I absolutely love hotel pools, and as a travel writer, I’m lucky enough to have built a career out of visiting and reviewing them in places all around the world, from Vegas to Vietnam.
But beyond just looking good on Instagram and providing a place to cool down, the best hotel pools are actually worth planning an entire trip around. Many hotel pools aren’t just somewhere to swim; instead, they deliver a full experience with jaw-dropping views and tricked-out themes and attractions like sandy beaches, slides, or wave machines. These pools are the destinations, proving a hotel isn’t always just a place to sleep.
Here are some of the best hotel pools that are so memorable, they’re worth building an itinerary around.
In this article
1. Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
Las Vegas is home to some of the most over-the-top swimming experiences I’ve experienced in the whole world, so bear with me while I insist on suggesting two of the best amid steep competition.
Located at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Mandalay Bay Beach is not just a pool, but an 11-acre aquatic playground. With 2,700 tons of sand, a wave pool generating swells up to six feet, and a lazy river winding through the property, it delivers a full beach-style experience right on the Strip. Recent upgrades include refreshed cabanas, improved shade, and upgrades to the wave pool. Elsewhere in the pool complex, the adults-only Moorea Beach Club might be more your bag if you’re on a grown folks-only trip. But especially if you’re traveling with kids, Mandalay’s pool complex alone is worth the trip to Sin City.
2. Caesars Palace
Selecting two pools in Las Vegas alone is no error. These choices are so impressive, I insist they both be included.
Located at Caesars Palace (of “The Hangover” fame), the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis offers a choose-your-own-adventure approach with seven distinct pools in one 5-acre complex framed by kitschy classical Roman-inspired design.
Take your pick between high-energy areas like the Neptune Pool with its lively, boozy, social vibe, or the smaller Fortuna Pool, which is more relaxed and comes with an only-in-Vegas feature: five swim-up blackjack tables.
Grab a lounge chair, or rent a cabana or daybed for an elevated experience to savor dedicated service and shaded comfort
3. The Beverly Hills Hotel
In Los Angeles, a land of dreamy pools—and my beloved hometown—it’s hard to pick just one pool scene, but few carry as much history and cultural cachet as this one.
Opened in 1938 as the Sand and Pool Club, the Beverly Hills Hotel’s pool has gone on to become a gathering place for Hollywood’s elite. These days, the large rectangular pool is still a social hub, framed by lush greenery and the hotel’s signature pink aesthetic. Private cabanas have modern amenities like Apple TV, mini fridges, and lounge seating. But the real draw is the atmosphere, which is equal parts glamour and nostalgia, and comes with a very good chance of celeb spotting.
4. Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
The historic Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has been drawing visitors since 1888, thanks to mineral-rich waters sourced from the Yampah Spring. First discovered by the Ute tribe, the word Yampah means “big medicine” in the Ute language, and was named as such for the many health benefits associated with soaking in its waters.
Now, the centerpiece of the hotel’s grounds is the world’s largest hot springs pool. This enormous rectangular behemoth is one of seven on-site pools where visitors come to swim and soak, thereby taking part in an experience called “taking the waters,” which is a long-standing wellness ritual once used by the Ute tribe. The water comes out at 122°F and in addition to the main pool, there’s also a therapy pool and a family-friendly option. Beyond soaking, the resort offers lodging and an athletic club, and you may also book a day pass if you’re not planning to stay overnight.
5. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess delivers one of the most elaborate pool scenes in the country with six pools, all set against the backdrop of the McDowell Mountains. The variety here lets you tailor your pool day to your mood, from high-energy to completely chill.
There’s Sunset Beach, a 9,000-square-foot sandy oasis in the middle of the Sonoran Desert with soft white sand, oversized loungers, and a family-friendly splash pad. For more action, Sonoran Splash is an additional poolscape located on the other end of the 65-acre resort, and features two 200-foot waterslides, a zero-entry wading area, and private cabanas, while kid-free guests can retreat to quieter spaces like Sonoran Landing, an adults-only pool with two 25-meter lap lanes and an oversized hammock. There’s even a rooftop pool reserved just for spa guests, should you prefer an even more serene scene.
6. Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico
Thanks to Bad Bunny and his record-breaking Super Bowl halftime show, it seems like everyone wants to visit Puerto Rico right now. Set on a private peninsula about 30 minutes from San Juan, the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico is home to the island’s largest lagoon-style pool. The sprawling, freeform oasis winds through palm trees and opens toward beaches protected by coral reefs. The scale alone is worth gawking at, but it’s the atmosphere that seals the deal: quiet morning floats, breezy afternoons, and seamless transitions to swim-up cocktails like piña coladas and coquito.
The resort’s laidback, country-club feel extends beyond the water, with golf, beach access, and open-air dining, which all make for an easy, passport-free Caribbean escape.
7. Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center
Perched on the 57th floor of Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, this infinity-edge indoor pool quite literally elevates the idea of a hotel swim. Floating here feels like hovering above the city, with sweeping, unobstructed skyline views in every direction. The 30,000-gallon pool is heated year-round, so it’s worth the trip in winter and summer alike. Access is exclusive to hotel guests, which keeps the atmosphere serene and refined. Grab a poolside bento box for a civilized nosh if you’re peckish.
Beyond the water, the experience of staying here leans fully into luxury, with a crystal-infused spa and standout dining from acclaimed chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Greg Vernick.
The Shortcut
These standout hotel pools go far beyond basic amenities. They’re immersive experiences that can anchor an entire trip.
From desert beaches and historic hot springs to sky-high infinity pools, each offers a distinct sense of place.
Expect extras like cabanas, dining, design, and gaming that elevate a simple swim into a full-day (or full-stay) experience.
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