Image courtesy of Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection
Some vacations are best packed with sightseeing and museums, tours and intricate itineraries. And sometimes, you just want to lounge by a pool. Luckily, there are several hotels around the world with pools that justify the entire trip.
Read on for a few of my favorite hotel swimming pools. Then, reach out to plan and book pool-equipped getaway today.
The Setai, Miami Beach
Images courtesy of The Setai, Miami Beach
The Setai, Miami Beach, offers the utmost luxury, replete with on-site gallery shopping, gourmet culinary experiences, a spa and award-winning accommodations. (The hotel boasts two Michelin Keys.) While the hotel does offer its own private stretch of beach, sometimes you want a pool.
The hotel's swimming pool is surrounded by palm trees and sleek white day beds. Each of the hotel’s pools is temperature-controlled: The family-friendly pool stays at 90 degrees, the lounge pool is set to 85 degrees and the lap pool is set at 75 degrees. Plus, all three infinity pools are oriented from east to west, so swimmers have the best views of sunrise and sunset. After taking a dip, head to the courtyard, where you’ll find a serenity pond surrounded by pergolas perfect for lounging, meditating or sipping a cocktail.
Fora Perks:
$100 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel Christopher
Image courtesy of Hotel Christopher
This five-star boutique hotel in St. Barth's features 42 rooms with an elegant, modern design and views of the Caribbean Sea. After check-in, drop your bags and head to the infinity pool, which is the arguably the hotel's true show-stopper. The gigantic outdoor pool is flanked by palm trees and sits on the water’s edge. There's a man-made island in the center, complete with day beds and palm trees: the perfect sunbathing spot. Hotel Christopher's pool resembles a tropical lagoon more than a swimming pool. To really make the most of it, book one of the poolside villas in advance.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Passalacqua
Image courtesy of Passalacqua
Passalacqua, a luxe palazzo on the shores of Lake Como, is magical. The owner, Valentina De Santis, and her family have invested so much love into the property, populating it with beloved artifacts and décor they've accumulated over their travels.
The swimming pool reflects the hotel's chic, quintessentially Italian aesthetic. It overlooks Lake Como, and is surrounded by green-and-white umbrellas that recall Italian 50s and 60s glamor. Passalacqua's expansive gardens are themselves works of art, and the pool is the perfect place from which to enjoy the natural, beautifully manicured surroundings.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out wherever possible.
The Beverly Hills Hotel
Image courtesy of The Beverly Hills Hotel
The legendary Beverly Hills Hotel captures 1950s Hollywood glamor, which is no surprise, considering that it has hosted some of the country's biggest stars (Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck, Katherine Hepburn, et. al.).
The hotel pool dates back to 1938. It originally opened as the Sand and Beach Pool Club, which had actual sand to make the swimming pool look and feel like a beach. Today, the sand is gone, but it continues to be a Hollywood favorite. Reserve one of the striped sun chairs, order a cocktail and soak up the classic LA vibes.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily & an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Canaves Oia Suites
Image courtesy of Canaves Oia Suites
Each intimate room at this tastefully minimalist Santorini hotel feels blissfully private. Whitewashed terraces come with plunge pools overlooking the Aegean.
To really go all out, request the Executive Suite with Cave Pool, a sprawling white-and-blue retreat with a freestanding bath tub, spacious living area, veranda with day beds and, of course, a private pool in a cavernous space with unbeatable sea views.
Fora Perks:
$100 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Aman New York
Image courtesy of Aman New York
The exclusive Aman New York boasts a 65-foot indoor pool. Aman as a whole excels at wellness, and their NYC location's swimming pool reflects the hotel's zen vibe. Expect fire pits, day beds and soft lighting.
Only guests can access the tranquil space; it's the perfect retreat after a day absorbing the city's energy. Afterward, opt for a holistic spa treatment. Their treatments incorporate both the latest science and ancient healing practices.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection
Image courtesy of Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection
There are a couple different pools at this tropical oasis, perched in Costa Rica's Talamanca Mountains. The main infinity-edged pool overlooks the resort's jungly expanse. It's also right next to the main restaurant, which serves farm-to-table, hyperlocal food (get the blue-corn tortillas). And in the even it rains, retreat to the pool's neighboring hot tub.
There's also a family-friendly pool, plus a riverside reservoir where you can partake in the healing, aura-cleansing riverbath experience (a must). You'll be energetically cleansed and scrubbed down with coffee grounds before jumping in the river. From there, you'll warm up in the reservoir while enjoying pure hot cacao and healthy homemade snacks.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Regent Hong Kong
Image courtesy of Regent Hong Kong
The Regent Hong Kong is elevated and sophisticated: clean lines, muted tones, symmetry, towering glass windows. The hotel's expertly curated art collection highlights both local and international artists, and its location, right on Victoria Harbor, is prime for an amazing swimming pool. Reserve at least one evening for a nighttime plunge, when you'll have the best view of the glittering skyline. After you swim, you won't have to travel far to refuel; the hotel has a slate of incredible restaurants, including a Nobu.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, welcome amenities, breakfast daily & late check-out whenever possible.