Hotel Pool vs. Beach Showdown: Where Would You Rather Kick Back and Cool Off?

Life is full of challenging decisions. Choosing where to relax when on vacation shouldn’t be one of them.

Whether you’d rather hang out at a beach or kick back at a pool, this matchup features some key Marriott International properties across North America that make for great beach destinations as well as classic pool hangouts (plus one location that is awesome for both).

Book a flight and bring out the swimwear for pure, waterside relaxation.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Pool: JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, Aventura, Florida

Seventeen miles north of Miami, you will find this 300-acre tropical oasis featuring not just a pool, but also a waterpark. Tidal Cove is JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa’s popular on-site waterpark, complete with seven waterslides, 25 cabanas, a free-fall loop, raft ride, lazy river, and stationary surfing machine.

Grab tropical cocktails from the resort’s Surf House Bar & Grill and kick back in the Oasis Pool as the kids tackle all the attractions at the world-class water park. For those seeking an even more relaxed environment, head over to the hotel’s adults-only Mediterranean-style Cascata Pool.

Pool: The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, Arizona

What better way to beat the Arizona desert heat than by renting your very own “island”? At The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, you can do just that on their unique Tommy Bahama Relaxation Reef Private Island,  private lounges along the resort’s lazy river surrounded by water with daybeds and poolchairs. 

Once you’re ready for more action, enjoy more features of the resort’s Adventure Water Park, where you’ll find a 110-foot-long waterslide, and surfing in the desert on a FlowRider surf simulator.

To start the morning in tranquility, or to wind down in the evening, hit the adult Aguamiel Pool for a quiet retreat featuring lap lanes, a hot tub, and private cabanas, open from 6am to 10pm.

Pool: The Westin Trillium House, Blue Mountain, Blue Mountains, Ontario, Canada

In Ontario’s picturesque Blue Mountains region near the shores of Georgian Bay, the Westin Trillium House, Blue Mountain looks up to incredible views at the base of Blue Mountain Resort, the largest ski resort in Ontario.

When you’re not swooshing down the slopes, kick back in the Westin Trillium House’s heated all-season outdoor pool. The gorgeous outdoor hot tub, complete with a gentle stone waterfall and picturesque views of the idyllic location, is where you’ll want to linger and heat up for a while.

Pool: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio, Texas

If you’re looking for pools, you’ve come to the right place.

Nestled amid 600 acres of oak-covered hills in the famed Hill Country region, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa’s luxurious oasis starts off with The River Bluff Water Experience. This nine-acre water park has it all, a 650-foot action river ride, two 275-foot-long Acequia Tube Slides, and body slides reaching speeds up to 20 miles-per-hour, as well as the relaxing, winding 1,110-foot-long lazy river. 

To unwind in a more quiet oasis, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa houses a serene Adult Pool with infinity edge and waterfall, and a playful Sand Beach Pool where you can build sandcastles or relax in a cabana with service from the resort’s Rivertop Grill. Who needs the beach, anyway?

Beach: The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, Miami Beach, Florida

South Beach may get all the attention, but if you’re looking for some peace and quiet in Miami, point your GPS toward the more laid-back northern stretch of Miami Beach. Here you will find the luxurious  St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, nestled along the Atlantic Ocean’s gorgeous one-mile Bal Harbour Beach with stunning panoramic views.

With pristine white sand, clear turquoise waters and a tranquil vibe, far removed from any perpetual background noise.  It’s the perfect spot to wander down the ocean jetty, take a beachside stroll, swim in the soft waves,  or simply admire the view from your posh oceanfront villa.

Beach: JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Marco Island, Florida

With soft white sand extending out into the horizon as far as the eye can see, this is Florida as it was meant to be.

Simply walk out from your room at the majestic JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, let your feet touch the sand and find your perfect balance.

Rent a beach cabana, glide over the turquoise waters with some parasailing, or watch the sun set directly over the beach between bites of delicious local seafood from the resort’s beachside restaurant, Quinn’s on the Beach.

Enjoy live music and fresh cocktails with a view, and wind down with a quiet, moonlit beachside walk.

Beach: Delta Hotels Prince Edward, Prince Edward Island, Canada

As the only waterfront hotel in the charming Prince Edward Island capital, Charlottetown, Delta Hotels Prince Edward could not be in a better location. Not only is it perched in the heart of the historical and creative capital city with stunning harbor views, it is also close to several of the island’s famous beaches.

Your closest option is Brackley Beach, located about a 15-minute drive north, within the scenic shores of Prince Edward Island National Park. Majestic dunes and miles of rugged, sandy beaches make visitors feel like they’re at the edge of the world.  A walk down the beach and an exploration of the rural farming community of Brackley Beach is a must for any visitor.

There are too many additional beach options to count, but some favorites include the lesser-known Blooming Point Beach and popular Cavendish Beach.

BOTH: Sheraton Kauai Resort, Kauai, Hawaii

Sometimes you can’t decide between the beach and the pool. And that’s okay. For those times, there’s the Sheraton Kauai Resort.

Sitting atop the heart of the iconic Poipu Beach on Kauai’s sunny southern shore, this breathtaking resort offers the best of both worlds. There are endless opportunities for recreation on the golden sands of Poipu Beach including snorkeling, surfing, and sunbathing cooled by peaceful sea breezes.

But if you’d rather enjoy the beach views from the comfort of the pool, you’re in luck, as the resort’s gorgeous oceanfront swimming pool provides all the views you need from luxurious thatched huts. 

Don’t you wish all of life’s decisions were this hard?