Not so long ago a swimming pool was considered a real luxury. Nowadays a lot of homes, for sure every luxury home, has its own beautiful swimming pool. And all the hotels are trying to outdo each other with larger, fancier, more extreme pools then each other. I absolutely love water. I love the sound, the gentle waves, the color- I really love everything about it. So I get very excited when I see a sumptuous pool.

Here are some of the most beautiful swimming pools in the world. Some are part of hotels and some are private. They are all absolutely exquisite and unique.

The most beautiful pools

The pools at Hearst Castle are the most photographed pools in the world. I was lucky enough to visit them last summer and they are even more magnificent in real life. Each pool had years of design and work  devoted to it but unfortunately not much use. The outdoor pool is now used one day a year when the Hearst Castle staff is allowed to swim in it. The outdoor pool, named the Neptune pool, was redone three times till it suited its owner, William Randolph Hearst’s, taste. The centerpiece is from the facade of a Roman temple which he had imported to California.

The pool at the San Alfonso del Mar Resort is the biggest pool in the world. It is 3,323 feet long, stretching over 20 acres. The pools holds 66 million gallons of water which it pulls from the nearby ocean through a computerized system.

The incredibly beautiful pool is property of diamond magnate Lev Leviev. The gold-plated pool in his London residence can turn into a ballroom with just the touch of a button.It is one of the most expensive private pools ever built.

Shaped to resemble a lagoon the pool at the Raleigh Hotel is amongst the world’s most famous. It was featured in a number of movies and TV shows and although Miami has pools galore almost none match up to the Raleigh’s.

The whimsical shape of this privately owned pool makes it so alluring. Apparently there are many such pools in Memphis, TN. One hotel even built a guitar shaped pool because Elvis once stayed there.

Lance Armstrong’s pool is for sure the highlight of his home. With its cabana, stone fireplace and lanterns it has a relaxed, resort kind of feel.

I was at the Fontainebleau for winter vacation and the pool is absolutely deluxe. Putting aside the awesome pool-side service, the pool area itself is wondrous. Pools, cabanas, lounge chairs and bars surround the area and you literally feel as if you are on a luxury island.

This wonderfully romantic pool is located in Chiang Rai, Thailand at the Golden Triangle Resort. Overlooking Myanmar and Laos you can enjoy the breathtaking vistas while relaxing in the water.

Do you have a swimming pool in your home? Tell us about it in the comments and send in pictures HERE, we would love to see it!