Water Paradise: 15 most stunning swimming pools to plunge into

Whether you indulge in a cold swim on a blistering day or a dip in a warm indoor pool at a serene spa, everyone loves a good soak. This peak summer, these pristine blue waters will be sure to calm your senses. Read on to acquaint yourself with 15 remarkable pools from around the world that were designed to impress and destress.

1. Hotel Molitor redesigned by Jean Philippe Nuel, Paris

Piscine Molitor, the iconic pool located in Hotel Molitor by MGallery, Paris was originally part of a public bath. However, after its closing in 1989, it was resurrected as a hotel in 2014 by interior designer Jean Philippe Nuel. The historic lido that was once the birthplace of the bikini, is now a heated outdoor pool. The designer retained the original yellow and blue colour scheme that makes its chambers resemble an ocean liner.

2. Nivim designed by Anjali Mangalgiri, Goa

The first green certified home in Goa, Nivim is an eco-sensitive residence known for its sustainable practices. The bright blue rectangular outdoor pool in the 4,500 sq ft country house, forms a striking contrast to the wooden louvred windows and teak sliding doors that surround it. The stone tiles encasing the pool were selected to minimise the use of heavy concrete in the home. Nivim also harvests over 60,000 litres of rainwater that is reused in the pool.

3. Wood house designed by Malik Architecture, Alibaug

The expansive wood house with multiple connected water outlets is situated in a deeply forested part of Alibaug. Designed by Mumbai’s Malik Architecture, the 22,000 sq ft holiday residence boasts old Konkan construction techniques reinterpreted in a modern way. The pool here is more of an integrated network of water bodies, styled like “streams” that surround the home for the purpose of cooling as well as leisure.

4. Angsana Tengchong Hot Spring Village, Tengchong County, China

Hotel Angsana Tengchong Hot Spring Village is an intimate boutique resort that features indoor and outdoor warm spring pools. Blending contemporary decor and rustic charm, the circular outdoor pool is meant to have therapeutic benefits and is set in an almost elfin backdrop.

5. Hotel Grace Santorini, Greece

The infinity pool at Hotel Grace Santorini’s premier luxury suite The Villa is located above the Santorini’s famous Caldera. The suite offers a Digital Detox Retreat package where guests are asked to put away their gadgets to enjoy luxury at its finest. The swimming pool, which offers a panoramic view of the island, is complemented with comfortable outdoor white seating arrangements, interspaced with greenery.

6. Villa designed by Hemant Purohit and Smita Khanna, Alibaug

The futuristic structure in Alibaug designed by Hemant Purohit and Smita Khanna of Studio Note-D, Mumbai is minimalist, yet ultra-modern in its concept. The decking around the rectangular outdoor pool in this eco-sensitive home was created using shahabad stone. The designers ensured that all the material that they used were of natural origin. From the pool one can view the dramatic, all white covered in textured paint and dotted with irregular square windows.

7. Tropical home designed by Shimul Javeri Kadri, Bengaluru

The tropical Bengaluru home was designed by Shimul Javeri Kadri and does a splendid job at merging its indoors with its outdoors. With clean, straight lines, the black tiled pool in the exterior of the house is surrounded by lush foliage. The pagoda placed in front of the water body enhances the ethnic modern vibe of the house.

8. Lakshman Sagar Resort designed by Inderpal Singh Kochchar, Marwar

The brainchild of Delhi based hotelier Inderpal Singh Kochchar, the Lakshman Sagar was built on the “zero kilometer” concept – a belief that products should be combined with effort to preserve local traditions, craftsmanship and the ecology – with inputs from architects Revathi and Vasant Kamath, and designer duo Sahil Bagga and Sarthak Senguppta. The main plunge pool, carved out of a single piece of rough granite and coated with a lime and white cement mix, offers a panoramic view of the sky.

9. The Leela designed by Bill Bensley and Madhu Nair, Udaipur

The Leela property, designed by Bangkok based Bill Bensley and Madhu Nair of The Leela, is situated on the shores of Lake Pichola and sits diagonally across the lake’s edge. The entire space is a royal interpretation of all things palatial. The lake can be viewed from the pool outside the Maharaja suite. At the edge of the pool are the gas mashaals that are lit every night and a metal pelican structure sourced from Thailand.

10. The Taj West End, Bengaluru

A business hotel set on an incredible 20 acres of landscaped gardens, The Taj West End is far removed from the chaos of the city. The private pool in the Presidential Suite is a relaxing space with a massage pavilion right by its side. This makes it ideal for guests to enjoy the city’s salubrious climate.

11. The Khyber Spa by L’Occitane, Gulmarg

Nestled in the Himalayas, Gulmarg’s The Khyber Spa by L’Occitane faces majestic vistas from all its treatment rooms. The stunning heated indoor swimming pool reflects the scenic landscape of the snowcapped mountains and trees outside. It is part of the Wellness Block that also includes a gym, and is ideal to luxuriate on a cold, winter’s day.

12. Villa designed by Veena Advani, Goa

Tucked away in Vagator’s Monkey Valley, Veena Advani’s self-designed villa is a tribute to art, indulgence and all things luxe. The geometric outdoor pool is dotted with lanterns running along its circumference. A wooden deer lying by the poolside adds to the Art Deco feel of the space.

13. Bungalow designed by Shafali Chowdhrie Diwanji, Alibaug

The fuss free vacation home in Alibaug was envisioned by Shafali Chowdhrie Diwanji of Mumbai based Studio SCD using organic materials, warm textures and rustic designs. The outdoor pool is supplemented with a very eclectic table setting that complements the mansion’s Bel Air feel. The entire home has a Richard Neutra vibe with its clean, modern lines.

14. Siolim House, Goa

Siolim House, with a history of 350 years, was originally owned by the Governor of Macau. The pool in this boutique heritage villa is tiled in black. At night, it is lit by floating candles, creating a rather mesmeric effect. The wooden annexe by the pool creates a tree house-like mood and works as a spa area overlooking the water body.

15. Onagawa Station designed by Shigeru Ban, Onagawa, Japan

Located in the Japanese prefecture of Miyagi, the Onagawa train station was ravaged by the 2011 tsunami disaster. However, four years down the line, it was revived by renowned Japanese visionary Shigeru Ban to include a public bathhouse. The pool is set in the midst of calming interiors consisting of pale timbers and white hand painted tiles. The designer’s trademark latticed roof is said to be inspired by the wingspan of a soaring bird, a symbol of hope.

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