Hotels that make a splash
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This week, like much of Europe still sweltering in heatwaves, we’re dreaming of swimming pools. Across Independent Travel, we’ve covered some of the most stunning places to take a dip across the globe, from the Dolomites in Italy to spa hotels in New York. My personal favourite is the pool at Nihi Sumba in Indonesia that sits just above the beach, meaning you can cool off while watching the hotel’s horses gallop along the shore. Below our assistant editor Hayley has shared more top pools from her travels.
But this summer, as the temperatures soar on our own shores, our team has also been looking closer to home for places to cool off. We’ve been keeping our roundup of the best swimming spots in London updated – including lidos, ponds and hotel rooftops – along with a list of gorgeous hotel pools across the UK. And if you’d rather swim in the ocean, we’ve also gathered together top coastal stays for summer days and beyond.
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It’s not a pool, but I think my local London swimming spot of West Reservoir in Green Lanes deserves a shout out. Not only is it a great place to swim, but there’s a lovely (and very affordable) cafe where you can grab a cup of tea after a refreshing dip in the 23-acre lake, and then take a stroll around the neighbouring Woodberry Wetlands, home to an array of local wildlife.
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As we brace ourselves for another heatwave this coming week, I’m thinking cooling thoughts. Physically I’ll be in my sweltering East London flat or desperately seeking shade in the vicinity, but mentally I’ll be submerged in cool water somewhere much more picturesque.
Recently, I paid a visit to the clifftop Eliamos hotel on the island of Kefalonia. Its spacious honey-hued villas and great restaurant Olais make it one of the best Greek hotel openings of the past few years. Though its trump card for me was definitely the oasis-like pool area. With plenty of loungers and sink-in bean bags shaded by a pergola, it’s ideal for relaxing, and the 89 metre-squared infinity pool looks down to olive groves and the mesmerisingly turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea.
Elsewhere in Greece, pools don’t get much better than the one at The Dolli in the heart of Athens, in Plaka. Its rooftop lives rent free in my mind – with a stylish Riviera-look cafe-bar area and infinity pool offering uninterrupted views of the ancient citadel, the Acropolis. And the design-led hotel is also a gem, home to an incredible art collection that includes work by Matisse.
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Rooftop pool at The Dolli in Athens
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Further afield, I’d love to return to the shady, lush jungle of the COMO Shambhala Estate wellness hotel near Ubud in Bali. Its Kedera Water Garden is a relaxation area cut into the hill, home to a natural pool where you can float, watch for long-tailed macaques in the trees above, and listen to the soothing Ayung River rushing past below.
The UK also has plenty of incredible hotels with pools to book into. Our expert Ianthe Butte has run down the very best in her round-up; from the urban gem with views over Battersea Power Station, to the Northern Irish spa hotel with no less than three pools set in 132 acres of Ballymena parkland.
For a self-catering stay, I can’t recommend the idyllic farm stay, Restaries on the Suffolk-Norfolk border, enough. It’s stylish cottages and barns sit in the historic grounds of Paradise Farm and the all-important pool is flanked by custom-made stripy double sun beds. Bliss.
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Jet off to Barcelona for less with these two-night city breaks from lastminute.com. Discover Spain's most-visited city, where striking modernist architecture meets medieval streets, ancient Roman ruins, golden beaches and a world-famous food scene. Includes return flights from London on selected September 2026 dates. Learn more.
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Enjoy a murder mystery break for two at a choice of 17 UK locations, including a three-course dinner, live entertainment and breakfast.
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The best thing about a British summer is that it's the perfect excuse to plan plenty of UK getaways. Next weekend, I'll be heading to Wells in Somerset, where I'm planning to hike the nearby Cheddar Gorge before indulging in plenty of local Cheddar cheese – and perhaps the odd glass of Somerset cider too.
For the trip, I'll be packing my trusty Quechua hiking boots, which have never let me down on the trails. Even better, they're currently reduced to just £50.
One of my favourite bags for UK breaks is Antler's weekend essentials bag. It's stylish, sturdy and surprisingly spacious, making it ideal for a few days away. Better still, it's currently got 30% off.
I'm also a big fan of compact wheeled suitcases, which are just as handy for budget airline trips as they are for staycations. This £40 M&S suitcase ticks all the boxes and saves your shoulders from carrying a heavy bag. If you'd rather travel with a backpack, we've also rounded up and tested the best travel backpacks over thousands of miles to help you find the right one.
One essential I never travel without, whether I'm heading abroad or staying in the UK, is an eye mask. You can never be sure whether your hotel or holiday cottage will have blackout curtains, and as a light sleeper, even a little early morning sunshine can wake me up. I'm a big fan of this three-piece silk sleep set, which includes a pillowcase, eye mask and travel pouch, adding a little touch of luxury wherever you're staying.
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