8 Family-Friendly Hotel Pools You’ll Want to Dive Right Into

8 Family-Friendly Hotel Pools You’ll Want to Dive Right Into

By Ted Bauer
Digital Content Manager, Virtuoso

Every hotel pool has a different vibe.

Some cater to the swim-up bar contingent. Some are focused on serenity and zen. Still others are oriented towards classes.

There’s a crucial category for family travel, however: family-friendly hotel pools. You want environments where the kids can have fun, be safe, and potentially even learn something. Parents can participate or supervise (while enjoying their own pool time as well).

Many Virtuoso properties have great pools that the entire family will love. Our travel advisors have identified eight of the best family-friendly hotel pools out there.

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort (Lake Buena Vista, Florida)

“This is a magnificent new property with a great lazy river,” says advisor Amiel Lindenbaum of Hollywood, Florida. “Who doesn’t like shooting your family and friends with a water gun as they slide past you?”

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa (Koloa, Hawaii)

“I loved it,” says advisor Sigrid Braeckeveldt of Bedford, Texas. “It has a great lazy river and a couple of slides – and they created a little island in one of the pools, where the only way to get to it is to swim! It’s beautifully lit up at night, as well as heated. They have tons of varieties of plants and orchids around the pool and the kids can learn about them; oftentimes, they will bring out parrots too for the kids to interact with.”

The pool at Four Seasons Safari Lodge offer a view of elephants and other wildlife

Four Seasons Safari Lodge (Serengeti, Tanzania)

“The infinity pool at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge is perfectly situated just a few hundred feet from an elephant watering hole,” notes advisor Rachel Morrell of Carmel, Indiana, “and you can see these splendid creatures gather before you, especially in the evenings. Giraffes, baboons, lions, and zebras have also been known to make an appearance. Pool fun is accentuated by an interactive Discovery Centre with hands-on educational exhibits and a Kids Club with a friendly, well-trained staff.”

Wild Wadi Water Park at Burj Al Arab (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

“This is actually a giant waterpark with pools, rivers, and thrill rides,” says advisor Judy Perl of New York, New York. “It’s the mother of all kid pools, honestly.” That means offering 30 rides and attractions for the entire family, with fun for all ages and sizes.

Four Seasons Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii)

“This is essentially an aquarium you can swim in along with 3,000 fish and more than 75 species,” says advisor Erin Logsdon of Southborough, Massachusetts. “The overall area is called King’s Pond, and it’s an amazing place for children to learn about the wonders of sea life.”

The pool at Four Seasons Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu doubles as an aquarium

The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort (Scottsdale, Arizona)

Advisor Gena Stoll, based in Phoenix, Arizona, sings the praises of this pool set-up. “The Phoenician hires quality pool attendants who are great with kids,” she says. “They have an Oasis Pool Complex with a 5,000-square foot interactive spray ground, and the public lounge – cabana style – has full-service food and beverage with a kids’ menu including unlimited refills on both soda and juice. They have Dive-In Movies and rubber duck water slide races, and immediately adjacent to the pool, there’s an area called Necklace Lake where kids can feed the koi fish.”

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita (Punta Mita, Mexico)

Advisor Patricio Ramirez of Monterrey, Mexico is a fan. “The whole resort recently won a prize as a top resort for families,” he notes, “but they have an amazing stream pool that surrounds a building; kids can float on these huge inflatable donuts and it feels like they’re on a real river.”

Italy’s Terme Manzi Hotel and Spa benefits from natural hot springs

Terme Manzi Hotel and Spa (Island of Ischia, Italy)

Judy Perl also praises this pool: “They have a world-class thermal spa that utilizes the healing powers of the famous water source, Gurgitiello Springs. Beyond this, families can go to the Poseidon Thermal Gardens on Ischia – a park incorporating 22 different swimming and bathing pools each with different temperatures. Ischia is known for its volcanic activity that causes natural hot springs all over the island.”

Do you have favorite family-friendly hotel pools? Feel free to share your top picks.

The post 8 Family-Friendly Hotel Pools You’ll Want to Dive Right Into appeared first on Virtuoso Luxury Traveler.