There’s a moment in every vacation, once the suitcase is unpacked and dinner plans are sorted, when you can finally exhale and utter five glorious words: let’s go to the pool. For many travelers, relaxation doesn’t truly kick in until you’ve secured your sun lounger, smeared on the SPF, and pulled out your book. At the best hotel pools, a slower rhythm takes hold and all is right in the world (at least for that afternoon).

While you might not book a hotel solely for its swimming facilities, one can tell a lot about a property based on the pool. If the views and amenities for swimmers are top-notch, it’s likely the rest of the resort follows suit. Keeping this in mind, continue ahead for our guide to the best hotel pools around the world, stretching from the untouched vistas of Africa to the zinc-hued rooftops of Paris.

Photo: Courtesy of Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape

Time stands still at this no-walls, no-doors hotel planted in the middle of a central Balinese valley. At Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, the feeling of being at one with nature is an ever-present sensation, but especially at the main pool, which juts out into dense, misty jungle. If that’s not enough, each of the property’s 16 villas comes with their own private pool, further ensuring magical swims throughout your stay.