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World's Scariest Hotel Pool?

One of the underwater houses at NEMO, left, with a 33m deep pit in the background on right.

Sergey Markov/Vodolaz; John Greenwood/NEMO

The World's Best Hotel Pools

If you are brave enough, the Cantilever Indoor swimming pool at the Holiday Inn Shanghai PudongKangqiao will make your swim twenty four floors above the ground with nothing but a glass bottomunderneath an experience unlike any other.

Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao

hotel pools

<B>Perivolas</B><BR><BR> On the Greek island of Santorini, a cluster of private homes restsalong the 300-year-old cliffside ruins of an indigenous community. What were once cave dwellings,stables and wineries are now 17 luxury villas -- and the gem that sits between them is this infinitypool that appears to drop straight into the Aegean below.

William Abranowicz/Perivolas Santorini

Banyan Tree Seychelles

<B>Banyan Tree Seychelles</B><BR><BR> The best view of the Indian Ocean is arguably fromthe pool at Banyan Tree Seychelles. The real question for visitors is: <i>which pool?</i> The mainpool's cliffside infinity edge, pictured here, certainly impresses, as does its accompanying bar and itsfresh-fruit libations. But each villa also comes with its own private pool for added seclusion, andadded dilemma, when it comes to choosing where you'd like to be pampered.

photo courtesy Banyan Tree Hotels

The World's Best Hotel Pools

At <a href="http://www.jumbybayresort.com/" target="external">Jumby Bay, a RosewoodResort</a> on Antigua All of the villas and estate homes here have their own private, individuallydesigned pools and the resort's new Infinity Pool is a sight definitely not to be missed.

Courtesy: Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort

The World's Best Hotel Pools

With different views and contrasting temperatures the two pools at <ahref="http://www.designhotels.com/hotel_habita_monterrey" target="external">HabitaMonterrey</a> in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico cater to all tastes and weather conditions. Thehot pool is heated to 90 degrees, making it ideal for a dip in the winter months. There is also a coldpool which is great for cooling off during the summer when temperatures rise. Situated on eitherside of the eighth floor roof terrace with 360-degree views over the desert metropolis and SierraMadre, the pools are divided by a chic concrete bar.

Designhotels.com

The World's Best Hotel Pools

The infinity pool at <a href="http://www.designhotels.com/alilaubud" target="external">AlilaUbud</a> in Bali boasts a spectacular location perched on a terrace floating above the lush AyungRiver valley. The pool spreads out to form an elongated rectangle until it seems to disappear downthe terraced jungle hillside.

designhotels.com

The World's Best Hotel Pools

The rooftop pool at <a href="http://www.designhotels.com/the_standard_downtown_la"target="external">The Standard</a>, is part of one of Los Angeles' most coveted nightlife hotspots.Situated on the rooftop of the 12-story hotel, the pool has panoramic views of the city. The turquoiseheated pool stands out sharply against the deep red Astroturf of the surrounding sundeck, wherethere are also bright red water-bed canopies for up to 10.

Designhotels.com

The World's Best Hotel Pools

Just a few steps from the beach, the pool at <a href="http://www.designhotels.com/the_library"target="external">The Library</a> in Koh Samui, Thailand, is vivid red. Made using mosaic Italianglass tiles in red, yellow and orange, the pool is set on the beachfront and is surrounded by awooden deck with red mattresses and black bean bags. At night the underwater lights transform theswimming pool in to a dazzling spectacle and provide the perfect backdrop to dinner or drinks.

Designhotels.com

The World's Best Hotel Pools

<a href="http://www.villadeste.it/en/13/home.aspx" target="external"> Villa d'Este</a> in Italy wasbuilt in 1568 as the summer residence of Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio. It was transformed into a luxuryhotel in 1873 and today continues the tradition of opulent relaxation. And what better way to kickback than at the hotel's pool overlooking glorious Lake Como.

Courtesy Villa d'Este

The World's Best Hotel Pools

At the 356-acre <a href="http://www.bocaresort.com/" target="external">Boca Raton Resort</a> inFlorida the only challenge facing swimmers is deciding which of the several pools to take a dip in.The Waldorf Astoria Collection property also has a half-mile private beach with cabanas and privatebutlers.

Boca Raton Resort and Club

The World's Best Hotel Pools

Nestled on 40 acres fronting Wailea Beach on Maui, the <a href="http://www.grandwailea.com/"

target="external">Grand Wailea</a> is also home to nine pools (including an adult-only pool),seven waterslides, a baby beach and a grotto bar. Basically, there's plenty of ways to splash aroundin the water for people of all ages. There's even a dive pool offering complimentary intro lessons.

Hibiscus Pool

The World's Best Hotel Pools

The pool at the famous <a href="http://www.fontainebleau.com/"target="external">Fontainebleau</a> Hotel in Miami Beach has been a key part of this landmarkfor more than 50 years. The 22-acre hotel played host to entertainment legends Bob Hope, LucilleBall, Jackie Gleason, Judy Garland, Milton Berle, Jerry Lewis, Marlene Dietrich, Debbie Reynolds andmany others. It has also featured in numerous movies including Goldfinger, Midnight Cowboy,Scarface and even Police Academy 5.

Seth Browarnik

World's Best Hotel Pools

The famous <a href="http://www.fullertonhotel.com/" target="external">Fullerton Hotel</a> is anarchitectural symbol of Singapore, appearing in destination cityscapes and recognized by travelersand ship captains from all over the world. The 27-yard outdoor infinity pool offers spectacular viewsof Singapore River and the city skyline.

Fullerton Hotel

World's Best Hotel Pools

Along a narrow dirt road, perched between a pristine hillside and the turquoise Caribbean water,sits <a href="http://www.hermitagebay.com/" target="external">Hermitage Bay</a>, an all-inclusive resort and well-kept secret among in-the-know travelers. Made up of 25 individualcottages, the Antigua resort is the embodiment of serenity and seclusion. For proof, look no furtherthan this pool.

Hermitage Bay

Which is the World's Best Watery Paradise?

Hotels go out of their way to make sure their pools are elaborate escapes from everyday life. But the

<a href="http://www.thewaterclubhotel.com/" target="external">Water Club</a> at Atlantic City'sBorgata Hotel, Casino & Spa takes things one step further. Each Sunday when the sun begins to set,crowds gather at SUNBAR a poolside bar sold as an "outdoor nightlife destination, for sultry nightswith a vibe inspired by the social hotspots in Miami's South Beach." This ain't your grandfather'spool.

Courtesy Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Bevery Hills Hotel

<B>Beverly Hills Hotel</B><BR><BR> Lined with palms and exclusive, status-flaunting cabanas,the pool at the Beverly Hills Hotel is known as much for the Hollywood deals that go down on itsdeck as it is for its sheer beauty. It's the place to see and be seen, with an exclusivity meter set toshield famous sunbathers from the paparazzi.

photo courtesy Bevery Hills Hotel

Biltmore Hotel

<B>The Biltmore Hotel</B><BR><BR> Holding 700,000 gallons of water, the Biltmore is thelargest hotel pool in the country, and often features Busby Berkeley-style water shows and high divecompetitions. But tucked out of view into the palm trees that surround the pool are a slew of upscalecabanas -- private sunbathing areas with rain showers and dedicated butlers -- that can be reservedby the day or night.

photo courtesy Biltmore Hotel

Blancaneaux Lodge

<B>Blancaneaux Lodge</B><BR><BR> Fancis Ford Coppola owns this multivilla resort in theBelize mountains and named the most upscale pad after himself. Four villas at Blancaneaux includeprivate plunge pools for a steamy dip in the middle of the rain forest. And Privassion Creek runsright through the property, cascading into a waterfall at one point, forming a natural graniteswimming pool.

photo courtesy Blancaneaux Lodge

Fasano Rio de Janiero

<B>Fasano Hotel</B><BR><BR> Towering above Rio de Janiero's Ipanema beach is the rooftopinfinity pool on the upscale Fasano Hotel. This is where the beautiful people go to be seen at nightwhen the pool lights up against the sexy, panoramic cityscape. Guests have been known to applaudas the sun sets over the palm trees.

photo courtesy Fasano Hotels

La Casa Que Canta

<B>La Casa Que Canta</B><BR><BR> This freshwater infinity pool overlooks Mexico'sZihuatanejo Bay and seems to overflow directly into it. Skirting the pool's edge is a perimeter-longbuilt-in seat, perfect for enjoying the panoramic views. The hotel also includes 10 private pool suitesand a number of freshwater and saltwater swimming areas.

photo courtesy La Casa Que Canta

JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa

<B>JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa</B><BR><BR> There's a pool for every mood at thisCancun resort. For lounging: two free-form, infinity pools overlooking the Caribbean. For diving: a20-foot-deep, PADI-certified diving pool. (JW Marriott is the only Latin American resort to have one.)And for cavorting: an adults-only pool with swim-up bar. This is, after all, Cancun.

photo courtesy JW Marriott Cancun

Le Palais de la Méditerranée

<B>Le Palais de la Méditerranée</B><BR><BR> This grand white art deco facade, created inthe 1930s, is what separates this majestic pool from its court along the Promenade des Anglais inNice, France. The hotel reopened in 2004 after a massive restoration project that included the poolarea and the grand facade.

photo courtesy Le Palais de la Méditerranée

Palazzo Sasso

<B>Palazzo Sasso</B><BR><BR> Perched on Italy's Amalfi Coast, the Palazzo Sasso's best waterview is perhaps not from the decks of its breathtaking pool but from underneath it. Swim a few feetbelow the surface, and you'll find underwater windows boasting a midcliff vista of the

Mediterranean.

photo courtesy Palazzo Sasso

Las Ventanas al Paraiso

<B>Las Ventanas al Paraiso</B><BR><BR> A bouquet of infinity pools spill into one anotherthroughout this sprawling, luxury resort overlooking the Sea of Cortez off Mexico's Baja coast. Alsoof note is the service: Butlers reportedly bring drinks, chilled towels and wireless TVs right to yourchaise, so you won't have to miss the big game while enjoying paradise.

photo courtesy Las Ventanas al Paraiso

The World's Best Hotel Pools

Costa Careyes | Mexico

The World's Best Hotel Pools

Castel Monastero | Tuscany

The World's Best Hotel Pools

San Alfonso del Mar | Chile

The World's Best Hotel Pools

Blue Lagoon Iceland