The most spectacular luxury swimming pools in the world are the SkyPark infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, the 1,013 metre lagoon at San Alfonso del Mar in Chile, and the clifftop pools of Santorini and the Amalfi Coast. Here are eight pools we picked for their setting, scale or daring, with what is true about each in 2026.
| Pool | Where | What sets it apart | Who can swim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina Bay Sands SkyPark | Singapore | 146 m infinity edge, 191 m above ground | Hotel guests only |
| San Alfonso del Mar | Algarrobo, Chile | 1,013 m long, 8.2 ha | Resort residents only |
| Viceroy Bali | Ubud, Indonesia | 40 villas, each with a private pool above a river gorge | Hotel guests |
| Grace Santorini | Imerovigli, Greece | Infinity pool above the caldera | Hotel guests |
| Anantara Golden Triangle | Chiang Saen, Thailand | Infinity pool over the Mekong valley, elephant camp | Hotel guests |
| The Cambrian | Adelboden, Switzerland | Indoor and outdoor pools in the Alps | Hotel and spa guests |
| Belmond Hotel Caruso | Ravello, Italy | Clifftop pool over the Amalfi Coast | Hotel guests |
| Blue Lagoon | Reykjanes, Iceland | Geothermal spa in a lava field | Ticketed visitors |
Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, Singapore
The SkyPark connects the three 55-storey towers of Marina Bay Sands and holds the world’s longest elevated swimming pool, with a 146 metre vanishing edge about 191 metres above the ground. Access is limited to registered hotel guests, so non-guests only see it from the observation deck. Don’t look down.
San Alfonso del Mar, Chile
This private resort in Algarrobo, about 100 km west of Santiago, holds a seawater lagoon that was recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest pool by area when it was completed in 2006. The lagoon is 1,013 metres (3,323 feet) long, covers 8.2 hectares and holds about 250 million litres of Pacific seawater. The earlier version of this article quoted a $4 million annual maintenance figure that we could not verify, so we have dropped it. Access is limited to residents.
Viceroy Bali, Indonesia
Viceroy Bali sits on the edge of the Petanu River gorge in Ubud, five minutes from the centre of town. The five-star, family-owned resort of 40 villas, each with its own private pool and views over the valley. The resort opened in 2005 with 11 villas.
Grace Santorini, Greece
Grace Santorini sits on the caldera rim above the Aegean, with an infinity pool facing the sunset. Management passed to Auberge Resorts Collection in 2018. Check current room availability and season dates before you plan a trip, because Greek island hotels close for winter.
Anantara Golden Triangle, Thailand
We believe the “Golden Triangle Resort” in the old article is the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort near Chiang Saen, where the border of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meets at the Mekong. The resort has an infinity pool over the Mekong valley and an on-site elephant camp. The drive from Chiang Rai airport is roughly an hour.
The Cambrian, Adelboden, Switzerland
The Cambrian is a spa hotel in the Bernese Oberland village of Adelboden with indoor and outdoor pools, including a heated outdoor pool with views of the Alps. Guides describe the indoor pool as around 28 degrees and the outdoor pool around 32 degrees, though we have not confirmed those temperatures with the hotel.
Belmond Hotel Caruso, Ravello, Italy
Hotel Caruso, originally an 11th century palace in the hill town of Ravello, is now Belmond Hotel Caruso. It has 50 rooms and suites and a clifftop pool club above the Amalfi Coast. It is a seasonal property and the hotel lists its 2027 reopening for 13 April 2027.
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 20 km from Keflavik airport. A correction to the old article: the lagoon is man-made. Its water is a by-product of the neighbouring Svartsengi power plant, and the milky blue colour comes from silica. Volcanic eruptions on the peninsula forced several temporary closures between late 2023 and 2025, so check opening status and book a timed ticket before you go.
“I’m always happy when I’m surrounded by water. I think I’m a mermaid, or I was a mermaid. The ocean makes me feel really small and it puts my whole life into perspective. It reminds me, I’m this very little piece of this huge earth. And, I’m born again when I get out from the ocean.”
Keep reading
- Hotels with the best views: more hotels built around a view
- 15 places to enjoy luxurious sunshine in Bali: the next stop after Viceroy Bali
FAQ
What is the most famous luxury hotel pool in the world?
The SkyPark infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, a 146 metre pool about 191 metres above the ground.
Can anyone swim in the Marina Bay Sands pool?
No. The SkyPark infinity pool is limited to registered hotel guests. Non-guests can see it from the observation deck.
Where is the world’s largest swimming pool?
San Alfonso del Mar in Algarrobo, Chile, holds a seawater lagoon 1,013 metres long and 8.2 hectares in area, listed by Guinness World Records as the largest pool by area at its completion in 2006.
Is the Blue Lagoon natural?
No. It is man-made, filled with water that comes from the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant. The silica gives the water its blue colour.
Which luxury pool hotels have private pools in every villa?
Viceroy Bali in Ubud has 40 villas, each with a private pool.
Do these hotels operate all year?
Not all. Belmond Hotel Caruso is seasonal and lists a reopening on 13 April 2027, so check the dates for each property.
Last updated: October 2026.
This article was written by Irina. You can visit her blog here: [button color=”red” size=”small” link=”http://imapuma.wordpress.com” target=”blank” ]I’m a puma [/button]
