The St. Regis Bali Resort
Photo Courtesy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc
Nothing says summer vacation quite like pool time. And if there’s anything better than decompressing in the sun next to a sparkling body of water, it’s doing so while being spoiled with top-notch food, drinks and service. The following six hotels get our votes for the best poolside dining this summer, so start booking while the heat is on.
The St. Regis Bali Resort
Pool-adjacent fine dining? Sign us up. The St. Regis Bali Resort in Nusa Dua and its award-winning restaurant Kayuputi (“white wood” in Indonesian) take full advantage of the beachfront setting. Reserve an intimate cabana by the pool to enjoy the ocean views and Kayuputi’s menu, which focuses on seafood (French caviar and oysters, grilled lobster, sashimi and more). Plus, the luxurious lounge beds around the pool put standard beach chairs to shame. Take a break from the sun by slipping into the Kayuputi Champagne Bar, where guests can sip on bubbly and smoke cigars on plush white couches.
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Photo Courtesy of Hilton Worldwide
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
This Phoenix resort boasts eight pristine pools (one was Marilyn Monroe’s favorite), a 92-foot water slide, a swim-up bar and luxury cabanas. Each elegantly furnished poolside cabana includes a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, a mini refrigerator, free Wi-Fi and a dedicated pool concierge and cocktail server. The Cabana Club provides options ranging from a healthy tuna niçoise to a decadent Biltmore burger, and each tastes just as good paired with a premium margarita or specialty cocktail.
Montage Beverly Hills
The rooftop of Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Montage Beverly Hills features a saline pool, a whirlpool, private cabanas and plush poolside beds, all set against a picturesque Hollywood Hills backdrop. The adjacent Rooftop Grill crafts healthy cuisine made with local farmers’ market ingredients (there’s even a breakfast salad!), and servers surprise sunbathers with treats like chocolate-covered frozen bananas. Cabanas, which are available to all guests, include flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, newspapers and magazines, Evian misters, Coola sun-care products, fresh fruit and bottled water.
The Ritz-Carlton, Macau
The Ritz-Carlton, Macau’s Grand Resort Deck can be your base of operations whether you want to appreciate its white sand beaches or ride adrenaline-inducing waterslides. Home to Skytop Wave Pool (the world’s largest) and Skytop Adventure Rapids (the world’s longest), there’s no shortage of excitement here. But if something more relaxing is on your agenda, get comfy at the white willow cabana in the Portuguese-style Ritz-Carlton Pool Bar, conveniently located between the adult and children’s pools. Recharge with fresh juice and smoothies or opt for a glass of biodynamic wine or a signature cocktail like the Ritzeta (tequila añejo, apricot brandy, grapefruit juice and lime juice).
Rosewood Mayakoba, Photo Courtesy of Rosewood Hotels and Resorts LLC
Rosewood Mayakoba
The Five-Star Rosewood Mayakoba in Riviera Maya features breathtaking views of the Caribbean. The best looks are at Punta Bonita, the property’s beachside restaurant. Nosh on Mexican street food like elotes, antojitos and tortas; cool off with made-to-order selections from the ceviche bar; or try pizza from the wood-burning oven — all served on beautiful Mexican ceramic dishes. And don’t worry about the active Chara Yucatecas flying in the area; they’re merely trying to get a view of the space and catch the occasional crust crumb.
Faena Hotel Miami Beach
The oceanfront Faena Hotel Miami Beach features the superstar culinary stylings of Argentine chef Francis Mallman at Los Fuegos By Francis Mallman and James Beard Award–winning chef Paul Qui’s Pao By Paul Qui. Each Sunday be a part of a family-style asado (Argentine-style open-fire barbecue) at Los Fuegos and relax on the oceanfront terrace at sunset to enjoy Qui’s selection of pulutan (Filipino finger foods) like lumpia, crispy pig’s ears and rabbit terrine.
