10 Incredible Hotel Swimming Pools - International Traveller

If the hotel pool is the deciding factor in your holiday plans, we’re about to blow you away.

From sky-high infinity pools to intimate oases that shimmer gold, here are 10 of the best hotel swimming pools around the world. Dive straight in.

1. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

This incredible 150-metre-long infinity pool straddles the rooftops of three 57-storey buildings in the tropical city of Singapore and is the world’s largest. The stratospheric pool was described as an architectural feat when it opened as part of Marina Bay Sands Resort in 2010 and it boasts panoramic views of the city from the water’s edge.

The pool opens from 6am, giving early birds an incredible vantage point to catch the sunrise from behind the city skyline, and doesn’t close until 11pm, well after the sky turns to black and the city is illuminated with sparkling lights. Between dips, guests can lounge under palm trees and enjoy food and drinks from a rooftop dining menu designed by renowned LA chef Wolfgang Puck. Open to hotel guests only.

an infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands SkyPark with sunset on the backdrop — Plunge into the pool at sundown.

2. Hanging Gardens of Bali, Indonesia

Clinging to a hillside in the cultural centre of the Island of the Gods, the Hanging Gardens of Bali is a serene stay surrounded by rainforest and rice paddies. A breathtaking tiered pool lies at the centre of the resort, which was constructed using traditional materials by some 700 local craftsmen.

a pool beside a nipa hut at Hanging Gardens in Bali — Get acquainted with nature.

The pool juts out over the verdant valley below, giving swimmers the feeling of floating above the treetops. As if that isn’t enticing enough, each of the 44 villas has its own plunge pool for a private dip. Located in north Ubud, the resort is a soothing respite from the hustle and bustle of Kuta and co. The main pool is for resort guests, but day passes are available to purchase – and the money is worth the Insta pics alone.

a pool with scenic nature views at Hanging Gardens in Bali — The pool is literally hanging on top of verdant greenery.

3. Aman Amangiri, Utah, USA

If there was ever a time to use the word ‘oasis’, then this is it. Aman Amangari is a luxurious modernist hotel nestled on a 364-hectare property in the Colorado Plateau of Utah – aka the Wild West.

an aerial view of Aman Amangiri in Utah during the day — The property is tucked in a secluded spot within the Wild West.

Surrounded by rugged canyons, mesas, ridges and gorges, this remote hideaway is made for luxe-loving adventurers who come to enjoy hiking and canyoning in a landscape that feels like the final frontier.

a close-up shot of the huge canyons surrounding Aman Amangiri swimming pool — Dip beneath towering canyons.

This striking swimming pool is at the heart of the resort and its aqua hue punctuates the neutral palette of the arid desert and rocky terrain that it is built around. Open to hotel guests only.

a swimming pool with loungers in the pavilion of Aman Amangiri in Utah — The pool turns into a magical retreat at dusk.

4. St Regis Lhasa, Tibet

Dreams of bathing ourselves in gold don’t usually occur in the Holy City of Tibet. But here, in the centre for Tibetan Buddhism – just a stone’s throw from the towering Potala Palace and the 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple – the luxurious St Regis Lhasa houses a swimming pool that shimmers gold.

a gold pool at St Regis Lhasa — The golden pool seems fitting for royalty.

Aptly named the ‘Gold Energy Pool’, its unique radiance comes from the thousands of glittering mosaic tiles that line it. Part of the hotel’s expansive 11,700-square-foot day spa, the opulent pool is designed for rejuvenation and spiritual healing and is heated year-round.

a woman sitting on the side of the pool at St Regis Lhasa — Dive into spiritual healing.

Foot massages add to the indulgence and are available poolside while reclining on lounges surrounded by Tibetan art. Open to spa guests from noon to midnight.

a woman standing on the side of the pool at St Regis Lhasa Pool — A rejuvenating retreat awaits you.

5. The Siam Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

Away from the chaotic streets of Bangkok, this private 39-room stay is an exclusive retreat that feels more like a home than a hotel. With a sophisticated Art Deco-inspired aesthetic, conceived by acclaimed architect, interior and landscape designer Bill Bensley, The Siam is infused with Thai antiques, art and traditions.

a side view angle of the The Siam pool — Lush greenery and a vibrant ambience surround the pool.

Guests can escape the year-round Bangkok humidity in the sophisticated 22-metre-long infinity pool, a monochrome beauty surrounded by manicured gardens right on the banks of the city’s lifeblood, the Chao Phraya River.

a bird's eye view of The Siam main pool — Relax and lounge by the main pool.

Poolside day beds make for the perfect spot to sip cocktails from the adjacent Bathers Bar while you indulge in people-watching, as locals and tourists alike bustle about on the river.

the entrance to the main pool at The Siam Hotel — Spend a relaxing getaway at The Siam Hotel.

6. Viceroy Los Cabos, Mexico

The Baja California Peninsula or the end of Earth? At the Viceroy Los Cabos, it’s hard to tell, with views stretching across the ocean to the horizon from almost every angle of the hotel. Paying tribute to the subtropical locale, the resort comprises not just one but five pools: two on the beachfront, an adults-only option on the rooftop, and two in the central courtyard.

It’s the latter that catches our breath: these circular swimming holes are set within another vast body of water that stretches the entire space between the resort’s sleek white buildings, creating the illusion that they are floating. Guests can reach these refreshing pools via a teak boardwalk, which also leads to a unique nest-like structure that houses Japanese grill restaurant Nido.

an expansive pool surrounded by white structures at Viceroy Los Cabos — The expansive pool is next to enormous structures.

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7. COMO Laucala Island, Fiji

Reached by private charter only, this exclusive island off the coast of Vanua Levu is as close to paradise as you can get in the South Pacific. The island is wild with lush green vegetation, volcanic mountains, mangroves and coconut groves, all flanked by waters that transpose between emerald, turquoise and every shade of blue imaginable.

a huge outdoor pool on the beach at COMO Laucala Island, Fiji — Take a refreshing dip beneath the palm trees.

The COMO luxury resort has a traditional design, constructed with local timber and thatched roofs, and an organic pool set among swaying palm trees and tropical gardens. There are multiple nooks to wade about, as well as a glass-fronted lap pool and sandy beach for small kids to splash about.

palm trees surrounding the outdoor pool at COMO Laucala Island — The resort gives off tropical vibes.

8. Hotel Villa Honegg, Switzerland

Whether you’re basking in sunshine or snowflakes are falling upon your shoulders, this pool is worthy of a dip. Located in the Bürgenstock alpine region in the heart of Switzerland, the 1905-built Hotel Villa Honegg sits at more than 900 metres above sea level and takes in sweeping views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains, as well as Lake Lucerne and the storybook villages that are nestled along its banks.

scenic mountain views on top of a pool villa in Switzerland — Soak up scenic views.

The pool is set to 34 degrees year-round, meaning you can take a soak even when the outside temperature dips below zero. It’s part of the hotel spa, which also includes a Finnish sauna, steam bath and relaxing treatments, and is open to the public for an entrance fee.

a 34-degree pool at Villa Honegg, Switzerland — The cold won’t bother you here.

9. InterContinental Hayman Island, Australia

Australia’s largest swimming pool is equivalent to seven Olympic swimming pools. It can be found in the tropical Whitsundays on long-time holiday hideaway Hayman Island. Part of InterContinental Hayman Island, the pool laps at the doorsteps of the resort’s luxurious ground-level suites, inviting guests to dive straight in from their balcony.

Wrapping around the Aqua poolside lounge and bar, where there is another plunge pool, there are luxury cabanas available to hire poolside and boardwalks that connect the different lounging sections. But the hero? That view: a blissful scene of yachts sailing on cerulean waters, speckled with fringing reefs that hide the underwater wonderland of the Great Barrier Reef.

10. The Goodtime Hotel, Miami Beach, USA

It’s good vibes only at the Goodtime Hotel, a South Beach boutique stay owned by hospitality mogul David Grutman and musician Pharrell Williams. Channelling the city’s Art Deco style, this playful hotel is flanked by a 24,000-square-foot pool and lounge, named the Strawberry Moon Pool.

an aerial view of the Goodtime Hotel — Goodtime Hotel is a blissful paradise in the city. (Image: Alice Gao)

Pretty in shades of sherbet and pastel green, the aqua oasis comprises twin pools and a deck lined with private cabanas and striped umbrellas, from which you can chill, sip cocktails from the al fresco bar and listen to upbeat tunes coming from the DJ booth. It’s open from sunrise to sunset daily but it’s only open to those aged over 21 on weekends, which is when the good times really roll on.

a walkway in the middle of the Strawberry Moon Pool at Goodtime Hotel — There’s plenty of space to lounge on. (Image: Alice Gao)

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

10 of the world’s most incredible hotel swimming pools