All the fun without the crowds: 9 hotels with private plunge pools
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In a world full of hotels offering top-quality amenities, there's one that always makes us feel a little more special: a private plunge pool.
Imagine it: After a long day surrounded by resort crowds or exploring a new city, you return to your room, put on your bathing suit and hop into a tiny pool free of splashing kids, partying college kids and anyone else who might interrupt your private bliss.
Whether you're looking to cash in points for an ultra-luxe room with a private plunge pool or are willing to shell out top dollar a boutique resort, there are plenty of great options to choose from around the world. Here are a handful of our favorites to help you plan your next vacation.
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Northern Thailand
There's a lot to unpack at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant, all in the best possible way. First, it's an entire resort dedicated to elephant conservation, where guests get the chance to get up close and personal — in a responsible way — with the majestic creatures. Second, the resort recently launched the over-the-top, two-bedroom Jungle Bubble Lodge, a series of domed structures set on a wooden deck with its own built-in private plunge pool. From the transparent domes and the pool, guests can watch elephants out in the distance or enjoy sunset cocktails made by a personal butler.
If you don't need quite as much space — or the private plunge pool — the resort also offers a one-bedroom bubble that fits two people.
How to book: Cash rates for the Jungle Bubble Lodge start at $1,140 per night for up to four guests. That rate includes butler service, a set menu dinner, a stocked mini-bar, 24-hour room service and tea and coffee. Email goldentriangle@anantara.com or call +66 53 784 084 to book.
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa, Dubai
The desert heat of Dubai can be hard to escape. But if you're staying at Al Maha, an ultra-luxe resort in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, book a room with a private plunge pool — just like the Points Guy himself did back in 2017 — and you'll be cool, calm and relaxed in no time. Available in nearly every suite option, a private pool at Al Maha is basically the standard. If you get need a break from the water, though, the resort offers plenty of desert activities, including camel rides, nature walks and dune rides.
How to book: A Marriott Bonvoy Category 8 hotel, award nights can be booked between 70,000 and 100,000 points per night. If you're looking to save, book when redemptions are lower during the thick of summer then put that plunge pool to use.
Related: The award traveler's guide to Marriott Bonvoy
JW Marriott Camelback Inn, Scottsdale, Arizona
Speaking of the desert, one great place to unwind in a private plunge pool stateside is at the favorite resort of Bill Marriott himself, the JW Marriott Camelback Inn in Scottsdale. This is the perfect resort at which to cash in some Marriott Bonvoy points, and splurging for a Deluxe Pool Suite gives guests the chance to cool down in privacy while surrounded by larger-than-life saguaro cacti and stunning views of the area's mountains. On a recent TPG retreat, our staff fell in love with the resort — and those lucky enough to be upgraded to a room with a plunge pool thanks to elite status with Marriott loved it all the more.
How to book: A Category 6 Marriott Bonvoy property, regular rooms here can be found between 40,000 and 60,000 points. Finding rewards nights for Pool Suites can be tricky, unfortunately, and cash rates are well over $1,000 a night.
Andaz Mayakoba, Mexico
When TPG staffer Summer Hull declared that the Andaz Mayakoba was one of her favorite resort stays in 40 years she meant it. It's easy to see why: lush greenery, an idyllic location on Mexico's Riveria Maya and plenty of suites with private pools perfect for family and friends to gather around. At this Andaz property, 41 suites are available with views of a lagoon, the beach or the golf course, and most of them have plunge pools. For Summer's trip, a large group spread out in the Presidential Villa, but if you don't need that much space there are smaller rooms that still offer this luxe amenity.
How to book: A Category 6 World of Hyatt property, 25,000 Hyatt points will get you a standard room with one king bed or two double beds. Thankfully, you can book a pool suite online starting at 40,000 points.
With the World of Hyatt credit card, you could easily snag a private plunge pool with the card's current bonus offer of 30,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening an account and the additional 30,000 points you'll get by earning 2 points per $1 spent in the first six months from account opening on purchases that would normally earn 1 bonus point, up to $15,000 spent.
Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
The Maldives are where people go to escape in true luxury. And at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands — one of the best new hotels of 2021 — a private plunge pool takes the luxury experience to a whole new level. At this resort, considered a "stay of a lifetime" by TPG reporter Chris Dong, who recently reviewed the hotel, infinity plunge pools are standard in every room — even the most entry-level ones. Of course, the draw of the Maldives is its crystal-clear waters, but lounging above the water, on the deck next to the plunge pool, is part of the elevated experience at this stunning resort.
How to book: A Category 8 Marriott Bonvoy property, the most affordable way to visit this ultra-luxe resort is by booking a rewards night for between 70,000 and 100,000 points per night, depending on peak or off-peak pricing. Cash rates start at $1,500 a night.
Related: These are the best times to visit the Maldives
Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
Let's start with the most important part of the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal: Every single room, suite, villa and casita comes with a private plunge pool, meaning whatever your budget, style or preference, you get a pool. Here, you can wake up to a view that starts with the private plunge pool — essentially at the foot of your bed — and stretches out past beautiful beaches, rocky mountains and the waters of the Pacific. While the plunge pool is a huge perk, remember it'll be waiting for you after a gorgeous day relaxing at the spa, indulging on authentic Mexican food and swimming with sea turtles.
How to book: This is a pricey stay: Expect to spend over $1,500 cash per night for a room or at least 120,000 Hilton Honors points.
The Standard, Hua Hin, Thailand
Thailand's answer to the Hamptons, Hua Hin is the place where Bangkok's elite escape for some much-needed rest, relaxation and sun. At the recently-opened Standard, Hua Hin, all of that can be found in one of the resort's chic Pool Villas. Here, guests get an Instagram-worthy suite decked out in an understated yellow and beige color palette, along with a private plunge pool hidden from the rest of the resort by a bamboo wall and greenery. The Standard brand is known for its playful touches and star-studded crowd, but at Hua Hin, a dip in the plunge pool is the ultimate way to turn it all off for a second.
How to book: The Standard doesn't have a loyalty program — yet. Cash rates for the Standard, Hua Hin can be found at around $130 a night for a standard room or $465 for the Pool Villa.
Nayara Tented Camp
If a private plunge pool looking out at a beautiful mountain or jetting out over the rainforest strikes your fancy, book a trip to Nayara Tented Camp in Costa Rica. Natural mineral hot springs here feed into the plunge pools by each luxury tent. Spend your days being revitalized by specialty spa treatments or get a quick hit of adrenaline by rappelling down a waterfall, all before calling it a day with al fresco dining on your deck and a moonlit dip. Hit the outdoor shower before bed and do it all again tomorrow.
How to book: Cash rates at Nayara Tented camp start at $1,200 per night.
Related: The best times to visit Costa Rica
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
The Maldives are full of private plunge pools perfect for relaxing in, so we'll circle back there for one last item. A getaway destination that TPG staffer Katie Genter recently fell in love with was the InterContiental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, an IHG property. According to Katie, guests can expect a private plunge pool in even the base-level rooms, so there's no need to worry about getting upgraded — though that's still a perk. For Katie, who did get upgraded to a sunset overwater villa, the patio and plunge pool were the stars of the vacation.
How to book: Cash rates at the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort can be found at around $1,200 for an overwater villa. Awards nights, which are hard to come by, are usually around 120,000 points.