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Top Ten Pools

Even if you like to get out and explore while on holiday, there are few of us who don't relish the chance to spend a lazy couple of hours every now and again by a lovely pool, enjoying the sunshine. Our Top Ten features our favourite pools, chosen for the fabulous views or the pleasant setting.

Cenobio dei Dogi, Ligurian Coast, Italy. You could, quite literally, spend all day by the pool of this elegant 4-star hotel (part of our Mountains & Riviera holiday), and not just for the breathtaking views along the Portofino Peninsula, the sound of waves lapping below, and the chance to people-watch as entire Italian families enjoy the sunshine in designer swimwear. There is an adjoining terrace restaurant, ideal for a light lunch, and a bar underneath the pool with windows into it. If this were not enough, a flight of stairs leads from the pool to the hotel's private beach below, where drinks from the bar will be brought to your lounger by the friendly staff. It is hard to think of somewhere quite so relaxing.

Sa Pedrissa, Mallorca, Spain. This exquisite agriturismo features as a luxury upgrade option on our Mountains & Villages of Mallorca walk. Put simply, the views of the Mediterranean from the terrace and pool are some of the best you will ever encounter. Truly inspirational.

Molino del Santo, Andalucian Mountains, Spain. Converted from an old watermill, the Molino del Santo is a great place to unwind after a day of walking as part of our White Towns & Rugged Hills walk. Guests love the cuisine and the wonderful service here – you are made to feel like royalty – but the best feature has to be the pool and neighbouring terrace. Shaded by willow trees, it is absolutely idyllic.

Las Casas del Rey Baeza, Seville, Spain. This is quite possibly the most welcome of all the pools. After a day strolling through the streets of Seville under the hot southern sun (we recommend Seville as an add-on to our Spain's Secret Sierra walk), a dip in the Rey Baeza's rooftop pool is the perfect way to cool off.

Hotel Ullensvang, Hardangerfjord, Norway. Edvard Grieg was a regular guest to this historic fjordside hotel at the end of the 19th century, and it is easy to see how the scenery might have inspired some of his great compositions. On our Serene Hardangerfjord walk, you can enjoy the splendid landscapes, too, as you swim in the pool, or in the fjord itself at the height of summer.

Le Vieux Castillon, Roman Provence, France. Given that this is undoubtedly the most beautiful hotel that we have yet discovered in France, it is only fitting that it features one of our top ten pools. The vast terrace and pool overlook the surrounding vineyard-coated hills so, after a dip, relax by the poolside and think ahead to dinner, when you can savour the Michelin-starred cuisine, perhaps accompanied by one of the region's excellent Côtes du Rhône wines. A great way to finish our To the Pont du Gard walk.

Hotel Victoria, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland. If you like to have views of the mountains as you swim or relax by the pool, then you will also like the indoor pool at the Hotel Victoria, which boasts large windows so that you gaze across to the surrounding peaks.

Maisons de Campagne, Provence, France. The best thing about the pool here is not the location or the view, but the fact that it is your own – the cottages on this estate all have a pool, so there is no competing for the loungers!

Da Giovanni, Tuscany, Italy. This working farm and wine estate in the Chianti hills is an alluring spot for a relaxing week of self-catering. The large pool here is framed by cypress trees, and offers sweeping vistas of the surrounding hills and vineyards. A perfect spot to lie on a lounger for a few hours with a good book and a long, cold drink.

Hotel Wiesenhof, Tyrol, Austria. The reason for including this pool is that it forms part of a vast, state-of-the-art spa complex which occupies the entire first floor of the hotel. Among the astonishing range of facilities are: a herbal steam sauna; a saline steam sauna; a Finnish sauna; a ‘grotto’ where you can relax to the sound of a fountain; vitalising showers and foot spas; two relaxation rooms with views of the mountains; hay ‘baths’; Tyrolean shale oil baths; massages; and facials and other beauty treatments.

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