AUGUST 2026

The 10 Best Hotels for Pools

Based on Verified Guest Reviews

A great pool isn't a backdrop — for a lot of travelers it's the entire itinerary, the reason the kids stop asking when they can leave and the adults stop checking their phones. We built this ranking from verified IHG guest reviews, weighting how often the pool was singled out as the thing that made the stay, and how warmly. From a lazy river on the Gulf to a sea-view deck in Crete, these are the hotels where guests came home talking about the water.

CRETE, GREECE

1. InterContinental Crete

Perched above the bay, this InterContinental makes the pool the main attraction, with sweeping Aegean views that seem to stretch endlessly into the horizon. Thoughtfully designed and beautifully positioned, it’s a stay defined by its spectacular waterside setting.

From the bedroom to the food and also the view, everything was so amazing and the staff were so friendly and welcoming. The spa is great as well and the pool overlooking the sea was incredible"

— Hesta, Verified guest via IHG.com

Book the InterContinental Crete »

FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS

2. Holiday Inn Express Fredericksburg

In the heart of Texas Hill Country wine country, this Holiday Inn Express surprises with a resort-style pool that’s become a destination in its own right. Framed by landscaped surroundings, it’s the perfect place to unwind between tastings in Fredericksburg.

Great location, pool and hot tub were perfect after a couple of busy days touring around the town and wineries.

— Christina, Verified guest via IHG.com

Book the Holiday Inn Express Fredericksburg »

GRAND RAPIS, MICHIGAN

3. Holiday Inn Grand Rapids - South

Holiday Inn Grand Rapids – South makes pool time the main event, with an indoor splash pad, slides, waterfalls, and interactive water features designed for family fun. It’s a playful getaway where year-round water adventures are built right into the stay.

The staff is great, the property is clean and updated and the grandkids absolutely loved the pool and splash pad.

— Pops, Verified guest via IHG.com

Book the Holiday Inn Grand Rapids - South »

MOUNT PLESANT, SOUTH CAROLINA

4. Hotel Indigo Mount Pleasant

At this Charleston-area Hotel Indigo, the pool is the centerpiece, pairing resort-style vibes with poolside dining and lively entertainment. From morning swims to sunset cocktails, it’s a stay built around the water.

In the mornings we swam laps followed by delicious breakfast poolside, and at night we enjoyed dinner by the pool with cocktails in a lovely nighttime setting.

— Annie, Verified guest via IHG.com

Book the Hotel Indigo Mount Pleasant »

HAYMAN ISLAND, AUSTRALIA

5. InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef

InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef turns pool time into an island escape, with iconic pools framed by Whitsunday views and tropical surroundings. It’s a destination where the water is every bit as spectacular as the reef beyond.

We had a wonderful 3 nights. From the boat transfer to check-in & beyond, we were very impressed with all staff and services. Our room was spacious & lovely! The pools were amazing. Bam Bam was excellent for both lunch & dinner! We really switched off & enjoyed a few days of much deserved down time! Thank you for a great stay!

— Annabel, Verified guest via IHG.com

Book the InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef »

SWEMIEH, JORDAN

6. Crowne Plaza Jordan - Dead Sea Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Jordan – Dead Sea Resort & Spa pairs inviting pools with sweeping Dead Sea views, creating a serene escape along Jordan’s iconic shoreline. It’s a destination where poolside relaxation and dramatic natural scenery go hand in hand.

Fantastic hotel and just what was needed after a full on week exploring all of Jordan! Well maintained, fabulous views and facilities. Would like to have been here longer! The resort is huge with split levels for Dead Sea access and then room and dining. Fabulous large pool and excellent sunset views from the outside bar area

— Misterbilliam, Verified guest via IHG.com

Book the Crowne Plaza Jordan — Dead Sea Resort & Spa »

COLUMBUS, OHIO

7. Holiday Inn Express Columbus - Polaris Parkway

This north Columbus property is made for families, with a pool and waterslide that keep kids entertained for hours. Warm water, family-friendly accommodations, and a playful atmosphere make it a standout choice for a getaway built around pool time.

This is the best place for children who love to swim.

— Mona, Verified guest via IHG.com

Book the Holiday Inn Express Columbus - Polaris Parkway »

KEY LARGO, FLORIDA

8. Holiday Inn Key Largo

Centered around two sparkling pools and a lively tiki bar, this Florida Keys escape makes poolside living irresistible. Live entertainment, frozen drinks, and a laid-back island atmosphere turn the pool deck into the heart of the experience.

Clean & comfortable room, awesome pool & Tiki Bar, and perfect location with wonderful restaurant next door with a huge outdoor eating area!

— Miss Vicki, Verified guest via IHG.com

Book the Holiday Inn Key Largo »

PENSACOLA BEACH, FLORIDA

9. Holiday Inn Resort Pensacola Beach Gulf Front

With a lazy river, beachfront pool, and sweeping Gulf views, this Pensacola Beach property makes time on the water the highlight of every stay. From floating the river to sunset swims by the beach, it’s a destination built around poolside relaxation.

Great location, access to beach, and excellent pool with lazy river.

— Stephen Pace, Verified guest via IHG.com

Book the Holiday Inn Resort Pensacola Beach Gulf Front »

MIDLAND, TEXAS

10. Holiday Inn Midland

This West Texas hotel turns a simple pool into a welcome surprise, highlighted by a unique indoor-outdoor hot tub that lets guests soak between two worlds. Paired with a relaxed atmosphere and poolside dining, it’s the kind of stay that feels effortlessly easy.

We love the indoor, outdoor hot tub and the pizza from the restaurant that we can have in the pool area is great!

— Grams, Verified guest via IHG.com

Book the Holiday Inn Midland »

*How we ranked them: Every hotel on this list was identified through analysis of thousands of verified IHG guest reviews. Hotels are ranked by the proportion of reviewers who positively mentioned pools, weighted by review volume and sentiment. All reviews sourced from IHG.com.

Where to go if the pool is the point

Some cities treat the pool as the main event, and they're worth choosing your stay around. Las Vegas turned the resort pool into theater decades ago and has never looked back, while Miami made the poolside scene a genuine reason to visit. Orlando builds for families with a seriousness bordering on engineering, and Dubai does scale and spectacle better than almost anywhere on earth. For desert heat that makes a cold pool feel essential, Phoenix, Palm Springs and the beaches of Cancún are hard to beat.

IHG brands that take the pool seriously

Holiday Inn has quietly become the family-pool specialist in the portfolio, and this list shows why — water parks, lazy rivers, slides and indoor-outdoor hot tubs turn up at property after property. These are pools designed around how families actually use them: all day, with snacks, until someone's prune-fingered and happy.

Holiday Inn Express isn't a brand you'd expect to find here, which is exactly what makes its pools so well reviewed — guests arrive with low expectations and leave talking about resort-style decks and warm, spotless water that outclass the room rate.

InterContinental plays a different game entirely: pools as architecture, positioned for the view, staffed for the comfort. At its resort properties the water is the design centerpiece, not an afterthought bolted on out back.

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