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luxury hotel pool in bora bora with white sand beaches and overwater bungalows just steps away

Pools are a must-have hotel amenity that delivers moments of relaxation and serenity. Regardless of the destination and the season, a beautiful pool is so much more than just a place to splash around (or take a nap). That’s why offering travelers a memorable poolside experience has become essential to hotel stays.  But not all pools were created equal. Certain resorts go above and beyond to transform their pools into architectural wonders that challenge our definition of what a hotel pool is and looks like. From unique design to a rare vantage point with breathtaking views, a hotel pool can become the highlight of a property and a destination in itself. Here, we rounded up the very best pools worth traveling for.

Each hotel is being equally honored in no particular order.

Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi

In the local Maldivian Dhivehi language, Sirru Fen Fushi means ‘Secret Water Island.’ Located in Shaviyani Atoll and surrounded by the stunning azure waters of the Indian Ocean, the luxurious Fairmont Maldives truly lives up to its name. Each of the villas — Maldivian chic with champagne woods, coral-inspired rugs, and bamboo glass chandeliers — comes with its own private pool. But the resort’s ultimate, over-the-top water feature comes in the breathtakingly stunning infinity pool — spanning more than 650 feet — making it the longest in the Maldives.

Jade Mountain, St. Lucia

Image Courtesy of Jade Mountain

St. Lucia’s most romantic adults-only resort offers privacy, luxe amenities, and jaw-dropping Caribbean views best enjoyed from the private infinity pools of the property’s semi-open 24 suites (or “sanctuaries”). But the most stunning vistas are in the Galaxy sanctuary, which features a 900-square-foot pool clad in custom-designed iridescent tiles. Perched on the southwest corner of Jade Mountain, it boasts phenomenal views of the Piti, Gros Piton mountains, and the Caribbean sea — something no other resort offers.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui

Image Courtesy of Conrad Bora Bora Nui

With towering Mount Otemanu rising above the Bora Bora lagoon, this dreamy French Polynesian island is pure tropical heaven. And while it is home to an array of luxury resorts, Conrad Bora Bora Nui is on a different level. Case in point? The luxe property sits on a private cove and features a two-tier infinity pool with a swim-up bar, a shallow lounge area with in-water sun chairs, and heart-stopping views of the turquoise lagoon. The lower pool is excellent for swimming, while the poolside cabanas are perfect for escaping Bora Bora’s hot sun.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Italy

Image Courtesy of Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Flanked by charming small towns dating back to the Renaissance, grand villas, five-star hotels, and dramatic views of the Grigna mountain, Lake Como is the ultimate Italian getaway. But Grand Hotel Tremezzo, the former playground of the Lombard Aristocrats, stands out as it offers the area’s most unique amenity — a floating pool that sits directly in the lake. Dubbed the property’s WOW (an acronym for water-on-water) floating pool, it connects to the shore via two bridges that lead to its stunning azure waters, from where guests can take in the notoriously scenic setting.

COMO Laucala Island, Fiji

While luxe over-water accommodations and picture-perfect palm-fringed beaches are standard in the tropical paradise that is Fiji, the all-inclusive COMO Laucala Island elevates its guests’ experience with a striking raised-glass lap pool. The 82-foot cube sits directly in the middle of the 4,000-square-foot lagoon-style pool surrounded by lush greenery, artificial islands, and a swim-up bar. The resort uses a state-of-the-art chlorination system, delivering clean water without an unpleasant smell.

Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection, Greece

Image Courtesy of Grace Hotel

Santorini is steeped in mystery and ancient history (legend has it that the Greek island is what’s left of the Lost City of Atlantis). And it takes one look from Grace Hotel’s stunning infinity pool overlooking the Caldera Islands to convince you that the Greek island is pure magic. With views of its famous whitewashed rooftops, sapphire-hued domes, and the crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea, this zigzag-shaped 72-foot pool is the largest in the upscale village of Imerovigli and Santorini. Sunsets here are pretty epic, too, and best enjoyed with a drink in hand from the pool’s spacious sun deck.