Larks with the Sharks

Golden Nugget, Las Vegas, USA

The luxurious Golden Nugget hotel/casino’s pool is as outrageous as Las Vegas itself. This $30 million dollar complex has its own shark tank and a 3-story waterslide as the centrepiece of the pool. Swim just inches away from the sharks or climb 30 feet to the mouth of the slide, lean back and enjoy an exhilarating glide down the secured see-thru waterslide that cuts right through the 200,000 gallon shark tank.

The tank is maintained by the hotel's Life Sciences Department and swimmers can come eye-ball to eye-ball with over 300 animals from around the world, including six species of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) and bony fishes .

There are cabanas for privacy but there’s also comfy chaises wicker sofas and even lounge chairs inside the pool. With stunning waterfalls cascade into the pool, speakers cleverly designed as rocks that surround the pool with lively music and pool side black-jack tables its good bet both you and the kids will love it.

Cheap flights to Las Vegas

 

When size matters

San Alfonso del Mar in Algarrobo in Chile 

Sure the San Alfonso has private white-sand beaches, and panoramic views, but what makes this hotel spectacular is its man-made crystalline water pool.

According to the Guinness book of records it is the largest pool in the world. It covers 20 acres and is 140 feet deep. To put that into perspective that is equivalent to 6,000 standard size pools and is navigable in small boats.

The water gleams with turquoise intensity yet it is so clear that you can see the bottom even at the deep end.  A computer-controlled suction and filtration system designed by Chilean biochemist Fernando Fishmann of Crystal Lagoons Corporation, constantly pumps the fresh seawater from the Pacific Ocean at one end, filters it and pumps it out at the other.

During the summer the water temperature is maintained at 26 ºC – a whole nine degrees warmer than the adjoining seal

The pool includes Jacuzzi tubs, solar heating, water cascades and an aquarium that holds more than 42 different species of local sea life.

 

Designer pool

The Joule Hotel in Dallas, USA

This five star 129 room boutique hotel is in a revitalised 1920’s vintage Gothic former Dallas National bank building. It oozes artworks and stunning design from every orifice and its lobby level restaurant Charlie Palmer is a favourite.

But the cantilevered rootop infinity pool is an architectural triumph. Located ten stories high it projects eight feet over the end of the building. The pool features a clear Plexiglas back wall and those who swim to its edge will see dazzling views of downtown Dallas.

Cheap flights to Dallas

 

Families will love this

Hyatt Regency, Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii

This five star 806 roomed property is located on the end of the Pacific Ocean amid tropical lush scenery with gardens, free roaming animals and a bird sanctuary.

So wherever you are around the either of the two swimming pools you’ll be looking at lava formations and waterfalls, palm trees and an amazing ocean vista.

Under water caves, a swim-up bar by the water falls, a 150-foot water slide, a new kids’ pool with a sand beach, an island with tide-pool simulator, and “dive-in” movies projected on an outdoor wall make this a great choice for families.

Cheap flights to Maui

 

Safari So Good

Main Pool, Singita Grumeti Reseryes Sasakwa Lodge, Tanzania

Imagine paddling in a heated infinity-edge pool enjoying the spectacular sight of the annual migration of antelope and zebra on the Serengeti Plains. You can do that at the hilltop lodge Sasakwa, built on the cliff- edge promontory of the lodge’s lush front lawn.

There are telescopes on the lawn to get a better view of the animals, or you can summon a game ranger and drive closer to the action.

There are seven cottage suites at Sasakwa each with their own private garden plunge pool and dramatic view.

Cheap flights to Tanzania

16 January 2010

Share on Facebook