Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc
There is nowhere on the French Riviera as iconic or star-studded as the Eden Roc pavilion at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc with its freeform saltwater pool above the rocks at Cap d’Antibes. Our advice: enjoy the privacy of renting a cabana while using the pool for swimming.
Beverly Hills Hotel
The legendary art-deco pink palace on Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, has, as its centre-piece, an enclosure whose pool cabanas and celebrity history make it as iconic as many of its film star guests. Our advice: stay in one of the bungalows (we know the best ones) and spend your days poolside.
Hotel Cipriani
The original 5-star resort hotel in La Serenissima, with its large lagoon-facing swimming pool surrounded by gardens and magnificent Venetian landmarks. Our advice: explore the charm of the city in the mornings and relax by the pool later after a long, leisurely lunch on the waterfront dining terrace.
Monte-Carlo Beach Club
The most famous pool, pool-restaurant and cabana enclosure in the exclusive principality of Monaco. Our advice: Spend sun-soaked days in this private enclosure by the sea, swim in the Olympic-sized ocean-facing pool and have lunch at Le Deck, alongside.
Udaivilas, Udaipur, Rajasthan
A much-photographed pool that flows though the gardens of this lakeside hotel in northern India. Our advice: Enjoy the culture, sights, colours and sounds of Udaipur, returning to this peaceful sanctuary for yoga and a swim after lunch on the lake-facing dining terrace.
Hotel Caruso, Ravello
It feels like one is floating, not just swimming, in this utterly gorgeous pool high up above the dramatic Amalfi coastline. Our advice: Take a long morning stroll through the village of Ravello to the magnificent gardens of Villa Cimbrone returning for a late poolside lunch on that divine patio.
Amanpuri
The first and most iconic of the Aman hotels with its unforgettable palm-reflecting, grey-tiled pool. Amanpuri is now 28 years old yet its much-photographed swimming pool remains one of the world’s most beautiful. Our advice: After a day on the beach, ascend those dramatic steps to end a perfect afternoon with a long, leisurely swim before returning to your villa.