Deepti & Matt spent a good 12 months trekking round India, staying in, writing about and shooting hotels for Tripzuki. While what may seem like the ideal job does become hard work after a while, we can only see the positive side of things as we now legitimately claim to be an authority on such spurious topics as ‘Which small hotel in Delhi does the best coffee?’ and ‘Who is the most charismatic hotel owner in Goa?’.
Here’s one that focuses on the second biggest draw a hotel can have (after location): Deepti & Matt’s top 5 boutique hotel swimming pools. Enjoy.
1) SwaSwara, Om Beach, Karnataka
One of the largest pools we’ve seen, the subtly heated water is ideal for an evening dip, and with beautiful lighting, a gentle gradient from shallow to deep, and a large number of sunbeds all around, it’s a place we could spend a lot of time.
Not only is this an exceptional pool in its own right, it also happens to have one of the best views in Goa, looking down from the Saipem hillside over mangrove swamps, paddy fields and coconut groves.
Vivenda’s pool itself is nothing spectacular, but the amiable garden setting, poolside planters chairs and interesting guests match the general conviviality of this idiosyncratic and charming hotel as a whole.
Coco’s pool is all about the setting. Like a mini-lagoon in a tropical jungle, this exclusive resort gives privacy, luxury and sensual delight in equal measure.
There are two great pools at Samode Palace, one a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the hillside, and a much larger one on a lower level with attached jacuzzi and mosaic tiled floor. The upper pool is more of a hangout, with a bar attached, while the lower is next to the spa and a good spa for a proper swim.