Imagine drifting across an infinity pool on the precipice of Amalfi‘s cliffs, taking a dip atop a snow-kissed Dolomite peak or floating beneath a medieval tower. Italy’s landscapes are awe-inspiring, and so are its hotel pools.
Indulge your senses in this curated collection of the country’s most enchanting aquatic sanctuaries, which beckon with splendor, natural beauty and Instagram allure.
Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast
Head south to Ravello and nestled in the coast’s Lattari Mountains, you’ll find the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Caruso. The 11th-century property is a gorgeous labyrinth of tiered gardens where the likes of Jackie O., Greta Garbo and even Justin Bieber once hid out. As much as they loved Caruso’s castle vibe, you can bet that they enjoyed the extraordinary infinity pool that seemingly extends over the coastline and into the clouds.
Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como
With lush Alpine greenery and a gorgeous mountain backdrop, it’s easy to see why Lake Como has always been a destination favored by the rich and famous. And the bon ton’s favorite place to cool off is Five-Star Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como’s infinity pool. At more than 130 feet long, this is the world’s largest floating pool and arguably its prettiest. Designed by star architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, the pool is made of dark local Cardoso sandstone and a deep green steel infinity edge, creating the optical illusion of flowing into the lake’s cobalt blues.
Just a few splashes from the Mandarin Oriental is Il Sereno, a sister hotel to the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Le Sereno in St. Barts. The stunning property offers an unparalleled view of the lake, mountains, resplendent villas and charming towns. Il Sereno capitalizes on its serene location and lakeside luxury, especially with its pool. The heated freshwater infinity pool’s azure stands out against the lake’s indigo hues, while green sunbeds inspire an afternoon of lounging and photo-taking.
Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda
At this luxurious Four-Star wellness retreat along the shores of Lake Garda, the sprawling 46,285-square-foot spa is its crowning achievement. But the real gems are the connected heated indoor and outdoor pools, and the sparkling infinity pool that almost appears to blend into the lake and the horizon beyond it.
Capri has been the island escape of goddesses for millennia, from Homer’s sirens to Brigitte Bardot and Beyoncé. The island has lured visitors to its fantastic grottoes, soaring peaks and epic parties, but nothing enchants more than the vanishing pool at the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Hotel Caesar Augustus. Cliffside and cascading over two terraced pools, this is the spot where reality melts into the horizon.
It’s no wonder the Dolomites, a mountain range of breathtaking beauty, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At an astonishing near-6,000 feet above sea level, the eco-friendly, luxurious Forestis rubs shoulders with Alpine peaks. The hotel’s state-of-the-art, 21,5000-square-foot spa boasts an indoor/outdoor infinity pool made from local stone and filled with filtered water from the nearby Mount Plose.
Poised at 4,000 feet, Northern Italy’s serene Hotel Miramonti is a mountaintop oasis with a gorgeous Japanese onsen. The heated saltwater infinity pool appears to reach out into the vast expanse of the Merano panorama. The best time for a dip in the divine setting is at dusk when rosy light colors the mountains.
The Sky Pool at Hotel Hubertus in the Dolomites’ Sorafurcia affords a jaw-dropping view. The 25-foot pool extends out on a platform suspended 50 feet off the ground. The pool’s glass-paneled bottom and front create an adrenaline-inducing see-through effect that your social media followers will gawk over.
Rolling, green hills and a thousand-year-old castle might sound like a child’s fable, but at the 10th-century Castello di Reschio, it’s a reality. The verdant, 2,700-acre realm borders Umbria and Tuscany, making the pool setting alone a postcard-perfect picture. Umbrella pines surround a beautiful, rotund pool whose mirror-like surface reflects the ancient architecture of Reschio’s tower to fairytale-worthy heights.
The Amalfi Coast is one of a kind. Nail-biting ridges, craggy precipices and lush woodlands provide the colorful town’s astonishing backdrop. Clinging to the cliffs of Conca dei Marini, the region’s second smallest village and an exclusive hideaway, Monastero Santa Rosa is a former monastery that has perched over the coast for more than three centuries. Its infinity pool will take your breath away.
Just nine miles away from Monastero Santa Rosa is another idyllic getaway, Borgo Sant’Andrea. Amid the Amalfi Coast hotel’s layers of balconies and terraces is a saltwater pool with incredible views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
