Make a splash with a meeting or event at one of these hotels and resorts that offer some truly wet-and-wild pool areas and spas—from a 1.8 million-gallon “aquarium" to a water elevator.
Located next to the Colorado River and surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, Glenwood Hot Springs includes the largest mineral hot springs pool in the world, plus a 107-room lodge, athletic club, and miniature golf course. The Yampah spring, which means “Big Medicine” in the Ute Indian language, feeds the 405-foot-long pool 3.5 million gallons of hot water daily and is believed to boast healing properties. The grounds include several meeting rooms and locations for groups of 50 people or less.
A glass-fronted pool, which was designed by Adam D. Tihany, cantilevers eight feet beyond the Joule hotel in Dallas. Guests enjoy a one-of-a-kind view from the plexiglass window at the end of the pool, plus bar service and a lounge area. It is open seasonally from March 16 to October 31.
The King's Pond at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the island of Hawaii isn't the usual hotel pool—it's a 1.8 million-gallon “aquarium" carved out of natural lava rock with more than 4,000 tropical fish from more than 75 species. Fresh and ocean water fill the pond, which moves along with the tide. Snorkeling equipment is available, and guests can participate in scheduled activities such as fish feedings, snorkeling lessons, and sandcastle building, or they can simply enjoy poolside food and beverage service. Due to the layout of the pool area, it is generally booked for small groups of as many as 30 guests. Cost starts at $200 per person.
The subterranean spa at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, features cavernous rock walls, arches, and tunnels, along with mineral-based pools, two therapeutic waterfall pools, and a lap pool with 6,500 fiber-optic stars and underwater music for the ultimate relaxation experience.
The activity pool at the Grand Wailea in Maui, Hawaii, features a 2,000-foot-long, 25,700-total-square-foot, 770,000-gallon pool made up of nine smaller pools connected by a river, plus a whitewater rapids slide, a Tarzan pool with rope swing, a sand beach, and the world’s first water elevator. The resort can accommodate groups of any size for corporate retreats with 22 banquet rooms, meeting rooms, and boardrooms.
At the Golden Nugget, a 200,000-gallon shark-filled tank sits in the middle of its swimming pool. It houses more than 200 sea creatures, including five species of sharks, along with a three-story tube, which gives guests an up-close view of the fish as they slide through the tank. The area also includes a waterfall that cascades into the pool and 13 luxury cabanas. The Golden Nugget is available for receptions of as many as 1,000 guests.
Located in Geyserville, California, the Francis Ford Coppola Winery features a swimming pool area with adjacent lawns, boccie courts, and table games. Rental packages start at $4,500 and include two lifeguards, towels, access to the public changing rooms and showers for three hours, and food and beverage service. It is available until September 27 from 7 to 10 p.m. and October 2 to 25, Friday to Sunday from 7 to 10 p.m. and Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The outdoor pool and sun deck at the Verb hotel, located in the inner courtyard of the 94-room boutique property in Boston, is surrounded by Mondrian-inspired room windows, which are covered in colorful film. Open from mid-April to mid-October, the area is available for private events. All food and beverage must be provided through its restaurant Hojoko, an izakaya from Tim and Nancy Cushman that is slated to open later this summer. Minimum cost is $3,200, with no additional fee for use of the space.
