(Photo: Courtesy of The Biltmore, Coral Gables)Whether they’re skyscraper-high, unfathomably huge, fish-filled, or ultra-private, hotels put their stamp of imagination—and ambition—on their signature waterworlds. From Florida to California, and from Italy to Bali, these pools break the mold.
The Biltmore, Coral Gables, Miami, Fla.
For: Roman Wannabes
They just don’t build ‘em like they used to. This is simply the biggest hotel swimming pool in the continental United States. The stats: 23,000 square feet. 700,000 gallons of water. This Mediterranean-style hotel and its massive, colonnaded pool date from 1926, but the experience of being there makes guests of many ages feel nostalgic for giddy, Jazz Age excess. In case you missed the point of just how ambitious a swimming pool can be, six imposing Roman-style statues stand guard at the water’s edge to appraise your backstroke. The 10 private cabanas, set within poolside gardens and outfitted with teak-wood chaises and outdoor rain showers, are for emperors in training.
