Take a dip in these exceptionally stunning pools that are each situated within some of the world's most breathtaking landscape.
BALI
Situated in the small village of Kedewatan just outside Bali's cultural hub Ubud, the luxurious Amandari resort sits on an escarpment overlooking the Ayung River gorge and terraced rice paddies. As sacred land, three small shrines and a seventh-century stone carving of a tiger are nestled into the valley. Amandari's 32-metre green-tiled pool is right on the edge of this escarpment affording stellar views of this distinctly Balinese setting. As the sun goes down gamelan players perform from the pool's music pavilion, which also has regular Balinese dance performances.
BOTSWANA
Along with Mombo Camp, Little Mombo is reputed to be one of the best camps across Botswana for safari viewing. The main dining area and three luxurious tented suites are all built on a raised platform over the floodplains, connected via raised walkways to the main Mombo Camp. A private plunge pool is at the edge of Little Mombo's decking, giving guests the chance to spot the delta's abundant game while cooling down from the heat of the day.
COSTA RICA
Set amidst the 25,000-acre primary rainforest of Pacuare Reserve, this jungle lodge offers ultimate seclusion within a truly wild setting where waterfalls and the rapids of the Pacuare River flow through the lush forest. Of the lodge's open-plan, thatched, wooden bungalows, the Linda Vista and Honeymoon suites offer the best views from their treetop vantage point. Overlooking the river and rainforest, each one has its own private plunge pool to take the views in from.
THE GALAPAGOS
4. Pikaia Lodge, Santa Cruz Island
Situated at the top of an extinct volcano on Santa Cruz Island, Pikaia Lodge offers views over the surrounding savanna and out across the Pacific Ocean, as well as boasting impressive eco credentials as a carbon neutral hotel. The lodge's infinity pool is situated right at the top of the plateau, making it an exceptionally scenic spot for a swim. The nearby tortoise reserve and the lodge's own yacht also make it an ideal base for getting to know the surrounding islands' wildlife.
MEXICO
The golden coastline of Los Cabos stretches along the southern tip of Mexico's Baja Peninsula. Situated in a peaceful spot of this coast, between the two main towns of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, the ultra luxurious Las Ventanas al Paraiso hotel offers uninterrupted views out to sea in an intimate setting. The curved infinity pool overlooks the ocean where you might spot the California grey whales that migrate to these waters from December to March of each year.
NAMIBIA
This stylish lodge is well located for exploring the orange sand dunes and vast clay pans of Namib-Naukluft National Park in the Southern Namib Desert. With just the distant mountains and stark desert landscape within its periphery, the lodge's sleek design incorporates natural materials, with an outdoor pool that's filled by the cool water of an underground spring making it even more refreshing in the desert heat.
THE SEYCHELLES
As the largest island in the Seychelles, Mahe consists of forested mountains that rise to 905 metres with cloud forest that leads down to the tropical coastline. Maia Luxury Resort & Spa is a collection of opulent villas, either tucked into the hillside tropical gardens or just footsteps away from the beach. Villas on the hillside have panoramic views over the Indian Ocean, with private plunge pools to sink into.
SOUTH AFRICA
This malaria-free game reserve is one of the largest in South Africa, spanning 75,000 hectares on the border of the Kalahari and Botswana in the northwest corner of the country. The ultra stylish Molori lodge lies amidst the Dwarsberg mountains and bush of Madikwe with just five expansive open-sided suites that are each privately situated with their own decking and infinity plunge pools from where guests can look out for the elephants, lions, rhino and cheetah that inhabit the surrounding land.
World renowned for its abundance of game, Sabi Sands game reserve encompasses 65,000 hectares of savanna bushveld and the two rivers Sabi and Sand. Richard Branson's private reserve Ulusaba is a 13,500-hectare expanse of Sabi Sands with three different lodges to stay at. Rock Lodge is the one to stay at for the jaw-dropping views, with eight rooms set into the cliff-face of a granite koppie, 700 feet above the plains. Choose a room with a private plunge pool and try to spot the game as it roams across the land that's backed by the Drakensberg Mountains.
TANZANIA
Spanning a staggering 350,000 hectares on the border of Serengeti National Park, the Singita Grumeti private reserve offers an exclusive safari experience where the zebra and wildebeest migration passes through each July and August. Singita Sasakwa incorporates an Edwardian manor-style main house and an equestrian centre, alongside 10 luxury cottages that each have their own private plunge pools with views over the reserve.
THAILAND
The cultural capital of Thailand has long been a big draw for travellers with over 300 Buddhist temples, a famous night bazaar and a number of hill-tribes to visit. In the countryside outside Chiang Mai, this Four Seasons resort is a collection of pavilions and villas that incorporate Thai architecture with mountain and garden views, and a number of bars and dining venues that take in the rice paddy views. The 20-metre infinity pool is especially enticing and overlooks the rice paddies of the Mae Rim Valley.
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