Swim above the city
Hidden Pools
Water that meets the horizon. Cabanas without cameras, sun without a queue, and quiet water where the skyline slows down.
25 curated pools
PoolParis, France
Hotel Costes Pool
A candlelit underground pool with mosaic tiles, jazz on low volume, and thick towels on marble.
Insider tip: Order the ginger tea — served in a silver pot by the pool.
Where to stay nearby: La Reserve ParisView Paris guide
PoolMilan, Italy
Bulgari Hotel Spa Pool
An emerald-tiled indoor pool in a private garden behind the botanical gardens.
Insider tip: Book Suite 60 for direct garden access.
Where to stay nearby: Portrait MilanoView Milan guide
PoolAmsterdam, Netherlands
Conservatorium Pool
A skylit pool inside the glass-roofed atrium of the Conservatorium Hotel.
Insider tip: The pool attendant serves fresh mint tea at 8 AM.
Where to stay nearby: Pulitzer AmsterdamView Amsterdam guide
PoolRotterdam, Netherlands
Room Mate Bruno Pool
A quiet lap pool in a converted warehouse near the cruise terminal.
Insider tip: Best just after sunrise for east light on the water.
Where to stay nearby: Hotel New YorkView Rotterdam guide
PoolThe Hague, Netherlands
Kurhaus Spa Pool
A restored Belle Époque pool overlooking the sea, quiet outside summer.
Insider tip: Ask for a beach cabana with pool access.
Where to stay nearby: Hotel Des IndesView The Hague guide
PoolMadrid, Spain
Four Seasons Madrid Pool
A rooftop pool above the Canalejas galleries with Palacio views.
Insider tip: The pool attendant makes a chilled salmorejo at noon.
Where to stay nearby: Rosewood Villa MagnaView Madrid guide
PoolLisbon, Portugal
Palacio Ramalhete
A hidden palace pool in Santos surrounded by azulejo tiles. Eight rooms.
Insider tip: Ask for the 'Ramalhete Refresh' by name.
Where to stay nearby: Pensao AmorView Lisbon guide
PoolIstanbul, Turkey
Six Senses Kocataş Mansions Pool
A restored Ottoman waterfront mansion pool on the Bosphorus, upper village, off the tourist strip.
Insider tip: Ask for a mansion-side cabana with the sea gate open.
Where to stay nearby: Soho House IstanbulView Istanbul guide
PoolCannes, France
Le Roof, Five Seas Hotel
A boutique rooftop with a 13-metre infinity pool overlooking Le Suquet's old town rather than the Croisette — a deliberately quieter view than most Cannes rooftops.
Insider tip: Ask for a poolside daybed rather than a bar seat; the infinity pool area is reserved for hotel guests only, so it stays calm even when the bar fills up.
Find a place to stay nearby in CannesView Cannes guide
PoolBali, Indonesia
Cliffside Oasis
An infinity pool on the cliff's edge, azure horizon, empty at sunrise.
Insider tip: Owner arranges private cliffside dinners with two days' notice.
Where to stay nearby: Suarga Padang PadangView Bali guide
PoolKyoto, Japan
Four Seasons Kyoto Pool
Indoor pool in a restored 800-year-old pond garden.
Insider tip: Chilled barley tea at 11 AM by the koi.
Find a place to stay nearby in KyotoView Kyoto guide
PoolTokyo, Japan
Bulgari Hotel Tokyo Pool
A 40th-floor emerald pool with wraparound Tokyo skyline.
Insider tip: Suite 4501 has direct pool-deck access.
Where to stay nearby: Hoshinoya TokyoView Tokyo guide
PoolBangkok, Thailand
The Siam Pool
A colonial-style lap pool on the river at The Siam hotel, palms and silence.
Insider tip: Ask for a poolside cabana with butler.
Where to stay nearby: The SiamView Bangkok guide
PoolSingapore, Singapore
Capella Sentosa Pool
A three-tiered cascading pool through rainforest at the Capella resort.
Insider tip: Book a Garden Villa for a private plunge pool.
Where to stay nearby: Raffles SingaporeView Singapore guide
PoolKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Four Seasons KL Pool
A 40th-floor infinity pool facing KLCC park.
Insider tip: Ask for a cabana with jasmine tea service.
Where to stay nearby: The RuMa HotelView Kuala Lumpur guide
PoolShanghai, China
Amanyangyun Pool
A candlelit lap pool inside a 400-year-old camphor forest resort.
Insider tip: Book an Antique Villa for private courtyard access.
Where to stay nearby: The Peninsula ShanghaiView Shanghai guide
PoolHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Park Hyatt Saigon Pool
A colonial courtyard pool shaded by frangipani, opposite the Opera House.
Insider tip: Order the chilled pandan lemonade — off the printed menu.
Where to stay nearby: The Reverie SaigonView Ho Chi Minh City guide
PoolMexico City, Mexico
Las Alcobas Pool
A small heated rooftop pool in Polanco surrounded by agave.
Insider tip: Ask for the hibiscus margarita at 3 PM.
Where to stay nearby: Hotel CarlotaView Mexico City guide
PoolCartagena, Colombia
Casa San Agustin Pool
A 17th-century mansion courtyard pool, stone and bougainvillea.
Insider tip: Hidden grotto plunge pool behind vines.
Where to stay nearby: Hotel QuadrifolioView Cartagena guide
PoolMiami, USA
Faena Hotel Pool
A theatrical Miami Beach pool with red-and-gold cabanas and butler service.
Insider tip: Ask for a beachfront cabana with champagne minibar.
Where to stay nearby: The Setai Miami BeachView Miami guide
PoolNew York, USA
Aman New York Pool
A 65-foot pool with fireplaces on either end, inside the Crown Building.
Insider tip: Book a spa suite for a private pool hour.
Where to stay nearby: The Mark HotelView New York guide
PoolBahamas, Bahamas
The Ocean Club Pool
A quiet crescent pool at the Four Seasons Ocean Club, colonial and calm.
Insider tip: The Versailles Terrace opens for private breakfast by request.
Where to stay nearby: Kamalame CayView Bahamas guide
PoolChicago, USA
Peninsula Chicago Pool
A skylit indoor pool with lake and skyline views on the 19th floor.
Insider tip: Order the truffle grilled cheese from the pool menu — off the printed list.
Where to stay nearby: Waldorf Astoria ChicagoView Chicago guide
PoolAtlanta, USA
St. Regis Atlanta Pool
A 40,000-square-foot pool complex with private cabanas and butler service.
Insider tip: Order the pool-side lobster BLT — quietly signature.
Where to stay nearby: Mandarin Oriental AtlantaView Atlanta guide
PoolAustin, USA
Commodore Perry Estate Pool
A 1928 Italianate estate pool at the Auberge property, surrounded by pecan trees.
Insider tip: Ask for a cabana lunch from Lutie's kitchen.
Where to stay nearby: Hotel Saint CeciliaView Austin guide