For many of us, the hotel swimming pool plays a big part in any holiday itinerary. From afternoons splashing around with the kids, to romantic couples cuddling up on sun loungers, the aquatic activities hotels offer can be the deciding factor when choosing a luxury hotel.
When it comes to luxury poolside experiences, these seven resorts take it above and beyond the standard for luxury seeking travelers.
Grace Santorini – Best for sunsets
The hotel’s complete transformation in May 2016 provides guests with a significantly enhanced experience, whilst retaining the intimacy it has become synonymous with. Innovative design, a new champagne lounge, an extensively expanded cuisine experience, and a holistic approach for enhanced luxury wellness, will elevate Grace Santorini as one of the world’s top luxury boutique hotels.
The Peninsula Beverly Hills – Best for poolside dining
The Peninsula Beverly Hills resembles a gracious private residence tucked amid lush gardens in a quiet corner of the city. Surrounded by panoramic views of the Los Angeles skyline, The Peninsula Beverly Hills’ 60-foot outdoor rooftop pool and Jacuzzi is a hot spot for hotel guests to relax and cool down.
The spacious and well-stocked cabanas come complete with a flat-screen TV, DVD player, iPod dock, fresh flowers and a ceiling fan.
The Roof Garden, adjacent to the rooftop pool, offers alfresco dining and accommodates 40 guests. With a charming bar, fire pit and private dining alcove, The Roof Garden menu features locally sourced ingredients of the highest quality – some of them harvested from the hotel’s rooftop garden.
Montage Beverly Hills – Best for poolside cabanas
Guests of Montage Beverly Hills have access to the rooftop retreat, complete with a saline swimming pool and whirlpool. Private poolside cabanas, The Rooftop Bar & Grill and lush landscaping are set against the backdrop of panoramic views of the Beverly Hills cityscape and the Hollywood hills. The Rooftop Grill serves fresh California cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere that perfectly complements an afternoon by the pool.
Meanwhile, down at Spa Montage, guests can relax beside a mosaic-tiled mineral pool following an indulgent pamper — great for couples and groups of friends.
SIXTY Beverly Hills – Best for late night dip
A serene outpost at the foot of the Hollywood hills, this modern Beverly Hills hotel blends upscale comfort with custom-made furniture and chic design elements. The cinematic rooftop pool, lounge and bar, Above SIXTY Beverly Hills, offers stunning panoramic views of the hills and canyons, with downtown Los Angeles lights flickering in the background. There is a pool studded with Swarovski crystals, six private cabanas with plush seating, a fireplace and a cocktail bar that is the place to see and be seen.
Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills – Best for poolside tranquillity
The iconic all-suite, five-star Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, unveiled the re-design of its stunning 117 suites, public areas and restaurant, in early 2016.
Formerly Amrita Spa Beverly Hills, The Spa at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills offers a true sense of renewal in a setting that is private, nurturing and supported by a team of highly skilled therapists. The spa provides relaxation and rejuvenation through a wide selection of services and facilities, including an outdoor heated swimming pool, private poolside cabanas, treatment rooms, steam rooms and a fitness centre.
The BodyHoliday – Best for poolside Yoga
Located on the north west of the Caribbean island of St Lucia, leading health and wellness resort the BodyHoliday’s infinity pool overlooks the beautiful tropical sea.
The all-inclusive resort is known for its unique approach to health, fitness and wellbeing. In 2016, the property is partnering with Olympic open-water swimmer Keri-Anne Payne to offer its guests an advanced swimming course – SwimFit – ahead of the inaugural One Mile Open Water Swim, taking place at the resort on 12 November 2016.
London Marriot Hotel Park Lane – Best (and only) hotel pool on Park Lane
London Marriott Hotel Park Lane has transformed The Club, a 342 square metre health and wellbeing space which includes the only hotel pool on Park Lane. The work by RPW Design marks the final stage of the extensive renovation of the interiors of hotel. Set in the heart of Mayfair, the new layout of The Club completed in May 2016 and includes a brand new Treatment Room, a refurbished steam room, fitness space, reception area and changing rooms.
