Who doesn’t love to swim? Well, maybe cats don’t. When traveling and selecting hotels, many travelers will have one important thing in mind — how good is the swimming pool? But there are a handful of swimming pools that stand out among the others as extraordinary. From scary claustrophobic dives to exotic tropical seaside lodges, here are 15 of the best swimming pools in the world.

1. San Alfonso del Mar – Chile

Hailed as the largest salt-water pool in the world at over one-kilometer wide and holding 250 million liters of water, this pool will have you swimming forever. Not to mention, the ocean is literally parallel to the pool. With a pool like this, we have to wonder if locals can commute to work or shops by swimming?

2. Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool – Singapore

Those with fear of heights need not to apply. Available only for hotel guests, the pool sits a rooftop of a 57-story building, hovering over the skylines of Singapore. Swimmers can peek over the edge of the pool to absorb the reality of how high they are from the ground. However, it’s not advised to belly flop into the pool (who knows, some poor unsuspecting two-year-old could be splashed overboard).

3. One & Only Resort Reethi Rah – Maldives

This resort has a pool that stretches out to the ocean and allows guests to gaze over the crystal clear water to look for tropical fish swimming by. Beds of rocks are place inside the pools to let swimmers lie down while looking at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It’s also the perfect scenic pool for those that are nervous to be in the same water with sharks.

4. Alila Uluwatu – Bali, Indonesia

You’re in Bali. What a better way to spend it than basking in a refreshing pool in the hot Indonesian sun while watching the waves? The pool is accompanied by several abstract-looking cabanas that allows guests to lounge and breathe the fresh air.

5. Hearst Castle – San Simeon, California

On top of a hill in central California, a mind-blowing castle was built by William Randolph Hearst in 1919. The castle has two pools, the Roman pool (pictured above) set up as a luxurious bath house, and the outdoors Neptune pool, adorned with Greek statues and pillars. Many Hollywood stars like Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford and Winston Churchill have stayed in this famed hotel and used the pools. Unfortunately, the pools are off-limits for swimming —  but we can dream!

6. Grace Santorini – Santorini, Greece

The city alone is a marvelous sight to see with cubical houses on cliffs made of stones and colored with volcanic ashes. Grace Santorini allows guests to swim high at the edge of the city and overlook the Aegean Sea. Ah, it’s good to be Greek!

7. LeCrans Hotel & Spa – Plans Mayens, Switzerland

Winter can be a real drag and skiing or snowmobiling doesn’t always seem to help. At LeCrans Hotel & Spa, the heated pool hovering over the snowy mountains will chase your winter blues away.

8. St. Regis – Lhasa, Tibet

At St. Regis Lhasa Resort, the Gold Energy Pool is surrounded by Tibetan architecture and interior design. Oh, and the water may look a little greenish-yellow to you, due to its golden mosaic. So relax, dive in the water, and reassure yourself that no, not that many people have peed in this pool like it seems.

9. Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti – Tanzania

Deep in the heart of the Serengeti, the Four Seasons Safari Lodge is situated on a game reserve literally next to elephant’s watering hole. The lodge’s pool allows visitors to have a once in a lifetime experience to marvel at Africa’s magnificent creatures while floating in the cool water. Better pinch yourself repeatedly, because you’ll think this is all a dream.

10. Golden Nugget – Las Vegas, Nevada

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas will prove to be far from the truth, because you’ll be dying to brag to your friends about this crazy pool at the Golden Nugget Hotel that is loaded with sharks. No you won’t exactly swim with sharks, but rather be accompanied by them through the giant salt water aquarium in the middle of the pool. It will be a jawsome time.

11. Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa – Grindavik, Iceland

When not stuffing your face with hakarl in Iceland, one should make time to visit Grindavik for the Blue Lagoon Spa. With a reputation of therapeutic water with powers to heal psoriasis and other skin conditions, many people hail this natural pool as one of the wonders of the world. And if it snows, don’t despair — the pool will go on. 

12. Amangiri Resort – Canyon Point, Utah

Amangiri rests on 600 acres of rocky dry landscape in the desert of Utah and its resort remains isolated with no nearby towns in sight. Instead of demolishing the giant rocks, the resort built a pool around it, making this spot a unique place to backstroke.

13. Jumeirah Dhevanafushi – Maldives

Not only does this pool overlook the Indian ocean, it also lights up like stars at night. Bring your goggles, nose dive into the pool, and pretend you’re floating around the universe. 

14. Nemo 33 – Uccle, Brussels

No need to look for Nemo here, this is the one of the world’s deepest man-made indoor pools. At over 113-feet deep and with 2,500,000 litres of non-chlorinated water, the pool is so deep that most divers are required to carry scuba gear and be certified. This is your chance to explore the deep, without the terror.

15. The Library – Koh Samui, Thailand

The biblical prophecy is nigh! The river has turned into blood. Just kidding, it’s only the red pool at The Library Resort that is covered with orange, yellow and red mosaics, creating the illusion of red water. Surely, this would give the Red Sea a run for its money. However, don’t be fooled and try to drink the water, it’s not Kool Aid (we promise).

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