3. St. Regis, Lhasa
We tend to think of Tibet as a place of humble, restrained Buddhist sensibilities, but there’s an oasis of luxury in them there Himalayas. This glamorous, glittery hotel pool is literally lined with gold tiles. Do Kim and Kanye know about this place? Soak in the therapeutic salt waters of the Golden Energy Pool, where you can swish away in liquid gold warmed to a soothing 28-32 degrees Celsius. It’s either the ultimate bling swim, or it’s a little off-putting. That yellowy hue makes one feel like a group of toddlers with bladder-control issues might have had a pool party in there.
4. Sanctuary Swala Camp, Tanzania
Make like a hippo and lurk eyeball level in the waters of this limpid infinity pool in Tarangire National Park. From this stealth position, you can spy herds of elephants, leopards, impala, lions, giraffe, kudu and other wildlife hanging out by their own watering hole beneath the acacia trees. That’s one swanky safari sanctuary. Let’s hope the creatures don’t get the two water sources mixed up.
