I’m a huge fan of a good resort pool. When I book vacations for our family, I look for the most amazing pool I can find. Some of the features on our wishlist this June is a lazy river, a beach, free towels and maybe even a waterslide. Bars that you can swim up to are a nice bonus. In this article, we’re going to take a tour of some of the most amazing pools California has to offer.
Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim, California
Let’s start with the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. You know about the iconic monorail that goes back and forth from the Disneyland Hotel to the theme park, right? The hotel decided to take this a step further and create a monorail-themed pool. You’ll find a replica of the original Mark 1 Monorail trains at the entrance of the two water slides – the larger of the two is an impressive 180 feet long. In addition to the monorail pool, there is a retro themed pool clocking in a 4,800 square feet and a lap pool. Adults can melt their cares away in the Mickey and Minnie bubbling whirlpool, order a poolside cocktail or one of many food options and get a private cabana. Disneyland Hotel starts at $329 and admission to the park is an additional cost.
Sheraton, Hawaii, Maui
The Sheraton on the island of Maui is perhaps one of the dreamiest settings imaginable. Located on the Kaanapali section of the island, you’ll find a world class beach alongside a world class pool. As sun sets, the hotel honors Black Rock, a Hawaiian sacred site, with Hawaiian dancing, conch blowing and music. This can all be viewed while floating along in their gorgeous, 142 acre pool. On one end, you’ll find a shallow kids area for toddlers to splash about. On the other, adventure awaits as you float in your tube from pool to pool that includes a gentle waterslide. Waterfalls, large volcanic looking rocks and bridges adorn the scenery. Hidden in the middle of the winding paths of the pool is a jacuzzi surrounded by large rock formations and tropical Hawaiian fauna. BBQ and drinks are available at all three of the cafes lining the pool and towels are free. Once your child has explored the pool, the beach is equally as nice. Gorgeous white sand, incredible scenery and warm water awaits. Sheraton, Maui starts at $349.
Silver Mountain Resort, Kellogg, Idaho
Thousands of miles from Hawaii is one of the most incredible indoor pool arenas in America. Silver Mountain Resort in Idaho offers a plethora of water activities with weather never being a deterrent. Let’s start with the Flowrider. Surfers and bodyboarders alike will enjoy 60,000 gallon per minute, 35 miles per hour waves. If that’s too intense, there is a 315 foot lazy river to grab a tube and float in. Waterfalls and pit stops are at every corner. For the little ones, Cub Cove has sprayers, misters and other water fun on land. The warm springs is nearby and perfect for children who wants something warmer than the pool but not as hot as a hot tub. There are also obstical courses, water basketball, a rafting ride, restaurants, a fifty four foot slide and a pond for toddlers with two kiddie slides and a bungee swing. In short, this place has something for everyone in the family including a ski resort right out the front door. Silver Mountain Resort overnight stays start at $103.
Golden Nugget, Las Vegas, Nevada
Ever wondered what it was like to swim alongside sharks? No, we aren’t talking about somewhere out in the ocean. You can safely swim inches away from sharks at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the middle of the Golden Nugget’s swimming pool lives a 200,000 gallon aquarium filled with sand tigers, black tips, zebra sharks, brown sharks and nurse sharks. You’ll find a 30 foot tall shark chute and a three story waterslide that goes right through the tank that will let you explore wildlife while getting a nice adrenaline rush. There are restaurants and bars dotted alongside the indoor pool. If you can’t get enough of the sharks, you can go on one of their daily shark tours led by on staff marine biologists. Golden Nugget rates start at $50 and the Shark Tank Tour is $30 per person.
MGM Grand, Las Vegas
Las Vegas was hard to pass by on our list. There are a bunch of hotels with incredible pools. However, the Golden Nugget’s shark pool and the MGM Grand’s quarter of a mile long lazy river are our picks for kids. Grab an inner tube and begin your journey around this seemingly endless river. 26 Cabanas are available to rent as well as pool gear like inner tubes and rafts. From all angles of the 6.5 acre Wet Republic pool complex, you can hear music and feel the bubbling energy of the guests. Alongside the lazy river, there are 3 additional pools, 3 whirlpools and a multitude of waterfalls. This is a blast for children (make sure you bring sunscreen) and if the kids get hungry or thirsty, poolside service awaits. After a long day at the pool, the kids can step inside the hotel for a world class Cirque Du Soliel show. The MGM Grand starts at $113 per night.
Great Wolf Lodge, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
As I’m writing this post, it is currently zero degrees in Wisconsin Dells. But no matter, this amazing pool park is indoors and 84 degrees. With over 80,000 square feet of activities, it’s easy to forget the nasty weather that awaits you outside. Unique to this resort is a four story tree house that includes suspension bridges, swinging cargo nets, slides, spray stations and a 1,000-gallon bucket of water that dumps on top of guests. A few other notable features of the park are a giant funnel to swirl in, a wave pool, 400 foot water slides, a water slide raceway, a slide that goes pitch black and spits you out in a pool to start all over again, toddler areas and more. Days can be spent inside this pool wonderland and you’d still find it tough to do it all. Great Wolf Lodge starts at $129 per night.
Nickelodeon Suites Resort, Orlando, Florida
Because one isn’t enough, Nickelodeon Suites Resort has two full water parks. The Nickelodeon Hotel’s Lagoon Pool includes a four story water tower that has seven slides, water jets, climbing nets, flumes and a four hundred gallon water tank ready to dump water (or slime) on unsuspecting resort goers. You’ll find Spongebob themed water toys throughout the park alongside poolside cabanas with food and beverage service. If you’ve had enough water, you can take a break at the full scale miniature golf course or the basketball courts with hoops that you can adjust for height. The resort also includes two relaxing whirlpools for grownups. Daily at 4:45 the resort has a mass sliming where a bucket of green goo at the top of the water park shoots out to cover all of the guests below. We haven’t even gotten to the Oasis Pool. The second resort on the grounds offers a water tower, slides, snack bar and a kids’ play area. This area includes an olympic sized swimming pool, jets, and much more. Rates for the Nickelodeon Suites Resort start at $159 per night.
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, Scottsdale, Arizona
This hotel is a kid and adult paradise with 10 swimming pools, 45 waterfalls and 20 fountains and a 30 foot, high speed waterslide. Kids can hit speeds of up to 25 mph while they go flying down the water tubes and end with a giant splash at the end. The waterfalls and jets are fun for kids as they cross several narrow paths between the immense pools. This resort is located in one of the most beautiful and exclusive parts of Scottsdale adding to the incredible scenery around the pool. There are cabanas for rent, bars and restaurants poolside as well as several places to load up on sunscreen and pool accessories. Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort starts at $479 per night.