The 10 best hotel pools in Australia
From a rooftop pool perched over a harbour to one encased in glass 64 storeys up or even swimming beneath chandeliers, here are Australia’s top urban hotel pools worth a dip.
The swimming pools at the heart of Australia’s urban hotels transform their bustling setting into a party or a sanctuary, depending on whether you’re holding a glass of Champagne or a book (or maybe both). Stunning views, fabulous people-watching and delicious food make these pools – whether on the ground floor, perched on a rooftop or encased in glass 64 storeys up – worth a dip and a few nights’ stay.
1. The Langham, Gold Coast
These three skyscrapers form the first five-star hotelto dominate the iconic “Goldie” beachfront in 30 years. The pool and its swim-up bar are framed by glittering high-rise architecture as much as the Pacific Ocean. Beach walks beckon right outside – Surfers Paradise to the north and Broadbeach to the south. This $1.4bn development is designed for sunken weekends in situ: sipping on spritzers in pool lounge chairs; savouring Cantonese duck, crispy in pancakes or busting in fluffy bao buns, at the Michelin three-star T’ang Court; enjoying 180-degree views of the ocean and hinterland from the hotel’s four-bedroom penthouse. Thongs instead of slippers and a pink telephone box add Langham’s signature wit and whimsy.
2. The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne
Located 64 floors up, the infinity pool at the Ritz-Carlton in Melbourne’s downtown has an outlook more impressive than the famous nearby viewing platform at the Rialto. Ensconced in this glass-enclosed sanctuary, you feel far removed from life below (and the icy winds coming off the bay). It is also home to the Ritz-Carlton Spa, which has massages, facials and other tranquil offerings in six treatment rooms that are sure to send you off into a deep sense of relaxation, or even better, a nap. A perfect way to rest before dinner at the hotel’s swanky, award-winning restaurant Atria, which is even higher up on level 80.
3. VIBE Darling Harbour, Sydney
Sydney is a party-by-the-water, business-at-the-back kind of town. Vibe’s executive suites are the perfect base for travellers seeking to be close to Darling Harbour whether for work or play. Imagine peering at the incoming yachts and sweeping city vistas from your position in a breezy cabana and glamorous infinity rooftop pool. The Above 319 Restaurant & Bar keeps the “Rooftop Rockstar 25” cocktails coming – vanilla vodka with fresh passionfruit and pressed apple. Guests can nibble eggplant caponata and cauliflower fritti in the sunshine before strolling out to the harbourside atmosphere.
4. A by Adina, Sydney
Floor-to-ceiling glass windows bring the Sydney CBD poolside in this retreat, with an aesthetic that echoes residential warehouse conversions. If you have ever fancied a city pad, right in the middle of all the action, then high-end serviced apartment living is a way to achieve this dream. Adina’s Hunter St property consists of studios, one and two-bedroom apartments that come with a kitchen, washer, dryer, and even in-house cocktail lounge Dean and Nancy, a homage to mid-century culture. Temporary residents are a walkable distance from the glories of the Royal Botanic Garden and ferries to the city’s waterways, yet can take a dip in natural light – calm in the beating heart of our biggest city.
5. Quincy Hotel Melbourne
The boutique brand Quincy dovetails its Southeast Asian roots with an oh-so-Melbourne position on Flinders Lane, near the vibrancy of independent retail, restaurants and cafe culture . The top two floors of the 29-storey enclave are a relaxation retreat: guests can enjoy the wondrously warm lap pool high in the sky. Hosier Club rooms come with the magic gold VIP card – allowing access to Q Club next door, which serves superbly flavourful, complimentary canapes, such as caramelised coconut in betel leaf, from in-house restaurant Salted Egg. Breakfast goes way beyond the bagel, with dishes such as Sichuan oil-drizzled purple kale, avocado and hazelnut dukkah. The hotel’s fashion-forward matte gold aesthetic and dusty pink Hosier Club rooms and suites come with goodies such as Kevin Murphy amenities and evening drinks and canapes.
6. Sofitel Adelaide
This five-star retreat is a short stroll from the busy Rundle Mall and Adelaide Central Market, yet the pool area is a luxurious cocoon of marble, fluffy towels, and chandeliers glinting in the afternoon sun. A chandelier is not something you see everyday at a hotel pool, but it can be explained by the interiors being inspired by the French city of Bordeaux. The wide cloth chaise longue, patterned tiling, rose scent and views over historic Currie St entice guests to bring a book and stay a while. The Gallic theme continues in eatery Garcon Bleu, with its contemporary art and plush peacock-blue velour seating. The restaurant serves vintage Champagne with gamey papillon-shaped venison tartare, and an appetising bouillabaisse with generous chunks of local King George whiting.
7. COMO The Treasury, Perth
The stunning COMO property is a benchmark for local heritage restoration, showcasing the architectural grandeur of a historic 19th-century state building, while transforming the layout and interiors into tranquil luxury. The 20m pool area is in a converted 19th-century vault, with a louvre-glass wall that lets the light in, as exterior integrates with interior. COMO Shambhala Urban Escape offers the wellness-focused brand’s yoga, pilates and steam and spa treatments. Homely communal spaces are filled with books and art; guestrooms are expansive, averaging 75sq m. Standout features, such as an original staircase with a bronzed cage running through its centre are a maximalist foil to the hushed luxury.
8. The Darling at The Star, Gold Coast
This penthouse party terrace is an adult playground of oversized circular VIP booths cantilevered over the water’s edge, where views from the daybeds overlook the infinity pool and beyond, and are most spectacular when bathed in the golden sunset. This ritualistic stop for locals – one of the loftier pool party spaces in the city – hosts “Bellini Saturdays” from 4pm to 7pm – crowd-pleasing hors d’oeuvres, such as freshly shucked oysters and mushroom arancini balls, and a DJ to usher in the festivities.
9. The Interlude, Melbourne
The prize for Australia’s most unusual pool setting must go to The Interlude, the extraordinary reimagining of the B Division in Melbourne’s former Pentridge Prison, part of a $1bn redevelopment of the notorious 19th-century jail precinct that once housed Ned Kelly. The pool is an ambitious use of the space, one that required the removal of 250 tonnes of basalt. The one-time basement cell area is now an inky, calming sanctuary; bluestone walls that whisper 170 years’ worth of secrets are a stunning architectural detail. The installation of a glass ceiling allows guests to gaze up into the renovated atrium while they swim, by candlelight, in temperatures set high to therapeutic levels. There are also organic fresh teas and superb lamb shoulder at fine-dining eatery North & Common next door – luxuries that the original inhabitants would never have dreamt about.
10. W Brisbane
W’s brand promise is eclectic, Instagram-worthy art direction – and the WET Deck brings the Brisvegas vibe. Bold black-and-white geometrical graphics are emblazoned across a cave-like pool oasis, overlooking the panorama of the Brisbane River in the heart of the city. Guests can live it up or cool it down, from Champagne andTasmanian oysters, to smoothies and healthy bites, such as spicy brussels sprouts and vegan empanadas. Even the cocktails reflect the region’s food bowl bounty, with ingredients such as pickled pineapple, locavore honey, roasted barley and nashi pear. Live music, fashion shows, Summer Series events, light art, and the cheeky wink of an Aussie barbecue, mean the party is right where you are.
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