8 of the most amazing sand-bottom pools in the world
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
White, powdery sand with gentle waves lapping on the shore… Sounds dreamy, doesn’t it? But sometimes the beach isn’t always so idyllic: seaweed, jellyfish, rocky sand, rough surf — and all that salty ocean water. What’s a beach lover to do?
One idea that some hotels are honing in on is the sand-bottom pool. It provides all the fun of the beach with none of the annoyances. Giving guests the best of both worlds, sand-bottom pools allow swimmers to feel soft sand at their feet as they enjoy the tranquility of a clean, temperature-controlled swimming pool.
Here are eight stunning sand-bottom pools and lagoons at hotels around the world.
Tahiti Ia Ora Beach Resort
This deluxe Accor resort near Tahiti’s capital city of Papeete is home to the South Pacific’s largest sand-bottom swimming pool, measuring 2,000 square meters (21,500 square feet). The manmade, white powder sand beach is equipped with loungers and umbrellas, and its turquoise blue water is always the perfect temperature. Since this is French Polynesia, the hotel includes overwater bungalows with stunning views of Moorea. Unfortunately, the resort is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it plans to reopen in late 2021.
Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino
It’s hard to tell where the pool ends and the beach begins at this Caribbean resort in Curaçao. Guests take the elevator up to the second floor to the pool deck, where they are greeted by miles of azure and sapphire blue water. They can relax in loungers that surround the saltwater, sand-bottom infinity-edge pool that overlooks the Caribbean Sea or head down to the Infinity Beach Club for beverages.
Kauai Beach Resort & Spa
This family-friendly Hawaiian resort is situated on 25 oceanfront acres on the eastern shore of Kauai. The resort has a spacious oceanfront pool area with four swimming pools, including two lagoon pools with impressive waterfalls and a kiddie pool with a sandy bottom that’s perfect for little ones. There’s also a waterslide, hot tub and poolside lounge chairs.
Four Seasons Resort Hualālai
King’s Pond is the most distinctive of the seven pools at the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai. This freeform, saltwater pool is carved into lava rock and has a sandy bottom. It’s essentially a 1.8 million gallon swimmable aquarium that’s home to more than 4,000 tropical fish, turtles and a spotted eagle ray. It brings the experience of the ocean to the feel of a pool, where kids can learn how to snorkel and snuba (a cross between snorkel and scuba) and participate in wildlife feedings.
The Scott Resort & Spa
A Mission-inspired hotel in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona, The Scott has two pools: La Boca and La Playa. Set amid a leafy sanctuary, La Playa has a sand-bottom pool that offers a beach-like oasis in the center of the resort. Sandcastle building on the manmade beach is a popular pastime.
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort in Orlando, Florida, is a 750,000-gallon, beachside wonderland. There’s a gently sloping manmade beach that leads into an expansive sand-bottom pool, as well as a lazy river and a life-size swimmable shipwreck replica. It’s also home to one of the highest hotel waterslides at Walt Disney World Resort, an elevated tanning deck and three whirlpool spas. This substantial resort also has three other pools.
Monte-Carlo Bay & Resort
This seaside resort in Monaco has access to the sea bay and the Larvotto Marine Reserve — but if the sea is not appealing, the resort also has a gorgeous sand-bottom lagoon surrounded by a lush garden overlooking the bay that's open during the summer. Reserve a cabana for the ultimate day of sun and sand.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Formerly the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, a popular party spot, this property transformed into Virgin Hotels Las Vegas in 2021. Here, guests can get their swim on in Virgin's sand-bottom pool or chill in a reserved cabana or daybed. There's also Élia Beach Club, overlooking the pool, where DJs and celebrity artists come to perform when the pool and club are open during the season.
Additional reporting by Tanner Saunders.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.