Food & Wine Food & Wine
Chill Out at the World's Coolest Swim-Up Bars
  • Subscribe
  • Video
    • Mad Genius Tips
    • Cooking Videos
    • Ludo Lefebvre Cooking Videos
  • Recipes
    • Meat & Poultry
    • Comfort Food
    • Soups
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Appetizers
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Fruits
    • Vegetables
    • Seafood
    • Pasta & Noodle
    • Special Diets
    • Chefs
  • Drinks
    • Wine
    • Cocktails
    • Champagne
    • Coffee
    • Beer
    • Tea
  • Travel
    • Restaurants
    • Wine Regions
  • Holidays
    • Super Bowl
    • Chinese New Year
    • Mardi Gras
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
  • Kitchen & Home
    • Cooking Techniques
    • How To
    • Gift Guides
  • Shop
  • More
    • F&W Classic in Aspen
    • Events
    • Newsletters
    • Wine Club
  • News
  • Subscribe
  • VIDEO
    • Mad Genius Tips
    • Cooking Videos
    • Ludo Lefebvre Cooking Videos
  • RECIPES
    • Meat & Poultry
    • Comfort Food
    • Soups
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Appetizers
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Fruits
    • Vegetables
    • Seafood
    • Pasta & Noodles
    • Special Diets
    • Chefs
  • DRINKS
    • Wine
    • Cocktails
    • Champagne
    • Coffee
    • Beer
    • Tea
  • TRAVEL
    • Restaurants
    • Wine Regions
    • Local Flavor
  • HOLIDAYS
    • Super Bowl
    • Valentine's Day
    • Oscar Party
    • Mardi Gras
    • St. Patrick's Day
  • NEWS
  • KITCHEN & HOME
    • Cooking Techniques
    • How To
    • Gift Guides
  • SHOP
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Subscribe
    • Events
    • Give a Gift
    • Newsletters
    • Wine Club
  1. Home
  2. Drinks
  3. Chill Out at the World's Coolest Swim-Up Bars

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

Food & Wine

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.

1 of 12 Courtesy of Banyan Tree

Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico

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.

Advertisement
2 of 12 © Getty Images/Moment Open

Lagoon Bar in Blue Lagoon, Iceland

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.

3 of 12 Courtesy of Hotel Punta Islita

Hotel Punta Islita in Playa Samara, Costa Rica

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.

Advertisement
4 of 12 Courtesy of North Beach Plantation

North Beach Plantation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

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.

Advertisement
5 of 12 © Don Riddle Images

Four Seasons Resort at Wailea in Maui, Hawaii

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.

Advertisement
6 of 12 Courtesy of Esperanza, Los Cabos, Mexico

Esperanza Swim-up Bar in Cabo San Lucas, 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.

Advertisement
7 of 12 © C.C. Chapman / Flickr

Regent Palms in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

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.

Advertisement
8 of 12 Courtesy of Le Méridien

Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran

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

Advertisement
9 of 12 Courtesy of The Rock

Rock Restaurant in Stone Town, Zanzibar

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.

Advertisement
10 of 12 © Robert Riley / Flickr

Tropicana Pool in Las Vegas, Nevada

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.

Advertisement
11 of 12 © Duncan Rawlinson / Flickr

Intercontinental Tahiti Resort in French Polynesia

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.

Advertisement
12 of 12 Courtesy of San Luis Resort

H20 at 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.

You May Like

Read More

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Keeping you in the know on all the latest & greatest food and travel news, and other special offers.
Sign up

DELICIOUS DEAL

12 ISSUES FOR JUST $12
Subscribe & Save

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Keeping you in the know on all the latest & greatest food and travel news, and other special offers.
Sign up
Food & Wine
Holidays & Occasions
  • Chinese New Year
  • Super Bowl Recipes
  • Valentine's Day Recipes
  • Oscar Party Food
  • Mardi Gras Recipes
  • Memorial Day Recipes
  • Father's Day Recipes
  • Rosh Hashanah Recipes
  • Halloween Recipes
  • Thanksgiving Recipes
  • Christmas Recipes
Popular Dishes
  • Sandwiches
  • Snacks
  • Bread Recipes
  • Grain Recipes
  • Bean Recipes
  • Quinoa Recipes
  • Chicken Breast Recipes
  • French Recipes
  • Mexican Recipes
Subscribe
  • Subscribe to Food & Wine
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Food & Wine Books
  • Get Food & Wine iPad Edition
  • Get F&W Mobile Apps
Clubs & Events
  • Food & Wine Connoisseur Club
  • Events
  • Best New Chefs
Contact
  • Customer Service
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising
  • Careers
  • Site Map
Meredith Corporation
  • Travel + Leisure
  • Departures
Food & Wine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. © 2018 Meredith Corporation Allrecipes Food Group. All rights reserved.
View Website Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Your California Privacy Rights. Ad Choices. Users of this site agree to be bound by the Website Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
foodandwine.com is part of the Meredith Corporation Allrecipes Food Group. | EU Data Subject Requests
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.