Travel Mamas » Pools

5 Great U.S. Cities for a Girlfriend Getaway

Megan Eaves, Travel Mamas Guest Blogger — Sun, 29 May 2011 23:56:59 +0000

If you’re anything like me, every now and then you crave a little bit of good, old fashioned girl-time. Of course, you love the husby or boyfriend and children dearly, but there’s really something special about getting away for a weekend of non-stop gals-only goodness. I’ve put together a list of five U.S. girlfriend getaway destinations to tempt you and your friends, no matter what type of vacation you seek.

Las Vegas Strip (Photo by Carolyn Coles, Flickr)

Parties & Pools - Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is a hot spot for girlfriend getaways. Exploring the amazing hotels and casinos is always a thrill, even if you’re not a gambler. Of course throwing a few coins into the slot machines can certainly take the edge off – and might just buy you a round of cocktails (like it did for me)! If you want to try something a little adventurous, you can sign up for a G-rated pole dancing class for girls only, where a professional dancer will give you a workout and help you learn to let loose for a few hours all in good fun. And really, what better way to relax with your best gals than over a big, pink cocktail in the sun around one of America’s most glamorous pools?

The City of Chicago (Photo by Andrew E. Larson, Flickr)

Culture & Shopping – Chicago, Illinois
If you and your girlfriends have a more cultural bent, make a weekend of it in Chicago. The Windy City has a huge number of institutions where you can expand your mind and artistic sensibilities, including the famed Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. And then there’s the shopping. Chicago has a lot of great shopping, from the high-end stores along the Magnificent Mile to the unique, bohemian boutiques in the Wicker Park neighborhood.

One of California’s Plentiful Beaches (Photo by Mike Baird, Flickr)

Relaxation & Cheap Thrills – Los Angeles, California
With L.A.’s strange mix of ultra-glam and gritty, there’s a lot of wonderful ”no good” in the City of Angels for a group of fun-loving girls to get up to. For starters, you’ll want to give Hollywood at least a passing glance – maybe stick your hands in Johnny Depp’s handprints on the Walk of Fame or try to catch a glimpse of George Clooney getting his morning paper in Beverly Hills. Beyond those cheap thrills, though, Los Angeles is a great city for relaxation. You might also want to get to the beach for a bit of tanning time, maybe take a surfing lesson, or even do a grown-up’s tour of Disneyland in nearby Anaheim!

Nashville’s Music Scene (Photo by jramspott, Flickr)

Live Music Scene & Long Chats – Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is a happening city that makes a good central destination for girlfriends hailing from different parts of the country. The obvious thing to do in Nashville is check out the live music scene, with several musical genres on tap for friends of varying tastes. Nashville is also full of gorgeous little cafes, diners, bistros, and coffee shops where you can easily while away afternoons over fresh salads, a glass of white wine, or a foamy cappuccino during long chats with your best friends.

New Mexico’s Ten Thousand Waves Spa (Photo by Lori Grieg, Flickr)

Rejuvination & Nature Appreciation - Santa Fe, New Mexico
The mountainous capital of New Mexico is a perfect hideaway for ladies that want to rejuvenate. Santa Fe is small, but packed with great shopping (especially if you like the Southwest style, like handmade turquoise jewelry), a massive number of restaurants per capita, and a relaxed nightlife. The city is nestled into the base of the Rocky Mountains, so there are a lot of outdoorsy activities if you want to get away from it all. During the winter, you can make it a cozy ski holiday. In the summer, take a hike or visit some ancient Native American pueblo villages. Santa Fe has tons of spa options, including Ten Thousand Waves, a luxurious Japanese-style spa tucked away in the mountains above the city.

No matter which of these destinations you pick, you are sure to find delicious food, excellent spas, and fun shopping to share with your besties. And really, you’ll be so busy giggling and gabbing that you might just forget where you are!

Travel writer and wanderluster, Megan Eaves is the author of two travel guidebooks and runs the Irish travel website www.irishjaunt.com. Having traveled to 25 countries and lived in four, she is an expert on Ireland, China and the American Southwest, where she grew up, and also often writes about her adventures around Europe, especially Prague, where she is currently living. More about Megan and her writing is on her website, www.meganeaveswriting.com.

What is your favorite destination for a girlfriend getaway? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Disney’s New Ship Is a Dream for Babies, Toddlers, and Children

Colleen Lanin, The Travel Mama — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:09:33 +0000

My biggest (and only) complaint about my family’s two-night cruise on Disney’s new ship, Dream? There simply was not enough time to experience all this ship has to offer! Disney’s Dream is 40% larger than its predecessors, Wonder and Magic, offering the same outstanding customer service and delightful details plus some incredible new frills. Unfortunately, we couldn’t squeeze it all in. We did, however, thoroughly explore Dream’s fabulous amenities for babies, toddlers, and children.

Dream docked at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private Caribbean island

Nemo’s Reef
One of the most spectacular features for babies and toddlers sailing on a Disney Cruise, is their splash areas for children who are not yet potty trained. On most cruises, parents must pack an inflatable baby pool if they want to allow tots to join in any water fun since non-potty-trained children are not allowed in cruise ship pools for sanitary reasons.

On Disney’s other ships, Magic and Wonder, the splash area is simply one small round play area with a steady stream of shooting water. Don’t get me wrong, my daughter adored this option on our 2007 Disney Mediterranean Cruise when she was a toddler, but Nemo’s Reef on Dream blows that out of the water! This splash area, adjacent to the family pools, is resplendent with characters from Finding Nemo which spray, sprinkle, and mist water for giggling children. There is also a small stingray-shaped waterslide, perfect for the preschooler set.

Just one section of Nemo’s Reef

Family Pools
My kindergartner, Karissa, had a grand ol’ time swimming about in Donald’s Pool for families and Mickey’s Pool for smaller sailors. She was quite heartbroken to discover Dream’s AquaDuck water coaster has a 48-inch height requirement. Instead, younger kids can take a spin on a winding yellow waterslide and have almost as much fun.

Dream’s family pools and waterslides

It’s a Small World Nursery
This darling nursery for infants and toddlers ages three months to three years is painted in the fanciful style of the Disney ride for which it is named. Toddlers enjoy crafts, toys, books, and games at tables just their size. The back of the nursery is a serene space for nap time filled with numerous cribs. They even have several strollers on-hand for babies and toddlers who need a little ride to induce sleep.

Plans are in the works to install a one-way window to allow parents to peek at little ones without disturbing their play. This was a handy tool on our first Disney Cruise on Magic when my husband and I would drop off a crying toddler and return five minutes later to find our daughter happily at play.

Trying to decide whether to place your newly potty-trained child in the nursery or the camps for older kids? While officially children should be at least three to participate in Oceaneer Club or Oceaneer Lab, younger children who are potty trained are welcomed on a case-by-case basis. Oceaneer children are expected to find and use the restrooms on their own, without reminders from counselors. While children are given freedom to explore these play areas on their own terms, it proved to be too much independence for our not-yet-three-year-old boy, Leo. After one accident, we placed our son in the more attentive care of the It’s a Small World Nursery.

There is an additional $6 per hour charge for children in the nursery. Space may be limited, especially during peak times like spring break and summer. Reservations can be made online before cruising.

My son having a ball in the It’s a Small World Nursery

Oceaneer Club & Oceaneer Lab
You might have a hard time convincing your children to depart the Oceaneer camps, which are designed for children ages three to ten. The Oceaneer areas are joined, allowing kids to wander between the two choosing which space and activities appeal to them most. Both feature a Magic PlayFloor, where kids’ movements control the action. For example, children can step into the futuristic world of Tron for a team-based game or pretend to fly over the streets of London like Peter Pan.

Kids having a stomping good time with the Magic PlayFloor in the Oceaneer Lab

Oceaneer Club is geared toward the younger children within this age group, with themed play areas like Andy’s Room from Toy Story, Pixie Hollow from Tinkerbell, the Explorer Pod a la Finding Nemo, and Monster’s Academy for fans of Monsters, Inc.

Play in the Oceaneer Lab is focused on exploration, where children can create their own computer-animated characters in the Animator’s Studio or record pop songs in the Song Studio (with the help of a counselor).

For those traveling with older kids, there is also a club for tweens, Edge, and one for teens, Vibe.

My daughter playing in Andy’s Room in the Oceaneer Club

Family-Friendly Dining
As on the other Disney ships, evening meals are eaten in three rotation restaurants on Dream. Dining in rotation means you keep your same tablemates and waitstaff, but eat in a different restaurant each evening.

Animator’s Palate differs on Dream from the restaurant of the same name on Disney’s older ships. Dream’s version features video screens with characters from Finding Nemo that come to life when the sea turtle, Crush talks to diners.

Enchanted Garden is a whimsical restaurant filled with colorful flowers and vine-shaped trellises at the center of which is sweet tiered fountain topped with a Cupid Mickey Mouse.

The Royal Palace is the most elegant of the rotation restaurants, designed to make guests feel like royalty as they are immersed in lavish surroundings inspired by Disney princess movies.

Enchanted Garden

For a casual breakfast, lunch, and dinner option there is the beach-themed Cabanas food court, a buffet of sorts with an overwhelming variety of offerings to meet the needs of even the pickiest child (or adult). I love how they cater to cruisers from around the world with breakfasts of bagels and lox, miso soup, eggs and bacon, musli, and more.

Snackers will be satisfied with additional options available poolside like sandwich wraps, chicken tenders, fresh fruit, and frozen smoothies. And what kid doesn’t love free-flowing soft-serve ice cream?

Sand castle art depicting the different Disney theme parks adorns the walls of Cabanas

Family-Friendly Staterooms
Disney Cruise Line staterooms are designed to be family-friendly with larger floorplans than most cruise lines, a privacy curtain between the children’s area and the parents’ bed, and two separated sinks to make getting ready for the day a breeze. Plus, bathtubs are featured in all rooms (a rarity on cruise ships), making it easy to bathe babies, toddlers, and other little ones while at sea.

My daughter gleefully climbed into her top bunk in our stateroom both nights. For you nervous mamas like me, her bed was secured with a safety railing and we received a removable safety railing for my son’s lower bunk. Karissa adored sleeping beneath a painted nighttime sky dotted with stars – just another delightful Disney detail!

Inside staterooms on Dream are outfitted with Magic Portholes, which show live video views outside the ship. Plus, Disney characters like Dumbo or Nemo sometimes float past the portholes to surprise guests.

Here’s our Deluxe Family Stateroom with Balcony, all turned down for the evening

Other Special Disney Touches
Disney character meet-and-greets, Broadway-caliber live shows, first-run Disney movies in the ship’s movie theatre, and fireworks at sea add to the magic of a Disney Cruise. But what really makes a Disney cruise special is over-the-top attention to detail and incredible customer service. Every effort is made to ensure that all guests are entertained and cared for, from babies and toddlers, to children, tweens, teens, and adults.

When I requested sides of ranch and ketchup to accompany my son’s chicken at dinner, our server created Mickey Mouse artwork from the condiments!

Dream Itineraries & Beyond
Dream offers three, four, and five night cruises to The Bahamas, with a day or two spent at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. If you plan to sail on Dream (and you should!), I’d go for the longest cruise you can afford. I felt an incredible sense of “hurry up and have fun” on this two-night cruise.

This short taste has me absolutely pining for another Disney Cruise! As a West Coast Travel Mama, my latest dream is to sail on one of Disney’s cruises on board Wonder departing from my part of the world. I’m imagining a tropical vacation on board a six to ten night cruise from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera or a scenic seven-night voyage from Vancouver to Alaska! Find out more about Dream’s Caribbean cruises and other Disney destinations on the Disney Cruise Line website.

Check back soon for my reviews of Castaway Cay’s island adventures and the grown-up fun available on board Disney Dream!

Are you dreaming of a Disney Cruise too? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

5 Top Luxury Hotels for Children

Tiffany Dowd, Travel Mamas Guest Blogger — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 00:48:56 +0000

Think the days of luxury traveling are over once you have kids? Not even. Here are a five of my favorite luxury resorts for family escapes ideal for even the most discerning little travelers. Mom and Dad might even have fun too!

Curtain Bluff Antigua, West Indies
A classic Caribbean resort, Curtain Bluff boasts that it “works” for the entire family, and third generations of families (a.k.a. repeaters) who return year after year would agree. As an all-inclusive resort, you and your kids will enjoy a myriad of activities including sailing Hobie Cats and windsurfers, diving, water-skiing, snorkeling and fishing trips, and tennis. The convenience factor: meals, drinks and activities are all-included. While Mom and Dad enjoy the signature Caribbean Green Coffee body wraps at the Seaside Spa, your kids can also have treatments tailored to young adults.

The Resort at Paws Up Montana, USA
How cool would it be to have your own personal Santa? You can at this luxury resort and ranch when you book the “Last Best Christmas Vacation” package which also includes a ginger bread house building contest and more. The resort is a winter wonderland offering cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice skating, tubing and snow shoeing. This all-season resort also offers a Kids Corps of Discovery Program plus Spa Town for the big kids, where you can relax in the great outdoors. The activities are endless year-round.

Hotel Guanahani & Spa St. Barthélemy, French West Indies
The glamour of St. Barts in the French West Indies is not just for stylish adults. Hotel Guanahani is the largest resort on St. Barts located on two beaches ideal for families. Book the Family Suite with private pools or the Butler Suites for the ultimate in pampering. There’s an array of activities for everyone including sailing, scuba diving, horseback riding and tennis. While the kids participate in the Junior’s programs and the daily Kindergarten, parents can relax on the beach, enjoy duty-free shopping in Gustavia or spend the day at the award-winning Spa by Clarins.

The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Florida, USA
This luxury resort is a fantastic choice for families seeking a sophisticated yet fun beach resort. In addition to the fabulous views of the Gulf of Mexico and miles of immaculate beaches and excellent dining, this resort also has a fabulous learning program for your little marine biologists. Nature’s Wonders offers daily interactive discovery programs for children ages five and older. Watch Discovery and National Geographic programs with the whole family in the Nature Vision Theater. Book the Resort Reconnect package to decompress in luxury with family and friends.

Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya Mexico
This five diamond resort offers endless stretches of beaches, calm sea, three pools, exotic flora and fauna and their own Little Fans Club, with a host of activities for children aged four to 12 years. Parents, while the kids are busy, hit the Spa where you will enjoy the VIP couples suite for an Itzam (Earth) Experience. Then visit the Mayan Temazcal for a Shaman Blessing. Book the Family Travel package in the Two-Bedroom Grand Selva Family Suite offering personal butler services to ensure Mom and Dad don’t lift a finger.

Which of these resorts appeals to you most? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

Tiffany Dowd is a regional hotel inspector for a leading luxury travel publication based in Boston, MA. For more luxury travel tips, read Tiffany Travels or follow @LuxeTiffany on Twitter.

You might also like:

• JW Marriott San Antonio – Where Luxury Combines with Good Ol’ Family Fun

• 7 Tips for a Fabo Cabo Girlfriend Getaway

• 10 Best Beach Hotels for Kids

• 10 Best Family-Friendly Hotel Pools in the World

Naples Vacations

In which country is the world’s largest swimming pool?

Colleen Lanin, The Travel Mama — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:19:45 +0000

a) Morocco

b) Chile

c) Dubai

d) Mexico

e) The United States

(Scroll down for the answer…)

Answer: b) Chile

According to the Guiness World Records, the largest pool in the world is the San Alfonso del Mar seawater pool in Algarrobo, Chile. It has an area of nearly 20 acres. Check out this Reuter’s video on YouTube about the pool.

For more on awesome pools, see:

• Nickelodeon Suites Resort – A Family Hotel with Amusements Galore (Part 1)

• Nickelodeon Suites Resort – A Hotel & Water Park for a Splashing Good Time (Part 2)

• 10 Best Family-Friendly Hotel Pools in the World

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Carnival Cruise Line’s Onboard Activities for Kids

Colleen Lanin, The Travel Mama — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:29:36 +0000

Last year my family embarked on an eight-day cruise on Carnival Spirit to Mexico for Thanksgiving with our friends, Vessa and Randy and their son, Tanner. Our dos familias enjoyed the journey from our hometown of San Diego to Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Manzanillo and back again. Between the seven of us, we explored quite a bit of what the ship had to offer.

Here is a sampling of Carnival Spirit’s onboard family-friendly activities and amenities.

My husband, Phil, playing miniature golf with our son, Leo.

Miniature Golf
Both preschoolers in our travel party, Tanner and my daughter, Karissa, adored playing miniature golf aboard Spirit. It was not the most elaborate course and it was a bit windy on the high deck, but it was a pleasant diversion nonetheless.

Childcare and Youth Programs
Camp Carnival accepts kids aged 2 to 11. In the evening, children can be dropped off to eat an early dinner with other campers but most nights our kids ate with us in the main dining room – until Karissa and Tanner started crawling under the table. That was our cue to cart the three-year-olds off to camp! Each night when I retrieved my little girl, her face was painted up – like a clown, a bunny, a butterfly – or whatever character coincided with the night’s theme. There were arts and crafts, toys, and activities galore. With the exception of one surly woman, the camp counselors were bubbly, sweet twenty-something gals whom the kids adored.

If your kid tends to get seasick (as does my daughter), keep in mind that Camp Carnival is located aft (at the back of the ship) and therefore tends to sway a great deal on rough seas. On most days this was not a problem, but on our last day at sea Karissa opted out of camp activities due to the boat’s rockiness.

Although none in our party qualified for participation, Carnival offers youth activities for older kids too. Circle C provides supervised activities for tweens aged 12 to 14, such as dance parties, board games, sports, and scavenger hunts. For teens aged 15 to 17, there is Club O2, with Karaoke, pool parties, video games and the like.

Beware there is very limited childcare for babies. The Carnival website is cryptic about the times that children under age two are permitted in the childcare program. Here’s the deal – besides the group babysitting late at night, under twos are only allowed in Camp Carnival when the other kids are not permitted (during lunch, mostly). I never did leave my son, Leo (then nine-months-old), because dropping him off for such a short period of time did not seem worth the separation anxiety it would induce, especially when I’d need to take care of Karissa during that time anyway.

Group babysitting for children (babies to age 11) is available from 10:00 pm to 3:00 am daily. My children did not participate since a good night’s sleep is of great import to our family, especially when traveling.

My daughter, Karissa, posing with a bunny-shaped towel sculpture
with her face painted like a clown.

Towel Sculptures
It’s a little thing, but a delightful thing for kids (and grown-ups)! Our room steward shaped our towel into some sort of animal while we were away at dinner each evening. It was always a treat to discover what creature would be waiting upon our return. The stingray sporting sunglasses was my daughter’s favorite!

Teddy Bear Workshop
We paid extra to participate in a Teddy Bear Workshop at Camp Carnival. This was basically an opportunity for Carnival to make some cash by selling a plush toy with a Velcro back into which my daughter stuffed a bunch of fluff. Outfits were for sale separately but all animals came with a Carnival t-shirt. It wasn’t much of a “workshop” but my daughter loved her stuffed dog nonetheless.

Arcade
The ship’s arcade is located in a rocky locale just below Camp Carnival on Spirit. Tanner especially enjoyed playing car-driving video games and air hockey (while standing on a chair) with his dad here.

Chamber Music
Listening to live chamber music one evening in a bar near the Empire Dining Room was one of my favorite family moments aboard Spirit. The entertainment made a nice distraction before dinner service during “the witching hour.” My daughter adores music, so it was a treat for her to watch a pianist, cellist and two violinists perform. Leo was calmed by the soothing songs while my daughter twirled in front of the quartet. The older passengers who gathered to listen probably were counting on less lively fellow audience members but we did a pretty good job of keeping our crowd under control.

My husband taking the waterslide for a test spin.

Water Activities
Some of Carnival’s other ships have extensive splash areas and waterslides. Spirit has just one tall curlicue slide. It is located far from the regular pools so we only visited it once. Since our children were too young, my husband braved the waterslide alone while I waited with the kids at the bottom to cheer his finish.

Most cruise lines, Carnival included, do not allow non-potty trained children in their pools for sanitary reasons. The only ships I know of that have splash pools with special filtration systems for babies are Disney’s two ships, Wonder and Magic, and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2. Therefore, if you are traveling with a baby or toddler, I recommend bringing a small inflatable baby pool. This worked out well for our family but it would have been more fun if we all could have gone swimming together. My husband and I took turns swimming with Karissa in the big pool while the other parent minded Leo, who splashed about in his mini pool on the deck. The steel drum band and pina coladas deckside were an added bonus!

Summary
Would I recommend a Carnival cruise to traveling families? Yes! There are oodles of enjoyable activities for a variety of ages and interests at an affordable price. However, if you are traveling with a baby, you might want to consider booking a Disney Cruise or waiting to cruise until your child is a tad older. Carnival caters to families, just not to families with babies.

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Do you have any travel tips or questions about cruising or Carnival? Leave a comment below!

For more information on this topic, see:

Cruise Resources
Beach Day in Zihuatanejo, Mexico

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10 Best Family-Friendly Hotel Pools in the World

Colleen Lanin, The Travel Mama — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:30:27 +0000

I’m a sucker for a good hotel pool. Give my family a pool with waterfalls and a kids’ splash area, and we’re in heaven! To compile this list of the best pools for children, I spoke to three Travel Mamas who are experts in the hotel and travel industries: Laura van Hoff of Juicy Hotels (a booking site that allows you to search for hotels by amenities and activities), Theresa Jorgensen of SixSuitcaseTravel (a travel resource website for larger families), and Amie O’Shaughnessy of Ciao Bambino (a worldwide guide of the best family-friendly hotels and resorts). I couldn’t help but include a couple of my family’s favorites, too. Now, let’s dive in!

Rope swing at the Grand Wailea, Maui
(Photo courtesy of Grand Wailea)

Best Pool for Toddlers and Little Kids
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
Maui, Hawaii
For a splashing good time for toddlers and preschoolers, you can’t beat the Hyatt Regency Maui’s Keiki Lagoon. This children’s pool features leaping water fountains, a twisting waterslide and an island center where tots can play with sand toys. My family whiled away many happy vacation hours at this pool when my daughter was nearing age two and I’ve been dreaming about returning ever since.

Hyatt Regency Maui’s Keiki Lagoon
(Photo taken by Colleen Lanin, The Travel Mama, in 2006 – That’s my husband, Phil, and daughter, Karissa, on the slide)

Best Pool for Big Kids
Tabacon Grand Spa and Thermal Resort
Arenal, Costa Rica
Laura van Hoff of Juicy Hotels asked her teenage sons where they would go if they were to return to any destination solely for its pool. Both replied, “That’s easy, Tabacon Springs!” Costa Rica’s Tabacon Springs is intimate and relaxed. Laura loves its “thermal pool, heated by natural springs in a tropical setting.” She said, “It’s got a waterslide, but not a fancy American waterslide. It’s more simple, but boy is it fun!” Laura recommends this pool for bigger kids since it might be too toasty for tiny tots. She said, “It’s like a big, hot Jacuzzi.”

Pools at Tabacon Grand Spa and Thermal Resort
(Photo courtesy of Tabacon Resort)

Best Pool for Wacky Fun
Nickelodeon Hotel
Orlando, Florida
SixSuitcaseTravel’s Theresa Jorgensen recommends the water park at the Nickelodeon Hotel in Orlando for non-stop fun for big families. With seven slides and flumes, and easy access zero-entry, there is something here for children of any age. A 400-gallon tank spills water on splashers throughout the day but the highlight is when kids are “slimed” at 4:45 pm daily.

The daily “sliming” at the Nickelodeon Hotel pool in Orlando, Florida
(Photo provided by Theresa Jorgensen of SixSuitcaseTravel)

Most Unique Pool
The Atlantis Resort
Paradise Island, The Bahamas
This sprawling pool complex is resplendent with waterslides, one of which sends swimmers through a shark tank in a see-through tube! Atlantis recently added a children’s water play area with a Mayan-themed play structure featuring multiple slides, cargo nets, rope bridges, water cannons, and fountains. My husband and I stayed at the Atlantis once without the kids and we can’t wait to bring them with us next time!

View of the Atlantis Resort’s pools and aquariums
(Photo by Colleen Lanin, The Travel Mama)

Best Oceanside Pool
Four Seasons Punta Mita
Punta Mita, Mexico
The “Nuna” pool is the centerpiece of the Four Seasons resort in Punta Mita, Mexico. It is a free-form infinity edge pool with views of Puerto Vallerta’s horseshoe-shaped Banderas Bay. Amie O’Shaughnessy of Ciao Bambino said, “The illusion is that the pool extends right into the ocean, particularly at sunset—it’s truly breathtaking.” The pool also offers shallow splashing areas for young children.

Four Seasons “Nuna” pool at Punta Mita, Mexico
(Photo Courtesy of Four Seasons)

Best Lazy River
Azul Sensatori
Cancun, Mexico
Laura loves the Azul Sensatori in Cancun, Mexico for its lazy river, which encircles the property. Swim-up suites have lazy river access just steps from the door. Children will love the splash park and kids’ pool with waterslide. If they tire of the water, there’s a playground, Azulitos Kid’s Club, and Breeze Teen Club.

The Azul Sensatori lazy river pool in Cancun, Mexico (Photo courtesy of Azul Sensatori)

Best Pool with a View
Le Case del Borgo
Tuscany, Italy
Le Case del Borgo has a voluminous pool in an idyllic setting surrounded by the rolling green Tuscan landscape. Amie said, “I’m a view person and love pools surrounded by sensational scenery. I can be by the pool there and still know and appreciate that I’m enjoying Italy.”

Pool at Le Case del Borgo, Tuscany
(Photo courtesy of Ciao Bambino)

Friendliest Pool
Kona Village Resort
The Big Island, Hawaii
Often cited by guidebooks as the most authentically-Hawaiian hotel, Kona Village has thatched-roof bungalows and two great pools, one for babies and toddlers. It is Hawaii’s only almost-all-inclusive resort. Laura said, “This is my number one favorite hotel for families in the entire world!” She loves the spirit of Aloha exuded by the staff. Her kids love that they can order their own tasty non-alcoholic drinks from the poolside bar, like the “Cookie Monster” and the “Big Bird.”

The Bora Bora Pool at the Kona Village Resort
(Photo courtesy of Kona Village Resort)

Most International Pool
Ciragan Palace Kempinki Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
Amie promises a dip in the pool at Ciragan Palace in Istanbul, Turkey, is one you won’t soon forget. It is situated along the Bosphorous Straight, the channel of water that divides Europe and Asia, and this pool provides stunning views of both continents.

The infinity pool at Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul along the Bosphorous Straight
(Photo courtesy of Ciragan Palace)

Most Popular Pool
Grand Wailea
Maui, Hawaii
No list of fabulous pools would be complete without including the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui. Laura said, “The pool that I hear about over and over again that people love is the Grand Wailea pool.” The water complex at the Grand Wailea offers multiple swim-up bars, is adjacent to the beach, offers a Tarzan-like rope swing, and even has a water elevator for easy access to its numerous waterslides.

The water elevator at the Grand Wailea, Maui
(Photo courtesy of the Grand Wailea)

More about our panel of pool experts:

Laura van Hoff, Creator of Juicy Hotels
Laura hand-picked over 1,500 of the 111,000 accommodations in the Juicy Hotels database based on her tireless scouring of travel magazines and newspaper reviews, as well as her own experiences. Laura is a mom of two boys (ages14 and 15). She said, “I love researching travel, planning travel, doing travel. There’s nothing about travel that I don’t love!”

Theresa Jorgensen, Creator of SixSuitcaseTravel
SixSuitcaseTravel is a resource website that helps families of five to eight members find hotels that fit their needs by listing pools, room size, breakfast type and family-friendly amenities. Theresa has four children (a 15-year-old son, 11-year-old twin fraternal daughters, and a seven-year-old daughter). About hotel pools, Theresa said, “As a parent I love the free entertainment and the tiring-out-the-kids aspect. (My) kids love hotel pools because they’re not as crowded as public pools and they can swim for hours.”

Amie O’Shaughnessy, Founder of Ciao Bambino
Amie started Ciao Bambino as a planning service for family travel to Italy in 2004. Over time, she built a list of family-friendly options tried and tested by hundreds of families. In 2007 Ciao Bambino transitioned into an online self-service guide to family-friendly properties. Amie is a mom of one son (age six). As a pool-lover, she said, “Hotel pools are the perfect venue for everyone in a family to enjoy themselves. Kids are entertained for hours and parents have that rare opportunity to truly relax.”
Is your favorite hotel pool on our list? We just added a comments function to our site! Tell us what you think about any of the pools featured above or inform us of another spectacular pool not on our list by adding your comment below.