The Most Beautiful Hotel Pools in the World

Truly spectacular design leaves an impression, and swimming pools are no different. No matter the climate, any luxury hotel worth its salt has one—after all, it’s hard to say whether it’s more awe-inspiring to be submerged beside a sand-trimmed sea or surrounded by snowy peaks. And, increasingly, as originality becomes more valued, properties are getting ever more creative with them. It’s not simply enough to have a serviceable lap pool or plunger for cooling off—the bar is high and is getting higher. The distinction between a pretty pool and a gorgeous one oftentimes comes down to the environment around it. These standouts, from cities as diverse as Cape Town, Las Vegas, and Hong Kong, to islands spanning Bali, Japan, and Santorini, and inland locales such as the Swiss Alps and Patagonia, marry their surroundings with unique shapes and amenities for results that are stunning.