Swimming is fun. Swimming in a pool that ranks among the most beautiful things you've ever seen ... that's unforgettable.
Whether you want the tropical environs of Bali or a gold-plated pool in the Himalayas, there are swimming pools out there that are destinations in their own right.
Alila Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
This spectacular cliff-top infinity pool appears to float in space. The scary-looking cage at the end is actually a user-friendly cabana designed for gazing out over the horizon in comfort.
Wonder why the water is empty? Lovely as this 50-meter beauty is, guests are probably using one of the private pools that come with each of the 84 villas.
Ubud Hanging Gardens Resort, Bali
These are the Ubud Hanging Gardens, a luxury resort set in the middle of a land of volcanoes, forests, and rice terraces, in the heart of Bali. The resort and its hanging pool are perched on a gorge, gazing out at a temple on the opposite cliff.
Nemo 33, Belgium
This is the deepest pool in the world, the Nemo 33. It goes all the way down to 115 feet at the bottom of its central water hole. It's used for scuba diving courses. I want to use it for an afternoon splash. Photo by Eric Burger
Marina Bay Sands Skypark, Singapore
Marina Bay Sands Skypark, Singapore
This infinity pool is located 55 stories up the Marina Bay Sands Skypark, right on the top of this insane hotel that cost $6 billion to build. Photo by Daryl Chia.
Joule Hotel, Dallas
This used to be the Dallas National Bank Building, in Dallas, Texas, until someone bought it and turned it into the Joule Hotel. The people who did the conversion thought it would be cool to extrude a pool out of one of its balconies. I agree. Photo by Diorama Sky.
Main Pool at Seagaia Ocean Dome, Japan
Located in Miyazaki, Japan, the Seagaia Ocean Dome measures 984 feet (300 meters) by 328 feet (100 meters). The dome has the largest retractable roof in the world, which also provides a simulated blue sky even when it's raining cats and dogs outside. Photo by Max Smith.
The Neptune Pool – Hearst Castle, California
The pool, located at Hearst Castle, was originally constructed in 1920s for William Randolph Hearst and features very elaborate details to where you almost don’t want to use it for swimming in fear that you’re mess something up.
Paradise Island Paradise Lagoon – The Atlantis Resort, Bahamas
Paradise Lagoon, which boasts a 7-acre saltwater lagoon for snorkeling with thousands of tropical fish is a very big tourist attraction for the hotel.
Blood Red Pool – The Library Hotel, Koh Samui
The boutique hotel is known for its blood-red pool, the tall trees that seem to grow in, around and through the building, but it’s the pool that’s really interesting.
Hanging Pool – Hotel Joule, Dallas
This twisting swimming pool projects eigh- feet over the sidewalk, at the edge of the 10th floor of the Joule Hotel in Dallas.
The Icebergs – Sydney, Australia
The ocean’s waves often break over the side of the Icebergs swimming pool located in the corner of the famed Bondi Beach.
The Gellert Swimming Pool – Budapest, Hungary
Gellert Baths and Swimming Pool complex looks more like a cathedral than a pool.
The Badeschiff – Berlin, Germany
Badeschiff or “bathing ship” is the most unusual swimming pool in Berlin since it’s made from an old cargo container, where during the summer it’s an outdoor pool with the beach, bar and DJs. In the winter the whole thing is covered.
Nemo 33 – Belgium, Germany
Infinity Pool – Marina Sands SkyPark, Singapore
The swimming pool is 200-metres above city ands stretches across the span of the three towers forming the hotel and seems to spill, waterfall-like, all the way down to the streets below.
Infinity Pool – Hotel Caruso Belvedere, Ravello, Italy
Perched 300 metres above the Amalfi Coast, the infinity pool at the Hotel Caruso creates a horizon that seems to go on forever.
Infinity Pool – InterContinental Hong Kong, China
Soaking in the infinity pools at the Intercontinental is perhaps the most enjoyable way to enjoy the landscape of the city.
Ocean Dome – Miyazaki , Japan
The world’s biggest indoor pool and is 300 meters long and 100 meters wide, and it’s located 500 meter from the sea.
Devil’s Pool – Zimbabwe, Africa
Even though it’s not a manmade pool, the Devil’s Pool still qualifies as a pool. If you’re ever in Zimbabwe, don’t miss the chance to take a swim in The Devil’s Pool, a small lagoon that’s enclosed by rocks on the edge of one of the biggest, most beautiful waterfalls in the world, Victoria Falls.
San Alfonso del Mar Resort – Algarrobo, Chile
As the world’s largest swimming pool, it’s more than 1,000 yards long, covers 20 acres, has a 115ft deep end and holds 66 million gallons of water.
Cantilever Pool – Shanghai, China
The Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao features a cantilever pool that’s located on the 24th floor of the hotel, is 30 meters long and suspended over the side of the hotel and has a glass bottom.
