sundeck, fully equipped pool bar and sun lounges with gorgeous views over the sandy beach and magnificent Kolymbithres beach and bay with its sparkling blue waters.
14. Garden Village, Lake Bled
In addition to our stay at Grand Hotel Toplice in Lake Bled, we were also lucky enough to stay at Garden Village in one of their incredible Glamping Tents! Without a doubt one of the highlights of our stay at Garden Village was our private wood-fired hot tub in our private garden. Throughout the day the hot tub was tended to by the staff at Garden Village and of an evening there was plenty of wood to keep it nice & hot! We spent hours relaxing in our hot tub each afternoon and night after full days exploring beautiful Lake Bled and its surrounding regions.
15. Assos Alarga, Turkey
After visiting the very famous, ancient site of Troy, we booked ourselves into an incredible boutique hotel, Assos Alarga which is situated at the foot of the famous Athena Temple in Assos. Assos Alarga is an exclusive, charming, intimate and luxurious hotel which was only a few minutes walk to the ancient site and offered stunning panoramic views of the whole region. We loved the beautiful hotel grounds which were tranquil and relaxing and offered guests a beautiful garden and swimming pool to relax and enjoy. Again, Turkey was incredibly hot during our visit and we felt so revitalised after a dip in the beautiful infinity pool.
16. Villa Monte, Moncarapacho
Vila Monte Farm House is one of the most unique and beautiful places we’ve had the pleasure in visiting during our travels. Its beautiful location in the countryside between the Algarve mountain range and the ocean which is only 10 minutes away, allows guests to experience all the region truly has to offer. Vila Monte Farm House is a enchanting combination of timeless simplicity, stylish boho-chic lifestyle, a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere and as they describe “the perfect re-interpretation of the Algarve Spirit”. The facilities at Vila Monte Farm House are exceptional and we particularly loved the two swimming pools, one which was adults only!
17. La Maison Arabe, Marrakech
La Maison Arabe was our final hotel on our visit to Morocco and it was truly one of the most impressive. It is the only Riad and Hotel in Marrakech to offer it’s guests the choice of swimming pools. The swimming pool at La Maison Arabe is enormous, crystal clear and even heated in winter (just another way that La Maison Arabe truly has thought of absolutely everything)! You also have the choice of a second swimming pool at the hotels luxurious, private Country retreat, located only a 15 minute shuttle from the hotels medina location. The private country retreat is absolutely gorgeous featuring organic herb gardens (used in the hotels restaurant and cooking classes), tranquil grounds, a beautiful Casbah and stunning swimming pool for use by all guests of La Maison Arabe.
18. Hotel Splendid, Budva.
Hotel Splendid is located in the charming town of Becici in Montenegro only 3 kilometres from Budva. The hotel was opened in 2006 and became the first Five Star hotel on the Eastern Coast of the Adriatic Sea and has an amazing sea front location and its own private beach. The beachfront resort boasts some of the best five star hotel facilities in all of Montenegro, especially their beautiful outdoor pool area that offers guests three beautiful pools with spas, waterfalls and jets. The pools are located among beautifully landscapes gardens and are an oasis of relaxation!
19. Neptune Hotel & Spa, Kos
Neptune hotel on Kos is blessed to be surrounded by untouched natural beauty with an endless white sandy beach on the Aegean Coast with the islands of Kálymnos and Psérimos on the horizon. The hotel also has more pools than any other resort we’ve stayed in during our travels and we were very impressed! There is the Residence Pool, Palace Pool, Village Pool with sea view, Olympic Pool, heated Indoor Pool, Water-treading pool and a Mini Water Land for kids! Your toughest decision on your holiday will be choosing a pool to swim in!
20. Casa Angelina, Praiano
The sleek and stylish Casa Angelina Lifestyle Hotel, perched on the cliffs of quiet, lovely Praiano is situated between the popular Amalfi Coast towns of Positano and Amalfi. The hotel is a contemporary hotel with amenities and services to match. The hotel has an indoor heated pool as well as an outdoor pool, which although is one of the smaller pools from our travels had the most magnificent views across the sea to Positano.
