Infinity pools: 11 of the most beautiful in the world - Times Travel (2023)

There are many factors that make a luxury hotel stand out, from Michelin-starred restaurants to considered design and whether there’s a serious spa for pampering. But surely one of the most important considerations of all is the pool — something that the hotels here have all nailed (at some places, the villas come with their own private infinity pools too). Whether ideal for meditative morning laps, gazing out at panoramic views of the sea or city skyline, or at the heart of a buzzing bar scene, these dreamy infinity pools are the major draw.

Main photo: Six Senses on Koh Samui

1. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Best for urban swimmers
With its trio of 57-storey towers and surfboard-shaped Skypark on top, Marina Bay Sands is one of Singapore’s instantly recognisable hotels — and the place to be at sunset. Join swimmers doing laps in the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool while gazing out over the glittering city skyline; afterwards, the hot ticket tables are neighbouring Spago dining room by Wolfgang Puck for Californian flavours (apple salad with Maine lobster, say, or sweetcorn agnolotti) or the Lavo Italian restaurant and rooftop bar for cocktails. There’s a heavenly Banyan Tree Spa, designer fashion boutiques downstairs and top attractions, including Gardens by the Bay, nearby.

Spa Y
Children allowed Y
Price ££

2. Silversands, Grenada

Best for design lovers
One of the first thing guests see when arriving at Silversands is the 100m infinity pool (the longest in the Caribbean) which stretches from the lobby down to the white sand of Grand Anse beach; the rest of the hotel spans out around it. Sea-view rooms with a balcony are split across a pair of white, wood-slat clad buildings (there are also nine villas, ideal for families), looking out over a gorgeous pared-back garden. The beach club-like open-air lounge and Grenadian Grill are ideal daytime hang-outs; in the evening, the action centres around the Asian-fusion Asiatique restaurant and Puro, a rum and cigar bar.

Spa Y
Children allowed Y
Price ££

3. Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania

Best for swimming on safari
Perched on a series of elevated platforms and walkways, this Serengeti lodge sits right next to a watering hole — meaning the main infinity pool is a front row seat for watching a family of elephants stop for a drink or a dazzle of zebra gallop past (the teak villas and suites each have their own private infinity pool, too). Maasai-guided bush walks and game drives to spot the Big Five are the highlight of each day but downtime is pretty special here too, with the all-day Majo pool bar and terrace for homemade pizza lunches, feasts around the boma and African-inspired treatments in the spa.

Spa Y
Children allowed Y
Price £££

15 of the most luxurious villas in the world

4. Belmond Caruso, Italy

Best for preening by the pool
Everything about this 11th-century palace turned luxury hotel on the Amalfi Coast has the wow factor, from the sumptuous suites with four-poster beds and antique furniture to the terraced rose-scented gardens and lemon groves. The heated infinity pool feels like it’s suspended on the cliff edge, teetering over the must-visit town of Ravello below. Boat trips to Capri and Ischia and private tours of archaeological wonders usually closed to the public (such as the Herculaneum thermal baths and theatre) can be arranged — if you can tear yourself away from the Italian Belvedere Restaurant with its Mediterranean views.

Spa Y
Children allowed Y
Price £££

5. Amankila, Bali

Best for basking in the jungle
In a peaceful eastern corner of Bali, this luxury hotel sits high on a jungle-covered hillside beneath Mount Agung. To the front, a three-tier infinity pool has panoramic views of the Lombok Strait and there’s a private black-sand beach below. Elevated on stilts, the suites share the same knockout vistas: some come with their own private infinity pool; the two-bedroom, butler-serviced Amankila suite is best for families. Indonesian dishes, served at the main open-sided restaurant, are based on produce from the resort’s own farm and garden. And activities range from cycling past rice paddies and climbing to the top of Mount Batur for sunrise to pampering Balinese scrubs and wraps in the spa.

Spa Y
Children allowed Y
Price £££

6. Six Senses Koh Samui, Thailand

Best for families
There’s no better kickstart to the day than swimming lengths in this resort’s vast infinity pool, which overlooks the Gulf of Thailand. Here on the northern tip of Samui, hillside wooden villas blend into the jungle surroundings (many come with their own private pools). Expect plenty to keep all ages entertained, from daily cooking classes and temple tours to island-hopping boat trips and movie nights under the stars. For supper, choose between traditional Thai dishes at Dining on the Hill or tasting menus at Dining on the Rocks, spread across a series of terraced decks on the headland.

Spa Y
Children allowed Y
Price ££

7. Andronis Arcadia, Santorini

Best for a pool scene
On the outskirts of pretty Oia, Santorini, this outpost from the Andronis hotel group feels like a world away from the tourist-thronged streets nearby. Floating day beds and a resident DJ lend the infinity pool a beach-club vibe while every boho-chic suite and villa has sunset sea views. There’s also an Ila spa and two restaurants to choose from: poolside Pacman, for sushi and mezze platters, and Opson, where the Greek tasting menu is based on dishes enjoyed by philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato using fresh produce from the kitchen garden.

Spa Y
Children allowed Y
Price ££

8. Cape Weligama, Sri Lanka

Best for relaxation
Set on the south coast just 30 minutes east of Galle, Sri Lanka, this resort sits in 12 acres of tropical gardens on its own peninsula, framed by sandy beaches on either side. At the cliff edge is a 60m crescent-shaped infinity pool, fringed with palm trees that appears to blend with the Indian Ocean beyond while on the slopes behind, terracotta-tiled villas are arranged in small clusters around semi-private infinity pools. Delicious dining options range from catch of the day at the Ocean Terrace to a chefs’ table experience at Tableau.

Spa Y
Children allowed Y
Price ££

9. One & Only Reethi Rah, Maldives

Best for people watching
There are a head-spinning number of private island resorts to choose from in the Maldives but for a fly-and-flop holiday with a sensational infinity pool, this resort wins hands-down. One of a trio of pools, the adult-only lap pool appears to meet the turquoise lagoon beyond (swimmers can rest up in a jacuzzi between lengths). Pick between 12 white-sand beaches and make the most of the kids club and spa (it has a yoga pavilion, Espa treatments and a Watsu pool) and a bunch of restaurants that include Botanica by pioneering plant-based chef Matthew Kenney.

Spa Y
Children allowed Y
Price £££

10. The Chedi Muscat, Oman

Best for desert lovers
From the manicured topiary and tinkling fountains to the low-rise, minimalist Asian-style villas with garden or Gulf views, the detail-driven design of The Chedi Muscat in Oman is seriously impressive. And that goes for the three temperature-controlled pools too: there’s the adult-only infinity Chedi Pool with private cabanas; the aptly named Long Pool in front of the spa where swimmers can tuck into sushi after a workout; and the Serai Pool surrounded by lush gardens and palm trees. Sand dunes and the souks make fun day trips but this is a sanctuary for holidaymakers wanting to stay put too.

Spa Y
Children allowed Y
Price ££

11. Paradero Todos Santos, Mexico

Best for couples
Brutalist-inspired structures blend seamlessly into the desert-oasis backdrop at this hip hotel in Baja California Sur’s Todos Santos, a designated Pueblo Magico (magical town). In contrast, the dramatic half-moon shaped infinity pool, where you can swim up to the bar to order a mezcal martini and warm-up round the fire pit at night, stands out. There’s also a sunken spa for sound healing and chakra balancing, and a communal living room with hammocks and floor cushions. Guided morning hikes to Las Palmas beach, sunset bike rides, art walks and sustainable gardening sessions are all included.

Spa Y
Children allowed N
Price ££

Take me there

Inspired to book a hotel with an infinity pool? Here are the best hotels to stay from Mr&Mrs Smith and luxury holidays from BA Holidays. And if you’re still unsure of where you want to go or what type of holiday to book, get in touchhere and one of the Designer Travel experts will be in contact to help you arrange your perfect tailor-made break.