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No matter where a hotel is located—even by the ocean—most of us crave a pool when we travel. And now, many hotels have upped their game when it comes to innovation and pool design—including the hotel services that surround them—making the pool a big part of the destination of choice. Here are some notable hotel pool experiences in the U.S. and the Caribbean.
JW Marriott Hill Country, San Antonio
Texans love to boast that everything is bigger in the Lone Star State. JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa’s 9-acre water park lives up to that braggadocio. There are multiple waterslides and a zero-depth beach entry pool, with a gradual, sloped entrance for children, while grown-ups can retreat to the adults-only infinity pool. Texas Hill Country is known for river “tubing.” Here, you don’t even have to leave the resort to drift along in a hotel-supplied tube on a 1,100-foot lazy river.
Four Seasons Resort in Hualalai, Hawaii
On the Kona-Kohala Coast of the Island of Hawaii, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, a sprawling 800-acre resort, has eight separate pools. The highlight here is the King’s Pond, a marine reserve of 1.8 million gallons with more than 1,000 fish. You can swim and snorkel in this seminatural pool, which was carved out of lava rock and features a sandy bottom. You can also join the Natural Resources team for fish feedings.
Fontainebleau, Las Vegas
The Oasis Pool deck at Fontainebleau Las Vegas offers six pools and a day club spinoff of the Miami Beach hotspot, LIV. The decor ranges from the Miami Beach of the 1950s to its design tribute to the French Riviera with characteristic blue and sparkling white furniture, palm trees and even a white art deco–style pavilion bar. And, of course, this being Las Vegas, there’s a poolside gaming area.
Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix
With its Frank Lloyd Wright architectural style combined with old Hollywood glamour, Arizona Biltmore, LXR Hotels & Resorts is one of America’s historic resorts. It’s also a place where pool lovers have seven experiences to choose from. Paradise Pool is family-oriented with a splash pad and triple waterslide, plus constant cries of “watch me. Those who want to escape the little ones can retreat to the adults-only Saguaro pool with cabanas, a hot tub and poolside food and drink service. The hotel remains a Hollywood hangout. The Catalina Pool—with its navy blue and canary yellow art-deco, mosaic tiled floor made on California’s legendary Santa Catalina Island—was Marilyn Monroe’s favorite hideaway.
Jade Mountain Resort, Saint Lucia
Looking for an adults-only luxury experience? The free-form structure of Jade Mountain was created almost entirely from materials found on-site. Known for its infinity pool sanctuaries, these suites have a three walled design to encourage interaction between guests and nature—and offer views of the Caribbean Sea and the iconic Piton mountains. Most suites have different color recycled-glass pool tiles that reflect the surroundings.
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Nassau, Bahamas
Looking for a family-friendly Caribbean experience? Grand Hyatt Baha Mar offers several kid-friendly activities. The beachfront resort features six pools. Baha Bay water park, next to the hotel (and free for hotel guests) offers fun for the entire family. Kids Island is designed for both the youngest guests, as well as those ready to explore on their own. The youngest guest portion of Kids Island is called Turtle Beach. For big kids, Stingray Cove offers three waterslides, the opportunity to dash through water curtains and a full drenching under a cascade from a massive tipping bucket. There’s also a 20,000-square-foot wave pool, Baha Bay Lagoon, with constant waves in a variety of heights. And just for adults, there’s a casino in the water park.
Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, Maui, Hawaii
Officially, there are just two pools on the property, but Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort offers a variety of experiences. The adults-only Hibiscus Pool is serene and beautiful, with ocean views and two hot tubs. It celebrates the official state flower with a hibiscus flower design made from more than 630,000 mosaic tiles. For more adventurous adults and kids, the Wailea Canyon Activity Pool offers seven individual pools over six different levels featuring waterslides, including the famous Lava Tube Slide, waterfalls, a lazy river and even a Tarzan rope swing. (Just try not to shout.)
About the Author: The above piece was written by Peter Greenburg. Peter Greenburg is a multiple-Emmy Award-winning travel editor for CBS News and the host of The Travel Detective on public television.
