Dive into this bubbly look at how five hotel pools are making a splash across the globe
At Hotel Xcaret Mexico, waterways flow throughout the property to replicate the Yucatan Peninsula's sacred cenotes.
Image credit: Hotel Xcaret MexicoSome hotel pools are simply a place to cool off. Others become part of the trip itself.
From a converted Copenhagen post office rooftop pool to a floating pool on the shores of Lake Como, these are five of the best spots to cool down and splash around.
Swim among the towering rooftops of Copenhagen's distinctive facades.
Image credit: Villa CopenhagenSet atop the former Central Post & Telegraph Head Office, the heated rooftop pool offers the perfect place to take a swim with a view. Overlooking the rooftops of the Danish capital, the pool’s warm water, clean Nordic lines, and panoramic city views mean there’s no best time to slip into these waters. Every hour offers something special, whether you’re starting the morning with a swim or winding down after a day of exploring Copenhagen’s cafés, galleries, and canals. Even on cooler days, there’s something memorable about sinking into the pool while the city’s copper rooftops and church spires stretch out below.
Watch as boats glide across Lake Como from Grand Hotel Tremezzo's luxurious pool.
Image credit: Grand Hotel TremezzoThere may be no more glamorous vacation dip than the one at Grand Hotel Tremezzo. The hotel’s famed Water on the Water pool floats directly on Lake Como, giving swimmers the illusion of drifting straight into the lake itself. Surrounded by cypress-lined hillsides, elegant villas, and classic wooden boats, the setting is both cinematic and calm – a refreshing cherry on top of a dream Italian escape.
This red-tiled, rooftop swimming pool is a fitting addition at the aptly named Hotel Unique.
Image credit: Hotel UniquePerched atop the boat-shaped Hotel Unique, this pool appears to be crimson in color – making it instantly one of the most memorable pool days you’ll ever experience. By day, the pool offers a bastion of calm amid the city’s activity below; by night, the pool and bar transform into one of the city’s most energetic scenes with glowing lights reflecting across the red-colored water and music carrying through the open-air terrace. Equal parts design statement and nightlife destination, it’s a pool that feels distinctly São Paulo.
The Biltmore Hotel's sprawling pool perfectly complements the resort's grand edifice.
Image credit: Biltmore HotelIn a state filled with pools, this grand dame of Florida luxury resorts offers swimmers and sun-seekers one of the largest pools in the United States. The centerpiece of the hotel to this day, the historic pool is framed by towering palms, private cabanas, and Mediterranean Revival architecture. There’s a timelessness to the setting that makes even a simple afternoon swim feel elevated. Nearly a century after opening, it still captures the elegance that made South Florida a legendary vacation destination in the first place.
A simple dip into Hotel Xcaret Mexico's pool becomes an immersion into the Mayan Jungle's serene nature.
Image credit: Hotel Xcaret MexicoAt Hotel Xcaret Mexico, the water experience goes far beyond a traditional resort pool. The property’s cenote-inspired swim areas weave through jungle landscapes, limestone formations, and turquoise waterways that feel deeply connected to the Riviera Maya’s natural environment. Floating through the resort’s crystal-clear channels feels equal parts adventure and escape, offering a more immersive way to experience the destination than simply lounging poolside. It’s the rare resort swim that feels not just luxurious, but also actively rooted in place.