Make a splash during your next vacation by planning in a different way. Instead of zeroing in on where you want to be, consider who you want to be during your trip. From romantics and digital nomads to thrill-seekers, culture lovers and everything in between, let personality determine your next destination — and find the perfect beach or pool to match your main character energy.
Here’s a look at 16 beaches and hotel pools across the country and around the world where every personality type can make a splash.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
The Romantic
Ready to stoke the romance in your relationship? Grab your loved one by the hand and snuggle in a cabana on the private white sand beach at Hideaway at Royalton Negril, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort. Jamaican “one love” vibes flow at this adults-only all-inclusive resort where the only thing to focus on is each other.
If you’re a couple who would rather lay poolside, cozy up under an umbrella at the rooftop pool at Paradise by Sirene, an exclusive, adults-only enclave of the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort on Florida’s southwest coast. When another blissful day together comes to an end, toast each other over poolside cocktails as you watch the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico.
The Digital Nomad
Today’s technology allows workers to broaden their horizons, and rather than working from home, they can consider working from anywhere in the world. Blending business and leisure, or “bleisure,” is easy in Cape Town, South Africa. Take some time to enjoy the city’s pristine beaches before your workday begins, after it ends and even during lunch.
Camps Bay Beach boasts the largest white sand beach, and Sea Point sits right on a promenade, making it one of the most accessible beaches in the city; it’s here you’ll find Protea Hotel Cape Town Sea Point. If a bit of wildlife inspires you, get a glimpse of African penguins at Boulders Beach, or spot whales from June through December at Kalk Bay and St. James beaches.
Another bleisure option is to open up your laptop and set up shop alongside one of the two gorgeous pools at Hotel Arts Barcelona in Spain. You’re sure find inspiration in the sea views from the main pool and rooftop infinity pool, sweeping gardens, and towering Frank Gehry golden fish sculpture.
When it’s time to refresh and recharge, dive into the Mediterranean lifestyle and enjoy poolside bites and sips.
The Thrill-Seeker
If adventures and thrills are your idea of vacation perfection, look no further than The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket to have the time of your life. Arriving to the island resort by speedboat is just the beginning of the adventure.
From the beach’s golden sands, you can go windsurfing; kayak around James Bond Island, through caves, and into hidden lagoons; take a long-tail boat ride for a bit of local adventure; and dive into the Andaman Sea to glimpse colorful marine life.
For a different kind of adventure, take a dip in the Dead Sea salt pool at the Dead Sea Marriott Resort & Spa in Jordan … or try to, anyway. The seawater’s salt content is so high that you’ll find it challenging to submerge your body entirely. Instead, have someone snap a photo of you laying back, reading a newspaper — definitely Instaworthy.
The Luxury Traveler
The pristine, white-sand beaches of Punta Mita — a name adapted from an Aztec word meaning “gateway to paradise” — run along a private peninsula on Mexico’s west coast. Among the upscale, mostly residential community, you’ll find The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, an extraordinarily lavish, intimate resort on the Pacific Ocean.
Live your best luxe life soaking in the sun on plush teak loungers, indulging in 24-hour butler service, taking a leisurely walk on the beach and realizing that you have indeed found paradise.
When it comes to pools, it doesn’t get more luxurious than taking a dip in the private pool of your very own villa at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert. Ranging in size from 1,700 to more than 2,700 square feet, each of the five-star-resort’s villas are fit for royalty.
The design of the extravagant villas was inspired by traditional Bedouin tents, and each one features a private plunge pool on a deck with uninterrupted views of the desert. Once you stretch out poolside, you’ll never want to leave.
The Family Traveler
If traveling with the whole fam is your vacation dream, head to the beaches of the Bahamas, where there’s something for everyone — from the littles to the grandparents. That’s just what you’ll find at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas: Five hotels in one resort means you can find the perfect spot to fit your family’s vibe.
Five miles of white sand beaches and turquoise water invite everyone to get in on the fun, whether that’s snorkeling, paddleboat rides or building sandcastles with a view of frolicking dolphins — the options are endless.
For those seeking quality family pool time, there’s nowhere that says “family destination” more than Orlando, which is where you’ll find the world’s-largest Marriott: Orlando World Center Marriott.
The family-friendly resort’s centerpiece is its outdoor pools, and more specifically, its water park with a 575-foot lazy river and six unique waterslides. Private cabanas and daybeds are at the ready for family nap time or a quite moment. Your family is sure to make a splash during a stay here!
The Wellness Seeker
When balancing body and mind is what you seek, let your cares melt away under the sun and in the sea at Kaanapali Beach on Maui. It’s easy to see why this beach was once a retreat for royalty: three miles of white sand, crystal-clear water and a gentle breeze quickly restore inner peace and tranquility.
Continue your wellness journey just steps away at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali where you can reflect in a beachside cabana, practice yoga on the beach under swaying palm trees, connect with the ocean on an outrigger canoe outing, or calm your mind with lei-making and coconut weaving. Here, you’re sure to find complete nanea, or relaxation.
With your first cleansing breath of fresh air in Switzerland, you’ll feel your mind and body begin to relax and your spirit come alive. The Waldhaus Flims Wellness Resort, Autograph Collection is all about rejuvenating and reviving your spirit, and the entire resort is focused on just that, from the guest rooms’ design to dining to its fitness center, spa and incredible pools.
Float all your cares away in the indoor pool, set in a striking glass cube; the outdoor pool with bubble loungers and massaging jets; and the mountain-spring-water bathing pond, all nestled among mountain peaks and towering pines.
The Culture Lover
You want to kick back on the beach or by the pool but get your culture on, too. Luckily, the best of Florida’s Gulf Coast culture is at your fingertips with a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Visit the Ringling Museum of Art and Cà d’Zan (Ringling’s mansion); take in ballet, symphony and opera performances; and shop at renowned St. Armand’s Circle, just outside the hotel’s doors.
When it’s beach time, hotel guests have exclusive access to The Beach Club on Lido Key, three miles away on the white sands of Lido Key. The full-service club boasts a Gulf-front swimming pool and soaking tub, serves lunch and cocktails, and has comfy beach lounges and umbrellas for spending the day.
Down under, W Brisbane’s alluring rooftop pool and cocktail bar overlooking the city’s central business district are reason enough to reserve a stay, but when you look at the five-star hotel’s design and overall aesthetic, culture lovers are in for a real treat.
The Brisbane River and the city’s rich historical heritage served as inspiration for the hotel’s design, from its curving lines reflecting the winding river to its bright custom furnishings accented by pieces of local art, either woven into the design or on separate display. Outside the hotel, hit up Brisbane’s world-class art museums and fabulous galleries and take in the vibrant street art.
The Super-Fun Friend
When you’re ready for a super-fun-filled friends’ getaway, gather your crew and experience the aloha spirit at Ala Moana Beach on Oahu. Between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, this locals’ favorite beach stretches for a half-mile and has calm waters thanks to an offshore reef. Pack a lunch and spend the day on the beach, retreat to one of the picnic pavilions, or lay a blanket underneath the palm trees and soak it all in — and get some quality bonding time.
The classic crisp white architecture and stunning blues of the Aegean Sea set an incredible scene for you and your friends at Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini. Carved into the caldera cliffs, the resort exudes a carefree spirit that’s infectious and will have you and your besties living the Greek life in no time. Spend days soaking in the Mediterranean sun at on of the resort’s two pools, or go in on one of the villas with its own private infinity-edge pool and outdoor Jacuzzi.
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