When we look for a hotel to stay in, price, location and amenities are some of the most important features to consider. But for many people, it’s really all about the pool!
When it comes to holidays, people look forward to sitting by the pool, sipping cocktails and sunning themselves. Taking a dip in the swimming pool to cool off is all part of the experience. However, not all pools are created equally and some are more beautiful than others.
Hotel swimming pools can feel like bathing in works of art or make your stay feel like a blissful retreat. Europe has plenty of beautiful pools to choose from; there are pools set amongst wild landscapes, others in the sea and some that belong in an art gallery. We’re going to dive, with both feet, into Europe’s most beautiful hotel swimming pools.
The Yeatman – Porto, Portugal
Where better to take in the World Heritage city of Porto than from the comfort of the luxurious Yeatman hotel? This beautiful and intimate hotel overlooks the historic Portuguese city, and so does its infinity swimming pool.
Guests can enjoy floating on one of two swimming pools at the Yeatman while they take in the sights of this vibrant city. With proximity to wine lodges and a panoramic view from its balconies, staying at the Yeatman just keeps on giving.
Revered for excellent service, guests enjoy riverside views of the River Douro right on the cusp of the nearby mountain range. Finding a good hotel is important to ensure your stay is as fulfilling as possible and the Yeatman certainly has plenty to offer its guests.
Grace Santorini – Imerovigli, Greece
The idyllic island of Santorini is a dream destination for anyone looking to soak up the sun amongst the sand and the sea. This popular Greek island is home to villages and towns; most coming with stunning views of the Aegean Sea.
Imerovigli, a village on the island, is known for its arrangements of properties that form a sort of amphitheatre. The benefit of such an arrangement is to give one of the best views of the sunset anywhere on the island, earning Imerovigli the nickname ‘Balcony to the Aegean’.
To make sure you capture that wonderful sunset, Grace Santorini offers a view across the Aegean Sea from the comfort of its infinity pool. The hotel is cut into the cliffs and its infinity pool is one of the largest of its kind on Santorini. If you would rather soak up the sunset in private, the hotel offers hot tubs on its romantic and luxurious balconies.
Albatroz Beach and Yacht Club – Santa Cruz, Portugal
Portugal’s Albatroz Beach and Yacht Club can be found in Santa Cruz, an area of the country known for its expansive beaches. Water is at the heart of the beach and yacht club’s identity with a 400-metre seafront all part of the experience.
The hotel itself sits at the top of a cliff, looking over the Atlantic Ocean, with steps carved into the rock that lead down to the sea. As it’s right on the sea, the swimming pools at Albatroz Beach and Yacht Club make the most of their surroundings. There are two natural pools at sea level, with easy access to the ocean, plus a freshwater pool at the hotel level.
Natural pools offer people the opportunity to safely swim outdoors in water that is free from large quantities of chemicals and does not damage the environment. Swimming in a natural pool helps you to feel a part of your surroundings and extend your travel experience to your leisure time.
However, the pièce de résistance at the Albatroz Beach and Yacht Club is its pool carved into the ocean, jutting out into the sea and immersing swimmers in their surroundings.
Hotel Metropole – Monaco
Not every amazing hotel swimming pool has to be outdoors, as the Hotel Metropole in Monaco perfectly showcases. Its ‘Odyssey’ pool, designed by Karl Lagerfield, depicts the journey of Odysseus around the walls of the room. Think of it like the stations of the cross in a church, only instead of depicting Jesus’ journey it’s the legendary Greek hero, Odysseus.
The artwork alone makes this heated seawater pool worth a visit but there’s more. The lounge and bar area features a solarium and poolside restaurant catered for by the hotel’s highly skilled chefs.
Grand Hotel Central – Barcelona, Spain
Found in the middle of Barcelona’s vibrant hub is the Grant Hotel Central. This five-star Spanish hotel is the ideal place to come and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With over 140 contemporary rooms, the Grand Hotel Central offers plenty of fine food and drink, plus great music and a relaxed atmosphere.
On top of all that is the Grand Hotel’s infinity pool that looks over the expanse of Barcelona. Worryingly, as of December 2020, Barcelona only had 106 available hotels but fortunately, the Grand Hotel Central has remained one of them.
The Cambrian – Swiss Alps, Switzerland
One of the most beautiful natural settings deserves one of the most beautiful swimming pools to enjoy the view from. The Cambrian hotel is set in the heart of the Swiss Alps, with views of the iconic mountain range in every direction. Where better to get away from the stresses of daily life than stepping into a real-life postcard?
Reward yourself after a day spent exploring the slopes of the Alps with a dip in the heated pools on offer at The Cambrian. Such is the natural setting of the Cambrian’s swimming pools that you can even see cows grazing in the fields while getting your laps in at the pool.
Shangri-La at the Shard – London, UK
London is one of the busiest cities in Europe but there are still a few places stowed away where you can enjoy some peace and tranquillity. Perhaps the best example of that is the Shangri-La hotel at the top of the Shard in the centre of London.
The hotel doubles up as a fitness centre, gym and health club with an infinity pool overlooking the cityscape from the tallest building in the UK. Known as the ‘Sky Pool’, this infinity pool is billed as the highest of its kind in Europe and it offers views of London’s landmarks while you rack up the lengths.
