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11 epic hotel swimming pools to escape the heat

With Summer upon us and temperatures rising – there’s no better place to be than poolside. From urban oases to 1920s-era indoor lap pools, IHG Hotels & Resorts have shared with us 11 of their coolest pools that will have you pulling out your swimsuits and packing your bags.

Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road, Bangkok, Thailand

Located on the 24th floor, the infinity-edge swimming pool at Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road offers unrivaled views of Bangkok’s city skyline and provides the perfect retreat into a sanctuary away from the bustling city below. The pool deck is equipped with sun loungers, large lounge sofas, and a rooftop bar – where you can choose a variety of boozy beverages and delectable finger foods (inspired by Thai street food).

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, Chicago, Illinois

Built in 1929, the heated, junior Olympic indoor pool located on the 14th floor of InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile is Chicago’s oldest pool. The pool is decorated with Spanish Majolica tiles in a space that features a terracotta fountain of Neptune – the Roman god of water and the sea – and elegant stained-glass windows.

InterContinental Koh Samui Resort, Koh Samui, Thailand

InterContinental Koh Samui Resort is a stunning 22-acre beachfront hotel that overlooks azure seas, private white sand beaches, and features seven unique pools. The resort’s signature infinity pool creates an illusion that you are floating above the coconut plantations below – offering a front row seat to a stunning horizon at sunset.

Six Senses Zil Pasyon, Victoria Mahé, Seychelles

In this haven of perpetual summer, where coral-fringed beaches and massive granite rocks create an air of drama and beauty – Six Senses Zil Pasyon has 28 one-bedroom pool villas that offer panoramic ocean views, as well as two, two-bedroom pool villas, which offer more seclusion among lush tropical vegetation. But it’s the elevated pool and sundeck at Six Senses Spa that has caught our eye. Here you will reach ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation through yoga sessions and a meditation at a dedicated pavilion.

InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, Phu Quoc, Vietnam

InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort – which features four swimming pools – is surrounded by verdant jungle matted hills and landscaped gardens overlooking the azure ocean. With a family pool designed specifically for children in mind with fun water slides and inflatable toys to an oasis pool situated close to the beach with a bar and restaurant – the resort is the perfect summer escape for those looking for an energetic adventure, or just simple rest and relaxation.

Regent Porto Montenegro, Porto Montenegro, Montenegro

Ascending directly above the palm-fringed shore is Regent Porto Montenegro. The hotel has a 20-meter indoor pool, but the real marvel is the Pool Club. With four outdoor pools – an infinity pool, lap pool and two children’s pools – you can go for a swim, relax in a sunbed while enjoying fresh Mediterranean fare or take in sweeping views of Boka Bay’s glistening turquoise waters with the silhouettes of the dramatic mountain ranges in the background.

Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites – Waterpark, Orlando, Florida

Neighboring Walt Disney World, Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites – Waterpark is a paradise for kids (and adults that are kids at heart!). The hotel has a zero-depth lagoon pool and waterpark complete with multiple body slides, dump buckets, a splash playground and more. Not to mention the Lagoon Bar – an activity more fit for adults – that the littles can enjoy too.

Crowne Plaza Jordan – Dead Sea Resort & Spa, Swemieh, Jordan

Set on the longest, private Dead Sea beach – Crowne Plaza Jordan – Dead Sea Resort & Spa has a 5,500 sqm pool surrounded by tall palms with a pool bar and an adults-only infinity pool that you can swim to the edge of for sweeping views of the Dead Sea. Oh, there’s also a dedicated pool just for the kids to splash around in. The outdoor fun doesn’t stop when the sun sets either! At night, El Grito opens poolside for classic Latin American food and live entertainment.


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InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, Hayman Island, Australia

Surrounded by lush green cliffs, white sandy beaches, and celestial-blue sea, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort puts you in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The hotel is home to one of the largest swimming pools (comprised of both salt and fresh water) in the southern hemisphere – it spans the length of seven Olympic-size pools! And has a bar in the middle of it all. But it doesn’t stop there, there are 46 suites perched over the Hayman Pool that allow you swim-out access and captivating views of the Coral Sea.

InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

You might need some courage to take a dip in the famed pool at InterContinental Dubai Festival City. But once the initial excitement has settled, the 25m pool balcony is the perfect place to relax after a day of sandboarding in the vast Dubai deserts. You can watch passers-by walking beneath them while basking in the glistening pool and enjoy a different perspective of the Burj Khalifa and impressive Dubai skyline.

Kimpton Aluna Resort Tulum, Tulum, Mexico

Two pools equal twice the fun at Kimpton Aluna Resort Tulum. You can choose the ground floor pool with a swim-up bar or the resorts rooftop pool with palm-fringed sunbeds that look out over a sprawling jungle canopy – creating a peaceful bohemia escape.

What’s more, this Summer IHG One Rewards members can earn up to 4X bonus points on stays through August. To take advantage of this offer, members can register via ihg.com/4xen. Non-members can visit IHG One Rewards to learn more or register to become a member.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.

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6 Comments

  1. When choosing my hotels I’m always on the look out for a great infinity pool. I’m addicted to infinity pools.

  2. I don’t know if you’ve ranked these hotels in some sort of order. May be it is just coincidence but the first one’s definitely my favourite. It’s like swimming in a clear river through thick jungle.

    1. But wouldn’t you rather be looking out over the canopy of the forest? My choice would be the Six Senses Pool, such a brilliant view.

  3. Paul – note for your diary.

    Could we have a piece in autumn on pools that are still warm in autumn?

    It’s really frustrating when you go to a hotel with a great pool only to find that it’s far too cold to swim in.

    1. Or perhaps a follow up post on world-class sun loungers. I’m much better at sunbathing by the pool than getting in it …

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