A great hotel pool can make or break a booking - and with London currently sweltering under a heatwave, there's never been a better time to seek out the world's most spectacular places to cool off. From saltwater infinity edges at AMARA, architectural feats at Paradisus Lanzarote, to non-negotiable private pools at The Residence Zanzibar and the longest pool in Europe at Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora - these properties are proving that a pool is no longer just an amenity, it's the main event.
The Residence Zanzibar - A Private Oceanfront Oasis (pictured above)
Set within a lush 32-hectare estate on Zanzibar’s southwest coast, one of the standout features of The Residence Zanzibar Frangipani Ocean Front Pool Villa is undoubtedly its private pool. Set just steps from the shoreline, the pool feels like a secluded extension of the Indian Ocean itself, offering uninterrupted sea views and a front-row seat to Zanzibar's extraordinary sunrises and sunsets. What truly sets The Residence Zanzibar apart, however, is that every villa comes with its own private pool, ensuring each guest enjoys a personal oasis throughout their stay. Whether it's a leisurely breakfast overlooking the water, an afternoon spent cooling off beneath the tropical sun, or an evening unwinding to the gentle rhythm of the waves, the pool becomes an integral part of the experience.
Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora, Tenerife - Europe’s Longest Infinity Pool
Located on Tenerife’s southwest coast at the foothills of Mount Teide, Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora is home to one of the island’s most iconic swimming experiences. Set amongst lush subtropical gardens and framed by views of both the Atlantic Ocean and Spain’s highest peak, the resort's showstopping centrepiece is the longest infinity pool in Europe. Stretching an impressive 400 metres along the coastline, the resort's saltwater infinity pool is far more than a place to swim – it's a destination in its own right. Guests can spend the hours gliding through its endless waters, pausing to take in sweeping views of the ocean on one side and Mount Teide on the other. Surrounded by swaying palms, landscaped gardens and peaceful spots to unwind, the pool perfectly captures the spirit of Tenerife.
AMARA, Cyprus - An Adults-Only Saltwater Sanctuary
A luxury retreat on the shores of Limassol, Cyprus, AMARA boasts uninterrupted views across the Mediterranean. While the resort's striking main infinity pool has become one of Cyprus' most recognisable hotel pools, those seeking a quieter escape can retreat to one of the property's most distinctive features: its adults-only seawater infinity pool, located within the spa. Now complemented by the hotel's new Thalassotherapy retreat, the experience has evolved into a holistic journey centred around the therapeutic benefits of seawater. Inspired by the growing demand for natural, sea-based therapies, AMARA Spa’s new three - or five -day retreat is centred around the seawater infinity pool allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the healing properties of the ocean. Treatments include detoxifying seaweed exfoliations, cryotherapy facials and aromatherapy massages – all designed to promote overall wellbeing.
Paradisus Salinas Lanzarote - Swim Within a Masterpiece
An adults-only five-star resort on the shores of Costa Teguise, Paradisus Lanzarote is an architectural landmark in its own right, co-designed by César Manrique and Fernando Higueras and awarded the International Prize for Architecture in 1979. At its heart sits the iconic 1,800 sqm lagoon-style pool, carved into the volcanic landscape and framed by tropical gardens and Manrique's signature stone murals. Spanning an impressive 1,800 square metres, the pool is far more than a place to cool off – it's the centrepiece of one of the Canary Islands' most celebrated architectural landmarks. Surrounded by volcanic stone, tropical gardens and Manrique's signature fusion of art and nature, the pool appears to emerge organically from its surroundings. More than four decades after its creation, the pool remains one of Lanzarote's most iconic design achievements, offering visitors the rare opportunity to swim within a masterpiece shaped by the visionary who helped define the island's identity.
