Whether it’s an infinity pool that appears to melt into the Caribbean landscape, a wild-at-heart clifftop affair in Bali or the snow-capped peaks of the Italian Dolomites, a refreshing swim in a picturesque swimming pool can take a hotel stay from brilliant to unforgettable.

Some swimming spots sparkle on rooftops overlooking city scapes, others slosh over infinity edges towards a sea view, blurring the edges of the horizon, and many are set in manicured lawns, surrounded by scented fauna, olive groves and exotic birds. Whatever the surroundings, nothing says luxury travel like a swimming pool.

From a lap pool for a brisk front crawl session while basking in seriously spectacular views, to a refreshing spa where you can immerse yourself in cooling waters beneath glorious sunshine, we’ve scoured the world’s continents for the standout hotel swimming pools that offer some of the most special paddling on the planet.

Best hotels with swimming pools in Europe

Location: Santorini, Greece

Famed for its whitewashed architecture and blue-domed churches, Santorini’s best swim-with-a-view comes courtesy of the Grace Hotel’s cliffside infinity pool.

With far-reaching views of the volcanic caldera and craggy headland Skaros Rock, which juts into the azure Aegean Sea, this 22m heated pool is the centrepiece of the 20-room, adults-only hotel, which spills down seven levels in the rock face in Imerovigli.

A favourite with couples, thanks to its secluded feel and crisp, minimalist-luxe rooms, Grace is within easy reach of Fira and Oia, and sunsets here are unrivalled, whether enjoyed from the pool, seafood restaurant Varoulko Santorini, or with a tiki cocktail at 363 Bar.

Location: Umbria, Italy

Enjoy views of Umbria’s olive groves, ancient vineyards and cypress-peppered landscapes while soaking in Reschio’s gorgeous oval-shaped pool. Flanked by umbrella pines, it’s cleverly designed so it seems to melt into the manicured lawns of the 10th-century castle that has been turned into a heritage-led boutique hotel. Plus, there’s a unique poolside bar for cocktails and gelato: Il Torrino, the castle’s former watchtower.

Done swimming? Make for the wine-cellar-turned-spa for subterranean hammams; feast on farm-to-table food (with most produce coming straight from the 3,700-acre estate’s beehives, kitchen garden and vineyards); take a riding lesson, or explore the nearby medieval hilltop towns of Perugia and Assisi.

Price: Doubles from £675, B&B

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Location: Blue Lagoon, Iceland

If you’ve cash to splash, the most stylish way to experience the Blue Lagoon’s steamy, electric-blue, geothermal waters is with a stay in one of The Retreat’s 62 suites. Its series of terraced pools is open only to hotel guests, meaning unhurried relaxation in the famed mineral-rich waters, minus the hoopla, and selfie sticks, of the main lagoon.

In the next-level spa, slather up with algae masks and lava scrubs, then relax back in bedrooms in lichen-green and duck-egg blue hues with views out to moss-carpeted lava fields. Don’t miss fine-dining restaurant Moss, and turn on your “northern lights wake-up call” before you sleep.

Price: Doubles from £1,099, B&B

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Location: Italian Dolomites

In the heart of the Italian Dolomites and ski hub Madonna di Campiglio, Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti’s arresting indoor-outdoor saltwater pool serves up steamy waters against panoramas of snow-capped peaks in winter, with the icy air adding an extra zing to bathing, while, in summertime, vistas are a rush of greenery.

Forming part of a 5,000 square metre spa, there’s also a 20m indoor lap pool, salt-water lake and nine types of sauna, with different “paths” to take to rebalance energies, as well as mountain pine and alpine salt-infused treatments.

The 88 suites and 22 residences nail contemporary chalet chic, and restaurants, including Ristorante Dolomia, deliver stylish seasonal fare and stunning views.

Best hotels with swimming pools in Asia

Location: Bali, Indonesia

Showing off the raw, wild roll of Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, the 50m-long infinity pool, perched 100m above the Indian Ocean on a clifftop plateau, is as legendary as Uluwatu’s world-class surf breaks. Designed to flow sensitively into the landscape, jaw-dropping panoramas are punctuated with striking WOHA-designed, wood-slatted cabanas, which appear to “float”.

Sip clever cocktails in the sunset bar (think arak with earl-grey cordial and cherries, or nostalgic coconut floats), get a nasi goreng fix at The Warung, then slumber in one of 65 lava-rock roofed villas where glass-fronted doors allow you to roll straight from sofa to outdoor private pool.

Location: Rajasthan, India

Deep in the western Aravalli mountains in slow-paced Ajabgarh is Amanbagh’s fit-for-a-maharaja pool. Flanked by mint-green parasols and gnarly-trunked date palms, the spacious 33m x 12m pool reflects the ultra-luxe property’s rose-coloured Mughal-style architecture, domed roofs, scallop-edged doors and jali latticework screens beautifully. Soundtracked by chirruping birds, it’s serene by day and even more enchanting when illuminated by twinkly lights at night.

Warmed naturally in summer months and heated during winter, as it sits adjacent to a smaller wading pool – and as guests at the 40-room property are often unwinding in the spa – it never feels crowded. Other attractions include grounding fire meditations at dusk and dosha-specific meals.

Price: Doubles from £620, B&B

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Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Fringed by landscaped gardens and knotty-limbed frangipani trees, the 35m lap pool at this hotel takes inspiration from Angkor’s ancient royal bathing pools. It’s long enough to do a proper workout, but also a lovely spot to simply luxuriate in the marvellous architecture of the alabaster-hued, French Art Deco-style hotel.

Everyone from Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama has checked into the opulent suites here, which are kitted out with writing desks and vintage rotary phones. While it retains masses of old-world charm – not to mention its original wrought iron and teak lift – the concierge knows the of-the-minute bars in town, and can arrange unique Vespa tours of Angkor’s temples, which are just a 20-minute drive away.

Location: Beijing, China

Clad in stainless steel, with jewel-box hues and a ceiling studded with fibre-optic lights, the 22m basement swimming pool at Beijing’s The Opposite House looks like something from a James Bond villain’s lair.

Its edgy look is in keeping with the creative energy that flows through the property, designed by architecture whizz Kengo Kuma. This hotel-meets-living-art-gallery is home to an ever-changing roster of installations, which has included tiled waves by Zen-In and wire sculptures by Huang Yiwei.

From its origami-look lobby to the 99 wooden-floored, zen-feel guest studios and Michelin-starred Jing Yaa Tang, a stay here is a real work of art.

Best hotels with swimming pools in Africa

Location: Windhoek, Namibia

Omaanda’s 15m infinity pool not only looks out to a 7,500-hectare nature reserve, all greeny-gold savannah and acacia trees with the Auas Mountains rippling in the distance, it’s also the ideal vantage point to spy on a nearby watering hole. This means, after days spent wandering among elephants and cheetahs on safari, you can continue the wildlife spotting as you swim – perhaps catching a glimpse of warthogs gambolling by the water.

After sunset, dip underneath a sky spangled with stars, relax by the fireside boma on comfy scatter cushions, hit the rustic wooden bar, or retreat to one of 10 soulfully decorated thatched cottages inspired by local Owambo architecture.

Best hotels with swimming pools in the Caribbean

Location: St Lucia

Placed to take in sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea and St Lucia’s Pitons, Jade Mountain’s swimming pools are legendary. As well as a kaleidoscope-mosaic-tiled communal pool at the Jade Mountain Club, each of the 24 infinity pool suites has its own “vanishing edge” pool in lieu of each room’s exterior wall.

Ensuring a connection to nature at all times, they’re ideal for bathing a deux, and combine shallow lounging areas with a larger swimming area. Surfaced with iridescent glass tiles in varying bright shades, at night there’s added chromotherapy, thanks to coloured lights.

Pools aside, Jade Mountain’s private beaches, chocolate laboratory and 600-acre tropical estate will keep you busy.

Best hotels with swimming pools in North America

Location: Miami, Florida

A trio of three 24m-long infinity pools set at different temperatures – a 23C lap pool, a central pool at 29C and a warmer family pool at 35C – hold court in the palm-fringed gardens of this Art Deco hotel.

Orientated east to west, to capitalise on sunrise and sunset, the series of pools leads towards a private stretch of sugar-white sand on South Beach, with day beds and parasols for all-day lounging.

Suites have Asian touches – think glossy dark woods, mother of pearl mosaics and ancient artefacts. There’s excellent Asian fare at Jaya restaurant, the Sunday jazz brunch is not to be missed and service here is unfailingly five-star slick.

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