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The world's best swimming pools: From Bali to Barcelona; Switzerland to Singapore; these are the best pools in the coolest hotels around the world
Imagine an endless horizon as pool, sea and sky blend in a perfect shade of azure blue. Some of the best luxury hotels offer their perfect pools for your pleasure. Will you take the plunge?
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India
Udaipur, in the heart of Rajasthan, is a city of majestic palaces and beautiful lakes. Here, on the shores of Lake Pichola, the domes and pavilions of the Oberoi Udaivilas evoke all the majesty and grandeur of a traditional Indian palace. The rooms have terraces that lead to private or semi-private pools, and the luxurious spa boasts its own pool, a haven of peace and serenity. Expert therapists pamper the bodies and souls of guests with revitalising and rejuvenating treatments. It's the perfect place to unwind and relax.
Amankila Resort, Bali, Indonesia
The famed three-tiered pool at the Amankila Resort is set on a cliffside with stunning views out over the Lombok Strait. At the base of the cliff is the Beach Club, offering a simple menu of light meals and beverages for guests who want to enjoy the hotel's largest pool, which measures 41 metres. Frangipani and tuberose scent the air and coconut palms provide a gentle dappling of shade.
Intercontinental Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Considered by many one of the very best hotels in the world, with impressive views of Hong Kong Island and Victoria Harbour, the Intercontinental Hong Kong is perfectly located for both business and leisure. It is also an urban resort offering a large outdoor pool and 24-hour fitness centre. The icing on the cake, though, must be the luxurious spa with a trio of individually temperature controlled infinity pools on a terrace overlooking the harbour.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
On Singapore's Marina Bay, this hotel is an architectural icon on a grand scale. Everything about the Marina Bay Sands is truly spectacular, with more than 2,500 rooms, one suite of over 600 square metres, the world's most expensive casino, and its own botanical park. The peak of luxury is the breath-taking pool perched at a height of 200 metre on the roof top, but are you brave enough to swim here?
La Florida, Barcelona
Overlooking the cosmopolitan Spanish city of Barcelona, La Florida is an exclusive and elegant contemporary five-star hotel. From May to October, the Miramar bar, with its unique perspective of the city, is a meeting place for the those in the know. The bar is located on the terrace and set back from the magnificent 37 metre stainless steel pool, which is part of the hotel's Zen Zone Spa.
The Cambrian, Abeldoben, Switzerland
Listed among the best Swiss wellness hotels, The Cambrian offers an escape from the daily grind to a wonderland of mountain scenery. With the emphasis on holistic wellbeing, the spa is a place for total relaxation: put yourself in the hands of an expert to soothe mind, body and spirit. And nothing can compare with a relaxing dip in the outdoor heated infinity pool gazing at the snow-capped mountains across the valley.