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12 truly spectacular pools from around the world

12 truly spectacular pools from around the world

WRITTEN BY: Leesa Davis
Description: Dolphin Pools found 12 of the world’s most picturesque pools with stunning views and historical significance.

The past couple of years has been a whirlwind as people dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, significant political changes, skyrocketing inflation costs, and global supply chain shortages. The constant stress is enough for many to daydream of escaping and seeking refuge in spaces that ooze tranquility in deserts, mountains, or the water.

Spending time in coastal environments and being near water overall boosts mental health. A study published in the Interactive Journal of Medical Research found that outdoor swimming had positive health effects. In the survey, 95% of respondents with depression and 98.4% of those with anxiety reported reduced symptoms with consistent outdoor swimming.

Dolphin Pools reviewed pool locations around the world to determine some of the most gorgeous and picturesque spots to take a dip. Over the years, people have found ways to make this healthful activity even more pleasurable with innovations in pool design. Calm-seekers can gaze down on a cityscape from an infinity pool 57 stories high in Singapore, lounge in a bungalow steps away from the water in Thailand, or enjoy myriad options in between.

Haddenhorst/ullstein bild via Getty Images

Badeschiff in Berlin, Germany

Soak in the city sights of Berlin while floating in a pool set within a cargo ship’s hull. The Badeschiff opened to the public in 2004 and was designed by Susanne Lorenz as part of a city arts competition. Set in the East Harbour region of the Spree river, Badeshiff (which translates to “bathing ship”) held water clean enough for people to swim in, rather than dipping into the heavily polluted waters of the Spree river.
The pool is closed during the winter. During the summer, visitors can partake in yoga, sports classes, and other activities in addition to using the pool.

JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images

Embassy Gardens in London, England

Why walk across a bridge when you can swim? The 49-foot (15-meter) clear pool that spans the 10th stories of two buildings is located in London’s Nine Elms region. The Sky Pool in Embassy Gardens is the world’s first transparent pool made of acrylic. Designed by architects Arup Associates and engineers Eckersley O’Callaghan, the 82-foot (25-meter) pool was fabricated in Colorado before being shipped to its current luxurious British digs.
The pool was unveiled in May 2021 but caused controversy because it wasn’t open to the affordable housing residents of the apartment complex, which is still true at the time of this writing. Residents have also called for the pool’s closure in the winter because of astronomical heating costs.

Ng Beng Sun // Shutterstock

Bondi Icebergs Pool in Sydney, Australia

Feel the splash of the ocean waves while swimming in the Bondi Icebergs pool. A gigantic saltwater pool, the Bondi Icebergs was named after the Sydney lifeguards that first started a swim club to keep fit in the winter. The pool is open to the public year-round.
The pool, considered the most popular in Australia, began as a small pool built on Bondi Beach in 1887. By 1910-1911, prominent athletes used the clubhouse as a meeting space. In 1929, the Bondi Iceberg Swim Club was formed, birthing an active swim community that continues to this day.

Sponsorchen // Shutterstock

Alila Villas Uluwatu in Pecatu, Indonesia

Swimmers can take in views of the Indian Ocean while in a 150-foot pool on a cliff. The Alila Villas Uluwatu resort opened in 2009 and was designed as a sustainable property with Earth-friendly initiatives like organic gardens, a no-plastic policy, and zero-waste efforts.
In addition to housing an art gallery with modern Indonesian works, Alila Villas also features a fitness center, 24-hour spa, and gym. Each villa has a pool and cabana with picturesque views of the sea. The rooms are designed with garden elements and draw inspiration from local farmers. Guests can also dine in the restaurant’s open kitchen, enjoying their meal over 200 feet above sea level.

Gregorio Koji // Shutterstock

San Alfonso del Mar in Algarrobo, Chile

The pool at San Alfonso del Mar is legendary for its massive size, and until 2015, held the world record for “largest man-made lagoon” in the Guinness Book of Records. The saltwater pool covers 20 acres and contains more than 6.6 million gallons (250 million liters) of water. The pool is so large that guests are encouraged to try other water activities, such as kayaking or sailing.
Crystal Lagoons, a U.S. firm with several development projects in other countries, developed the pool. In addition to its large size, the clear blue waters in the pool mimic the pretty aqua color of water seen in tropical seas due to technology made possible by Crystal Lagoons.

Agent Wolf // Shutterstock

The Library Hotel in Koh Samui, Thailand

Get into a blood-red pool with a view of a Thailand beach. The Library Hotel earned accolades for its exquisite use of materials and design when it opened in 2007. Its most distinctive feature is its unusually colored pool, lined with scarlet red Italian tiles, meant to pick up the color of the parasols and loungers behind it.
The boutique luxury beachfront contains spacious rooms, with many buildings having a white minimalist look and decor items derived from natural wood. The hotel also features a library with a massive book collection and a reading room. There’s also a fitness center that boasts stunning sea views.

Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Gellért Baths in Budapest, Hungary

The Gellért Baths in Budapest are widely known for their healing properties, with 10 different pools varying in size and temperature. The baths were built in the early 1900s in the art nouveau style. It has remained a popular tourist attraction. Guests who visit can expect medicinal water treatments for reasonable costs.
A water filtering device is used in its sitting pool, outdoor sitting pool, and children’s pool. Chlorine and other chemicals are not added to the thermal pools but are introduced sparingly in swimming pools to meet safety standards.

Steve Cukrov // Shutterstock

Oberoi Udaivilas Hotel in Udaipur, India

Oberoi Udaivilas, located on Udaipur’s Lake Pichola, features over 50 acres of sprawling courtyards. The historic property was built with architectural designs inspired by the Mewar dynasty.
Guests can enjoy two swimming pools and restaurants, the resort’s spa, and a fitness center. The rooms in the hotel offer picturesque views of the City Palace and two 17th-century island palaces—Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas. With modern amenities, stand-alone tubs, and the main pool adorned with sandstone columns, guests may appreciate the tranquil getaway that captures a royal era.

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Ubud Hanging Gardens Hotel and Spa in Bali, Indonesia

Get centered surrounded by rainforests and rice terraces at Ubud Hanging Gardens in Bali. The 44-villa luxury property was built in 2005 with restaurants, a spa, and an infinity pool on two levels. The pool is suspended above the exotic trees and appears to float in place, giving swimmers the feel and thrill of swimming high above the Balinese jungle.
The property was built by several hundred artisans using feng shui, the Chinese practice of creating balance with natural elements and using energy to create harmony in indoor spaces. Each room and suite at the resort contains an infinity pool.

fivetonine // Shutterstock

Six Senses Yao Noi Hotel and Resort in Phang Nga, Thailand

Set on Phang Nga Bay, a backdrop for the Bond movie “The Man with the Golden Gun,” Six Senses Yao Noi Hotel and Resort offers guests a variety of views, from the bay’s stunning panoramas to forest landscapes. Each villa at the hotel comes equipped with a private pool. An additional perk for movie buffs: the hotel also offers tours with an eye toward the James Bond movie.
The first Six Senses Yao Noi Hotel and Resort was established in 1995. Since then, Six Senses has established itself as a sustainable luxury space with architecture made from natural materials. In 2019, IHG Hotels acquired the Six Senses brand for $300 million.

Michel RENAUDEAU/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Hotel Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives

Sink into serenity at Hotel Huvafen Fushi, a private resort close to the capital Malé. The boutique resort features the world’s first underwater spa treatment rooms, situated 26 feet (8 meters) below the surface. After expert massages, guests can while away the time in relaxation pods that offer views of clownfish and stingrays. A private beach, infinity pool, and snorkeling opportunities are also available.

TILT Photography // Shutterstock

Marina Bay Sands in Singapore

Slip into the world’s longest infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands, owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Opened in 2010, Marina Bay Sands has remained an awe-inspiring architectural wonder with its distinctive silhouette: three 56-story tall buildings connected by one long roof terrace that holds a pool 478 feet (146 meters) long.
Marina Bay Sands is exclusive to hotel guests and provides stunning views of the Singapore skyline. Its infinity pool remains one of the resort’s most popular attractions, but only guests can access it.

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Read what our satisfied customers have to say about their experiences with Dolphin Pools, where exceptional design, quality craftsmanship, and outstanding service come together to create stunning backyard oases.
Josh Howard
22:49 25 Jul 24
Met with Tony in my home a few weeks ago and we were blown away. We received several in home quotes and Tony stood out among them all. He was prompt, professional and best of all friendly. We never felt like we were being “sold to” which was key. He gave us so much detail and helped guide us thru the unknown. It was an easy choice to go with Dolphin and it was primarily because of Tony.
Ana Codd
16:22 24 Jul 24
Jake Wozniak was knowledgeable and super helpful with all of my questions and concerns when it came to the pool building process!
ally 45
04:27 18 Jul 24
Andrew came over for our consultation and went through everything! All our worries and questions were answered. We are super excited to hopefully get our little dream pool that will be perfect for our family and small backyard! They have unbeatable prices and quality work!
Wendy Ferguson
19:08 17 Jul 24
Ted Jimenez has been very helpful and patient in our pool buying experience, he knew we had a budget but still made it fun.
Nick Gonzales
21:25 27 Jun 24
We had Dolphin install and build our first pool during the summer of 2023. Our salesman, Joe, was fantastic and extremely knowledgeable and designed our pool to our satisfaction. One year later, Joe is helpful with answering questions . Trevor, our building superintendent, was great as well and communicated details of the pool building process. Tania was great at communicating next steps in the pool build. Approximately one year later, Dolphin has been great on answering or fixing any concerns. Maria has been outstanding and patient and quick to address our concerns. She’s been fantastic. If I ever were to build another pool or recommend (my next door neighbor built his pool with Dolphin), I would go with or recommend Dolphin Pools.
Shelley Johnson
03:38 21 Jun 24
This is our 2nd Dolphin pool, we wont use anyone else! This last pool, Jake Wozniak and the Dolphin team were with us every step and they did a great job! I would hear how some folks in the neighborhood felt left out with their builders but we didn’t feel this way with Dolphin. We knew what was happening and when. On the rare occasion, we had some issues, Jake was quick to respond and get us the answers or help we needed.
Dolphin Pools transformed our backyard into an oasis! We knew the steep slope and rocky terrain were going to be difficult to contend with, but Dolphin was always right there with a solution. Everyone, from the incredible office staff to the field supervisors, was friendly and communicative. Anyone who has ever undertaken an overwhelming construction job will tell you communication is key!

On that note, our family would like to extend a huge "Thank you!" To Jake Wozniak. His professionalism and courtesy were second to none. While Jake was not our direct field super, he was our point of contact when unexpected challenges arose. He was patient, and he made sure that our final product was beautiful and functional. We also want to give an extended shout out to Jonathan, the mason/artisan who crafted our massive retaining wall. He was always thinking ahead to what we would need after the project was finished. His insights and suggestions turned a necessary element into an aesthetically pleasing attraction. It is no surprise that Jake and Jonathan have a great working relationship.

Last, but certainly not least, we want to thank all of the wonderful office and construction staff who helped turn our vision into a reality. Joe, Trevor, Brenda, Gloria, Tania, Katie, Maria, Gina, and Jake: Thank you for all of your tireless efforts! This project was our unattainable dream, and you each played a part in bringing it to life. Your combined talents transformed our yard, and our lives, in less than six months time. Thank you! It was a pleasure working with each and every one of you.
Gina A
00:23 31 May 24
Our first pool building with Dolphin Pools was so spectacular that I want them to build another one in my second home! From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of exceptional.

The process began with an initial consultation where their team provided valuable insights and suggestions, helping to shape our ideas into a practical and beautiful design.
Throughout the project, the team maintained excellent communication. They kept me informed about each stage of the construction process and were always available to answer my questions. Their professionalism and dedication to customer satisfaction were evident in every interaction.
The construction phase was executed flawlessly. The team adhered to the timeline and managed the project with precision and care. I was impressed with their attention to detail and the quality of workmanship. The site was always clean and organized, and the crew was respectful and courteous.
The final result exceeded my expectations and is stunning. The craftsmanship is impeccable, and the materials used are of the highest quality. The landscaping around the pool was also beautifully done, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere.

Even after the pool was completed, Dolphin Pools continued to provide outstanding service. They offered a thorough orientation on pool maintenance and have been responsive to any follow-up questions. It’s clear that they stand behind their work and are committed to ensuring their customers are completely satisfied.
I wholeheartedly recommend Dolphin Pools to anyone considering building a pool. Their expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence are truly unmatched.

Our home is now listed for sale and I look forward to building another pool with Dolphin Pools!

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