Hotels Worth The Splash
The energy around a hotel pool is rarely the same in two places. In one corner of the country, the design might invite quiet reflection, while in another, it draws people together in a social rhythm. What connects them is the way they create an atmosphere that travelers return for. To show the wide-ranging impact this can have, here are 20 hotels in the U.S. where the pools take center stage.
1. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Hawaii
Anchialine pools throughout the resort highlight Hawaii’s natural environment. At its center sits King’s Pond, a seawater pool of 1.8 million gallons. Guests snorkel here among nearly 1,000 tropical fish in an experience that feels oceanlike.
2. Amangiri, Utah
In the heart of the desert, Amangiri blends its pool into sandstone formations carved by time. Heated for year-round comfort, it provides a rare balance of luxury and solitude. Finally, stargazing beneath clear skies enhances the setting.
Steve Jurvetson from Menlo Park, USA on Wikimedia
3. The Joule, Dallas
Downtown Dallas gained a defining landmark when The Joule introduced its rooftop pool. The structure pushes eight feet beyond the edge, supported by glass walls that reveal the street below. Guests who swim here enjoy the city from a unique vantage point.
Swimming at the Joule Hotel in Dallas by GeorgeIsJeff
4. The Beverly Hills Hotel, California
Hollywood legends, including Marilyn Monroe, once gathered at this pool. The Beverly Hills Hotel pairs that legacy with cabanas enhanced by butler service. Over the decades, frequent film appearances have secured its reputation as both a gathering place and a Hollywood cultural landmark.
WHEN YOU HAVE THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL POOL JUST FOR YOURSELF by
5. Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Florida
Miami’s nightlife has long had a stage at Fontainebleau. Poolside parties continue well into the evening, framed by eleven pools spread across the resort. By day, cabanas and bars keep the decks lively. The hotel’s prominence in Goldfinger cements its lasting cultural and cinematic reputation.
6. Montage Laguna Beach, California
Couples often choose the Mosaic Pool’s clifftop edge as their ceremony backdrop. Away from events, the pool itself impresses with hand-tiled detailing and steady 80–82°F water. Its design and location combine artistry and unforgettable views into one signature feature.
Mike's Birds from Riverside, CA, US on Wikimedia
7. The Venetian Resort, Las Vegas
When The Venetian opened in 1999, it was designed as a tribute to Venice itself. That theme carries into the hotel’s ten pools, spread across multiple decks. Some mirror Venetian palazzos, while daybeds placed directly on the water enhance the immersive feel.
Scott Webb scottwebb on Wikimedia
8. Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur
Swimming at Post Ranch Inn places nature front and center. Heated infinity pools create year-round comfort, and adult-only access ensures quiet. Surrounded by Big Sur’s cliffs, swimmers look upward to condors and outward to whales offshore. This creates a rare immersion in natural spectacle.
Post Ranch Inn Full Hotel Review by Nick Gray
9. The Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood
Evening swims at the Tropicana Pool feel timeless, with moonlight reflecting off David Hockney’s mural on the floor. Added during a 1950s renovation at The Roosevelt Hotel, the pool carries both artistic and historic value. It also hosted the first Academy Awards afterparty.
10. Hotel del Coronado, San Diego
The beachfront setting of Hotel del Coronado features a pool complex with children’s areas and spa amenities. Its cultural history adds another layer of appeal, as Marilyn Monroe filmed Some Like It Hot here. Restored Victorian rooms further honor the property’s legendary past.
Hotel del Coronado | Cinematic Tour by JACKMURRAY
11. 1 Hotel South Beach, Miami
Relaxation by day and energy by night shape the atmosphere here. Four pools offer variety and style. Cabanas built from reclaimed wood highlight sustainability. In the evening, the rooftop infinity pool shifts into a gathering place with music and sweeping views.
1 Hotel South Beach by 1 Hotels
12. The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas
At The Cosmopolitan, the pool experience shifts with the season. Summer brings Marquee Dayclub concerts to the Boulevard Pool, while winter converts the deck into an ice rink. Positioned above the Strip, the same pool also serves as a venue for outdoor movie nights.
13. The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, Florida
Families often gather at the Ritz-Carlton’s pool complex, enhanced by a cascading waterfall and a restaurant placed conveniently nearby. The layout balances an activity pool designed for children with a serenity pool reserved for adults. This mix ensures both lively recreation and quiet relaxation.
Ken Bosma from Tucson, Arizona, USA on Wikimedia
14. Lake Austin Spa Resort, Texas
Lake Austin Spa Resort spans 19 acres of waterfront and places relaxation at the center of its design. Indoors, the lap pool combines warm water with gentle music to create calm. Outdoors, float meditation on the lake connects wellness directly to nature.
Lake Austin Spa: From Rodeo Grounds to Luxury Riverside Escape by Fernando Pages Ruiz
15. The Standard Spa, Miami Beach
Wellness defines the poolside atmosphere at The Standard Spa. Guests swim in an infinity pool enhanced by an underwater sound system that changes how the water feels. Sunset yoga beside the bay extends the property’s focus on relaxation and balance beyond the pool itself.
16. Golden Nugget, Las Vegas
A striking tank pool anchors the property, centered around a 200,000-gallon shark aquarium. Guests experience it up close by sliding through a clear tube built directly inside the tank. The aquarium houses multiple shark species, so nighttime swimming here adds an extra thrill.
Golden Nugget: Rush Tower - WEIRD Rules, SUPERB Room by Stalking the Strip
17. Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes
Families find plenty at Terranea Resort, from a splash zone to winding waterslides. The centerpiece is a saltwater pool with the Pacific as its backdrop. Evenings shift the mood, when fire pits invite gathering and wildlife sightings remind guests of the natural surroundings.
18. Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
In Caesars Palace, seven pools make up the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis, each shaped by a different theme. Some encourage quiet relaxation, while others foster social energy. Roman statues surround the decks, and blackjack tables inside the pool add a playful nod to Las Vegas culture.
19. Auberge Du Soleil, Napa Valley
Located among vineyards, this pool overlooks the rolling hills that define Napa. Heated for year-round enjoyment, it provides consistent comfort to guests. Enhancements like complimentary wine tastings connect the setting directly to its environment and reinforce the resort’s place in wine country.
Top 5 Luxury Hotels Napa Valley by Luxury Travel & Lifestyle
20. The Sagamore Resort, Lake George, New York
History shapes the atmosphere at The Sagamore, a property that has welcomed guests for over 140 years. Its pool deck overlooks Lake George. Chaise lounges and direct water views turn it into both a social hub and a continuation of timeless resort tradition.
Sagamore Resort Lake George New York - Walking Tour - 4K UHD - May 10 2024 by SuperTourTV
