The Coolest Pools

Hotel pools have come a long way since the days of the simple aqua rectangle. In fact, many of today’s hotel and resort pools are nothing short of truly decadent tropical retreats, with stunning views, unique elements and unparalleled experiences. Honeymooners — exhausted after the marathon that is today’s modern wedding — gravitate to these luxurious oases, coconut suntan oil in one hand and fruity drink in the other. What types of pools are the biggest draws, and what features make some of these pools unforgettable? Check out our top picks, and vow to visit one on your honeymoon (and another every year after that).

Infinity Pools
Infinity pools are the gold standard for 21st-century resort pools. Any self-respecting resort south of the 30th parallel would be ashamed not to have one; ranking them comes down to the view. At Hyatt Inclusive Collection’s Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, guests can enter the water at different points along serpentine trails that snake through the resort, with each journey culminating at one of two infinity pools. Each comes with a stunning backdrop of the vibrantly blue Caribbean Sea, along with a side of palm trees and the most gentle of tropical breezes.

For a seriously dramatic experience, check out the infinity pool La Casa de Playa by Xcaret in the Mexican Caribbean. This narrow, 40-foot-long pool juts out into the Caribbean Sea like a diving board, but when you get to the end, instead of jumping off, you gape at the incredible beauty. The infinity wall is glass, further figuratively erasing any barriers between you and the serene waters beyond. Selfies were made for this spot, so bring your most satisfied smile.

Adults-Only Pools
On your honeymoon, you want to be alone (together), and this means no kids. Even if you don’t choose an adults-only resort, many properties have adults-only pools, providing a tranquil escape for the newly married.

While Moon Palace Cancun is well known as a family-friendly resort, their sister property, Sun Palace Cancun, is adults only. It’s equipped with no fewer than three pools — two infinity! — and the third, targeted to activities like volleyball, has a swim-up bar. After you spike the ball for the winning point, celebrate with a Bahama Mama or a Miami Vice.

The adults-only pool at Hard Rock Los Cabos has a more zen vibe than what Hard Rock is generally known for, with in-water loungers positioned so guests are fully in the path of totality of some of the most amazing sunsets ever.

Private Pools
The ultimate luxury is a private plunge pool. Sandals Resorts, an adults-only brand, has four properties equipped with Skypool Suites in Barbados, Grenada, Ocho Rios and Negril. Bonus: These are also infinity pools, and while they don’t have swim-up bars, you can ask your butler to bring you whatever you like while you’re soaking (up the views).

The convenience of having your own private plunge pool with an infinity edge only steps from your bed cannot be overstated. Gazing out at the turquoise water and undulating palm trees from your homepool, you’ll muse about whether life could ever be so perfect again. The only thing that could make this experience even more special is breakfast, delivered to your private pool on a floating, heart-shaped tray. Enjoy a selection of colorful fruit, an array of avocado toast or a hearty stack of pancakes with your ice-cold bubbly, mixed with a splash of orange juice. BTW, this decadent experience isn’t limited to mornings; you can indulge 24 hours a day. Try the experience after dark, under a starry sky, this time with a tray of tiramisu, crème brulee and molten chocolate cake, paired with a crisp chardonnay or an indulgent Grand Marnier.

Lagoon Pools
To truly immerse yourself in your tropical escape, a lagoon pool is a prime choice. JOIA Bavaro by Iberostar and Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada are two properties that uncannily recreate the tropical lagoon experience, with all the lush landscaping and none of the sand (or mosquitos). Lounge under a tiki umbrella or enjoy the verdant views from the water under the shade of a poolside palm. Take a sip from your piña colada, housed in a hollowed-out pineapple and adorned with a paper umbrella, and marvel at your good fortune.

The sprawling pool complex at Moon Palace The Grand — Punta Cana includes a number of islands, each home to different species of palm trees, flowering plants, tropical shrubs and ornamental grasses. With nine pools available to Moon Palace guests, your concern won’t be whether you get a lounge chair, but remembering where yours is.

If you tire of sharing paradise with others and you asked your travel advisor to reserve a Grand Swim-Up Suite for you, you can retreat from the shared oasis to your own private pool, steps away from the soothing Jacuzzi on your balcony. Revel in your ability to alternate between cool, refreshing dips and hot, bubbly soaks.

Family Fun Pools
Contemporary destination weddings often involve the couple’s children, and Beaches Resorts is a natural favorite for these types of celebrations. At Beaches Turks & Caicos, the pools are flanked by candy-colored slides and replicas of castles and pirate ships, and the swim-up bar serves all the soda you can drink.

Known as Pirates Island Water Park, the 45,000-square-foot attraction (one of the largest in the entire Caribbean!) is bound to elicit screams of delight all day long, with more than 10 waterslides, a dump bucket, surf simulator, lazy river and more, with areas built specifically for tots to teens. Bonus: The kids might run into Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird or another Sesame Street character in between trips down their favorite waterslide.

One-of-a-Kind Pools
At Sandos Caracol Eco Resort in Playa del Carmen, you can get your adrenaline flowing on one of the numerous thrilling slides, full of terrifying twists and turns. No less exciting and included in your stay are visits to up to five cenotes — naturally occurring freshwater sinkholes found mostly in the Yucatan. Dive into the cool, deep water from the rocks above, explore a mini cavern or sit on the pool’s edge together in hushed reverence, listening to the tropical birdcalls in the jungle.

World of Hyatt’s Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets is a magnet for honeymooners who prize its incomparable views, fiery sunsets and stunning accommodations, with an added surprising twist (literally) — a spiral slide that delivers you from the rooftop infinity pool to the Caribbean Sea below. Start at the bottom with a Coco Loco from the swim-up bar at the lobby pool. Move up from there, stopping at each tiered infinity pool until you reach the rooftop pool, equipped with a glass-walled section that delivers a heavenly sensation of floating high above the treetops. Grab a dose of liquid courage at the rooftop bar before taking the plunge down the towering corkscrew slide to the final pool, the salty sea. Emerge exhilarated, then do it all again.

Because every part of your wedding and honeymoon should be memorable, ask our agency for recommendations for resorts with the most amazing pools.

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