Hot or cold? Green or red? Infinity or plunge? The swimming pool has come a long way since the ancient Greek and Roman baths. From an urban concrete jungle to a lush hillside in Asia, Design Hotels™ presents four hotel pools ideal for sunbathing, socializing and of course, swimming! For an eye-catching pool in a vibrant colour Alila Ubud offers an emerald-green infinity pool above a dramatic river valley in Bali. In Koh Samui The Library’s vivid red pool is the place to see and be seen, with an enviable location next to the popular Chaweng beach. For a stylish pool party The Standard, Downtown LA’s rooftop hosts weekend pool parties complete with DJs and underwater LED lighting. Lastly Habita Monterrey in Mexico offers two rooftop pools – one cold, and one hot – so bathers can cool off, or heat up whilst taking in stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains.
The Library, Koh Samui, Thailand
Just a few steps from Chaweng beach, The Library’s vivid red pool is one admired by guests and passersby alike. Made using mosaic Italian glass tiles in red, yellow and orange, the pool is set on the beachfront and is surrounded by a wooden deck with red mattresses and black bean bags. Guests are welcome to choose from the poolside menu, or take a book from the hotel’s impressive white library complex adjacent to the pool. At night the underwater lights transform the swimming pool in to a dazzling spectacle and provide the perfect backdrop to dinner or drinks in the restaurant and bar next door. The Library was recently voted as one of the top 10 amazing worldwide hotel pools by TripAdvisor in 2010.
www.designhotels.com/the_library
The Standard, Downtown LA, United States of America
The rooftop pool at The Standard, Downtown LA is part of one of Los Angeles’ most coveted nightlife hotspots. Situated on the rooftop of the twelve-storey hotel in Downtown LA, the pool has panoramic views of the city. On the opposite side of the terrace there is sculptured topiary, an open fireplace, dancefloor and bar. The turquoise heated pool stands out sharply against the deep red Astroturf of the surrounding sundeck, where there are also bright red water-bed canopies for up to ten. The bar and dancefloor creates a fun and bustling space where nightly international DJs play to a fashionable crowd. The rooftop area can also be hired exclusively for events for up to 240 people, making it ideal for anything from corporate functions to editorial shoots.
www.designhotels.com/the_standard_downtown_la
Alila Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Cited as one of the most beautiful pools in the world, the infinity pool at Alila Ubud boasts a spectacular location perched on a terrace floating above the lush Ayung River valley. The pool spreads out to form an elongated rectangle until it seems to disappear down the terraced jungle hillside. A daily afternoon tea of traditional local sweets is served by the pool, where guests can relax on sun beds shaded by large Balinese umbrellas. In addition to its 58 rooms, the hotel has four Valley Villas on stilts with wooden decks and four Pool Villas providing seclusion with a private pool.
www.designhotels.com/alilaubud
Habita Monterrey, San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico
With different views and contrasting temperatures the two pools at Habita Monterrey cater to all tastes and weather conditions. The hot pool is heated to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, making it ideal for a dip in the winter months. There is also a cold pool which is great for cooling off during the summer when temperatures rise. Situated on either side of the eighth floor roof terrace with 360-degree views over the desert metropolis and Sierra Madre, the pools are divided by a chic concrete bar. The bar can cater to up to 80 people and is open for snacks and cocktails from 10am to 2am. On one side there is a view over Sierra Madre and its eponymous Cerro de la Silla, known as the Chair Mountain, whilst on the opposite side there is a view of the El Obispado, a green mountainous area.
www.designhotels.com/hotel_habita_monterrey
ABOUT DESIGN HOTELS™
Design Hotels™ represents and markets a curated selection of more than 190 independent hotels in over 40 countries across the globe.
More than a collection of hotels, the company is a collection of stories. Each property reflects the ideas of a visionary hotelier, an “Original,” someone with a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design and architecture. Each “Original” stands for the individual, aesthetic and service-driven experience that his or her hotel provides.
Founded by Claus Sendlinger in 1993, Design Hotels™ offers its members insightful travel industry knowledge, from feasibility studies and conceptual branding to market trend consultancy and international sales representation. The company has its headquarters in Berlin and branches in London, Barcelona, New York, Singapore, Bali and Perth.