The UK and Ireland are not known as your typical rooftop pool destinations, and yet our islands offer some of the most spectacular pools with incredible views over cityscapes, beaches, and clifftops in Europe!
We’ve scoured the two countries/nations and found some real gems that are perfect for a romantic weekend away or simply a friend’s weekend of champagne and pampering. So, pack your swimsuit and get ready to dip your feet in some of the most decadent pools in the country.
What more could you want on a romantic city break than stylish interiors and an amazing rooftop infinity pool right in the centre of Manchester? With views over the iconic spire of Manchester Town Hall, the pool is ideal for capturing unique sunsets or people watching from on-high. Accompanied by a steam room and relaxation room, there’s no excuse not to spend hours in the spa recharging your batteries.
The hotel is housed in a beautifully renovated Italian Renaissance building, and many of the rooms maintain period features such as high ceilings, but have been updated to include floor-to-ceiling windows with views over the city. Opt for a suite and the cityscape views come courtesy of a free-standing bath placed directly in front of the windows.
When you’re feeling peckish, head downstairs to the King Street Tavern for plenty of seared steak and red wine. If you are looking to treat yourselves go for a classic Afternoon Tea, or catch the bottomless brunch including bottomless bottles of champagne.
An elegant 5-star hotel in Canary Wharf, The Canary Riverside Plaza allows all hotel guests access to the health and leisure club adjacent to the hotel, featuring a rooftop pool with panoramic views over the Thames and a state-of-the art gymnasium.
Where indulgence meets comfort, every room at the Riverside Plaza comes with large bay windows to make the most of those views over landmarks such as The Shard and Tower Bridge. The rooms are designed with the ultimate of comfort in mind, meaning plush fluffy carpets, high and bouncy beds, a lavish bathroom with soaking tub and l’Occitane toiletries.
A serene retreat in the heart of London’s opulent Knightsbridge area, The Berkeley hotel is home to a ‘seventh heaven’ outdoor pool on the seventh floor of the building. The pool is tiled in iridescent white and gold mosaic and the surrounding relaxation area features padded sun loungers and windows with views out over London. The pool has a retractable roof so even if the weather is less than favourable, you can still enjoy some time by the water.
At every turn, The Berkeley is luxurious whether it be the light filled Collins Room dining room where you can also enjoy the über fashionable Pret-a-portea a witty take on a fashionista afternoon tea, or enjoying a sophisticated cocktail in the Blue Bar.
Tasteful and stylishly decorated, the rooms at The Berkeley are designed with comfort in mind so that after a long day of exploring the city, the fluffy carpets and thick mattresses are exactly what you need to feel relaxed in this home-from-home.
Overlooking Edinburgh Castle, the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa is in prime position for a weekend in the heart of the city. Surround yourself with modern luxury, including a rooftop hydro-pool providing jets of warm water at optimal body temperature complimented by the fabulous view. Sneak in early in the morning to watch the city come alive and to start your day invigorated by the fresh morning air.
You’ll also find an indoor pool and a thermal suite including a Hammam, Aroma Grotto, Rock Sauna and Bio Sauna. There’s also a first-rate gym as well but if you don’t put in a personal appearance we won’t judge – you’re on holiday. All the rooms are modern and follow a kind of minimalist chic, with pure white linen and elegant furniture. Choose from a castle view room or classic room or upgrade yourselves to a suite and enjoy the increased space and luxurious décor including tartan wall paper!
London’s latest hot-spot hotel, The Ned is a converted Georgian bank right in the centre of the bustling Bank district. The hotel is a wealth of luxurious outlets and it doesn’t come more luxury than a rooftop heated pool with a view over St Paul’s cathedral. Plus, an indoor heated pool and Turkish hammam spa downstairs.
The vaulted ceilings and large open spaces of this grand building lend themselves to the grandeur of nine diverse restaurants and live jazz bands that add to the ambiance in several areas of the hotel. There’s also a secret bar downstairs in the bank vaults, which you may recognise from the James Bond film Goldfinger.
When you aren’t gorging yourself on nine different types of cuisine or lazing by one of the pools, you can explore your seriously stylish bedroom. Decorated in a 1930’s style, the rooms include eye-catching upholstery and bespoke floral wall paper, whilst maintaining modern touches such as a rainforest shower and Cowshed spa products.
The pool at the Scarlet is not technically a rooftop pool, but rather a cliff-top pool. Floor-to-ceiling windows look down a crevasse to the sea below and outdoors there’s a hot Jacuzzi and a natural pool that doesn’t use chlorine, but instead cleaned by reeds. Why reeds, you ask? Well, that’s because this is one of the UK’s premier eco hotels and combines 5-star luxury with earth-friendly innovations.
On top of reed pools and cliff-top Jacuzzis, the hotel spa also boasts a steam room, copper tub, Hammam and a Rhassoul used for messy mineral mud sessions – you can literally slather yourself in mud without worrying about damaging the décor.
Opt for a spacious room to enjoy floor-to-ceiling views over the clifftop and out to sea – this is not for the faint hearted, as you’ll also have your own balcony with seating area, seemingly over the drop.
A luxury spa hotel with a killer view over Saundersfoot Beach, this hotel features an infinity hydrotherapy pool that looks as if it simply melts into the sea beyond. Heated to body temperature, this is a cosy rooftop pool perfect for relaxing in – even on the chilliest of winter days.
The spa also features an aroma steam room, salt infusion room, herbal rock sauna, and ice fountain, plus a host of treatment rooms should you be looking for that extra mile of pampering.
The hotel is home to 34 individually designed rooms, and most feature a balcony looking out across the sea. Each of the rooms are decorated in a style that recalls summer holidays filled with salt in your hair and the smell of sun cream, with light grey walls, blue accents and artwork depicting seascapes, as well as handmade wooden furniture and woven bed throws.
A 15-metre pool facing floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Irish sea is what awaits you at The Cliff House Hotel. This is joined outside by a natural rock pool, a relaxation terrace complete with Jacuzzi and two stone baths, so you can take in the refreshing sea air whilst remaining warm and cosy in the water.
Indoors, the spa features a sauna, steam room and four treatment rooms including a couple’s treatment room for those on a relaxing romantic break. The rooms are equally luxurious, you can select a cottage, a deluxe room or a suite. The cottages are decorated in a blue and white seaside style, and offer space for up to 6 adults and extra space for children. These are a great self-catering option whilst enjoying all the perks of a luxury hotel.
If you are looking for a romantic break then a deluxe room or suite are perfect, with options including sea view rooms, or even those including a balcony or terrace. From here you can head downstairs in the evenings for Michelin-starred cuisine at the ocean-side restaurant.