Take the Plunge: 8 Breathtaking Pools with Stunning Bird’s Eye Views

by Stefanie Michaels

Imagine swimming while getting a bird’s eye view of the cityscape and its surroundings below? Talk about insane! Sky high pools are usually in fancy hotels making living one’s best life extra.

I’m all about the aesthetics and by adding unique swimming options high in the sky, is an adventure in itself.

Here are 8 hotels with some of the highest swimming pools in the world:

1. Hotel Sahrai, Fes – Named for the meaning ‘magic’ and in a sublime hillside setting, this Moroccan infinity pool created with a custom style, called Zellige— using carved plaster plus local stone cladding, stuns guests with amazing views of the countryside and Medina below.
2. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore: Can you imagine a body of water that is located on the 57th floor and offers panoramic views of the city skyline? This fantastical one sits within an almost 3 acre tropical oasis is longer than the Eiffel Tower and is tall and large enough to park four-and-a-half A380 jumbo jets. It’s the world’s largest outdoor pool at that height.
3. Grand Hyatt Cannes Hôtel Martinez, France: Located in Cannes, France, on the French Riviera, this sexy hotel has an outdoor piscine area, called L’Oasis du Martinez. Located on the 7th floor, it offers views of the Mediterranean Sea and the city of Cannes. Oo-la-la!
4. The Joule, Dallas: Located on the 10th floor, this stunning one lends to panoramic views of the city. Their 8-foot cantilevered pool makes the sensation of swimming out beyond the hotel’s edge unnerving for some and from the street below looking upwards gives “hanging out by the poolside” a whole new meaning.
5. The Cambrian Hotel, Switzerland: Whether summer, spring, winter or fall, this year round heated rooftop pool is located in the Swiss Alps and boasts views of the surrounding mountains. Spy skiers, wild animals and sunsets, this is also a romantic spot to pop the question.
6. Park Hyatt Shanghai: This sky-high pool, located on the 79th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Centre. Its the city’s highest pool and offers breathtaking views of the Huangpu River and the Shanghai skyline.
7. Ohla Barcelona, Spain: Soak up this city’s hidden treasures from their rooftop terrace and pool with glass walls, which looks out at the Barcelona Cathedral and 180º panoramic view of the lower part of the town.
8. Hotel Mousai, Mexico: Perched above Puerto Vallarta on this hotel’s 18th floor, is a hip rooftop beach club over 350 feet above sea level. The arched pool boats knockout ocean views mixed with an ultra-chic vibe.

TIP: Our bodies are mostly made up of water, so it’s natural to be attracted to it. If you can’t make it to a hotel pool, create your own water oasis in your own back yard.

Did you know?

The world’s largest swimming pool is located in Algarrobo, Chile, and covers over 20 acres. This massive one is part of the San Alfonso del Mar resort. It holds over 66 million gallons (250 million liters) of crystal-clear seawater, pumped from the Pacific Ocean and filtered to maintain its clarity.

It is so large that guests can enjoy a variety of water sports, such as sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing, all within the confines of the pool. It has a small beach area where visitors can relax and soak up the sun.

This colossal pool took nearly five years and over $1 billion to construct, making it the largest and one of the most expensive swimming pools in the world.

A little history:

Swimming pools have a long and fascinating history that dates back thousands of years. In ancient times, pools were primarily used for religious or ceremonial purposes. For example, the Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro, built in the Indus Valley Civilization around 2500 BCE, is believed to have been used for ritual purification.

The ancient Greeks and Romans were also known to build elaborate public bathing facilities, which included large swimming areas. The Romans, in particular, were famous for their magnificent public baths, which often featured heated, cold plunge and even outdoor ones.

During the Middle Ages, public swimming areas fell out of favor and swimming was primarily seen as a practical skill rather than a leisure activity. It was in the 19th century that swimming for pleasure became popular again, and private ones appeared in wealthy estates.

In the 1900s, they became more widespread, and many cities and towns began to build public areas for swimming for their residents. The invention of modern filtration systems and chemicals also made it easier to keep them clean and safe.