12 of the world’s most beautiful outdoor swimming pools
Dive in to this list of amazing outdoor swimming pools with incredible views for 2022 travel inspiration
Text: Hui Yi Phua
The Cambrian Hotel | credit: Condé Nast Traveller
Air travel may slowly be gaining back momentum, so you would be on the hunt for your next travel destination, or simply need some desk top dreaming. Swimming pools are always great spots to hang-out by – reading a book and doing a few laps, surrounded by beautiful scenery. In this list, we’ve picked out a handful of what we think are the most beautifully-built pools with fantastic backdrops from all around the world – these pools are surrounded by nature, which serves as a great escape from our usual urban landscapes. Simply being around nature can be extremely therapeutic and beneficial for our physical and mental health. Not to mention, a swimming pool with irresistible scenery can really inspire us to stay longer in the pool and finish those laps we set out to do!
Here are 12 of our top picks of the most beautiful swimming pools in the world:
Adelboden, Switzerland
This hotel is nestled in the Swiss Alps, offering stunning mountain views in every direction. Its Insta-famous outdoor infinity pool is heated, making it accessible even in the winter, and having situated near the mountains, the air quality there is superbly crisp and fresh.
credit: Condé Nast Traveller
Bali, Indonesia
Chapung Sebali is perched high up among the hills and surrounded by lush jungle greenery and rice fields. This pool is part of their Jungle Fish Pool Bar, an open-air, split-level restaurant.
3. JOALI
credit: Condé Nast Traveller
Maldives
JOALI is an art immersive luxury island resort located in the northern reaches of the Maldives. Their villas come with one or two private pools, all of which overlook the vast, crystal-clear Indian Ocean.
credit: Condé Nast Traveller
Queensland, Australia
A private, all-adult resort on the northern tip of Hamilton Island, the largest island in the Whitsundays, and on the eastern edge of the World-Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. They have two infinity pools for all guests with breath-taking views over the Coral Sea’s turquoise water.
credit: Hanging Gardens of Bali
Bali, Indonesia
This award-winning resort is set on the edge of a stunning valley and surrounded by lush rainforest. Every room in the hotel has its own infinity-edge pool with similarly verdant views.
6. Bronte Baths
credit: Gray Malin
Sydney, Australia
The Bronte Baths might not be part of a hotel or resort, but this public seawater rock pool located at the southern end of Bronte Beach offers spectacular views all the same. If you happen to be a morning person, this place provides a great vantage point to watch the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean.
credit: Condé Nast Traveller
Umbria, Italy
Castello di Reschio is a unique hotel situated amidst the rolling hills of Umbria. The property is a millennium-old castle carefully restored into a charming, quaint accommodation. Their secluded, quiet swimming pool located just outside the castle walls offer peaceful, brilliant views of the hills.
credit: Condé Nast Traveller
Saint-Raphaël, France
This white mid-century modern hotel features a 30-metre natural saltwater pool that is stone-hewn and abuts the sea so closely that the pool water spills right over into the Mediterranean sea.
credit: Condé Nast Traveller
Santorini, Greece
Grace Santorini is a picturesque sanctuary perched on top of the Aegean Sea. Their asymmetric infinity pool overlooks the Caldera, and provides a sweeping view of the glistening Aegean Sea and craggy Skaros Rock. The sunsets here are not to be missed.
10. The Other Side
credit: Goop
North Eleuthara, Bahamas
The Other Side is a solar-powered “Glamping” Site situated on a small, pristine beach, perfect for those who wish to have an undisturbed, unplugged vacation. Their sleek, simple swimming pool offers a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and the vast skies.
credit: Condé Nast Traveller
Phang Nga Bay, Thailand
This Six Senses island resort is a quiet, unpretentious retreat away from the city, with villas enveloped in tropical greenery and their own private infinity pools overlooking the incredible Phang Nga Bay (yes, the one in the Bond movie!).
credit: Condé Nast Traveller
Ennetbürgen, Switzerland
This 5-star hotel at the heart of Switzerland has only 23 rooms, each well-furnished to excellent standards. Phenomenal views of Lake Lucerne and the mountains await guests at their heated, outdoor infinity pool.
