You know you're officially on holiday when you dive head first (or climb gracefully, or bomb, you get the picture) in to the cool, refreshing water of the hotel's swimming pool. And we're not talking about any old 25m situation, we're talking infinity pools with beautiful views, romantic private plunge pools and child-friendly pools to keep the little monsters busy for hours. So without further ado, here are seven of our favourite hotel swimming pools around the world...
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Italy
Why swim in a lake when you can swim in a pool within a lake? Grand Hotel Tremezzo on Italy's Lake Como is the place to witness (and take a dip in) such a feat of ingenuity. Enjoy a soak while looking out across some of Europe's most iconic scenery, you might even spot Clooney.
Bamurru Plains, Australia
The phrase 'getting away from it all' springs to mind at the mention of Bamurru Plains, a luxury bush camp in Australia's Northern Territory. With nothing but outback and wildlife for 1,000 miles around, take up residence in the best seats in the house (aka the pool) for a sundowner and some serious views.
Pacuare Jungle Lodge, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a place of quite staggering diversity with 24% of its land protected in National Parks, and there are few better places to soak up all this nature than in your very own private plunge pool at Pacuare Jungle Lodge. Look out across the rainforest canopy as you listen to the sounds of the jungle.
Jack's Camp, Botswana
In amongst the endless grasslands of the Kalahari sits the glorious Jack's Camp, a veritable haven amidst such an unforgiving landscape. There are few more refreshing feelings after a morning of game viewing than cooling off in the camp's plunge pool, housed in a wonderfully luxurious tent overlooking the desert.
Parrot Cay by COMO, Turks & Caicos
Parrot Cay by COMO in Turks and Caicos is one of the quietest and most exclusive corners of the Caribbean and and if the array of turquoise on display in the ocean isn't enough for you, the hotel's swimming pool is fairly spectacular too. With ice-cold drinks and snacks delivered to your lounger, you may find it difficult to tear yourself away.
Oberoi Udaivilas, India
There's something rather novel about being able to swim to breakfast, which is exactly what you can do in the pool at Oberoi Udaivilas, which runs across the front of the rooms. The hotel itself sits on the shores of Lake Pichola with beautiful views across Udaipur - arguably one of the most romantic locations in India.
Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman
One of the most exciting things about going on holiday as a child is being able to splish and splosh your way around a pool and the incredibly family-friendly Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman has one of the best pools around for little monsters. Its sloping floor provides easy access for little legs and there's even a cordoned off section for very small children.