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• TripAdvisor names 10 best Berlin hotels
• Is now the time to visit Russia?
• 16 incredible rooftop bars
• 14 of the world's most outrageous hotel pools

TripAdvisor names 10 best Berlin hotels Posted: 20 Jan 2015 12:54 AM PST Finding the perfect hotel in the German capital has never been easy ... until now To see the best of Berlin, you'll need a well-situated hotel. Preferably one with a comfy bed and decent bar. Fortunately, TripAdvisor has provided a list of the best hotels in Berlin, based on the review site's popularity index, which measures quality, quantity and most recent reviews. Whether it's with a rooftop bar, complimentary snacks or incredibly helpful staff, these 10 best Berlin hotels know how to win traveler's hearts. 10. Hotel am Steinplatz At this restored "art nouveau" hotel, you'll get a sense of old Berlin charm. Opened as a hotel in 1913, interior designs blend contemporary looks with styles of the 1910s. The 84 rooms have red velvet pillows and dark woods, while the modern bathrooms are bright and stocked with Italian fashion brand's Etro toiletries. What guests rave about the most is the roof. The top floor spa has stunning views of Berlin -- incentive to stay healthy while traveling. Hotel am Steinplatz, Steinplatz 4, 10623 Berlin Germany; +49 30 55 44 440 9. The Mandala Hotel As soon as you walk in, you'll notice this hotel is different from others. For one thing, it doesn't have a traditional lobby. The receptionist awaits at the back of the lounge. The Mandala Hotel is loved for its exceptional service. Upon arrival, your room fridge is already stocked with items of your choice. You can also rent laptops and bikes at the reception desk -- the hotel provides a jogging map and jogging trainer if you want to stay active. Not sure where to shop and what size you wear? The hotel will match you with a personal shopper. The Mandala Hotel, Potsdamer Strasse 3, 10785 Berlin Germany; +49 30 590 05 00 00 8. Louisa's Place Berlin is never out of view. Even while swimming you can admire Potsdam on the mural. Walking into Louisa's Place is like arriving at a boutique-sized palace. From the dark mahogany and red fabric to the faint fragrance of perfume in the air, the hotel pays attention to every detail without being precious. The hotel is covered with intricate art. The lobby has a small bas-relief of the Brandenburg Gate, while the indoor pool boasts a mural of Potsdam in summer. Louisa's Place, Kurfurstendamm 160, 10709 Berlin Germany; +49 30 631030 7. Grand Hyatt Berlin Not only do rooms come with comfy cloud-like beds, the large marble bathrooms have floor heating and flat screen TVs. The hotel's top-floor pool is one of the best in the city, perfect for swimming in the glow of city lights or just taking in the views. The hotel is an attraction in itself. Vox bar, on the ground floor, offers more than 240 blends of whisky, reputedly the largest selection of whisky in Germany. Grand Hyatt Berlin, Marlene Dietrich Platz 2, 10785 Berlin Germany; +49 30 25531234 6. Casa Camper Berlin Like the Camper shoe brand behind it, this hotel is stylish and hip, with chrome fittings, contemporary furnishings and modern designs. The best part of the hotel is Tentempie restaurant on the top floor. It's open 24 hours, so you can enjoy the incredible view from the roof anytime. You can expect a pair of Camper slippers upon your arrival, but sadly, they're not to take home. Casa Camper Berlin, Weinmeisterstrasse 1, 10178 Berlin Germany; +49 30 2000 3410 5. Hotel de Rome Who knew a bank manager's office could look so inviting?   Before it was an elegant neo-classical hotel, Hotel de Rome was headquarters of the Dresdner Bank, the central bank of the German Democratic Republic. The most intriguing part of the hotel is the swimming pool and spa, which used to be a vault for storing jewels and gold. One of the treatment rooms has a 15-centimeter-thick steel door guarding it. You can also sleep in the former bank manager's office, now the Gutman Suite. Hotel de Rome, Behrenstrasse 37, 10117 Berlin Germany; +49 30 460 60 90 4. The Circus Hotel Located on Rosenthaler Platz, the 64 rooms at the Circus Hotel are designed and furnished with contemporary artwork and decor. The hotel has a cheerful modern style. Each room is individually themed around anything from stamps and leaves to space and vintage gramophones. Dedicated to being more than a place to rest your head, the Circus Hotel has a library stocked with international and Berlin books, iPods loaded with Berlin music, laptops and DVD players. You can also rent bikes, roller blades and Segway scooters to see the city. The Circus Hotel, Rosenthaler Strasse 1, 10119 Berlin Germany; +49 30 20003939 3. Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Hackescher markt The apartment hotel offers 145 one- and two-bedroom apartments and studios that feel like a second home. The fully equipped kitchen in the apartments and 24-hour concierge grocery service makes cooking at the hotel even better than at home. After your master chef moment, you can enjoy your meal on the private terrace looking out at the Berlin skyline. The apartment's contemporary European design and warm interiors are particularly soothing after a day discovering the Berlin Cathedral, Hackescher Markt and Alexanderplatz. Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Hackescher Markt, An Der Spandauer Bruecke 11, 10178 Berlin Germany; +49 30 2096 980 2. Das Stue Enjoy the animals, without the noise of the zoo. This 79-room hotel has some of the most creative interior designs in the city. Das Stue's public areas display animal-theme decor, including stuffed hippos, rhinos and buffalos, and a wooden sculpture of a crocodile head in the lobby. The decor is inspired by the adjacent Berlin Zoo, which you can see from many of the rooms. Others have views of Tiergarten. Splashes of color complement the rooms' earth tones with orange cushions and fuchsia throws. Das Stue, Drakestrasse 1 Tiergarten, 10787 Berlin Germany; +49 30 3117220 1. Regent Berlin With unforgettable views of Gendarmenmarkt Square, Regent Berlin is a short stroll away from Brandenburg Gate and the Opera House. Whether walking, driving or taking the subway on our Berlin explorations, there's a deep soaking tub and Michelin-starred cuisine to look forward to back at the hotel. Regent Berlin, Charlottenstrasse 49, 10117 Berlin Germany; +49 30 20 33 8

Is now the time to visit Russia? Posted: 19 Jan 2015 03:20 AM PST Recent turmoil has dented Russia's appeal to tourists. But should it be scrapped from travel itineraries? Tags:  Russia travel news Russia tourism

16 incredible rooftop bars Posted: 18 Jan 2015 08:08 PM PST Good cocktails combine with spectacular views across rivers, cityscapes and oceans at these bird-level drinkeries One good thing about humanity's obsession with building enormous numbers of buildings? More rooftops, which means more rooftop bars.  Perhaps second only to beach bars, rooftop drinks remind us that life didn't turn out so bad.  In fact, it's pretty great.  But bring us some free nuts already, won't you? Here are some contenders for the greatest al fresco drinks high above the streets.  MORE: 12 of the world's most unusual cocktails Sir Elly's Terrace, The Peninsula Shanghai If you were to imagine a rooftop bar with gleaming skyline views, a glowing bar and more movers and shakers than a seaborne Yahtzee game, you probably wouldn't be far off Shanghai's standout rooftop drinkery.  With 270-degree views over the Huangpu River and The Bund, this establishment can't guarantee the views you get in the photo above (there's no such thing as a "smog forecast"), but it will promise good drinks, light snacks and the sense that, for an evening at least, the whole city is looking up to you.  Worth ordering two of: Up In the Clouds ($23.50): London No.1, lychee liqueur, homemade jasmine tea nectar, lemon juice.  Sir Elly's, ZhongShan East 1st Road 32, BanDao Hotel 13 Floor, Shanghai China; +86 21 2327 6756; Sunday-Thursday 5 p.m.-midnight, Friday-Saturday 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Conservatory Lounge & Bar, Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow Some of the best views of Moscow, with the Kremlin and the Bolshoi close by, can be found at this scenic terrace bar. To get a table you'll need to arrive early, but your efforts will be rewarded.  If it's too cold, or you're too late, there's an indoor space with a glass wall so you can still see the view.  Worth ordering two of: Homemade lemonade ($19). Conservatory Lounge & Bar, Neglinnaya St., 4 Park Hyatt Moscow Hotel, 10th floor, Moscow 109012 Russia; +7 495 783 1234; weekday drinks, 10 a.m.-2 a.m.; food, noon-1 a.m.; weekend drinks, noon-2 a.m.; food, noon-1 a.m. MORE: 10 of the best rooftop bars in London  Vertigo and Moon Bar, Banyan Tree Bangkok On the roof of Bangkok's Banyan Tree Hotel, Vertigo specializes in barbecued seafood, though it also grills a mean steak and has a good vegetarian menu. Walk a few steps and you're at Moon Bar, which has a solid cocktail and wine menu and a small seating area.  The vertigo-inducing views (get it?) at this 61st floor venue are rivaled only by those at the Sky Bar at Sirocco, another of Bangkok's drinking "high points" placed 63 floors up. Many a fiery debate has occurred between die-hard fans of the two hotels over the years; we've gone with Vertigo because at two stories lower, you can get to the bar a few seconds quicker.  Drinkers also get seats, unlike at Sirocco, which since its appearance in "Hangover Part II" has become overbearingly popular.  Worth ordering two of: Vertigo Sunset ($17): Malibu, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, lime juice. Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar, 21/100 South Sathon Road Sathon Banyan Tree Bangkok, Bangkok 10120 Thailand; +66 2 679 1200; daily 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Le Bain, The Standard (New York) Chairs, check. Turf, check. Views, double check.It's got famous DJs, it's got fake turf on the floor, in the summer it's got a creperie outside and plunge pool inside ... oh and it's got those views, an NYC vista you can gawk at from funky pastel-shaded chairs that seem to adapt to whatever shape is slouching into them.  The staff lend out binoculars to ensure gazing is 100% operational.  Worth ordering two of: Fraise 76 ($14): Vodka, lemon, syrup, strawberry, champagne. The Standard High Line, 848 Washington Street at West 13th Street, New York City, NY 10014; Le Bain, +1 212 645 4646; Monday 4 p.m.-midnight, Tuesday-Thursday 4 p.m.-4 a.m., Friday-Saturday 2 p.m.-4 a.m., Sunday 2 p.m.-3 a.m. MORE: 101 of the best sports bars in the U.S.  Coq D'Argent (London) Don't mind rubbing shoulders with hordes of pinstripe-suited bankers, and have the bank balance to match?  Located next to the Bank of England, St Paul's Cathedral and Mansion House, the Coq D'Argent has a rooftop garden with lawns and ornamental box hedges.  There's a pricey indoor restaurant, but a reasonably priced list of bar snacks.  You can sit on the grass or gaze down on the suits hurrying along the streets far below.  Worth ordering two of: Berry Room ($20): Fresh raspberries and blackberries shaken with Old Forester bourbon, lime juice, red vermouth, strawberry jam. Coq d'Argent, No 1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ England; +44 20 7395 5000; Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday noon-11 p.m.; Sunday noon-4 p.m. Sugar, East Hotel (Hong Kong) It's rare to find a high-octane cocktail bar with a killer view in the lesser-known parts of Hong Kong Island, and Sugar's view contains fewer garish fluorescent billboards than you might expect in this neon mecca. The scene is made up of ocean-going vessels floating in the harbor with a backdrop of the old airport, Kai Tak, now a cruise ship terminal. It's best to visit the lounge-y outdoor deck before sunset to enjoy the skyline by the soft light of dusk.  This way you can also avoid Sugar's garish pink and purple lighting that takes over once it's dark.  Worth ordering two of: Mojito Reloaded ($14): Havana Club 3 years rum, lime, peach, mint, cava. East Hong Kong, No.29 Taikoo Shing Road, Island East, Hong Kong China; Sugar, 32/F, +852 3968 3738 MORE: Budapest's best 'ruin bars'  The 5th Floor, The Penz Hotel (Innsbruck, Austria) The American Bar on the fifth floor of the glass cube in The Penz Hotel is good for an al fresco summertime drink or two. It's like a gentleman's club, with leather sofas and smooth jazz, but one with views of the snow-capped Alps. It has a retractable roof, but no heaters, so only the hardy venture onto the terrace after the autumn chill sets in. Worth ordering two of: 5th Floor ($12.50): Bourbon, peach brandy, peach syrup, fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice.  5th Floor in the Penz, Adolf-Pichler-Platz 3, Innsbruck A-6020 Austria; +43 512 57 56 57-0; daily 4 p.m.-1 a.m. The Lighthouse Bar, The Oyster Box (Durban, South Africa) All the colors of a postcard.Surprises are always best when they're pleasant, even better when they're awesome.  The Lighthouse Bar at Oyster Box Hotel in Durban falls into the latter category.  Sure, it's a well regarded hotel with a great location, but were you ready for this? With panoramic views of the Indian Ocean along Umhlanga Beach, this is a top spot for romantics, shutterbugs and those who just like to sit, sip and smile.  This bar is on the ninth floor of The Oyster Box hotel, which has its own oyster bed.  So if the views, fresh ocean air and cocktails fail to tug on your romance strings, you know what to order.  Worth ordering two of: Umhlanga Schling ($6): Mainstay Cane, sugar syrup, pineapple pieces, mint leaves, mango juice, sugar cane, crushed ice.  The Oyster Box, 2 Lighthouse Road, Umhlanga Rocks 4319 South Africa; The Lighthouse Bar, +27 31 514 5000 MORE: 5 Tokyo bars for train nerds (yes, they exist)  Sky Bar at KU DE TA, Marina Bay Sands (Singapore) Marina Bay Sands is the only structure standing 200 meters high in its immediate vicinity. This means Sky Bar at KU DE TA has spectacular views into the city and over the waters and of Marina Bay Sands' famous infinity pool.  Arrive at sunset to reap the full experience.  If you're unable to tear yourself away from the fancy night lights, you can stave off hunger with some modern Asian dishes from the nearby KU DE TA Restaurant, while being impressed by the nightly laser show. Worth ordering two of: Berry Bellini ($18.50): Peach and Prosecco base, black raspberry liqueur, freshly muddled raspberries, strawberries, blackberries.  KU DE TA Restaurant, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018971 Singapore; +65 6688 7688; daily noon-late Spa Bar, Clarion Hotel Sign (Stockholm, Sweden) Clarion Sign is the largest hotel in Stockholm -- a stylish and minimalist granite and glass affair bursting with Scandinavian design classics. The super-stylish Spa Bar is on the eighth floor and there's a rooftop pool, too. Worth ordering two of: Cocktail of the day ($14): Varies depending on season.  Clarion Hotel Sign, Ostra Jarnvagsgatan 35, Stockholm 101 26 Sweden; Spa Bar, +46 8 676 9800 MORE: 15 best coffee bars in Rome  Two Rooms Grill Bar (Tokyo) The terrace at this fine dining venue in the AO Building serves some of the best Sunday brunches in Tokyo and great cocktails.  The Bloody Mary is fiery and full of flavor -- the secret's in the sauce.  Two Rooms is proud of its in-house mix, which can also be sampled with vodka as an oyster shot. Brunch is another a cocktail cornucopia. Two Rooms runs late -- offering classy nighttime views. Worth ordering two of: Fresh kiwi martini ($15): Grey Goose, fresh kiwi, lychee juice.  Two Rooms Grill Bar, 3-11 Kitaaoyama 5F Ao Bldg, Minato 107-0061 Tokyo Prefecture; +81 (0)3 3498 0002; lunch reservations from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., dinner reservations from 6-7 p.m., waiting list other times High Rooftop Lounge, Hotel Erwin (Los Angeles) Beachside, without the faceful of sand.The surfboard decor in the lobby of the Hotel Erwin sets the tone for this elevated hideout in one of the most eclectic, gritty and downright mellow beach/surf/skate towns in the United States.  The payoff comes when you step off the elevator and walk onto the High Rooftop Lounge on the sixth floor -- no high-rises in this part of L.A.  The 360-degree view commands everything from the storied beachside basketball courts of Venice Beach just below the bar to the storyboard hills of Hollywood behind it. The expansive vista also includes some of the best public beach in Southern California, and prime sunset viewing. The vibe is Stussy not stuffy -- exactly the laid-back oasis you were hoping to find when you fought L.A.'s bitter highway wars to get to this timeless pocket of SoCal beach culture. Worth ordering two of: Summer Crush ($15): Grey Goose citrus vodka, orange juice, cranberry juice, fresh lime, fresh mint, club soda. High Rooftop Lounge, 1697 Pacific Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90291; +1 800 786 7789; Monday-Thursday 3-10 p.m., Friday 3 p.m.-midnight, Saturday 1 p.m.-midnight, Sunday 1-10 p.m. MORE: Asia's best beer bars: 10 top pours Skye Bar & Restaurant, Hotel Unique (Sao Paulo, Brazil) Fashioned like an enormous boat, the Unique Hotel is just one example of Brazil's adventurous architecture. On the eighth floor is the rooftop Skye lounge, with many places to admire the Sao Paulo skyline. It's also a perfect spot to indulge in Brazil's most famous cocktail, the caipirinha.  Come night, DJs entertain an international crowd. Worth ordering two of: Red Skye Martini  ($13): Ketel One vodka, strawberry liquor, fresh strawberries, cranberry juice, Amaretto. Skye Bar & Restaurante, Av. Brig. Luis Antonio, 4700 Jardim Paulista, Sao Paulo, State of Sao Paulo 01402-002 Brazil; +55 11 3055-4702; daily 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Rooftop Lounge, Thompson Toronto Hotel (Toronto) This Toronto stay is also a Toronto escape.  The terrace that wraps all the way around the Rooftop Lounge bar gives views of Lake Ontario that whip you away from the city-feel in an instant.  Twist your head just a few inches, and you can see the CN Tower and all its chameleon color changes.  It can get cold -- coats are recommended -- or get there early to grab a spot by a heater.  The lounge is open only to hotel guests and lounge members.  Worth ordering two of: Ellipsis ($16): Bacardi 8 rum, creme de peache, Riesling, fresh lemon juice, egg whites. Thompson Toronto - A Thompson Hotel, 550 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5V 2V4 Canada; Rooftop Lounge, +1 416 640 7778; daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m. MORE: 11 of Reykjavik's coolest bars  Cu-ba, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel (Dubai, UAE) A casual Cuban feel in the middle of the dessertCu-ba is one of the top spots for enjoying the glittering skyline of Dubai. It serves a mean cocktail too.  It's hard to remember you're sitting above arid desert while flicking through the wine list, considering Cuban tapas, taking in the Latin atmosphere.  A chic nightclub is located inside, while couches offer a casual vibe beside the 25-meter pool outside. An extensive range of cigars and infused rum amplify the Cuban vibe. Cu-ba Bar, Al Garhoud, PO Box 78377 Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, Dubai United Arab Emirates; +971 4 230 8459; Saturday-Wednesday 7 p.m.-1 a.m.; Thursday-Friday 7 p.m.-2 a.m.; closed during Ramadan Sky Bar, Cape Royale Hotel & Spa (Cape Town) There aren't many cities crunched between one of the world's most photographed mountains and the ocean -- so when you find one, it makes sense to head to its best rooftop bar for a sundowner. This hotel-guest-only (and their guests) al fresco area was renovated in 2013, and overlooks the Greenpoint Stadium, Atlantic Ocean and Signal Hill.  Worth ordering two of: Summer Cup ($4.50): Ginger liquor, fresh strawberries, lemons, cranberry juice, lemonade. Cape Royale Luxury Hotel, 47 Main Road Green Point, Cape Town Central 8051 South Africa; Sky Bar, +27 (0) 21 430 0500; daily 8 a.m.-10 p.m. (winter); 8 a.m.-midnight (summer)

14 of the world's most outrageous hotel pools Posted: 18 Jan 2015 06:30 PM PST Whether towering over skyscrapers or slipping into the sea, TripAdvisor's list of hotel pools will make you want to pack a bag right now Ever booked a hotel room based purely on its pool? You might after seeing these 14 beauties, highlighted in a recent list compiled by TripAdvisor.com. Whether jutting over a sea of urban chaos atop a skyscraper, seemingly slipping into the azure waters of the ocean or surrounded by snowy mountains, these stunning bodies of water are worth a reservation all on their own. The Sarojin (Khao Lak, Thailand) Sure, you can take a champagne-laced adventure trek and dine on a deserted island, courtesy of the Sarojin hotel's "imagineers," who personalize stays for visitors. But you'll want to make time for this Khao Lak resort's incredible infinity pool. Fringed with palms and overlooking the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, it features pavilion islands with their own sun loungers and removable roofs. The Sarojin, 60 Moo 2 Kukkak Takuapa, Khao Lak 82190 Thailand; +66 (0) 76 427 0994 Velassaru Maldives The minimalistic Velassaru Maldives is all about relaxation. The hotel's oceanfront infinity pool has a gentle sloping floor that emulates the sensation of entering the ocean from the beach. If you're after more privacy, select villas have oversized plunge pools overlooking the sea. Private butlers ensure drinks are never far from your grasp. Velassaru Maldives, Velassaru Island, 2012; +960 665 6100 Boscolo Milano (Milan, Italy) Not only is Boscolo Milano in one of the most fashionable cities in the world, it's in the stylish Quadrilatero d'Oro district. Naturally, even the indoor pool has to be chic. Walls with mirrored spheres reflect the turquoise hue of the pool and surrounding mood lighting. The kaleidoscopic theme persists throughout the spa and treatment rooms. Boscolo Milano, Corso Matteotti 4-6, 20100 Milan Italy; +39 02 7767 9611 InterContinental Dubai Festival City (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) This pool is as fantastic to look at as it is to swim in. This pool takes you over the edge. Literally. The InterContinental Dubai Festival City's 25-meter lap pool juts out from the hotel's 4th floor, meaning you can see the street below through its glass bottom. Freaked out after the swim? To help you recover, the sun terrace and spa are upstairs, along with a bar. InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Umm Ramool Rd Dubai Festival City, Dubai 45777 United Arab Emirates; +971 4 701 1111 Delamore Lodge (Waiheke Island, New Zealand) The design of Waiheke Island's Delamore Lodge is inspired by Mediterranean and indigenous New Zealand art. A boutique resort, it's built in the shape of a traditional Maori fishhook. The heated infinity pool is the star attraction. Built right on a cliff, it offers stunning views of Owhaneke Bay. Delamore Lodge, 83 Delamore Drive Martiatia, Waiheke Island 1081 New Zealand; +64 9 372 7372 Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel (Muscat, Oman) Featuring Arabian architecture, the resort's sprawling grounds include a half-mile-long private beach. Once you've tired of scooping sand out of your suit, there are five pools to choose from. The best dip is the main 50-meter pool. Sitting on the edge of the beach, the temperature-controlled infinity pool is lined with palm trees. Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, PO Box 1998 Quron Beach, Muscat 114 Oman; +968 24 799 666 Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (Maui, Hawaii) Grand Wailea's Hibiscus Pool is a calm, adults-only oasis with two Jacuzzis. Sure, it's nice. But the fun doesn't really begin til you hit the Wailea Canyon Activity Pool. The complex is actually made up of nine pools on six different levels connected by a river. Among its best features, Wailea Canyon includes a whitewater rapid slide, a Tarzan pool with rope swing, a swim-up bar and the world's first water elevator, in which water fills up a silo, pushing a giant inflatable tube to the top. Grand Wailea - A Waldorf Astoria Resort, 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea, Maui, HI 96753; +1 808 875 1234 Four Seasons Shanghai at Pudong Warning: Workouts may be impaired by stellar views. Infinity pools aren't limited to the great outdoors. Four Seasons Shanghai Pudong features an 18-meter infinity pool against a set of oversized windows on the 41st floor of the hotel. The indoor pool overlooks Century Avenue, which includes three (soon to be four) of China's most iconic buildings. If you want some alone time with the view, the pool can be exclusively yours after 11 p.m. for a private swim or private party. Advance booking required.  Four Seasons Shanghai Pudong, No.210 Century Avenue, Pudong New District, Shanghai 200120 China; +86 21 2036 8888 The Springs Resort and Spa (Costa Rica) Set in Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano National Park, The Springs Resort and Spa's 18 mineral-laden pools are fed from area's natural hot springs. With temperatures ranging from 28-39 Celsius, the freeform landscaped pools offer everything from rushing waterfalls to calm forest experiences. The resort regularly tests its springs to ensure guests have an ideal soaking experience. The surrounding valleys offer stunning but strenuous hikes, making an evening dip all that more rewarding. The Springs Resort and Spa, Near Montana de Fuego, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Arenal Volcano National Park Costa Rica; +11 506 2401 3313 Grand Hotel Tremezzo (Tremezzo, Italy) Situated on Lake Como, Grand Hotel Tremezzo has three pools: Flowers pool, T Spa infinity pool and Water on the Water. The last one is exactly what it sounds like -- a floating swimming pool bobbing on the surface of Lake Como. The only thing better than swimming in it is admiring the glittering contrast of the turquoise pool against the deep blue lake from the spa lounge. Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Via Regina 8, 22019 Tremezzo Italy; +39 0344 424 91 Perivolas (Oia, Greece) Perivolas is designed for rest and relaxation, far from the selfie-taking "look at me" crowd. Built into the amphitheatrical cliffs, the hotel's terraced gardens lead down to the curved infinity pool on the edge. Colors of the beautiful Aegean sunset reflect in the pool, while the best views are to be had from the nearby cliff's edge. Perivolas, Oia 847 02 Greece; +30 228 607 1308 LeCrans Hotel & Spa (Crans-Montana, Switzerland) Alps powder in the morning, heated pool in the afternoon. Sign us up. Just because you're in Switzerland in winter doesn't mean you can't take a swim outdoors. LeCrans Hotel and Spa's heated outdoor pool has stunning views of the snowy Alps you'll likely have just skied on. At the end of the day, the chalet-style hotel's Le Mont Blanc restaurant offers avant-garde food made with local produce, as well as mixed grill or brasserie dishes from the heated terrace. LeCrans Hotel & Spa, Plans-Mayens, Crans-Montana 3963 Switzerland; +41 (0) 27 486 60 60 The Cambrian (Adelboden, Switzerland) The Cambrian's heated outdoor infinity pool gazes at rugged mountains capped with year-round snow. If a hot pool on a winter day doesn't sound amazing enough, the bubbling massage bed really takes things up a notch. In summer, views of the mountains and nearby green hills reflect in the pool to stunning effect. The Cambrian, Dorfstrasse 7 3715 Adelboden, Adelboden 3715 Switzerland; +41 (0) 33 673 8383 Hotel Hacienda Na Xamena (Ibiza, Spain) The Hotel Hacienda's tiered pools at the top of the Na Xamena cliff offer a spectacular panorama of the Mediterranean. Dubbed the "Cascadas Suspendidas," this outdoor thalasso therapy circuit features several pools of heated seawater connected by waterfalls. Each pool has jets to massage you from head to toe, relax muscles and improve circulation. Hotel Hacienda Na Xamena, Buzon 11, 07815 Port de Sant Miguel, Ibiza Spain; +34 971 334 500

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