Bali’s best pools worth dipping into

While the main drawcard of this five-star resort might be its prime location, smack bang on Seminyak’s shoreline, its glistening pool certainly makes a statement. Positioned directly beside the beach, you can float the afternoon away in this 45-metre infinity pool that seamlessly melds into the neighbouring ocean.

Come evening, retreat to your room which boasts a rainfall shower, a stand-alone tub, and a pillow menu to ensure you get the best slumber. If luxury is key, you can’t beat the ocean-view villa which embodies the concept of tropical living. Think an open-air design, a private pool, and a shaded pavilion that simply beckons a margarita in hand.

Hanging Gardens is an ethereal haven, nestled in Ubud’s lush, mountainous jungle. Need we say more? With a pool like the one offered here we certainly do! Tiered over typical Balinese rice paddies, the stunning infinity pool perches over the wildness and guarantees the most idyllic afternoon float.

The 44 open-air villas offer traditional Balinese décor with hand-crafted furnishings and lavish fabrics – we’re talking a bed dressed in locally-spun silks and natural colours. Here you can also indulge in a unique dining experience on a private Bale that floats on top of the pool and is surrounded by frangipani candles. With such decadence, it comes as no surprise that the Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards recognised Hanging Gardens as the world’s first 7-star boutique hotel – see for yourself.

We’ve found paradise in Ubud, and you’re invited along! If your perfect combination involves a cocktail and float, you’ll simply fall smitten with Viceroy Bali. Catch a stunning sunset over Ubud’s lush rice paddies, all the while lazing in the hotel’s stunning infinity pool. And the best bit? There’s a swim-up bar, so you can grab your drink of choice for the moment.

Dotted throughout Bali’s Valley of the Kings, the 25 well-appointed villas are ideal for couples seeking a romantic escape. Think marble bathrooms, plush furnishings, and picture-perfect views. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to in-house restaurant, CasCades. Arguably one of the island’s most coveted restaurants, CasCades serves a contemporary French menu that is influenced by exotic Asian flavours – plain yum!

Alila is an upscale eco-retreat nestled on the banks of the Ayung River, 15 minutes out of Ubud. Here you can experience an emerald-green infinity pool, sewn into an unbeatable tropical backdrop. Come afternoon, you can indulge in the poolside high tea, which serves both sweet and savoury fare, including tasty banana fritters.

Designed by Kerry Hill Architects, Alila Ubud blends the old and new, coupling traditional wood and thatched roofing with more contemporary stone and glass accents. If you’re looking to unwind for the afternoon, head to Spa Alila and choose from one of the many treatments that incorporate Asian healing techniques. Our pick? The Balinese lulur body scrub!

Competition for the best pool in Bali is fierce, but we can certainly say the 33-metre lap pool at Komaneka at Bisma is up there! Arguably the jewel in Komaneka’s crown, the glistening pool lies amidst fives hectares of coconut groves and tropical rainforest – heaven!

If you’d prefer to keep things intimate with your +1, go for the One-Bedroom Pool Villa which boasts its very own sun deck and 12-metre pool.  When in Bali, it’s only natural that you’re going to want an indulgent body treatment, and at Wana Jiwa Spa you can be guaranteed a class-A kind of experience. Nestled on the banks of the Campuhan River, the spa draws on ancient Indonesian healing recipes and offers facials, massages, and body wraps.