Pool with a view: One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives

Tired of your gym's pool? Escape the daily grind and enjoy a fresh view at the world's best hotel swimming pools

Lush palms fringe the lap pool at One&Only Reethi Rah, framing perfect views of the soft, pure white beach and the crystalline sea beyond. For prices and details, see the One&Only website.

Grace Santorini, Santorini, Greece

(Image credit: MarcPlantec)

Grace Santorini, Santorini, Greece

Perched high above the sea, Grace Santorini's infinity pool enjoys magnificent views of the island's iconic caldera and the Aegean Sea beyond. The views are spectacular at any time but never more so than at sunset. For prices and details, see the Grace Hotels website.

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cap d'Antibes, France

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cap d'Antibes, France

You can try your hand at yacht-spotting as you swim at the Eden Roc's dramatic seawater pool. Carved in the cliff above the Cap d'Antibes shoreline, it looks out to the Lérins Islands and the Bay of Cannes, where A-list celebrities drop anchor. And when you tire of swimming, you can sip a chilled glass of Champagne at the rooftop Eden Roc Champagne Lounge. Rooms from £682 per night, see the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc website.

Alila Ubud, Bali

(Image credit: Martin Kreuzer)

Alila Ubud, Bali

You'll feel like you are floating above the jungle at this magnificent pool, which is the centrepiece of the Kerry Hill-designed Alila Ubud resort. The tropical rainforest stretches at your feet and, if you are lucky, you may even spot a cheeky monkey. Rooms from £140 per night. For more details, see the Alila Ubud website.

Rahimoana Villa, Eagles Nest, New Zealand

Rahimoana Villa, Eagles Nest, New Zealand

The 25-metre infinity pool at Rahimoana Villa won an award as one of the world's 10 best cliff edge pool - and with good reason. As you swim, you take in breathtaking views across the gorgeous Bay of Islands. From £5,270 per night. For more details, see the Eagles Nest website.

Villa Canderosen, Mallorca, Spain

Villa Canderosen, Mallorca, Spain

Design is the byword throughout this minimalist contemporary villa and the infinity pool doesn't disappoint either. Crescent-shaped, it takes in long views of Formentor Bay and the Mediterranean Sea. £1,505 per person per week (based on full occupancy on a full-board basis 5.5 days a week) through Scott Dunne. For more details, see the Scott Dunn website.

Monastero Santa Rosa, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Monastero Santa Rosa, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Built into a cliff edge, the magnificent pool at Monastero Santa Rosa enjoys amazing views of the Amalfi Coast and the sea. Should you ever tire of the panorama, the hotel also has an award-winning spa set in what once was a former monastery. Rooms from 390 on a B&B basis. For more details, see the Monastero Santa Rosa website.

Chongwe River House, Lusaka, Zambia

Chongwe River House, Lusaka, Zambia

The pretty pool and deck of this extraordinary safari lodge look out to the Chongwe River, the bush and the Zambezi escarpment. With a little luck, you can spot wild elephants frolicking in the river. For prices and details, see the Chongwe River House website.

Alila Villas, Uluwatu, Bali

Alila Villas, Uluwatu, Bali

Perched high on limestone cliffs, Alila Villas' 50-metre infinity pool takes in spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. And for a panoramic drink by the pool, the Sunset Cabana Bar is suspended over a cliff-side platform. One Bedroom Villa with Pool from £375 per night. For more details, see the Alila Villas website.

Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia

(Image credit: Jason Loucas)

Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia

Seclusion, luxury and nature meet at the private plunge pool of Qualia's stunning, luxurious Windward Pavilion. Shaded by eucalyptus, the pretty pool enjoys spectacular views of the Coral Sea and Whitsunday Islands. For prices and details, see the Qualia website.

Frégate Island Private, Seychelles

(Image credit: Unspecified)

Frégate Island Private, Seychelles

Soak up the romance of the Indian Ocean at your own infinity pool on Frégate's private island in the Seychelles. Each of Frégate Island Private's 16 residences comes with a private infinity pool overlooking the turquoise sea and the lush tropical forest. Rooms from 1,463 per night. For more details, see the Frégate Island Private website.

W Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong

(Image credit: TOOTEN PHOTOGRAPHY CO.)

W Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong

For a twist on the classic pool view, nothing beats Wet, the rooftop pool at the W Hotel in Hong Kong. Set on the 76th floor, it is one of the highest pools in the world and looks out to Victorian Harbour, the sea and the bright lights of Hong Kong. For prices and details, see the W Hong Kong website.

Carla Passino

Carla Passino is a multimedia journalist with more than seventeen years’ experience in national and international media.


Carla's primary areas of interest are political, economic and housing trends in global cities. Much of my time is spent writing about the world’s prime property markets and the factors that affect it, covering fiscal, legal, political and financial issues linked to home ownership, and reporting on major shifts in British, European and international housing. Over the years, Carla has written about culture, education, interiors, farming, travel, food, wine and more.