It’s dubbed the highest 5-star retreat in the Middle East and the views from the infinity pool at the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar certainly don’t disappoint. Look out for curious mountain goats as you relax in the glassy waters, perched high on the edge of this jaw-dropping canyon in Oman. 

If you thought the Maldives was just for those seeking seclusion and romance, think again. For a relaxed, party atmosphere head to the Breeze pool at the Kandima which has comfy circular pods that appear to float on the water. Here you can sip on cocktails while watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean and listening to live music. This is also part of the biggest pool in the Maldives, making it ideal for swimmers wanting to get in some serious strokes.

Here at The Nam Hai, a Four Seasons hotel, three palm-fringed pools cascade serenely down three levels, enabling guests to make their way from reception right down to the white sand beach. They culminate in a lounger-flanked Olympic-sized pool, making the perfect finale for your watery journey. 

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At St Lucia’s Jade Mountain Hotel you can float in your own private infinity pool, suspended over a sweeping green hillside. Each open-sided suite is cleverly designed so the bedroom, living area and private pool glide into one another, giving guests an extraordinary view of the Pitons.

Bobbing around in this family pool at the Four Seasons Langkawi resort will be anything but boring. Each landscaped section is a different depth, ensuring there’s something for all ages while underwater jets, waterfalls and fountains up the fun factor. When you tire of splashing about, there are frozen chocolate mango bon bons and fruit truffle popsicles on offer too. 

Bathe amid a dramatic lunar landscape at Utah’s Amangiri hotel. Set among desert dunes and brooding mountain ridges, the hotel is backed by a towering rock escarpment, around which curves the aquamarine pool. 

Exercise in style in this stunning resistance pool at 800-year-old Ashford Castle. Three magnificent seashell chandeliers dangle from the ceiling and a spectacular mural by famous ceramic mosaic artist Jane Du Rand stretches across an entire wall. It centres around an oak tree, which the Celtics believed was a source of wisdom. The elegant spa has been awarded Ireland’s Best Hotel Spa in 2023 for the eighth year in a row.

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This water-on-the-water pool at Grand Hotel Tremezzo floats serenely within Lake Como itself. Bathe with an unrivalled view across the Grigna skyline, then take a closer peek at Como’s exclusive lakeside villas from one of the hotel’s water limousines. 

This tranquil pool at the Hotel Ullensvang offers incredible panoramic views over the Hardangervidda mountain plateau and the glassy waters of Sorfjorden. The dramatic 23-mile-long fjord may be chilly in winter, dipping as low as 5°C (41°F), but the infinity pool stays deliciously warm. 

The tiny island is just over half a mile long but its verdant rainforest and remote coves will amaze. The highlight has to be bathing in this infinity pool at the Daydream Island resort, with unparalleled views over the Whitsundays.

If you time your visit to Icelandic Deplar Farm right, you can admire the dancing Aurora Borealis while wallowing in this geothermal, saltwater pool. It's heated to a toasty 38°C (100°F) and there’s even an underwater sound system, as well as a swim-up bar offering Northern Lights-themed cocktails. Better still, the barman will deliver your drinks via a remote controlled boat, meaning you barely have to take your eyes off the view. Deplar was named one of 2023’s Best Hotels in the World on Condé Nast Traveller's Gold List.

The staggering vista across the Zambezi National Park makes this two-tier pool at the Victoria Falls Safari Club a real showstopper. Cool off in the silky waters while watching out for warthogs, bushbuck and kudu as they make their way to the waterhole directly below.  

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Dubbed the most glamorous place to stay on the French Riviera, the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc has played host to a multitude of famous names over the years, including Elizabeth Taylor and Cary Grant. The heated infinity pool is built out of the basalt cliffs, perched high above the glittering Mediterranean. There’s a pool attendant on hand to help you hone your stroke while waiters serve impeccable cocktails. French martini anyone? 

The magical Hoshinoya Bali is tucked away on a lush hillside, above Ubud's Pakerisan River. Here, the villas are arranged around three canal-like bathing pools which are fed by a sacred water channel that winds its way through the resort, before running down to nearby rice paddy fields. The pool may be communal but if you hanker after isolation there are plenty of secluded spots to explore. 

Embrace your inner mermaid in this vast shell-shaped pool. You’ll find it nestled behind the pristine sands of Khem Beach on Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, in the JW Marriott resort. Thanks to the staggering sea views and infinity edge, it’s just as magical from the water as it is from the air.

With its vivid blue geometric tiles and glistening waters, the pool at the newly-opened Chable Maroma oozes luxury. Sip on a cold drink and take a dip, before meandering onto the pristine sands of Maroma Beach, just a stone’s throw away. 

This steamy rooftop delight at The Little Nell is billed as Aspen’s most sought-after pool – and for good reason. With panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains and a bubbling hot tub, it’s the perfect way to rest your aching ski legs. Time it right and you can watch Aspen’s incredible firework displays from your watery refuge.

Fringed by swaying palms, this lagoon-like pool is nestled in the lush gardens at Phuket’s Twinpalms. The hotel’s huge pool area sprawls over 17,000 feet (that’s bigger than a football pitch) and encompasses a lap pool and water gardens, as well as this twisting emerald lagoon.

Enjoy panoramic views across Hong Kong's iconic skyline in this Roman-inspired pool at The Peninsula. With its extravagant columns, friezes, statues and cornices, it makes for a dramatic, palatial setting. On warmer days, relax on the sun deck outside. 

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This legendary Marrakech hotel was once described as “the most lovely spot in the whole world” by Winston Churchill and the gigantic outdoor pool certainly doesn’t disappoint. Nestled in the hotel’s perfectly landscaped gardens, amid roses and orange blossom, it’s so serene that you’ll be hard pushed to believe that you're merely minutes from the hustle and bustle of the medina. 

Forget panoramic views, at Les Sources de Caudalie you can swim in a work of art. The bottom of the 49-foot pool is made from an exquisite, magnified photograph of a fish fin, which gives the water a magical look. The view is pretty impressive above water too – the pool is located in a glasshouse with a wooden frame built out of timbers dating back to the 18th century.

The Lodge at Edgewood Tahoe's glittering pool is just feet from the powdery shores of Lake Tahoe. Soak up staggering views from the warm waters (a comfortable 31°C/89°F), then kick back in a cabana with a drink in hand. If the weather’s too chilly to sunbathe, head to the hot tub instead.

Poolside at the Casa de Campo is the place to relax. The resort’s Minitas Beach club has an impressive 246-foot infinity pool, flanked by ludicrously comfortable loungers. Soak up the panoramic Caribbean views then when you’ve had your fill of the pool, hit the golden sands on the beach below.

This cantilevered infinity pool juts out from the 6th floor of The RuMa Hotel, offering breathtaking views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline. Admire the Petronas Towers, the distinctive twin towers that were until recently the tallest in the world, then relax on a chaise on the neighbouring sun deck.

Thousands of hikers journey up Arizona’s Camelback Mountain every year, eager to make the challenging scramble to the summit. Once you’ve done the hard work, head to this stunning infinity pool where you can soothe your muscles and gaze at the very peak you’ve just conquered. You’ll find it at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa, where Beyoncé and Jay-Z famously honeymooned.

It doesn’t get much more dreamy than this infinity pool at luxury Maldivian resort, Huvafen Fushi. If the desert island setting, Indian Ocean views and crystalline waters weren’t enough, there’s an added surprise after dark. At night, guests can dine in the shallows while fibre optic lights dance through the water in a glittering display.

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Billed as ‘more than a place to swim’, this adults-only pool at The Cove measures a massive 9,000 square foot (836sqm). With 20 cabanas – four suspended in the middle of the water – you can easily while away a day or even a week here. When you’ve had your fill of the pool, you’ll find your dedicated cabana butler on hand.

When guests at the Zuri Zanzibar tire of the Indian Ocean, they can immerse themselves in this magnificent turquoise pool. Measuring more than 100 feet (30m) long, it’s surrounded by hammocks and sunbeds with incredible sea views. Visit late afternoon to enjoy the spectacular sight of the sun dipping below the horizon. 

Perfect for serious swimmers, this stunning strip of turquoise is the longest infinity pool in the Caribbean. Stretching twice as far as an Olympic-sized pool (that makes it an extraordinary 330 feet (100m) long), it’ll only take a few lengths to up your fitness. When your muscles eventually grow weary, collapse on one of the elegant daybeds lining the water.

This startling blue pool at the Uga Ulagalla Resort sits perfectly poised amid lavish green foliage, making it feel like you’re bathing in a tropical rainforest. Swim then sip on a sundowner while you look out for the monkeys and peacocks often found roaming the grounds. 

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Up your culture credentials with a swim in the newly-opened rooftop pool at Barcelona’s Hotel Arts. With spectacular views of the city’s Frank Gehry fish sculpture, not to mention the Med, there isn't a better place to bask in the Spanish sun. After dark, listen to live tracks from guest DJs. 

With its seductive infinity pool, it’s perhaps little wonder Hotel Villa Mahal has been named the most romantic hotel in Europe and makes it into our top three. Sink into the azure waters, shaded by fragrant frangipani trees and admire the panoramic views over the Lycian Coast. 

You won’t need to worry about jostling for loungers in this lake-like pool at the Gennadi Grand Resort in Rhodes. A series of wooden pontoons extend into the crystalline waters, each offering two luxuriant mattresses. You can kick back with a clear conscience too – the freshwater pool is fed using an eco-friendly system.

Taking the top spot for the world's best hotel pool is The Siam, where you can take refuge from Bangkok’s hubbub in serious style. The opulent infinity pool is a monochrome Art Deco delight, offering an oasis just yards from the Chao Phraya, Bangkok’s famous River of Kings. Power up and down the 72-foot (22m) length or settle back on a lounger and watch the world float by.

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