Skip to content

Top Navigation

Food & Wine Food & Wine
  • Recipes & Cooking
  • Drinks
  • Travel
  • Holidays & Events
  • News
  • F&W Classic
  • Video
  • Kitchen & Home
  • F&W Pro

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Wine Club
  • Podcast
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Food & Wine

Food & Wine Food & Wine
  • Explore

    Explore

    • F&W Cooks

      Food and Wine presents a new network of food pros delivering the most cookable recipes and delicious ideas online. Read More Next
    • Our 22 Best Crock Pot and Slow-Cooker Recipes

      Looking to amp up your beef stew but unsure where to start? A slow cooker can can take your comfort food to the next level. Read More Next
    • 50 Affordable Wines You Can Always Trust

      We’ve assembled a list of 50 of the world’s most reliable, inexpensive wines – bottles that offer amazing quality for their price year in and year out. Read More Next
  • Recipes & Cooking

    Recipes & Cooking

    See All Recipes & Cooking
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Comfort Food Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Vegetable Recipes
    • Pasta & Noodle Recipes
    • Chefs
    • Meat & Poultry Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Fruit Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Special Diets
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Steal This Trick
  • Drinks

    Drinks

    See All Drinks
    • Wine
    • Cocktails & Spirits
    • Coffee Drinks & Recipes
    • Juices
    • Beer & Brews
    • Champagne & Sparkling Wine
    • Tea Recipes & Ideas
  • Travel

    Travel

    See All Travel
    • Wine Regions
    • Restaurants
  • Holidays & Events

    Holidays & Events

    See All Holidays & Events
    • Valentine's Day
    • Halloween
    • Passover
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • Gifts
    • Super Bowl
    • Easter
    • Thanksgiving
    • New Year's Eve
    • Holiday Entertaining
  • News
  • F&W Classic
  • Video
  • Kitchen & Home
  • F&W Pro

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Wine Club
  • Podcast
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Drinks Chevron Right
  3. Chill Out at the World's Coolest Swim-Up Bars

Chill Out at the World's Coolest Swim-Up Bars

By Food & Wine
Updated September 09, 2015
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Credit: Courtesy of San Luis Resort
We've already shown you the world's coolest plunge pools and stunning stretches of undiscovered beach. Now, imagine never having to leave those warm blue waters for your next cocktail. That, my friends, is true luxury.Whether you want to order a cool blue slushie at Iceland’s Lagoon Bar, play a hand of blackjack at Tropicana in Las Vegas, or indulge in some outrageously fresh seafood on a rock in the Indian Ocean: these awesome swim-up bars are destinations in their own right.This piece originally appeared on Travel + Leisure.
Start Slideshow

1 of 12

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico

Credit: Courtesy of Banyan Tree

Dunes, mangroves, and freshwater lagoons are the backdrop behind the Reflections Pool Bar, where guests can swim-up for fruity Mexican cocktails and homemade, oversized ice cream bars in bold flavors like coconut-lemon and black forest.

1 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 12

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Lagoon Bar in Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Credit: © Getty Images/Moment Open

While enjoying a restorative dip in this dazzlingly turquoise geothermal pool (averaging temperatures of a balmy 100°F), swim up to the Lagoon Bar and order a cool slushie or signature cocktail, likes the goblet-sized Into the Blue, made with raspberry Bacardi, blue curacao, lime, and fresh blueberries. Thanks to convenient electronic wristbands, you can pay on the spot.

2 of 12

3 of 12

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Hotel Punta Islita in Playa Samara, Costa Rica

Credit: Courtesy of Hotel Punta Islita

On one side of this free-form, infinity-edge pool is a panoramic view of the Guanacaste coastline and wild tropical forests. The other side boasts Harry’s swim-up bar and recently expanded sun decks. Order the Morena Mía for local sugarcane liquor, fresh lime juice, raw sugar, cinnamon, and a sugarcane stick garnish.

3 of 12

Advertisement

4 of 12

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

North Beach Plantation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Credit: Courtesy of North Beach Plantation

This vacation property, tucked between the Atlantic and White Point Swash, distracts guests from the ocean views with the temperate waters of the three-acre Caribbean-themed pool complex. Visit the central pool for drinks at the swim-up bar.

4 of 12

5 of 12

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Four Seasons Resort at Wailea in Maui, Hawaii

Credit: © Don Riddle Images

No matter how pleasurable it is beneath the surface of the adults-only Serenity Pool, which features underwater music and glittering glass mosaics, eventually, you’ll need to come up for air. Swim up to the freestanding swim-up bars, and take your drink to one of the poolside casabellas: attendants are on hand to clean your sunglasses, cool you off with Evian spritzers, cucumber slices, and oshiboris-scented towels, and serve freeze pops.

5 of 12

6 of 12

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Esperanza Swim-up Bar in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Credit: Courtesy of Esperanza, Los Cabos, Mexico

After restoring—and improving—the property post-Hurricane Odile, Esperanza reopened in June with a new ceviche bar and chic poolside cabanas. What hasn’t changed? The amazing Mexican cuisine (mahi mahi ceviche, tuna al pastor tacos) served at La Palapa, the restaurant, exhibition kitchen, and swim-up bar attached to the pool, with perfect views of the Sea of Cortez.

6 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 12

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Regent Palms in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

Credit: © C.C. Chapman / Flickr

This resort’s crown jewel is the serpentine infinity pool at its center, where guests can swim-up to Plunge, the pool bar, and enjoy Caribbean-inspired cocktails and snacks. In-water banquettes and a sunken dining terrace are improved only by the nearby waterfalls, gardens, and views of Grace Bay.

7 of 12

8 of 12

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran

Credit: Courtesy of Le Méridien

Meander on a floating bed across the saltwater lagoon to the sleek swim-up bar, where guests mingle and sip craft cocktails.

8 of 12

9 of 12

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Rock Restaurant in Stone Town, Zanzibar

Credit: Courtesy of The Rock

During high tide, guests reach this restaurant and bar by boat or by a strong swimming stroke. Panoramic views of the Indian Ocean are the main draw, though the seafood-centric menu (squid with queen prawns marinated in coconut, octopus salad with potatoes, cashews, and tomatoes) doesn’t hurt, either.

9 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 12

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Tropicana Pool in Las Vegas, Nevada

Credit: © Robert Riley / Flickr

Like Sin City itself, everything at the Tropicana is larger than life: the 12,000 square-foot Tropicana pool is set on nearly two acres of land, and the swim-up bar is reserved for high-rollers. Only those ready to put their chips in for a game of blackjack can grab one of the coveted 12 seats.

10 of 12

11 of 12

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Intercontinental Tahiti Resort in French Polynesia

Credit: © Duncan Rawlinson / Flickr

The partially submerged Lotus Bar rises up from the aquamarine waters of the nearly 6,500-square-foot sand-bottomed pool. Float over for a tropical sip to enjoy while watching the sun as it sets over nearby Moorea.

11 of 12

12 of 12

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

H20 at San Luis Resort

Credit: Courtesy of San Luis Resort

Happy hour, from 5 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, is the time to elbow up to the H20 Pool Bar at this Galveston, Texas resort and spa. Poolside cabanas (equipped with lounge chairs and flat screen TVs) are the place to enjoy your Gulf views when your fingers start to get pruny.

12 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Food & Wine

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 12 Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico
2 of 12 Lagoon Bar in Blue Lagoon, Iceland
3 of 12 Hotel Punta Islita in Playa Samara, Costa Rica
4 of 12 North Beach Plantation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
5 of 12 Four Seasons Resort at Wailea in Maui, Hawaii
6 of 12 Esperanza Swim-up Bar in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
7 of 12 Regent Palms in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos
8 of 12 Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran
9 of 12 Rock Restaurant in Stone Town, Zanzibar
10 of 12 Tropicana Pool in Las Vegas, Nevada
11 of 12 Intercontinental Tahiti Resort in French Polynesia
12 of 12 H20 at San Luis Resort

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Login

Food & Wine

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Food & Wine
  • Contact Us
  • Media Kit
  • Content Licensing

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Food & Wine is part of the Meredith Corporation Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.foodandwine.com

View image

Chill Out at the World's Coolest Swim-Up Bars
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.