Growing up, you probably enjoyed spending lazy summer afternoons at the neighborhood pool. Although a basic rectangular pool with maybe a slide at one end and a diving board at the other was considered pretty cool back in the day, swimming pools have come a long way. Nowadays, pools have gone to infinity and beyond, with invisible edges, incredible tiles and breathtaking surrounding scenery. Check out the following four incredible pools that can be visited by the public:
Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino, Singapore
Photo by Hmuncheva via Wikimedia Commons
An infinity edge pool, which is also called a zero edge or disappearing edge, is a type of swimming pool where the water flows over at least one edge, making it look like the water in the pool has no definite boundary. The pools are often designed so that the infinity edge looks like it’s flowing into a bigger body of water, like the ocean. One of the most incredible examples of an infinity edge pool can be found at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino in Singapore. At an impressive 150 meters across the Sands Skypark, it is the world’s largest pool at this height. For more info, check out this In the Swim blog post about 20 other cool infinity pools.
The Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Beach, California
You don’t have to travel halfway around the world to find incredible pools. The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, California, has an enormous pool that was named after the Roman Coliseum. At 41.5 meters in diameter, it is the world’s largest circular pool. A whopping 1.1 million hand-set glass mosaic tiles line the bottom of the pool, and it’s surrounded by private cabanas, palm trees and lovely views of the surrounding area. To complete the look of classic Italy in Southern California, the pool is surrounded by corniced columns, an amphitheater of decks and vaulted arches.
The Library, Koh Samui, Thailand
If you are looking for a pool that is not afraid to be different, you’ll love the amazing swimming pool at The Library in Thailand. Unlike the zillions of blue-hued pools in the world, this pool thinks way outside of the color box with tons of mosaic glass tiles in shades of red, yellow and orange. This unique blend of colors creates an effect that is both startling and cool. To add to the crimson effect, bright red umbrellas and mattresses surround the pool, which is illuminated at night with underwater bulbs.
LeCrans Hotel and Spa, Switzerland
With its snow-capped Alps and chilly temperatures, Switzerland is probably not the first place you think of when you hear the world “pool.” LeCrans Hotel and Spa features a pool that allows guests to get the best of both worlds: snow and swimming. The pool is heated, so you can venture into the water virtually any time of year, and during the wintry season the snow piles up around the water. While taking a dip in the pristine blue water, gaze out on the surrounding Alps and remind yourself that although you are in a chilly and snowy place, you can still enjoy an outdoor pool.
