Oahu Island Swimming Pool Hotels
Halekulani Hotel
The Halekulani's pool is practically a work of art: oval-shaped, with an
inlaid mosaic of a Cattleya orchid, comprised of more than a million pieces
of South African glass tile. The pool is flanked by rows of beach chairs and
umbrellas (not pictured); make sure to nab the single yellow one,
which is said to bring good luck.
Modern Honolulu Hotel
Hotel situated near the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor, between
Waikiki Beach and the Ala Moana Shopping Center.
Has 353 rooms on 18 floorsa.
Located at 1775 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu
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Sunrise pool (ocean, marina, and city skyline views)
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Sunset Pool (sedond level, surrounded by sand and palms)
Sheraton Waikiki
The infinity pool at the Sheraton Waikiki is practically an institution
unto itself: Perched right on Waikiki Bay, it's designed to look seamless
with the ocean, and offers the best Diamond Head view of any pool in the
area. Each sunset, bathers laze about on complimentary orange floats and
sip umbrella-topped cocktails from the Edge of Waikiki bar as live
ukulele music plays softly in the background.
Maui Island Swimming Pool Hotels
Andaz Maui at Wailea
What's better than one infinity pool? Three of them, stacked on top of one
another like cascading waterfalls. And if three infinity pools—with hot
tubs!—somehow doesn't sate you, there's an enormous lagoon pool at the
very bottom, just steps away from Mokapu Beach. The excellent Bumbye
Beach Bar, known for its potent cocktails crafted with local
ingredients, is also within shouting distance. Order the
Coconut Wired, its twist on the piña colada.
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
The Four Seasons Maui gets a lot of love from our readers (it was ranked one
of Hawaii's top resorts in our Readers' Choice Awards this year) and we suspect
its Serenity Pool might have a little something to do with it. The 2,650-square
-foot infinity pool overlooks Wailea Beach, the island of Lanai, and the West
Maui mountains. There are bubble loungers, an underwater music system, two
hot tubs, and then—of course—the swim-up bar. If you'd rather nurse your
mai tai by the pool than in it, pool attendants will come around
periodically to offer Evian spritzes, cucu
Grand Wailea Resort & Spa, Maui
- Swimming pool with six levels connected by a river
- nine interconnecting pools
- one reserved for adults
- An activity pool with water slides, rapids, a rope swing
- scuba pool.
- Hibiscus Pool:
Named for the giant mosaic flower that graces the bottom, made from thousands of
pieces of Mexican glass mosaic tile, the pool is reserved for adults over
18 and has two jacuzzis.
- Wailea Canyon Activity Pool
This 2,000-foot-long pool consists of nine free-form pools at six levels,
beginning at 40 feet and dropping to sea level, connected by a river that
carries swimmers along at varying speeds, from whitewater rapids to lazy currents.
Wailea Canyon includes four jungle pools, four fiberglass slides, a
whitewater rapids slide, a Tarzan pool with rope swing, water elevator,
sand beach, six waterfalls, caves, three Jacuzzis, a sauna, infant pool,
and swim-up bar.
Just how big are those slides?
The Lava slide is 238 feet, with a three-story drop; the Ana Puka slide
is115 feet with a 360-degree turn; and the Rapids slide features whitewater
rapids at 16,000 gallons per minute.
Reservations: (808) 875-1234, www.grandwailea.com
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
"Pool" doesn't even begin to describe the aquatic adult wonderland at the
\Hyatt Regency Maui. There are two free-form lagoons, synchronized fountains,
waterfalls, a 150-foot water slide, swinging bridges, and—best of all—a
swim-up bar inside a cave. In front of all that, you also have direct access
to Kaanapali Beach, one of the best beaches on Maui.
- "Dive-in" movies on a weekly schedule
- half-acre tropical oasis also boasts a 150-foot lava tube water slide,
lava rock pool bar and two additional pools with waterfalls connected by caves.
Hyatt added a children's adventure pool in December. Only 18 inches deep, the
shallow pool is perfect for kids to wade past realistically painted turtles and
dolphins and dart in and out of shooting fountains that spout as high as 10 feet.
There's a 25-foot slide and a sand-covered island at the center of the
pool — ideal for making sand castles.
Hawaii Island Swimming Pool Hotels
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Has several swimminng pools and decorative pools including gthe King's Pond, which is
a nearly two-million-gallon aquarium carved out of natural lava rock and
filled with more than 3,000 tropical fish.
Courtesy Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Hilton Waikoloa Village, Big Island
Pools here include three for swimming and a three-acre salt-water lagoon open for
water activities from snorkeling to kayaking. Designed and built by the Hemmeter
Corp. and landscaped in the late 1980s, the property was acquired by Hilton in 1993.
The Kona Pool, largest of three freshwater pools, features a dramatic waterfall
for swimmers to duck under, a 175-foot twisting water slide, three jacuzzis set
in rocks and caves, a swinging bridge that crosses the oversized pool and a
sandy-bottomed children's section that provides access. The area has statues
of honu and other animals for the keiki to play on, and there's a popular water slide.
Five thousand gallons of salt-water are pumped through the system each minute.
Reservations: (808) 886-1234, www.HiltonWaikoloaVillage.com
Kauai Island Swimming Pool Hotels
Grand Hyatt Kauai at Poipu
The multi-level pool grounds at the elegant Grand Hyatt Kauai also voted one
of Hawaii's top resorts by our readers) takes days to explore: There's a long
lazy river lined with lava rocks, an enormous saltwater lagoon, freshwater
grottoes, secret caves, and waterfalls galore. If you get bored, Shipwreck
Beach is steps away, though the surf is usually too strong for swimming
(and with a white sand beach inside the premises, you're not missing out).
Then, grab a bite at the excellent floating restaurant, Tidepools.
Hyatt Regency Kaua'i Resort & Spa
What's special about Hyatt Kaua'i's pool?
"Our pools are on two levels," said Katy Britzmann, director of the hotel's sales and
marketing. "We have an upper pool connected to lower activity pool by a 150-foot
water slide. The upper pool has a river segment that meanders through lava rock
formations in a beautiful natural landscape. Also, there is a separate five-acre
lagoon dotted with islands that you can kayak and float around."
Designed by Howard Fields, a water feature architect, the pools are environmentally
friendly, using heat recycled from the air-conditioning system to warm the water
to 86 degrees.
Reservations: (808) 742-1234, www.kauai.hyatt.com
St. Regis Princeville Resort
Located in northern Kauai, with views of Hanalei Bay and Bali Hai, the natural
beauty that flanks this pool is almost too much. Because it's open 24 hours
a day, it's a prime spot to watch both the sunrise and sunset on either side
of the island. Nalu Kai Grill & Bar is just steps from Pu'u Poa Beach and does
a killer Tai Chi—a spicy rendition of the mai tai.
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