From Views to Amenities, These 11 Hotel Pools Are Our Faves

Amangiri Hotel, Canyon Point, UT

A trippy desert oasis, Amangiri is gracefully plunked in Navajo country, hidden among giant sandstone rocks. Although the resort is technically in the middle of nowhere, it is within striking distance of America’s greatest outbacks, including Zion. But the real national treasure might very well be the resort’s pool. It resembles a serene lake and is literally carved into the landscape, flowing around millions-year-old rock. There are chaises from which to stare at all the Earth’s layers. Meanwhile, two barefoot steps away are watsu and massage and, as is the Aman way, more servers than guests at your beck and call; aman.com.

Arrive Hotel, Palm Springs, CA

In a land where pool parties reign, the latest has arrived in Palm Springs’ Uptown Design District with luminary Chris Pardo as designer and co-owner. It’s called Arrive, and its sparkling blue 88° centerpiece fills you in on its personality immediately. Unicorn floaties for wading in the pool? Sure. The alfresco lunch, freshly muddled cocktails, and pressed juice from the bar attract the beautiful who need a break from city life. The custom-built marble ping-pong table is an energy center. But you need go no farther than your lounge chair—just text your order for Korean-barbecue tacos and Palm Springs punch. Cabanas are first come, first served—and free; arrivehotels.com.

Halekulani, Honolulu, HI

The big blue Pacific Ocean speckled with surfers and framed by skinny, swaying palms, with Diamondhead in the distance, forms the backdrop for the 82-foot-long oval built back in the glory year of 1981. Lining the floor is a ginormous mosaic Cattleya orchid, painstakingly tiled with 1.2 million deep blue glass pieces. Enjoy mai tais on demand, a freshwater alternative to the salty sea, and free morning surf lessons steps away on the sand; halekulani.com.

Madeline Hotel and Residences, Telluride, CO

The sweet 50-foot-long heated pool rises above Telluride on Madeline’s Sky Terrace. Your view: Mountain peaks of the Colorado Rockies. Extra treats: Not one but two hot tubs, flickering fireplaces, and Dylan’s Candy Bar downstairs; madelinetelluride.com.

Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, AZ

A semicircle of palm trees and the coral-colored compound of the Sonoran Desert resort form the ideal setting for a float. A 110-foot waterslide, a 900-foot-long river, and “flowboarding,” where surfing meets skateboarding on mini waves, are a few to-dos. Take advantage of kid-centric cabanas with free sunscreen and frozen grapes. Even better: Aguamiel Pool, with quiet for the over-18 set; kierlandresort.com.

Travaasa Hana, Maui, HI

What peace looks like: Wild ocean waves, wild wind-whipped palm trees, and wild horses—without any wild kids. This is Maui mostly to yourself. The volcanic rock-framed saltwater pool on a grassy mesa is so delicious-looking, you might crave a swim in it more than a mai tai. Swinging hammocks and Zen-like moments of nothing can be yours; travaasa.com.

Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV

Experience the Caribbean in Vegas: Palm trees, rushing waterfalls, even a (manmade) beach, backed by the gleaming gold
Mandalay Bay casino and hotel. Hit the beach party (spring-break style) with frolicking in the 6-foot swells and floating in turquoise tubes. Enjoy beachside blackjack and a whopping 100-plus cabanas, which come with misters and giant TVs and fit up to 10 friends—making the price tag easier to stomach; mandalaybay.com.

Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA

Sand and the sparkling Pacific stretch just beyond the glass wall, which keeps the wind at bay. Esther Williams swam here, in the larger-than-Olympic-sized pool. Now, the renovated 1937 members-only club is reserved for Montecito’s elite who patiently sat on the waitlist before ponying up the six-figure membership fee—and well-heeled hotel guests who splurge on a Four Seasons’ room. Among the perks: A “farm-to- straw” organic juice bar; an al fresco table overlooking Butterfly Beach at seafood-centric Tydes restaurant, otherwise off-limits to the public; and the ability to sidle up to the new “Aquarium bar,” a 275-gallon tank filled with coral reef and rainbow-colored fish—and topped with martinis; fourseasons.com/santabarbara.

Solage Calistoga, Calistoga, CA

Northern California’s golden hills, the hum of the Silverado Trail hidden behind the hotel, and twin non-native palm trees preside over wine country’s largest—and coolest pool. The scene: Tech employees unplugging, well-groomed guys gossiping, and bachelorette parties flipping through celebrity tabloids—all together poolside like this is L.A., not quiet little Calistoga. Experience beer brain freeze with new Kirin Ichiban Frozen beer—Solage is one of only a few resorts to carry it. Pair that with a Michelin-rated restaurant’s spicy shrimp lettuce wraps, all in your swimsuit. Two more pools can be found at the spa, with private rooms for mud slathering. This has spa getaway written all over it; solagecalistoga.com.

The Line Hotel, Los Angeles, CA

The hottest hotel in Koreatown has a direct line to the Hollywood hills. L.A.’s hippest hipsters lounge beneath citrus trees sipping cocktails freshly muddled with fruit—playing foosball, and star-gazing, into the night. Enjoy food from Kogi taco truck king Roy Choi, or from a poolside rooftop greenhouse-cum-veggie-centric café with green juice (or green gin); thelinehotel.com.