I’m sure I’m not alone when I say the best thing about staying in a hotel is always the pool situation. A minibar is great, fluffy bathrooms are a bonus, but a pool? That’s the feature that really seals the deal when I’m booking a stay.
From glassy rooftop retreats and infinity edges that tempt you to swim straight into the skyline, to beachside escapes with swim-up bars serving cocktails faster than you can cannonball, hotels are going to extreme (and very welcome) lengths to create the ultimate water playground.
Let’s dive in and check out the top hotel pools across the country. These are the ones worth planning a stay around.
W Melbourne
Melbourne, Victoria
I'm an absolute sucker for a rooftop pool, and W Melbourne's WET on Level 14 is one of the sleekest in Oz. The space is inspired by the curves of the Yarra, with a mirrored ceiling and glitzy, gold accents that catch the twinkling city lights.
The views of the skyline are spectacular, and best enjoyed once the sun has gone down with a cocktail in hand. That's right—WET is open 24/7, with a full menu of cocktails and plates (including my obligatory poolside "snack", a stacked club sandwich). From 7pm, it's strictly adults only, too, so you won’t have to dodge splashing kids while you swim and sip. Add in DJs spinning tunes throughout summer and this might just be the ultimate after-dark swim spot in Melbourne.
JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa
Gold Coast, Queensland
If I could design my dream hotel pool, it would probably look a lot like the lagoon at JW Marriott on the Gold Coast. There's two glittering pools fringed with palm trees, a cascading waterfall and a sandy, saltwater lagoon where you can snorkel alongside more than 200 tropical fish. Yep, I'm talking the kind of sea creatures you'd expect to find in the tropics, smack bang in the middle of the Goldie.
Once you’ve finished pretending to be a mermaid, you can drift over to the grotto spa, sink into a private cabana, or order cocktails, burgers and chips straight to your sun lounger. Doesn't get much better than that.
Ritz Carlton
Perth, Western Australia
As a Perth local, I may be a little biased, but floating in an infinity pool with the city skyline on one side and the Swan River on the other really does feel next-level. That's exactly what you get at The Ritz-Carlton, Perth's 5-star hotel right on the river.
The pool is heated in winter and perfectly positioned to catch the sunshine in summer, and the uninterrupted views over Elizabeth Quay come complimentary year-round. When you’re done with the main pool, you can also slip into one of the separate ladies' and gentlemen's vitality pools for a little extra indulgence. Or, if you’d rather stay horizontal, you can sprawl on a lounger while staff deliver cocktails from Songbird pool
W Brisbane
Brisbane, Queensland
WET Pool is the jewel of W Brisbane’s iconic Level Four rooftop oasis, WET Deck. Sporting a bold design of a black and white geometric ceiling, and mosaic tiles lining the pool’s floor reflecting shadows of palm fronds, WET Pool is a place to kick back for a lazy afternoon by the pool soaking up Queensland’s sunny rays on sun lounges (and basically my idea of how to do Queensland right).
You can even listen to music underwater here, while the WET Deck Bar keeps you fuelled with bespoke cocktails, gourmet bites, live DJ tunes and those unbeatable views over the Brisbane River, all combining to cement its reputation as the city’s ultimate pool deck playground. Book a stay here.
Flynn
Cairns, Queensland
Sun, style and a serious sense of calm—that’s Flynn in a nutshell. The resort’s glass-bottomed pools offer a unique, elevated escape from the humidity of Far North Queensland. Yep, plural—there's two of them, which I think is just the right amount of pool for a place so hot.
From the second-floor swim spot, you can catch glimpses of the ocean, making it feel like your own little oasis above the Esplanade. But watch your step, those cheeky glass-bottomed peep-holes mean you can see and be seen. Don't say I didn't warn you!
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The Ville
Townsville, Queensland
The pool at The Ville looks like it’s been plucked straight from an overseas resort. Framed by palms and tropical trees, the huge beachside pool offers serene views of Magnetic Island and comes with its very own resident swim-up Splash Bar.
What I love about The Ville’s waterside paradise is that you don’t have to be staying there to enjoy it. Day passes start at $30, and if you’re feeling fancy, you can book one of the private cabanas stocked with oysters, poolside snacks, carafes of cocktails, bottles of bubbles and more.
Halcyon House
Cabarita Beach, NSW
Located just a minute’s walk from the beach, Halcyon House is a ridiculously beautiful boutique escape reminiscent of Australia's endless summers. The rectangular pool is framed by polished decking, towering palms, crisp white umbrellas, and those perfectly pinstriped deck chairs. Every corner of this poolside space feels like it’s been curated for the ultimate sun-soaked afternoon, from the warm timber tones to the carefully placed greenery that makes it feel like your own private tropical hideaway.
I'd happily spend my entire stay at Cabarita Beach under the palms with a bottle of bubbles never too far away. Just try and tear yourself away from the sublime set-up, I dare you.
Bedarra Island Resort
Bedarra Island, Queensland
You can't get much more secluded than this. L Bedarra Island Resort feels like its own private world, with just 11 villas tucked into 45 hectares of rainforest and overlooking the Coral Sea.
While the hotel itself doesn’t feature a communal pool, I'd recommend choosing one of the villas that come with their own private infinity plunge pools. Complete with expansive decks, sunbeds and outdoor showers for a post-swim rinse, I'd happily spend my days on the island switching between the pool, sea, shower and lounger.
Intercontinental Hayman Island
Hayman Island, The Whitsundays
Heads up: getting to the Intercontinental Hayman Island involves a direct flight to Hamilton Island followed by a boat, helicopter, or private charter (no shame in the casual upgrade—I'd be doing it too if I had cash to splash).
Once you arrive, the hotel’s epic pool unfolds along the shoreline, blending seamlessly into the tropical surroundings. Affectionately called "The Lagoon”, There’s even a tiny island in the middle of the pool, which would be my first pick for watching the sunset over the islands.
Orpheus Island
Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
Only 28 guests at a time get the pleasure of calling Orpheus Island home, which basically means the infinity pool might as well be yours. Stretching 26 metres and practically melting into the Coral Sea, the pool is lined with chic black tiles, adding a little bit of drama to the modern, sophisticated swim spot.
Though I'm yet to experience the elusive Orpheus Island first-hand, it's right up the very top of my travel wishlist, and the pool alone is enough reason to go.
The Old Clare
Sydney, NSW
Ever wanted to swap Sydney's city streets for poolside cocktails in a heartbeat? You can do exactly that at The Old Clare. Sitting high above the hustle and bustle of Chippendale, this hotel's rooftop is an urban oasis, complete with a 14-metre heated lap pool for year-round swims
The rooftop comes with its very own bar, towel service, and plenty of space to lounge while taking in the city views. You need to stay at the hotel to swim, but I’d be more than happy to just grab a drink at the bar under the glass canopy—open to the public, serving some of Sydney’s most banging cocktails.
The Langham
Sydney, NSW
The Langham doesn't do things by halves. From terraces made for golden-hour selfies to interiors so polished they could star in a design magazine, every corner of this hotel oozes luxury.
The real showstopper, though, is the 20-metre indoor heated pool. It may not be on the rooftop, but you can still swim under the stars, with the ceiling painted like the night sky. Add the underground spa, gym with personal trainers and tennis courts, and I’d happily spend an entire weekend pretending I’m an A-lister here.
Park Hyatt
Sydney, NSW
Everybody knows about the Hyatt, and for good reason. This is the stuff of Sydney daydreams. Sitting essentially under the bridge with stellar vistas of the Harbour, the heated outdoor pool and spa come with a private rooftop sun deck, cabanas and plenty of seating.
Every time I see someone on Instagram stretched out up there with an Aperol in hand, I get a little pang of envy. I'm not usually one to swim laps, but if the Sydney Harbour was my backdrop? Sign me up.
Capella Lodge
Lord Howe Island, NSW
It doesn’t get more off-the-map than Lord Howe Island, but that's exactly why I love Capella Lodge. The private plunge pools here might not be Olympic-sized, but who’s counting laps when you’ve got front-row views of the towering Mounts Gower and Lidgbird? This is less about smashing out strokes and more about soaking in one of the most surreal backdrops in the country.
Size, in this case, really doesn’t matter. Floating in that little patch of turquoise with nothing but jungle, ocean, and those two dramatic peaks in sight feels like you’ve stumbled into a secret slice of paradise. Remote, removed, and ridiculously beautiful—it’s hands down one of the most unforgettable dips in Australia.
Lake Argyle Resort
Lake Argyle, Western Australia
I'm not a gambling gal, but I'd put money on this one being the most stunning hotel pool in the country. At Lake Argyle Resort in WA's Kimberley, the 35-metre infinity pool stretches out like a sparkling sheet of liquid sapphire against a colossal man-made freshwater lake, the blazing red mountains and endless outback horizon.
There’s a spa tucked into the edge, too, but the real magic happens at night. Take a dip under a Kimberley moon, with nothing but the outback silence.
Jackalope Hotel
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Stretching 30 metres and looking straight out over 28 acres of vineyard, Jackalope Hotel's infinity pool is an absolute stunner. Before you drink your way through the wines, you can drink in the view of the rows and rows of identical vines from the sleek, glossy, black-tiled beauty
I recommend going for the Vineyard Room, where you’ll score front-row seats to both the pool and the vines from your private terrace. This is the kind of scene that'll make you forget the Mornington Peninsula even has beaches.
Crown Towers Perth
Perth, Western Australia
I may have been coming here since it opened in 2016, but Crown Towers’ extravagant, oversized multi-tiered pools still manage to impress me every time. Endless sunbeds stretching out as far as the eye can see, sparkling blue water that's always heated to a perfect 30 degrees, and waitstaff that make sure you're never without a drink in hand.
If you go all out and hire one of the private cabanas, you’ll gain access to a second, adults-only infinity pool overlooking the city skyline.
Elements of Byron
Byron Bay, New South Wales
There’s a lot to love about Elements of Byron, but the 850,000-litre heated infinity lagoon pool sits right up the top of my list. Sitting in the centre of the resort, the pool is framed by swaying palms, tropical landscaping, and lounges I could spend all day on.
Free pool towels, complimentary sunscreen stations, and water stations are all positioned for easy access, so you can float, lounge, and soak up the sun without ever leaving the area. Ordering drinks and bites is just as effortless thanks to the mobile app—the only thing you need to lift is your thumbs. If you want a slightly more secluded spot, there’s also a separate, smaller adults-only pool hemmed by twelve cabanas, complete with its own swim-up bar for when a cocktail mid-float is non-negotiable.
Melbourne Marriott Hotel
Melbourne, Victoria
Perched above the Docklands, the Marriott’s rooftop pool is my idea of a proper city escape. Crystal-clear water, sun-drenched loungers, and views over Port Phillip Bay, the Bolte Bridge, and the adjacent skyscrapers make this 28-metre wet-edge infinity pool, set at a permanent 28 degrees, a year-round spot for laps, lounging or just soaking up the skyline.
With towel service on hand, plenty of space to stretch out, sunken lounges and rooftop bar Sunset House, it’s basically a full-on sky-high playground for adults.
Continuing your travels around Oz? Check out:
- Byron Bay's Best Accommodation
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Image credit: @susanforsterrr, W Melbourne, Ritz Carlton Perth, W Brisbane, Flynn, Halcyon House, Bedarra Island Resort, Intercontinental Hayman Island, Orpheus Island, The Old Clare, The Langham, Park Hyatt, Capella Lodge, Lake Argyle Resort, Jackalope Hotel
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