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This article was first published 12 years ago

Top 12: World's best hotel swimming pools!

Last updated on: May 26, 2011 18:18 IST

Image: The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur:

So you're a water baby? Here are 12 of the best hotel swimming in the world!

Hotels.com has released its list of the world's best swimming pools from Hotel Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur to Park Hyatt, Tokyo the list covers some of the most beautiful and exciting hotel swimming pools in the world

The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur:

Udaipur, a part of Rajasthan is a city of splendid palaces and beautiful lakes. Here, adorning the banks of Lake Pichola and standing witness to the historic City Palace, The Oberoi Udaivilas showcases all the romance and majesty of a royal era. The luxurious spa with its own swimming pool overlooks the lake and is a haven of tranquillity.

Amankila Resort - Bali

Image: Amankila Resort - Bali

Amankila Resort - Bali

The Amankila Resort in Bali is well known for its three-tiered pool, which is set into a cliff edge overlooking the beautiful ocean below. Further down at the hotel's unique 'Beach Club' is the hotel's largest swimming pool at 41 metres in length. The Beach Club can provide guests with all the equipment for windsurfing, boogie boards and kayaks. If you would prefer to relax and take in the beautiful scenery while watching the sun set you will be shaded by tropical coconut palms and a frangipani tree as you lounge around the pool.

Marriott Surfers Paradise Resort Gold Coast

Image: Marriott Surfers Paradise Resort Gold Coast

As a hotel that isn't located directly across the road from a beach, The Marriott Surfers Paradise Resort offers guests a total beach experience, without leaving the confines of the hotel.

The hotel features a man-made beach and is the perfect place to experience a simulated snorkelling adventure (for when the Queensland beaches are closed from an abundance of bottle fish) with the water filled with tropical fish and rock formations for you to explore.

For families on holiday, the hotel also has another pool located adjacent to the beach that includes a waterslide to zip down and a waterfall.

Paradisus Riviera Cancun, Mexico

Image: Paradisus Riviera Cancun, Mexico

The Paradisus Rivera Canc n is an all inclusive resort that features three pools with views of a picturesque beachfront. The hotel pools are divided into the main pool, a childrens pool and the exclusive Royal Service pool for adults only (for those who have booked the Royal Service package, which includes access to the private pool, with pool concierge and bar). The three waterfront pools all feature relaxing Bali beds underneath luxurious oceanfront palapas providing the perfect place to relax or you can enjoy the underwater lounge pools whilst taking in the breathtaking views of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, USA

Image: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, USA

A 'best of' hotel list wouldn't be complete without a hotel from Las Vegas. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino features a pool that is a mix of fun-filled entertainment and luxurious relaxation. For the partygoers the hotel invented the ultimate daytime poolside party, 'Rehab', which is held on Sundays with world class DJs creating the ultimate party atmosphere that attracts people by the thousands. For guests who prefer to relax by the poolside, they can laze around on the deckchairs on the man-made beach or lounge in luxury in the poolside cabanas. Each cabana is equipped with LCD televisions, refrigerators and fresh fruit. However, most people come to Vegas to gamble and for guests of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, you can even play some blackjack without leaving the pool at the poolside palapa.

The Observatory Hotel - Sydney

Image: The Observatory Hotel - Sydney

One of the pre-eminent five star hotels in Sydney, The Observatory Hotel in Sydney provides a luxurious location for guests. The hotel's 20 metre indoor pool features fibre optic lights on its ceiling recreating a constellation from the southern hemisphere, which gives the illusion of swimming under the stars. With luxurious surroundings and the perfect night sky above, the pool creates a calming effect for all guests.

Biltmore Hotel Miami, USA

Image: Biltmore Hotel Miami, USA

The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Miami, USA, claims to have the largest pool in Continental USA. With nearly 2.7 million litres of water covering over 2,000 square metres it's hard to argue with their claim.

This famous American hotel, which is now a national historic landmark, has been a preferred hotel for sports stars, celebrities and world leaders since it's opening back in the 1920s.

The hotel pool has been the site of many grand events during its time. During the economic downturn of the 1920s and 1930s the Biltmore Pool played host to many gala aquatic events as a means to generate income.

People would come and watch synchronised swimmers, alligator wrestling and Jackie Ott, the boy wonder who would dive off a 25-metre platform, which has now been re-developed as a multi-tier waterfall. 

Smugglers Notch Resort Vermont, USA

Image: Smugglers Notch Resort Vermont, USA

With eight pools and four waterslides, the Smugglers Notch Resort located in Vermont, USA is referred to as America's family resort.

The pool complex features a 92 metre Giant Rapid River Ride along with waterfalls and disappearing fountains in the Little Smugglers Lagoon.

Children will have hours of fun exploring all this hotel has to offer including the leaking bucket and water cannon. This hotel is an ideal location for any family, as all the activities you would expect at a water-based theme park are all at the convenience of your hotel's doorstep.

Hyatt Regency Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii

Image: Hyatt Regency Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii

The beautiful location of Maui is the backdrop for the Hyatt Regency Resort Kaanapali. The hotel has two pools, Lahaina Pool, which is the perfect place to relax under the warm Hawaiian sun with a view of the dazzling Pacific Ocean.

Or for the child in you, you can ride the 45 metre lava tube water slide.

The Napili Pool provides numerous fun filled family activities to enjoy such as the rope bridge and whirlpool and is surrounded by sand and an eight metre water slide, lava rocks, mist and painted on sea creatures that look very real.

Melati Beach Resort Ko Samui, Thailand

Image: Melati Beach Resort Ko Samui, Thailand

The five-star Melati Beach Resort and Spa on the beautiful island of Ko Samui, Thailand has two pools with the main pool being a gorgeous infinity pool that goes almost all the way down to the beach and even includes a swim up bar.

With plenty of lounges to lie in around the pool, it's very easy to spend the day basking in the warm sun and admiring the picturesque view.

However, if you are lucky enough to be staying in one of the pool villas you will be able to enjoy your own ancient, sunken stepped-down swimming pool to relax in.

Park Hyatt, Tokyo, Japan

Image: Park Hyatt, Tokyo, Japan

The Atrium Pool on the 47th floor of the Park Hyatt, Tokyo was made famous by the 2003 film Lost In Translation starring Bill Murray.

The pool itself is only a 20-metre lap pool but the views from it are amazing.

The room has floor to ceiling windows and a glass roof making nighttime swims spectacular. The pool is even lit up with a brilliant fluorescent blue light at night.

The views from the windows are spectacular with the glittering city below and the imposing Mt Fuji in the distance.

Guests can even order food and drink while at the pool, making it one of the best dining experiences in Tokyo with a view.

Intercontinental Hong Kong

Image: Intercontinental Hong Kong

The Intercontinental Hong Kong is deemed as one of the top hotels in the world and is renowned for its spectacular views of Hong Kong Island and Victoria Harbour.

While most hotel pools are set to one constant temperature, the Intercontinental Hong Kong features a trio of infinity pools all with different temperature settings with the stunning views of Victoria Harbour, for which the hotel is known for.

There is also the newly re-furbished Pool Terrace which features one of Hong Kong's largest outdoor pools.