You can’t have a private pool list without including the Maldives. The Jumeirah Vittaveli’s Private Ocean Retreats has its own private plunge pool and expansive outdoor seating area. The freestanding room (if you can even call it a room--it’s more like a villa) also has a private waterslide that’s built into the top deck, so that you can slide straight from your bedroom into the crystal-blue waters of the Indian Ocean.

Known primarily for the overwater bungalows that rise above the clear blue waters, Likuliku is a dreamy tropical paradise. There’s one room category that almost feels like a hidden gem: the deluxe beachfront bure. Each “bure” has its own private plunge pool and daybed that looks out directly to the ocean. And because the bures are located on the sand, rather than above water, it feels as if you have your own private beach. 

The Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas is perched high on the hill-top above the walkable town of Las Catalinas, just a few minutes away. Each of the property’s 21 private villas has its own saltwater plunge pool and views of the Pacific, plus a fully-stocked minibar with Costa Rican products, local toiletries, and a private terrace. This hilltop property is a 45-minute drive from the Liberia airport. You won’t find it to be overcrowded on the two nearby beaches or the tropical surrounding trails. The latter are great for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Jade Mountain Resort in St. Lucia sits atop 600 acres of beachfront with views from your own private veranda. The famous three-walled rooms have an easy-flowing living area and bedroom that extends out to an outdoor space with a large private swimming pool, each unique in design. Each private pool can be illuminated in the evening, ideal for night swims. 

Well known for being one of the most luxurious resorts in Mexico, the Rosewood Mayakoba sits along Mexico’s Mayan Riviera coastline, just a few miles from Playa Del Carmen. Guests arrive by boat to a stand-alone casita. Each of the 129 suites and private residences have a private heated plunge pool and comes with a guest’s own private butler. 

Made famous as the hotel where JFK and Jackie honeymooned, Las Brisas has this old-school charm that is still beloved decades later. The casitas feature an expansive deck with a very large swimming pool; most offer views of the stunning Acapulco Bay. The property is spread out for privacy, but the staff will drive you around in one of their signature pink jeeps. 

A privately-owned hotel on an almost-hidden cove along the shoreline, Hermitage Bay feels small and quaint, but totally luxurious. The Hillside Pool Suites boasts a private wrap-around veranda, with direct views of the Caribbean Sea, each with a private plunge pool and outdoor furniture. 

Le Barthélemy, the luxury boutique hotel in St. Barths, offers up a pool at the Océan Lux Piscine Privée suites. Each “enclave” has its own patio with a private temperature-controlled outdoor plunge pool and lounge chairs. Additionally, Le Barth Villa Rental (also owned by Le Barthélemy) has 80 properties with their own private pool. Le Barth Villa Rental guests have access to Le Barthélemy’s amenities.

El Dorado Casitas Royale by Karisma is located on 450 acres of lush jungle, along more than a mile of Punta Brava Beach. The all-suite hotel has 205 small thatched-roof casitas spread throughout the property and include a handful of room categories, such as the regular casita suite; a swim-up casita suite; the private pool casita suite; and the studio presidential casita suite. Every suite includes a Jacuzzi tub, a daybed on the balcony, a signature Aguas del Amor outdoor shower, and 24-hour room service.

The Lodhi, a five-star hotel located on the edge of Lutyen’s Delhi, offers the chicest of accommodations at very reasonable prices. The hotel features a handsome cigar lounge, a myriad of restaurants, and each room boasts magnificent balconies with a huge private plunge pool, the ideal place for respite after a day on the city’s steamy streets. Guest rooms are spacious with separate seating areas.

At Laluna Resort, guests are treated to a secluded beachfront retreat tucked into the hillside of the Caribbean island of Grenada. The cottage suites measure in at 1,000 square feet and have a private plunge pool, veranda with daybed, and walk-in closet. In addition to the cottages, the property has several three- to five-bedroom villas with a kitchen, living area, washer and dryer, private infinity pool, and garage.

The Kempinski brand has long been known for the utmost extravagance since its inception, and the Apurva Kempinski Bali is no exception. Situated atop the imposing cliff of Nusa Dua, which has sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, the property is as stunning from the exterior as it is looking out. 475 guest rooms, suites, and private villas comprise the property; 176 of the suites and 43 villas have private plunge pools. Rooms feel both extravagant and comfortable with dark woods, local fabrics, and Indonesian art. Soaking tubs with an ocean view are a nice touch. 

Paradise right in San Diego, the ultra-luxurious Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa features incredible private outdoor spaces. The guestrooms boasts huge patios with lounge areas and stylish seating, a private whirl plunge pool, an indoor/outdoor fireplace, and outdoor showers.

If there's a single recommendation we can make for visiting Cambodia's Angkor temple ruins, it's to book a hotel where you can feel totally relaxed and at home. The Anantara Angkor Resort offers that -- and so much more. Each of the hotel's 39 rooms is a suite, and they've all recently undergone a complete upgrade. You'll find lounging space, incredibly comfortable bedding, and decor that's accented with teak wood trimmings and sandstone sculptures. The premier suites and premier terrace suites each have private plunge pools. Included are high-end bath amenities, with special touches like fresh fruit and daily sweets, a soap and pillow menu, a personal mobile phone (handy when you need a tuk-tuk back to the property), and your very own butler.

Nayara Springs is tucked amid the lush green foliage of Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano National Park. Here, each villa has its own private plunge pool fed by crystal-clear hot springs that are located near the crater of the Arenal Volcano. Interior features include vaulted beamed ceilings, four-poster beds draped in soft mosquito netting, and terraces with daybeds. Thick greenery surrounds each villa, creating a serene and private atmosphere that's perfect for visitors seeking romance.

Also in Costa Rica are the Bali Rica Casitas, (located on the Costa Ballena along the Pacific Coast) where guests can book one of four casitas set within a tranquil garden. It’s also a more wallet-friendly option. Each casita has its own kitchen and one has an outdoor shower. The Casa Rica is built with a traditional Balinese design using materials shipped from Bali to Costa Rica and re-assembled on site. It has its own private plunge pool and is the most romantic of the bunch.

Excellence Punta Cana offers a handful of room categories, many featuring a private plunge pool; others have swim-up pools. The junior suite with a plunge pool has its own furnished terrace and is particularly popular with honeymooners and couples. 

The cave-like Andronis Boutique Hotel is located in Santorini’s village of Oia, overlooking the volcano that shaped the city. The property’s Cave Pool Suite has a private plunge pool that’s built into a cave--right in the room. The pool, on an expansive terrace, can be heated for all-day swims. The Executive Suite with Cave Pool has the private cave plunge pool with the addition of a Jacuzzi, all perched above pinch-me views of the Aegean Sea. 

One of the finest accommodations in Miami Beach, The Setai boasts The Penthouse that spans the entire 40th floor; naturally there are gorgeous ocean views. The Penthouse has a private rooftop infinity pool, a Jacuzzi, and a large outdoor area for lounging.

Situated on a private beach in Nusa Dua, The Mulia Villas feature expansive and luxurious accommodations with even bigger and more luxurious private pools. The one- and two-bedroom villas have an outdoor terrace with huge private hydrotherapy pools. There are daybeds for lounging poolside and a 24-hour butler to bring your umbrella drinks.

Secret Bay, a luxurious, all-villa resort set in Dominica's rainforest, offers guests seclusion and intimacy with a private plunge pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea for ocean views for as far as the eye can see. Set on a secluded clifftop, Dominica's first and only Relais & Châteaux property boasts on-call concierge, dedicated villa hosts, chefs, and guides.