Bear with me, forgive me even…. this is a rather personal wishlist of hotel pools I would like to swim in before I hang up my togs and set off to the great swimming pool in the sky.
During lockdown, some swimming pool dreaming has kept me mentally afloat. Just looking at these gorgeous pools makes me feel calm. I have trained myself over the past few years to visualise swimming breaststoke as a way to still my mind and banish worries. My usual venue for this is beautiful North Curl Curl rock pool in Sydney (where I once saw a blue-ringed octous, but did not pick it up.)
Any day when life feels a bit drab and I need a bit of glam in my life, I can visualise swimming in these gorgeous hotel pools. The views from the pools are superb as the pools themselves, I hope that looking at these will transport you as far as it has me.
Hop in with me for some five star swimming.
The Pool at the Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley
This ultra-luxurious rural retreat two hours west of Sydney is a magnificent location to escape all your worries. Set beneath towering escarpements, the resort is nestled in a beautiful valley which is teeming with wildlife. Guides can take you on all sorts of activities, there are oodles of walking and mountain biking options, plus a delightful spa. Each of the spacious lodges has its own pool and there is also this gorgeous open air pool for lap lovers and serious sunworshippers.
Pool Dimensions
- Main pool: 26m x 13.4m (at widest point)
- Heritage Villa Pools: 6.9m x 2.1m
- Wollemi Villa Pools: 6.4m x 3.8m
- Wolgan Villa Pool: 6.4m x 3.8m/
I have stayed at Wolgan Valley, one time when my husband and I had enough money for a week’s holiday away but no-one to look after our four children for more than two nights – and that was a tricky business in itself.
So we spent our money on two nights up there in the mountains, it was bliss. Especially for my husband who to this day does not know how much it cost.
we DID feel as if we’d been away for a week so it was worth it. But tragically we went in deep winter and did not use the main pool nor even the villa pool. Madness. Clearly, we need to get back there. Who doesn’t?
Address: 2600 Wolgan Road, Wolgan Valley, NSW 2790 Australia
Phone: +61 2 9199 1811
Website: Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley
The Pool at the Park Hyatt Sydney
This 5 star hotel has a prime spot right on Sydney Harbour, tucked under Harbour Bridge. The favourite place to stay for royalty and regulars, the Park Hyatt also boasts a very special rooftop pool. The pool has magnificent views sweeping down over the Harbour, and up to the Bridge. There are plenty of loungers and a bubbly spa pool. The pool is heated in autumn and winter for year-round swimming.
Pool dimensions:
The Park Hyatt Sydney rooftop pool is 11 meters in length and 6 meters wide at its widest point. The total area is approximately 55sqm. It is 1.2 meters deep. There is also a small bubbly spa pool, and space to lounge and relax.
Address: 7 Hickson Road, The Rocks, Sydney, AU 2000
Phone: +61 2 9256 1234
Park Hyatt Sydney website click here
The Pool at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour
Ah, spectacular. Urban splendour and magnificence is all around you when you swim at the infinity pool at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour. The pool is on Level four and has sweeping views over Darling Harbour and the central business district of Sydney. It is all down there for you to explore. The loungers are inviting and Le Rivage pool bar is right to hand. So is the very modern gym if you feel like a workout before your dip.
Pool dimensions:
- Infinity pool: 20m x 6.5m
I am sorry to report that, although I have had a look at this pool, and its views, I did not have an actual dip. I was kindly invited on a hotel tour by the PR people but they were not kind enough to give some cossies and let us do some laps.
Next time! The rooms in this hotel are very luxurious, some types have gorgeous freestanding baths which have even better views, being higher up.
The Riley, Cairns, Crystalbrook Collection
The Riley has the best swimming pools in Cairns, I am calling it! There are three pools, all joined together, providing acres of swimming space. There’s even a 25 m lap section.
Read more about the Riley and its pools on the article Best Hotel Pools in Cairns here.
The Pool at Mindil Beach Casino Resort
The large pool at Darwin’s most exclusive and luxurious resort hotel is pretty good in itself. However, the beach views from it are also breathtaking, especially at sunset when all the colours of the rainbow are at play.
Myself and my second so, who was 11 at the time, once spent a very happy afternoon and evening at this pool, after a fascinating but exhausting trip into Kakadu. It was a wonderful place to relax, to stretch out and to swim and to enjoy a drink at sunset.
Pool dimensions:
The lagoon section is 30 m long. There’s also a 20 metre three lane lap section.
Address: Gilruth Ave, The Gardens, Mindil Beach, Darwin
Phone: +61 8 8943 8888
Mindil Beach Casino Resort website
The Pool at Palazzo Versace
Address: 94 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217
Phone: +61 7 5509 8000
Palazzo Versace website, click here.
The pool at Palazzo Versace is a remarkable 63 metres long.
