From the Gulf of St Tropez to Paris, via Marrakech and Singapore, these hotel pools are destinations in their own right. Discover some of the world’s most beautiful pools for swimming in idyllic settings.
Lily Of The Valley, La Croix Valmer
Set in La Croix Valmer on the Gulf of St Tropez, Lily Of The Valley is one of the Côte d’Azur’s must-visit resorts. With its Philippe Starck decor featuring marble, raw concrete, exotic woods and natural leathers, the 44-room five-star hotel is built on three pillars: sport, treatments and slimming cuisine. For the first two points, the Wellness Village is entirely dedicated to health and well-being. It covers an area of 2,000 m2. The professionals on site will help travellers achieve their goals. You can also relax by the swimming pool nestling beneath the waves. It offers a breathtaking view of the sea. Under the southern trees, you can relax on a deckchair in perfect tranquillity. An idyllic setting for a few dips and a well-deserved siesta. In terms of gastronomy, chef Vincent Maillard runs the Vista, Club House, Brigantine and Pépé restaurants, all of which focus on Mediterranean flavours, from Provence to Italy. Always respecting locality and seasonality.
Le Molitor, Paris
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It is one of the capital’s most iconic swimming pools. If not the most iconic. The whole of Paris came to this emblematic pool, inaugurated in 1929 and located in the 16th arrondissement. Reopened in 2014 after being abandoned for a quarter of a century, the Molitor has been restored to its former glory. It boasts a 33-metre indoor pool and the legendary 46-metre outdoor pool, all immersed in a world of street art. It’s also the perfect place to enjoy a group aquatic class, including flippers, trampolining and swimming, of course. But this address is not just a swimming pool: it also boasts a hotel with 124 rooms and suites designed by architect Jean-Philippe Nuel, a brasserie, a bar, a rooftop and a unique 1700 m2 spa in Paris designed by Clarins with treatment rooms, a hammam and a sauna.
Narcisse Blanc, Paris
If there’s one hotel spa in Paris to remember, it’s the Narcisse Blanc in the 7th arrondissement of the City of Light. An ode to the elegance and refinement of the capital, this secret space is imbued with a characteristic Art Deco universe. Head to the basement of the establishment to enjoy a 13-metre counter-current swimming pool, perfectly enhanced by cream and gold tones and a black marble wall. Alongside the pool are large, ultra-comfortable white beds. A hammam in brown mosaic, a sauna and a gym add to the Belle Epoque hotel’s wellness offer. The stay continues with airy, elegant rooms and suites, the Cléo restaurant by Bruno Aubin and the Léopold bar.
Selman, Marrakech
At the foot of the Atlas Mountains in Marrakech, the Selman sits like a Moorish-style palace, an emblem of Arabian elegance. In this dreamlike setting designed by the French architect and decorator Jacques Garcia, the swimming pool is a destination in its own right. Surrounded by palm trees, the immense pool captivates the eye with its discreet mosaic and immaculate deckchairs that stand out against the beige-brown hue of the premises. Two indoor pools have also been installed in the Selman Marrakech spa, led by Chenot, in a typical, natural Arab decor. There are seven treatment rooms, four hydrotherapy rooms, a hydromassage pool, two heated outdoor pools, two hammams, a gym and a beauty salon. The hotel has 30 rooms and 25 suites with character, as well as five private villas, several restaurants run by Jean-François Piège and a stud farm with thoroughbred Arabian horses.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapour
Heading for Singapore. A few pencil strokes on a blank sheet of paper could be enough to recognise the Marina Bay Sands, so mythical is its architecture in this Asian landscape: three buildings topped by an immense communicating platform. 57 storeys above the glittering city, the infinity pool promises to float among the clouds with an unobstructed view of the metropolis. Day or night, this immense pool is unique in the world and never disappoints: it is indeed rare to take a dip perched above it all. In terms of accommodation, the rooms and suites are modern and chic, with highly refined materials and large picture windows to marvel at the urban landscape. Rooftop and waterside dining is ultra-romantic and the wide variety of restaurants, from Greek flavours to Chinese and Western plates, means there is something for every palate.
See also: 5 hotel ideas for a romantic getaway
Featured photo: © Lily Of The Valley
