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The Five Must-See Hotel Pools of Summer 2009

July 24, 2009 at 1:34 PM | by Jenna | 7 Comments

The time has come for itsy-bitsy-teeny-weenie bikinis (and teeny weenies, if the Speedo thing is your jam) and sunning a-plenty. Countless hotels boast flatscreen TV's (yawn), Michelin-starred restaurants (stuffy) and iHomes (so what?), but what really impresses your pals are the photos and stories about that kickass pool by which your got your bitchin' bronze glow.

Inspired by our brother site Jaunted's World's Coolest Pools list, we bring you our picks for the Five Must-See Hotel Pools of Summer 2009.

1. Hotel Joule; Dallas, TX
For the urban exhibitionist (or voyeur, as it were): this Starwood Luxury Collection property (new to the Lone Star State, too!) has a sky-high design-y spot for some memorable dips: guests can go for a swim in this outdoor rooftop pool which partially hangs off the side of the building — eight stories up. And, yeah, it has plexiglass sides, too.
Rates start at $229 in the summer.

2. Hotel Caruso Ravello; Amalfi Coast, Italy
Shut. Up. Look at this edge right now. This Orient-Express hotel's infinity pool is killer — and, as Jaunted pointed out, TripAdvisor reviewers recommend swimming before breakfast; the pool is usually empty at that time, so you can act like a five-year-old who just might fall off the edge of the pool into the sky.
Rates start at $859 in the summer.

3. Sarojin Resort; Khao Lak, Thailand
This massive blue bad boy has a plunge pool and a Jacuzzi, but the private cabanas are sorta heavenly: you can sit back and relax, munching on yummies from the nearby Ficus Restaurant or just get to chilling on the chaises. Check out Jaunted's take, too.
Rates start at $261 in the summer.
[Photo: Robert Stokes]

4. W Fort Lauderdale; Fort Lauderdale, FL
We know you haven't been here before (er, because it just opened): this one's for the watchers and those that love to be watched. The new W Fort Lauderdale pool has an infinity-edge that looks out onto the Atlantic — but the coolest part: the oceanfront pool deck has a glass-enclosed stairway. You can walk from the living room through the water (all Moses-style) up to the pool deck, or you can just sit in the living room and watch the tight bodies swimming above through little windows in the ceiling.
Rates start at $149 in the summer.
[Photo: FTLTodayDOTCom]

5. Four Seasons Maui at Wailea; Maui, HI
Be the first to check out FS Maui's new dippin' spot, dubbed the "Serenity Pool." The property debuted its brand new infinity-edged pool just this month, featuring an underwater music system, six cabanas with flat screen HDTVs with wireless headsets, wireless and wired internet access, ceiling fans, mini-fridges stocked with Evian and fresh fruit, magazines, comfy couches and oversized chaise lounges. There's a swim-up bar and a walk-up bar in addition to full service goodness for getting your drink on.
Rates start at $545 in the summer.
[Photo: Lar Jay]

7 Comments

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  1. JetSetCD

    HotelChatter Contributing Editor

    WANTTTTTTTTT

    I'm not a huge fan of the small, but dramatic pools as in the case of the Dallas hotel. I like my space and open expanses, but also places to crash on soft things. So I've got to go with Saojin Resort as my #1, followed by W Fort Lauderdale.
    July 24, 2009 at 3:05 PM
  1. bbphx

    HotelChatter Member

    Clarendon!

    Nobody mentioned the Clarendon in Phoenix.... it's a pretty sweet pool.
    July 28, 2009 at 12:38 PM
  1. sathis aravinda

    HotelChatter Member

    Still a lot around....

    Those are beautiful and tempting for sure...how about the below..?
    http://www.heritancehotels.com/kandalama/browse.php?catId=28
    August 18, 2009 at 3:28 AM
  1. Allinclusive

    HotelChatter Member

    Super Cool Hotel Pools

    These are great but there's a new one opening in Vancouver that's equally cool. Check it out: http://www.thekeefer.com/the_pool.php
    August 20, 2009 at 6:51 PM
  1. Hector Salas

    HotelChatter Member

    Sweet!

    I think my next vacay will be in Ft. Lauderdale and staying at W!
    August 27, 2009 at 9:02 PM
  1. Daniel R Mommo

    HotelChatter Member

    The "w" fort laud

    Super Nice without bing stuffy.
    Enjoy
    October 29, 2009 at 12:07 AM
  1. tim222

    HotelChatter Member

    Love these pools

    Ill admit..Im pretty partial to The Infinity pool at The Mandarin in Miami...but these pools look off the charts!

    Regards,
    E
    Hair Products

    November 23, 2009 at 9:20 AM

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