The Most Beautiful Hotel Pools
Written by Gina DeCaprio VercesiA beautiful pool is the hallmark of a true vacation. After a long day in the saddle, there’s no better form of recovery than soaking, swimming, floating, or even sipping a cool poolside cocktail. More than just picturesque places to unwind, each of these hotel pools is thoughtfully integrated into the design and spirit of the property. From sky-high stunners with sweeping mountain views to seaside plunge pools and serene oases tucked into gardens and olive groves, these dreamy hotel pools define the art of the après velo swim.
Tuscany, Italy: Castello di Velona
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Val d’Orcia countryside, Castello di Velona is a restored 11th-century fortress built atop a natural geothermal spring. Three thermal wells—known as the Terme di Montalcino—lie 800 feet below the ground, feeding the hotel’s spectacular pools with warm, mineral-rich waters. The pool complex features waterfall fountains, jacuzzi jets, shaded gazebos, and comfortable chaise lounges, all set against Tuscan vineyards and olive groves. With its westward-facing views, the poolside Fish Bar becomes a golden-hour go-to—the perfect spot for après-velo cocktails at sunset.
Take the plunge at Castello di Velona on our Classic Tuscany Bike Tour

Greece: Ariá Estate
Named for the ancient oak trees commonly found on Greece’s rugged Mani Peninsula, Ariá Estate sits high above the Ionian Sea in the southern Peloponnese. It’s a breathtaking property, featuring 16 suites tucked within a cluster of stone buildings designed to emulate the peninsula’s historic villages. But the resort’s highlight is its dreamy infinity pool—overlooking Messinian Bay and framed by cypress trees, it’s an idyllic place to while away an afternoon with a glass of chilled Assyrtiko and a plate of salt-cured olives.
Take the plunge at Ariá Estate on our Greece Bike Tour
Provence, France: Coquillade Provence
Pedaling up the cypress-lined drive to Coquillade, it’s easy to see why Andy Rihs chose this 11th-century Provençal hamlet as the setting for his luxury retreat and winery. The hotel’s late visionary lived by the motto vie, vin, velo—life, wine, bike—and today, Coquillade continues to embody that spirit, serving as a heavenly home base for cyclists exploring the Luberon Valley. The estate’s sparkling, semi-Olympic pool is a truly an oasis, with considered details that delight the senses: the trickle of fountains, the lavender scented breeze, the endless rows of vines, and the warm, gilded light of the French countryside.
Take the plunge at Coquillade Provence on our Provence Bike Tour
Puglia, Italy: Masseria San Domenico
The lagoon-like pool is reason enough to stay at Masseria San Domenico, an immaculately restored 15th-century Apulian farmhouse. Carved into the natural rock and surrounded by a pristine lawn and native gardens, this dazzling waterscape blends seamlessly into its surroundings: whitewashed buildings (including a former watchtower once used by the Knights of Malta), ancient olive trees, and the brilliant blues of the Adriatic. And with Masseria San Domenico’s private beach a short stroll away, water-lovers are spoiled for choice.
Take the plunge at Masseria San Domenico on our Puglia Bike Tour

Mallorca, Spain: Belmond La Residencia
Amid citrus trees and stone terraces in the foothills of the Tramuntana Mountains, the pool at Belmond La Residencia mirrors the breathtaking beauty of its surroundings. Walls cloaked in bougainvillea frame meandering pathways that lead to the pool deck, where teak lounge chairs rest beneath enormous leafy palms. The hotel, occupying twin 17th-century manor houses in the rural hills above the village of Deià, has become one of Mallorca’s most coveted retreats—and the pool sits at its heart, enveloped by the island’s wild nature and effervescent light.
Take the plunge at La Residencia on our Mallorca Bike Tour

Dolomites, Italy: Hotel Fanes
Tyrolean charm meets contemporary alpine design at Fanes Dolomiti Wellness Hotel. Set against the rugged limestone peaks of the Dolomites overlooking the village of San Cassiano, this dreamy mountain chalet is one of Alta Badia’s most luxurious stays. Its standout feature is the heated Sky Pool—an elevated infinity pool with spectacular, 360-degree views of the surrounding massifs. It’s the dramatic centerpiece of the hotel’s innovative wellness offerings, which also include a whirlpool brine bath with underwater music and a unique, rotating sauna suspended 30 feet above the ground.
Take the plunge at Hotel Fanes on our Dolomites Bike + Adventure Tour
Bavaria, Germany: Schloss Elmau
Opened in 1916 by philosopher, theologian, and writer Dr. Johannes Müller as a retreat for family and friends, this iconic Bavarian resort features two distinct hotels—the Hideaway and the Retreat—10 restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Luce D’Oro, and an array of transcendent spa experiences. The property is also home to eight spectacular swimming pools. But if one truly steals the show, it’s the open-air infinity pool at the Shantigiri Spa, where the water appears to spill toward the horizon, blending seamlessly into the majestic Alps and crystal-clear mountain lakes that encircle the Elmau Valley.
Take the plunge at Schloss Elmau on our Germany + Austria Bike Tour
Douro Valley, Portugal: Six Senses
Set within a 19th-century quinta overlooking terraced vineyards that cascade toward the Douro River, Six Senses Douro Valley feels like stepping into a bygone era. Located in northern Portugal’s world-famous Port-producing region, this Six Senses property features an outdoor pool surrounded by herb and vegetable potagers and flowering fruit trees—all harvested for use in the hotel’s restaurant. Unwind with a crisp glass of Vinhas Velhas from the hotel’s extraordinary wine list and soak in the sweeping views as the sun sets over the Douro Valley.
Take the plunge at Six Senses Douro Valley on our Douro Valley Bike Tour
Napa, California: Solage
Famous for its hot springs and mud baths, the sleepy Napa Valley town of Calistoga is home to a host of quirky, boutique spa resorts. Solage—part of the Auberge Resorts Collection—stands apart thanks to its refined farmhouse-style charm, with clapboard bungalows tucked throughout the picturesque grounds and impeccable indoor-outdoor design that’s beautiful at every hour of the day. At the center of the property is the hotel’s sprawling 130-foot pool, with plenty of sun loungers and a duo of towering palms that offer symmetry and shade. Small plates from the Mexican-inspired Picobar can be delivered poolside, along with mezcal cocktails and, of course, wines from the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
Take the plunge at Solage Calistoga on our Napa + Sonoma Bike Tour
Morocco: Kasbah Tamadot
Winding roads through the red foothills of the Atlas Mountains lead to Kasbah Tamadot, Sir Richard Branson’s exclusive Moroccan retreat. At the base of Mount Toubkal, the kasbah—whose name means “soft breeze” in Berber—is landscaped with lush orchards, whispering palms, and fragrant jasmine. The inviting outdoor infinity pool, with its shaded cabanas and bubbling Jacuzzi, offers sweeping views of the Ouirgane Valley. In the evenings, the pool provides the backdrop for a romantic open-air cinema, where the kasbah screens Casablanca beneath the stars.
Take the plunge at Kasbah Tamadot on our Morocco Bike + Adventure Tour
Turkey: Yacht + Bike
The boundless waters of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas become your own private plunge pool on our Turkey Yacht + Bike Tour. Set sail from Bodrum aboard the handcrafted Turkish gulet Kaya Guneri IV, navigating along the southwest coast of Turkey and dropping anchor in spots like the Gulf of Gökova, Sedir Island, Karaca Bay, and the Datça Peninsula. Secluded coves, many accessible only by boat, lure you from the gleaming wooden deck into crystal-clear waters. Swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard through turquoise bays framed by ancient ruins and dramatic coastal cliffs. Here, the sea isn’t just a view—it’s your personal playground.
Take the plunge on our Turkey Yacht + Bike Tour
