Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Travel Guides
  • Plan Your Trip
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Book Now
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022

      The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2022. Read More
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture + Design
    • Like a Local
    • Travel To
    • 50 Years of Travel + Leisure
  • Travel Guides

    Travel Guides

    See All Travel Guides
    • Mexico City
    • Maui
    • Charleston
    • Tulum
    • New York City
    • London
    • Paris
    • Iceland
    • Los Cabos
    • See More Travel Guides
  • Plan Your Trip

    Plan Your Trip

    Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew

    Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew

    Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to resume sailing out of the U.S. on or around July 4.
    • Travel Deals
    • Attractions
    • Travel + Leisure GO
    • Amusement Parks
    • Festivals + Events
    • Bus and Train Travel
    • Flight Deals
    • Budget Travel
    • Hotels + Resorts
    • Disney Vacations
    • Airlines + Airports
    • Ground Transportation
    • Get Outside
    • Wanderlust
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • See All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • A Spirited Occasion
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes
Book Now

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Culture + Design
  3. Architecture + Design
  4. World's Coolest Pools

World's Coolest Pools

By Jimmy Im and Marguerite A. Suozzi December 22, 2009
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Credit: Courtesy of Viceroy Miami
The pool that juts out from the 36-story InterContinental Dubai Festival City is an urban oasis, but not for the faint of heart. Look down, and you'll see through the glass bottom to the street far below.rnrnIn a city famous for pushing the boundaries of architecture, it's only fitting that pools are going to new heights. And it's not just Dubai: in cities across the globe, pools have evolved from background scene-setters to the main attraction. The 21st-century pool has blossomed to an imaginative work of art that flaunts a "wow" factor—be it a pool elevator, a whitewater slide, hidden grotto, or interactive aquarium.rnrnOf course, a buzz-worthy pool doesn't just happen overnight. "The interesting aspects of cool pools are in the choice and use of materials," says Cool Pools and Hot Tubs author Vinny Lee, "and its shape should complement the surroundings and landscape."rnrn"It's all too easy to design a pool that looks good, but to make strong and powerful connections to a place, a climate, a landscape, an atmosphere or a feeling—now that's cool because it's unrepeatable," says Marwan Al-Sayed, who developed the pool at the high-design Amangiri resort in the Utah desert, which is built around a natural stone outcropping, with his team, Wendell Burnette and Rick Joy.rnrnOther pools are more of a novelty attraction. Las Vegas's Golden Nugget Resort features a 50-by-30-foot aquarium stocked with fish and sharks in the middle of its pool; there's even a waterslide tube that runs through it. But not all cool pools are the headline amenities of hotels. At the Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, Australia, for example, guests can swim with 18-foot-long crocodiles (in the safety of an acrylic cage, of course), and in Brussels at the world's deepest recreational pool, it's the caves (some as deep as 108 feet) that lure water-lovers.rnrnEach of the world's coolest pools certainly has its own personality, impressing thousands of visitors and serving as tourist attractions in themselves. With more tricks and rides, live creatures and local materials, and soul and character, their cool factors are sure to inspire more than just a dip—they may just inspire a whole vacation.rnrn—Jimmy Imrnrn
Start Slideshow

1 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Joule, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dallas

World's Coolest Pools: the Joule, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Credit: Courtesy of The Joule Dallas

Why It's Cool: The property is in the midst of a $78 million renovation by Adam D. Tihany, but the showpiece may well be the 10th-floor pool: glass-edged and extended eight feet over downtown Dallas. starwood.com

—Marguerite A. Suozzi

1 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

James Royal Palm, Miami

World's Coolest Pools: James Royal Palm, Miami
Credit: Courtesy of James Royal Palm

Why It's Cool: This South Beach newcomer took over the classic Royal Palm and has an adults-only pool. Ogle the beach scene below with a Frozen Floridian rum cocktail in hand. jameshotels.com

—Marguerite A. Suozzi

2 of 20

3 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Siam, Bangkok

World's Coolest Pools: The Siam, Bangkok
Credit: Courtesy of The Siam

Why It's Cool: Overlooking the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the infinity pool is the ideal place to watch the autumn Loi Krathong festival, when the water goddess is honored with floating candlelit offerings. thesiamhotel.com

—Marguerite A. Suozzi

3 of 20

Advertisement

4 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Hôtel Le Bristol, Paris

"World's Coolest Pools: Hotel Le Bristol, Paris
Credit: Eric Deniset

Why It's Cool: Fronting the mansard roofs of the Champs-Élysées, the teak-and-glass-enclosed lap pool was a posh 1978 addition to the venerable hotel (and modeled after Aristotle Onassis’s yacht Christina). The property is still an A-list favorite—it even had a cameo in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. lebristolparis.com

—Marguerite A. Suozzi

4 of 20

5 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

InterContinental Dubai Festival City

World's Coolest Pools: InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Credit: Daniel Cheong

Why It's Cool: Cantilevered over the side of the 36-story, sail-shaped building, these waters are best taken at night, when the city’s ever-expanding skyline glitters against the dark desert sky. ichotelsgroup.com

—Marguerite A. Suozzi

5 of 20

6 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

San Alfonso Del Mar, Algarrobo, Chile

San Alfonso Del Mar Pool
Credit: Crystal Lagoons

Why It’s Cool: This Guinness World Record holder contains 66 million gallons of saltwater and covers approximately 20 acres, making it the largest pool on the planet. At 115 feet at its deepest point, the pool feels like a mini-ocean, complete with man-made beach.

Interesting Fact: Never mind swimming: kayaking is the most popular activity. Equipment rental fees apply. sanalfonso.cl

—Jimmy Im

6 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

“King’s Pond,” Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island, HI

World's Coolest Pools: Four Seasons Hualalai "King's Pond" Pool
Credit: Courtesy of Four Seaons Hualalai

Why It’s Cool: The resort’s 1.8-million-gallon rock “aquarium” pool is inspired by Hawaii’s traditional anchialine ponds, landlocked bodies of water with subterranean connections to the ocean. Natural springs and ocean water feed into this man-made version, where guests swim alongside over 75 species of tropical fish and a spotted eagle ray.

Interesting Fact: The pool is sculpted out of 200-year-old lava rock.

—Jimmy Im

7 of 20

8 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Tank, Las Vegas

World's Coolest Pools: The Tank
Credit: Courtesy of Golden Nugget

Why It’s Cool: This $30 million pool is the only one of its kind in the U.S.: you can swim with more than 200 different types of fish, including stingrays. Okay, not exactly swim with them. The pool surrounds a 50-by-30-foot, 200,000-gallon acrylic tank teeming with marine life, and a three-story enclosed waterslide tube shoots you through the tank in eight seconds flat.

Interesting Fact: The tank features over a dozen sharks, including blacktip, nurse, sand tiger, sandbar, and zebra sharks. goldennugget.com

—Jimmy Im

8 of 20

9 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale, AZ

World's Coolest Pools: Hotel Valley Ho
Credit: Isaac Bailey

Why It’s Cool: With its olive-and-martini-glass design and retro chaises, this quirky time warp of a pool is a nod to the swanky ’50s era, when Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe, Ingrid Bergman, Rock Hudson, and other celebrities frequented the hotel.

Interesting Fact: Stars continue to visit the property; Katy Perry and John Legend have performed poolside.

—Jimmy Im

9 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Grand Wailea Canyon Activity Pool, Maui, HI

Most Pinned Travel Photos: Grand Wailea Canyon Activity Pool, HI
Credit: Courtesy of Grand Wailea

Why It’s Cool: This 25,700-square-foot wet playground is a destination in itself. Nine free-form pools at six levels (from 40 feet to sea level) are connected by a “river” that carries swimmers along at varying speeds, from lazy river currents to whitewater rapids. Highlights include multiple slides, a sand beach, a swim up bar, and six waterfalls.

Interesting Fact: Going up? The pool is home to the world’s first water elevator—swimmers are lifted to the surface in a sealed chamber.

—Jimmy Im

10 of 20

11 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Amangiri, Lake Powell, UT

World's Coolest Pools: Amangiri Utah
Credit: Courtesy of Amanresorts

Why It’s Cool: Deep in the desert canyons of Utah, this luxe resort embraces the surrounding environment with a pool that’s ingeniously built around a large, natural rock formation. Swimmers can float around the main Pavilion while gazing at undulating layers of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Interesting Fact: The pool is detailed with a “negative edge,” so that when you’re swimming all you see is water, rock, reflections, and blue sky.

—Jimmy Im

11 of 20

12 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

W Fort Lauderdale

World's Coolest Pools: W Fort Lauderdale
Credit: Courtesy of Starwood Hotels

Why It’s Cool: Conceived by über-hip Clodagh, the pool features a stunning glass-encased centerpiece staircase. It stretches 28 feet into the middle, so swimmers can easily gawk at guests-and vice versa.

Interesting Fact: Visitors in the hotel's Living Room lounge can ogle bathing beauties through slits in the ceiling. starwoodhotels.com

—Jimmy Im

12 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Coral Gables Venetian Pool, Coral Gables, FL

World's Coolest Pools: Coral Gables Venetian Pool
Credit: Courtesy of Gables Recreation

Why It’s Cool: History is preserved at this 820,000-gallon man-made lagoon, carved from a coral rock quarry in 1923. The founding father of Coral Gables—George Merrick—envisioned the layout of the pool, which is surrounded by Venetian-style architecture and tropical foliage. Fed daily with springwater, it features two waterfalls, coral cave grottoes.

Interesting Fact: It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. coralgablesvenetianpool.com

—Jimmy Im

13 of 20

14 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Hayman Island Resort Pool Bar, Australia

World's Coolest Pools: Hayman Island Resort Pool Bar
Credit: Courtesy of Hayman

Why It’s Cool: Located just off the Great Barrier Reef and roughly the size of seven Olympic-size pools, the pool at this luxury island resort is one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. A saltwater main pool surrounds the central, heated freshwater pool (yes, a pool within a pool) and the Hayman Pool Bar.

Interesting Fact: The pool is so immense that the resort constructed four interconnecting boardwalk bridges (the longest being 165 feet) over the pool water’s surface.

—Jimmy Im

14 of 20

15 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Intercontinental Hong Kong

World's Coolest Pools: Intercontinental Hong Kong
Credit: Courtesy of Intercontinental Hong Kong

Why It’s Cool: Its underwater music is novel, but it’s the entire roof terrace complex that makes this pool unique. Not only does it have a beautiful teak deck with lily ponds and a poolside cafe, but there are three infinity spa pools (cool, medium, hot) with views of bustling Victoria Harbour.

Interesting Fact: Legendary tai chi master William Ng offers complimentary lessons poolside on the roof terrace for guests five mornings per week.

—Jimmy Im

15 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin, Australia

World's Coolest Pools: Crocosaurus Cove
Credit: Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images

Why It’s Cool: Crocodile lovers can get personal with the massive reptiles at this educational pool in Australia. An acrylic two-person cage (a.k.a. “the cage of death”) is lowered from an overhead monorail into a saltwater pool, where swimmers come face-to-face with 18-foot-long crocs—some of the largest down under. A glass wall bisects a croc-free section of the pool for those who want to engage from a distance.

Interesting Fact: Faint of heart? The complex also has a viewing pool (adjacent to the main pool) with 100 baby crocodiles.

—Jimmy Im

16 of 20

17 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Royal Caribbean “Oasis of the Seas,” Eastern and Western Caribbean

Royal Caribbean "Oasis of the Seas" Pool
Credit: Royal Caribbean International

Why It’s Cool: The largest cruise ship in the world (with a capacity of 6,360 guests and 2,394 staff) features the most tricked-out pool at sea. By day it serves as a swim and dive spot for scuba certification; at night, it’s the setting for aerial aquatic performances.

Interesting Fact: The pool’s retractable bottom, which includes three custom lifts, allows it to stretch as deep as 18 feet—an incredible feat of engineering at sea. oasisoftheseas.com

—Jimmy Im

17 of 20

18 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Nemo 33, Brussels

World's Coolest Pools: Nemo 33
Credit: Courtesy of Nemo 33

Why It’s Cool: At 108 feet deep, the world’s deepest recreational pool is one of the most popular diving facilities in the world, thanks to its playful and unconventional design. The pool features a cylindrical deep-dive pit, flat platforms at various depth levels (16 feet and 33 feet, respectively), and large windows for spectators.

Interesting Fact: The pool even has underwater caves for the divers. nemo33.com

—Jimmy Im

18 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Grace Hotel, New York City

World's Coolest Pools: Grace Hotel
Credit: Courtesy of Grace Hotel

Why It’s Cool: Home to some of the hottest parties and events in NYC’s Times Square, this indoor pool is conveniently connected to a 40-foot bar and comes equipped with mood lighting, stadium seating, and a projector to show movies. There’s a large coed steam and sauna near the DJ booth.

Interesting Fact: Celebrity pool sightings include Nelly Furtado, Michael Stipe, and Tyson Beckford. room-matehotels.com

—Jimmy Im

19 of 20

20 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Viceroy Pool at Icon Brickell, Miami

World's Coolest Pools: Viceroy Pool at Icon Brickell
Credit: Courtesy of Viceroy Miami

Why It’s Cool: Designed by Philippe Starck, the three pools at the swanky new Viceroy hotel are connected, making it the longest pool complex in the country. At 205 feet, the main pool is the longest in Florida, while the 80-person hot tub is the world’s largest. Quirky details include a reflection pool with submerged tables and chairs.

Interesting Fact: Designed to mirror the Miami River running through downtown Miami, the pool literally runs through the condo “metropolis” of Icon Brickell.

—Jimmy Im

20 of 20

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Jimmy Im and Marguerite A. Suozzi

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 20 The Joule, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dallas
    2 of 20 James Royal Palm, Miami
    3 of 20 The Siam, Bangkok
    4 of 20 Hôtel Le Bristol, Paris
    5 of 20 InterContinental Dubai Festival City
    6 of 20 San Alfonso Del Mar, Algarrobo, Chile
    7 of 20 “King’s Pond,” Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island, HI
    8 of 20 The Tank, Las Vegas
    9 of 20 Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale, AZ
    10 of 20 Grand Wailea Canyon Activity Pool, Maui, HI
    11 of 20 Amangiri, Lake Powell, UT
    12 of 20 W Fort Lauderdale
    13 of 20 Coral Gables Venetian Pool, Coral Gables, FL
    14 of 20 Hayman Island Resort Pool Bar, Australia
    15 of 20 Intercontinental Hong Kong
    16 of 20 Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin, Australia
    17 of 20 Royal Caribbean “Oasis of the Seas,” Eastern and Western Caribbean
    18 of 20 Nemo 33, Brussels
    19 of 20 Grace Hotel, New York City
    20 of 20 Viceroy Pool at Icon Brickell, Miami

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab
    • Travel + Leisure Wine this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    Sign Up
    MeredithTravel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Travel + Leisure. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

    View image

    World's Coolest Pools
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.