Visit this: The 4 best outdoor swimming pools and patios

By Aimee Heckel

Summer is the time of year for patios and outdoor pools to take the spotlight. You get the glistening water, the sunshine and the summer feeling — but without the sand in your ears (and everywhere else).

Here are some of our favorite outdoor swimming pools and patios to visit this summer:

1. Private patio. Rent a private 1,400-square-foot vacation home in Mission Beach, Calif., starting at $245 per night, through Flipkey.com by TripAdvisor. This stunning home comes complete with a private patio, just steps from the beach. In this case, who needs a pool?

2. Rooftop pool. (See photo.) The Colannade Hotel in Boston has been described as an “oasis in the middle of the city,” and was voted Best Outdoor Pool by Boston magazine — among a long list of other accolades. You can rent the pool for private parties or concerts, and it’s also open to the public Monday through Friday for $50 per person ($25 per person from 3 p.m. to close). Note: The pool fills quickly, so call first (617-425-3408) to confirm there’s still space before you drive out. 

3. Pool with a sweet treat. Hotel Chocolat in St. Lucia boasts a pool that looks like a giant mirror. This stunning pool with a poolside pine deck is only open to guests of the 14 cottages and cabins. What makes this especially glorious is the poolside service: chocolate treats on demand! OK, that and the location: This boutique hotel and spa is nestled among the cocoa groves on the island of St. Lucia.

4. Heated seawater pool. The pool at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in France has a pretty crazy story to begin with: It was blasted with dynamite out of the cliff face. It’s filled with headed seawater, with a view that will dynamite your mind. Jump into the Mediterranean Sea off a diving board, or relax while gazing at the French Riviera. Many celebrities have splashed here, as well, the hotel’s website claims.

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