Having your own private pool while on vacation feels like the ultimate form of decadence. You don’t have to fight for a lounge chair, and you can step into the water and soak in absolute privacy without interruption, any time you please. At top resorts across the globe, private plunge pools are becoming all the rage – and in especially luxurious properties, you might even find them as a standard perk in every suite or villa.
These top resorts offer some of the most magnificent plunge pools to take a dip into, and all just steps from that super-comfy bed.
Ladera Resort, St. Lucia
Ladera Resort enjoys a dramatic cliff-side location in St. Lucia, with its one and two-bedroom treehouse-style villas carefully tucked into the surrounding hillside overlooking the iconic twin Pitons. Along with the stunning views and especially lush grounds, most villas at this top resort in St. Lucia include a private infinity plunge pool, complete with a pool swing overlooking the glistening expanse of the Caribbean a thousand feet below. Not surprisingly, the property also boasts plenty of top-notch amenities, like an open-air restaurant and bar, an infinity lagoon pool, a gorgeous spa with black water soaking baths and an open-air fitness center. Plus, the location is fabulous, close to the idyllic white sands of Jalousie beach and just steps away from cocoa plantations.
Hotel Le Toiny, St Barths
This exclusive villa luxury resort is one of the most prestigious hotels in St Barths, and one of the most sophisticated in the world. With such an intimate, private environment and limited accommodation, it can be difficult to get a reservation, but if you manage to score one, you’ll find lots of Parisian flair set across 28 lush acres with natural hills and beachfront, as well as a large, infinity-edge plunge pool in every villa. You’ll also enjoy jaw-dropping views, dining at its French-Caribbean restaurant, Jarad at Le Toiny, known for serving some of the very best food on the island, and indulging in fabulous treatments at the Serenity Spa, including warm shell massage.
Amangiri - Canyon Point, Utah
This magnificent Canyon Point Resort sits in the desert of southern Utah. One of the most magnificent luxury desert resorts in the world, it allows guests to watch the sun rise over 400-year-old limestone formations before exploring the almost other-worldly-like landscape on foot or on horseback. Although it’s built around a stunning negative-edge pool, some of its chic, modern suites include a private desert-facing infinity pool. Mesa Suite pools feature private sky terraces and sweeping mesa vistas, while the Desert Suites boast large pools that overlook the endless expanse of dunes and plateaus. The signature Amangiri Suite has a 60-foot rectangular swimming area that’s built into an expansive outdoor terrace – complete with an alfresco dining area and daybed so you can nap and dine poolside too. After dark, the desert sky, filled with countless brilliant, glowing stars is absolutely mesmerizing.
The Place Luxury Boutique Villas - Koh Tao, Thailand
Nestled in the hills of Koh Tao, an island in the Chumphon Archipelago synonymous with diving and snorkeling, The Place offers an ideal tranquil escape with private villas. Each has a feel as if you’re in your own little slice of paradise, totally separate from the others and surrounded by trees as well as looking out to the sea. Villas have a spacious, open-plan area with elegant wood floors, kitchen facilities, a separate living area and large plunge pools that sit on expansive decks and balconies overlooking the cerulean waters of the Gulf of Thailand. The resort offers the perfect spot for romance, relaxation and total privacy. And, as it’s just above Sairee, you’ll have convenient access to eateries, bars and shops found there, as well as the longest beach on the island.
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam
Set on a hidden bay in the East Vietnam Sea, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay can only be reached by boat. It offers spectacular seclusion that takes privacy to a whole new level. Magnificent teakwood villas strewn along the enormous rocks and boulders that make up this crescent-shaped bay at the edge of the jungle, include satellite TV, a CD/DVD player, mini wine cellar, a minibar, iPod dock – and, a private plunge pool. You can even sunbathe on the dramatic rock formation into which it’s been carved. The five split-level Water Pool Villas are equipped with large, sunset-facing pools that offer ocean access. All you have to do is climb out of your pool, down a wooden later and into the sea below. The resort also features restaurants and bars, the Six Senses spa offering Vietnamese massage and a host of other treatments, a yoga pavilion, gym, watersports center, outdoor cinema, golf buggies and bicycles.
Excellence Playa Mujeres - Isla Mujeres, Mexico
North of mainland Cancun, this top-rated adults-only luxury resort offers a diverse all-inclusive experience with multiple restaurants, including an Italian taverna, sushi spot and Indian restaurant. The spa has the feel of a Greek temple, featuring heated waterbeds, private relaxation rooms, a 12-step hydrotherapy circuit and a multitude of treatment options. There is also a winding, manmade river on site, as well as beautiful swimming pools and a host of activities, like archery, Spanish lessons and cooking classes. Rooms are spacious and contemporary with luxe amenities like iPod docks and large flat-screen TVs – and some boast stunning rooftop terraces with private plunge pools overlooking the Caribbean.
Cavo Tagoo - Mykonos, Greece
The only thing better than relaxing in an infinity pool that overlooks the Aegean Sea, is having your own private infinity pool overlooking the Aegean Sea. The luxurious Cavo Tagoo on Mykonos climbs the hill over the sparkling waters in sensuous white curves, with natural projecting rock along the path that leads to your lavish accommodations – all of which include your very own infinity pool. You’ll also find whitewashed walls, plasma TVs, four-poster beds, large verandas equipped with Jacuzzi tubs and terraces the face the sea and sunset. Choose the Diamond Villa and you can enjoy an oversize ocean-view pool that’s built into a lavish outdoor living room. You’ll find more water at the pool bar, complete with a 43-foot-long aquarium stocked with sharks.
Rosewood Mayakoba - Playa del Carmen, Mexico
This peaceful retreat set within the resort community of Playa Del Carmen on a mile-long stretch of sand feels less like a hotel than a nature and wildlife preserve. Step into an exotic world from the moment you set foot on the palapa-roofed boat that will bring you to your room’s private dock. Meandering trails lead through the grounds that are dotted with lily-strewn lagoons, bungalows and villas. Each accommodation offers lots of privacy tucked among lush foliage, as well as featuring garden showers, private verandas and outdoor plunge pools. They also enjoy an open-air vibe with lots of floor-to-ceiling windows, and, if you choose an overwater lagoon suite you’ll enjoy swim-up access right from the beach, which the plunge pools overlook. All accommodation categories include personal butler service too.
Aqua Oceanfront Resort & Residences - Tola, Nicaragua
Accommodation at the eco-friendly Aqua Oceanfront Resort & Residences offers the chance to delight the inner-child within by staying in a rainforest treehouse – complete with monkeys that scatter across your balcony. Sipping champagne from your private plunge pool as the sun sinks into water is likely to induce plenty of “I can’t believe we’re really here,” remarks too. In addition to watching the monkeys, and iguanas, you’ll enjoy gorgeous views of Redondo Bay, organic spa treatments and complimentary yoga classes on ocean-view wooden platforms. The pristine white-sand beach is secluded in a protected cove, offering a perfect spot to relax, while free use of paddleboards, kayaks and snorkeling gear are offered for those who want to get more active. The onsite restaurant serves up simple, but tasty, local fare.
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, French Polynesia
The Four Seasons Bora Bora is a true Polynesian dream come true, plunge pools or not. This five-star resort enjoys uninterrupted views of the dramatic peaks of Bora Bora that become even more magical at sunset. The beautiful beaches and landscaped gardens are impeccably maintained, while the over-water bungalows stretch out into the emerald-hued lagoon, with some equipped with their own private saltwater plunge pool. In the cathedral-like spa, guests can enjoy a variety of treatments, like a massage with monoi oil that contains flecks of 24-carat gold. There are also all sorts of activity options, including watersport, yoga and stand-up paddleboard classes as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center.
Conrad Maldives - Rangali Island, Maldives
Situated on two private tropical islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean, at the twice-voted “Best Hotel in the World,” you can choose a beach villa, overwater bungalow or a sunset water villa, complete with telescope, glass-floored living room, and even a circular bed that rotates as you watch the sun dip below the horizon. No matter which you opt for, you’ll also get an enormous wooden sundeck and an infinity plunge pool in the same brilliant shade of blue as the ocean beyond. Dining is at the world famous Ithaa, an amazing underwater restaurant serving gourmet cuisine paired with one of 20,000 bottles of wine – don’t worry, if you have trouble making a decision, your sommelier will help. During the day, if you can pull yourself away from your room, you can go snorkeling or diving for up close encounters with an incredible array of marine life or walk the bridge that links the two islands and look for the manta rays that float through the water beneath your feet.
Leopard Hills, South Africa
The all-inclusive Sabi Sand Game Reserve’s five-star luxury lodge is perched on a South African hilltop overlooking a natural watering hole. If you’re looking for luxury with your safari, this is it. You’ll not only enjoy spectacular views for African wildlife and nature before you even go on safari, each of the air-conditioned suites come with their own private heated rock plunge pool – an amazing place for watching the multitude of animals in their natural habitat. One caveat: You may have to share your pool with some of them. Some guests have woken up to the sounds of elephants drinking from their pool. But is that really a downside? You can also enjoy gourmet, African-inspired cuisine in the elegant dining room, under the stars in a traditional Shangaan boma, or, choose to have the chef serve a romantic dinner right on your private deck.
Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort - Koh Samui, Thailand
Nestled in a tropical garden sitting right on Lamai Beach on the island of Koh Samui, renowned for its palm-fringed stretches of sand circling dense, mountainous rainforest and coconut groves, Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort features luxurious accommodation options. All are spacious with Thai-inflected décor and include private patios as well as soaking tubs. Choose a higher-tier villa, and you’ll get a private plunge pool with a beachfront view. Couples especially appreciate the in-room massages as well as the romantic beachfront eatery and poolside bar. A spa and fitness center are right onsite too.
Secret Bay, Dominica
Private and luxurious, Secret Bay is an intimate boutique resort with sustainable villas and bungalows set upon a lush, rugged hillside on the unspoiled island of Dominica. Each villa is unique, though all of the treehouse-inspired retreats feels like its own private island hideaway. The Honeymoon Villas boast sprawling wooden decks with sleek infinity plunge pools. You can also enjoy watching the glorious sunsets or practicing yoga from the separate sunset deck – and, if you’re in the mood for romance, you can even arrange for a private jazz performance on your deck while you dine at poolside.
