There is a unique allure to a rooftop swimming pool, where you have the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing dip while looking out over breathtaking views of vibrant cityscapes. The world’s highest outdoor pools combine the best of architectural innovation with that distinctive thrill of extreme altitude to make you feel as if you’re swimming amongst the clouds. At these places, you can quite literally take your fitness regimen to the next level.
1. Guangxi China Resources Tower – Nanning, China
Height: 323.1 metres(1,060 feet)
Nanning has earned the nickname of the ‘Green City’ because of its abundant foliage, which is beautifully interwoven into the urban landscape. Rising above the heart of the city, Guangxi China Resources Tower stands an impressive 403 metres high and has a distinctively sleek angular facade that draws inspiration from the surrounding mountains of the Guangxi province. The tower encompasses 86 storeys, divided between 70 floors of office space and a 16-storey hotel. Set neatly at the break between the two spaces is a beautiful sky terrace with a lounge and the hotel’s pool. Surrounded by a glass-panelled railing, the pool looks out over a 180-degree view of the Nanning skyline, extending out to the parks, lakes, and mountains of the area and dramatically lit up from sunrise to sunset.
2. Four Seasons Place – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Height: 319.5 metres (1,048 feet)
The sixth tallest building in Malaysia and one of its most iconic structures after the Petronas Towers, Four Seasons Place is covered in sheets of dark reflective glass that give it a unique visual identity. The interior spaces of the building are split between a Four Seasons Hotel and the Four Seasons Private Residences and have a retail plaza along the ground level known as The Shoppes at Four Seasons. Near the top of the tower, you will find the hotel amenities and fitness deck, which includes a state-of-the-art gym, a 25-metre lap pool, a kid’s pool, and a spa pool. The deck is ideally positioned to offer a scenic view of the city, set against the backdrop of the Petronas Towers.
3. SLS Dubai – Dubai, UAE
Height: 317.4 metres (1,041 feet)
One of the most distinctive additions to Dubai’s hospitality scene, SLS Dubai embodies the creative personality of the global SLS brand. The tower contains both hotel rooms and branded residences, set at offset angles so they look out over uninterrupted views of the city. The unique and playful design extends to the amenities of the hotel, which are all located along the topmost levels. The crowning glory of SLS is its exclusive rooftop lounge, Privilege, which features two infinity pools and holds the record for the highest overflow pool in the world. It is the perfect place to soak in astounding views of the Downtown skyline and the Dubai Canal with the Burj Khalifa’s majestic silhouette looming in the background.
4. Zhuhai Tower – Zhuhai, China
Height: 308.8 metres (1,013 feet)
Zhuhai is a waterfront city in China’s Guangdong province and is part of an urban cluster that is often referred to as the ‘Chinese Riviera’. One of its most impressive landmarks is Zhuhai Tower, which stands by the water’s edge where the Pearl River flows into the South China Sea, and enjoys views over neighbouring Macao. The mixed-use tower mostly contains offices and retail spice, with the St. Regis Zhuhai hotel occupying the top 31 floors. Like many of the hotels on this list, it has its amenities deck on the rooftop, including the hotel pool. Due to Zhuhai Tower’s excellent location, the pool deck has an enviable 360-degree view that makes it the perfect spot to enjoy sunrise and sunset.
5. The Address Beach Resort – Dubai, UAE
Height: 294.5 metres (966 feet)
Dubai is a city known for its unique architectural feats and its vibrant waterfront destinations. Both of these aspects come neatly together in The Address Beach Resort, which comprises two towers standing 77 storeys high and connected at the top and bottom levels to form a structure resembling a frame. It is located at one end of Jumeirah Beach Residence, one of Dubai’s most popular coastal communities. The most extraordinary feature of the resort is its rooftop infinity pool, which holds the record for the highest infinity pool in the world and overlooks a 180-degree view of the Arabian Sea, the full length of the Palm Jumeirah island, and the skyline of Dubai Marina and JBR.
6. Burj Khalifa – Dubai, UAE
Height: 274.6 metres (901 feet)
It is a testament to Dubai’s growth as a city, that it managed to score three spots on a list of the world’s highest outdoor pools. And it is hardly surprising that one of the entries would be part of the tallest tower in the world, which is ideally located in the centre of the city and is a key part of its main business district. Burj Khalifa has five pools in total, the highest of which is located on the 76th floor. Compared to some of the other entries on the list, the swimming pools in the Burj Khalifa are relatively understated, and its highest pool is one of its smallest. It is geared toward a more exclusive crowd, but the view that it offers, with the tops of nearby skyscrapers poking through the clouds, is simply unbeatable.
Final Take
Swimming pools at high altitudes offer more than just a space to work on your fitness and endurance – they provide an experience defined by luxury, design, and the most breathtaking views. Set amidst bustling metropolises like Kuala Lumpur and Dubai, each of these pools represents a fusion of architectural brilliance and cutting-edge engineering. Whether you’re floating high above the heart of the city or gazing out over the distant horizon, these pools offer a unique and unforgettable way to enjoy both the simple activity of swimming and the splendour of high-altitude vistas.
