By Kathryn Romeyn, Brides
What is it about water that sets the tone for a sexy honeymoon?
Maybe it’s the revealing wardrobe worn in it—next to nothing or, when
you're skinny dipping, absolutely nada. Or perhaps the idea of cuddling
close in a steamy Jacuzzi holds special allure. If one thing is
essential to a steamy honeymoon, it’s a pool, whether it’s one with an
invisible edge overlooking an ocean somewhere or at the top of a
cosmopolitan city building. Nowadays, pools can be in lakes (see the
floating ones in Lake Como), in the middle of the desert (Amangiri),
on the edge of a caldera (Grace Santorini), or suspended over a
pristine reserve, where one can watch elephants and lions roam below
(Angama Mara).
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Of course, there’s nothing wrong
at all with a more classic setup: Picture yourself in the middle of the
jungle, surrounded by lush emerald palm trees and a rushing river. It’s
what you can expect at the Four Seasons Bali at Sayan, as well as the
Hanging Gardens of Bali, which features an oft-photographed two-tier
infinity pool high up in the treetops. Idyllic ocean views seduce from
the sparkling waters of Conrad Bora Bora Nui and One & Only Reethi
Rah, where the white-on-blue palettes are endlessly captivating. And for
real pool aficionados for whom one is simply not sufficient, there’s
the stunner at Laucala, where the saltwater lagoon features a
25-meter-long water-filled glass cube that provides the perfect place
for voyeuristically watching your significant other swim.
Read
on to explore our definitive list of the world’s 25 sexiest, sultriest
resort pools that should be seriously considered for your honeymoon.
Book any one of them and you’re guaranteed an unforgettable aquatic
adventure.
Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali
Being on your honeymoon provides thrills enough, but the gorgeous, gleaming pool at the premier Alila Villas
resort in Uluwatu—on Bali’s southwestern tip—only adds more. It’s
perched more than 325 feet high, atop the cliff near the island’s most
iconic surf break, and it not only has space for you to swim laps and
laze in the sun, but the Sunset Cabana hanging off the side of it is one
of the world’s most picturesque places to sip a drink, practice yoga,
or renew your vows.
Amangiri, Utah
Hidden
in the canyons of Utah, in a valley of stark, sweeping dunes and
plateaus, sits an 11,000-plus-square-foot sunken pool—heated to 86
degrees year-round—and hot tub that butts up against a 165,000-year-old
sandstone rock. The setting is otherworldly and blissful, especially
when you're cuddled on a king-size daybed that seems to float on the
water.
[post_ads_2]Angama Mara, Kenya
You
might think the Maasai Mara, one of Africa’s top game reserves, is an
odd place for a “sexy” pool, but just think about it. Taking in views of
majestic wild creatures with your sunbathing and infinity-edge
soaking—while literally suspended over the Mara Triangle—might just
bring out your animalistic side too. Want even more romance? A good bit
of the epic Meryl Streep and Robert Redford love story Out of Africa was filmed at Angama Mara.
Belmond Hotel Caruso, Italy
An
11th-century palace turned luxury hotel is the setting for a completely
dreamy honeymoon, and a massive reflective infinity pool takes it up
yet another notch. From the gently heated water at the highest point
above Ravello come unobstructed views of the Amalfi coastline, plus
there's a concierge offering bites, cocktails, and iPods preloaded with
your choice of tunes.
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The Joule, Dallas
Drama is the name of the game at the Joule,
where the 10th-floor pool has a surprising twist: It extends eight feet
from the building’s edge and features clear glass on not only one side
but also the bottom. It’s not for those fearful of heights, but it
provides adventurous honeymooners a fun shot of adrenaline along with
their swim.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Bali
The
giant “rice bowl” filled with water and lily pads at the entrance of
this bucolic emerald-surrounded Balinese resort is not for swimming, but
it’s the site of many a romantic dinner and stargazing. There are
plenty of other options here for getting wet, like in private
crystalline plunge pools outside the riverside suites, the two-tier
infinity-edge main pool, backdropped by palm trees and the rushing Ayung
river, and the trio of Jacuzzis high above it all.
[post_ads_2]Grace Santorini, Santorini, Greece
This
whitewashed dream of a boutique hotel perched over Santorini’s famous
caldera was recently renovated in its entirety, sans one part: the
infinity pool, because it’s that iconic. Private plunge pools in front
of some suites also make for pristine pool hangs, and, unsurprisingly,
the Aegean sunset views are out of this world.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy
The
pool here is named WOW, and for a very good reason. Lake Como, ringed
by rugged mountains, is unquestionably breathtaking—if it's good enough
for George Clooney,
it’s good enough for us!—but the real wow factor is the glittering
oasis that floats on the lake’s surface. WOW stands for water on water,
but it’s really heaven on earth.
[post_ads_2]Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, Maui
Nine
crystalline pools are dotted around the Grand Wailea, but the
centerpiece of the resort is indisputably the Hibiscus Pool, a vast
adults-only stunner whose bottom is decorated with a mosaic of 630,000
Mexican glass tiles (the entire pool has 2.2 million individual tiles)
of the blooming flower. It’s also possible to book a private VIP cabana
for a romantic twilight swim and sunset dinner.
Hanging Gardens of Bali
The eye-catching water feature at this jungle destination outside Ubud
has been named world’s best swimming pool more than once, and it’s
simple to see why. With its two organically shaped tiers and water
cascading from one to the next, you and your hubby will feel like you’re
floating over the treetops as you play under the hot sun in the cooling
water.
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Hotel Villa Honegg, Switzerland
The five-star boutique Hotel Villa Honegg
high above Lake Lucerne affords impeccable views throughout, but none
is perhaps as jaw-dropping as those from the infinity-edge pool—with a
whirlpool in the middle!—that seems to jut into the clouds. Year-round,
it clocks in at a steamy 93 degrees, ensuring the heat will stay turned
up between you and your love.
Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
Designed
to live in harmony with nature, this resort seduces guests with
indoor-outdoor spaces and prized vistas of St. Lucia’s beloved Pitons
World Heritage Site and the sparkling Caribbean Sea. The Jade Mountain
Club wraps around a vast infinity pool, ideal for a cocktail, but the
super-private infinity pools are where you'll likely want to spend all
your time.
[post_ads_2]Post Ranch Inn, California
Known as one of the most sought-after hotel stays in the world, this idyllic Big Sur–adjacent staple is home to a couple of unreal infinity pools that overlook the Pacific from 1,200 feet above sea level. Many suites have private outdoor spa tubs with ocean views too, and while there’s no official “clothing optional” policy, it’s the kind of setting where a bikini might seem superfluous.
San Alfonso del Mar, Chile
There
are pools, and then there are pools. This Chilean resort’s saltwater
staple is so sprawling, you can even kayak and windsurf. Think of it as
the world’s largest aquatic playground, consisting of 66 million gallons
of pure, sparkling water set just opposite the actual ocean.
[post_ads_2]Laucala, Fiji
As if honeymooners needed another reason to head to Fiji, Laucala Island’s
showpiece is a 21,500-square-foot undulating saltwater lagoon, complete
with secret coves, sundecks, and walk-in beaches that nearly reach the
sea. The sexiest part is the 25-meter-long clear glass cube, like a fish
tank, that seems to grow out of the main pool, where you can seduce
your love with underwater mermaid maneuvers.
Malliouhana, an Auberge Resort, Anguilla
Fresh
off a redo, the legendary Caribbean resort is made even more attractive
thanks to its impeccable two-tiered freshwater infinity pool, which
comes with vistas of pristine white-sand beaches Meads Bay and Turtle
Cove. The upper level is adults only—and features a cabana for poolside
dinners under the stars—so you won’t have to worry about keeping G
rated.
[post_ads_2]Marquis Los Cabos, Mexico
The
appeal of this San Jose del Cabo resort is many-fold; for one, it’s
adults only. And all-inclusive. Another few reasons it’s so alluring?
Its trio of pools, namely the Sunset and Sunrise pools, which—surprise,
surprise—offer perfect views of those uber-romantic times of day, plus a
third at the base of a three-story tiered waterfall. Talk about
swoon-worthy.
One & Only Hayman Island, Australia
The
Great Barrier Reef is one of those places everyone should experience in
their lifetime. But while that fantastic seawater is a big draw, so are
the aquatic wonderlands on the private Hayman Island resort. The
infinity-edge Aquazure Pool offers spectacular Coral Sea views with
daybeds and private cabanas, and, equal in size to seven Olympic pools,
the Hayman Pool is one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. It's
filled with salty water and encircles a bar that makes perfect piña
coladas. You may even be able to dive straight in from the deck of your
accommodation.
One & Only Reethi Rah, Maldives
The
adults-only pool at this unbelievably paradisiacal private-island
resort is a classic: The edge extends over the Indian Ocean’s electric
blue waters, and chaise loungers face the view. But the setting is
understandably sexier at the beach and overwater villas’ private
infinity pools, where the only other soul in sight is your beloved.
Imagine the trouble you can get into.
[post_ads_2]Conrad Bora Bora Nui, French Polynesia
It’s
a classic combo: powdery beach, a turquoise saltwater lagoon, and
refreshing pools that match that irresistible blue hue gracefully
spilling out onto the sand. At the brand-new Conrad Bora Bora (opening
April 2017) you get all that and more—crazy beautiful scenery and your
own personal pool sitting on the even clearer ocean.
The Oberoi Udaivilas, India
It’s
impossible not to feel like royalty at the Rajasthani-inspired pool,
decorated with sandstone columns and elephant fountains spouting water.
(Semiprivate and private plunges also feel opulent.) Grand is an
understatement. Daytime is prime time for soaking up rays, but at night
the deep blue swimming hole glows, lit by torches whose reflections
dance across the surface.
[post_ads_2]Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, Mexico
Most of us think of pools as being best enjoyed by day under the sun, but at this Cabo San Lucas
property, it’s actually by night that the experience is the most
exciting. Hundreds of LED lights built into the bottom of the
Constellation Pool glow after sundown and give guests a heavenly
experience as they gaze at the Big Dipper, Orion’s belt, and more iconic
constellations, arranged exactly as they were when the resort opened in
2005. It doesn’t get more romantic.
The Library, Koh Samui, Thailand
If
red is the color of passion, then there’s no more appropriate place for
a pair of lovebirds than in this conceptual Thai resort’s eye-catching
pool tiled in red, orange, and yellow. The effect is totally one of a
kind and lovely, especially against the turquoise sea at Chaweng Beach.
The Silo, Cape Town, South Africa
At the top of the just-opened boutique hotel the Silo,
218 feet high, is a long, clear-sided swimming spot with an unbeatable
panoramic view of Cape Town icons, including Table Mountain and Lion’s
Head and, of course, the sea. It should go without saying that the
sunset is sublime from up there—especially when you're enveloped in your
love’s arms.
[post_ads_2]Viceroy Riviera Maya, Mexico
Not
to diminish the beauty of the large blue pool at the heart of this
jungle-side resort, but when all 41 villas come with their own
incredibly private plunge pool, it’s easy to let your imagination run
wild. To put it plainly, there is a lot of skinny dipping going on here.
The evening plunge-pool turn-down service—candles, music,
bubbly—doesn’t hurt one bit.
