Best Spa Pools
From the time we're kids, the lure of the hotel or resort pool is irresistible, and the more grown-up we get the more delight we take in finding the perfect deck chair and walking toward the pool's edge to get ready for that first plunge.Our list of pools is drawn from some of the best hotel and resort spas in North America. Inspectors from Mobil Travel Guide painstakingly rate hotel and resort spas on a list of more than 550 criteria, including the pool. Continue reading to discover upscale swimming holes at some of North America's best hotel and resort spas.
 The pool at the Broadmoor glows against the Colorado night sky. |
Peninsula Beverly Hills, California
Inviting, private, and offering a stunning view of downtown Los Angeles, the 60-foot lap pool at the Peninsula Beverly Hills is flanked by cushioned deck chairs, private cabanas, and – if you like – a therapist ready to provide a manicure while you let the Santa Anna winds rustle through your hair.
The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
Legendary interior designer Dorothy Draper was invited by the Greenbrier to design an indoor pool in the 1940s. Her bold, classic design still thrills guests who tread over the terra cotta floors in bare feet ready to take a dip. The bright room, with its Roman columns, is delightful any time of year, but particularly welcome during the winter months for its colorful furniture and refreshing light. Outdoors, the Greenbrier's infinity pool rests just near a golf course creating the illusion of a crystal-clear pond. The pool house and comfortable deck chairs keep guests comfortable all day, but we suggest waking up early before the pool gets busy to watch the sunrise play its colors against the calm waters.
The Spa at the Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Eleven thousand square feet of space at the sprawling Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs are devoted to pools. The infinity pool seamlessly melts into Cheyenne Lake, its edge creating the welcome optical illusion. Two whirlpools and a series of cabanas give guests an opportunity to recline, while waterslides and a children's pool give the kids a place to play. We love the fantastic views of the lake and mountains just beyond the resort, and the serene moments you can steal by the water late in the evening.
Montage Resort & Spa, Laguna Beach, California
Competing with the Laguna Beach coastline and inviting ocean waves, the pool at Spa Montage holds its own with eye-gazers. Its intricate mosaic tile bottom paints a stunning picture that begs you to dive in and swim to the bottom for a closer look. Guests are treated to stunning views of the Pacific, and children have their own pool to enjoy on the resort property, making the "grown up" pool all the more appealing to those in search of calm.
Bacara Resort & Spa, Santa Barbara, California
Glimmering in the sunlight against the upscale and stylish Bacara Resort & Spa, this pool might be slightly more famous for who lounges around it than how it looks, but this is, after all, California. On bright sunny days, the pool and those who sit at its edge creates a picture even David Hackney would admire. Bacara Spa complements the outdoor pool experience with indoor private Jacuzzi's and areas outdoors for completely private tanning.
The Peninsula Chicago
The mood created in the glass-enclosed rooftop pool at the Peninsula Chicago – where the hotel's spa is also located – is enchanting. During the summer, light streams into the room as guests quietly splash through their pool laps, but in the winter, walking into this room underneath a snowy Chicago sky is like pulling a fast one on Mother Nature – you get a slice of summertime without having to wait.
 Hawaii's Grand Wailea Resort Hotel features a meandering pool. |
Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa, Hawaii
At almost 5,000 square feet, the Hibiscus pool at the Grand Wailea Resort looks dramatic. Mexican glass mosaic tile on the pool floor creates the image of a delicate hibiscus flower, and the pool's unusual arched shape makes you feel like exploring rather than just doing laps. A work of art, the dramatic pool is an excellent complement to the watery treatments available at the hotel's spa, and since it's an adults-only pool – the kids would rather play at the resort's waterpark pool, anyway – you can relax in tranquil quiet.
The Setai, South Beach, Miami, Florida
The poolside scene at the Setai in South Beach delivers every expectation you have about the upscale Floridian lifestyle – a few puffy clouds float in a blue sky above stout palm trees that provide a bit of shade over a magnificently designed pool. There are three pools at the Setai, as well as easy and quick access to the beach, and the sun culture here is lush. But the vibe, the mix of sun and shade, and the carefully-designed lines of the hotel's main pool creates a feeling so luxurious, it's difficult to leave the pool to take advantage of the resort's many activities.
Island Spa at the Island Hotel, Newport Beach, California
Walking the quiet path down a tree-lined lane toward the pool at the Island Hotel sets a mood. The scent of flowers is in the air, and the sound of a guest doing laps brings an immediate sense of calm. Choose a poolside chaise to enjoy the scene and, if it's near evening, locate yourself near the oversized stone fireplace that frames the pool's far end. The crackling of the fire takes off the ever-so-slight chill that can accompany a Californian evening.
The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows, Beverly Hills, California
Legendary, historic, and a prime spot for star-gazing, the pool at the Beverly Hills Hotel is lined by palm trees, adorned with canvas shade umbrellas and dotted with private cabanas. Connected to the Beverly Hills Hotel Spa by La Prairie, the pool provides a central spot for socializing and leisure life on the highest order, combining old-world luxury with youthful style.