10 Best Hotel Swimming Pools

If your children are anything like mine, there is nothing better than the hotel swimming pool, no matter the destination. I swear my duo exclaimed they loved the hotel pool more than they loved the theme parks we took them to one year. These days, hotel swimming pools are becoming the main vacation destination, complete with wave pools, lazy rivers, water slides and splash buckets. Here are 10 of our favorite hotel swimming pools across the country.

Written by Lissa Poirot
1.

Nickelodeon Family Suites

Your kids already get laughs from the family-friendly TV shows on Nickelodeon, so you know they'll get a few more when staying at the Nickelodeon Suites Resort. Decorated in a myriad of colors with characters providing entertainment throughout the day, it's the water park that will win your kids over. The zero-entry Lagoon pool features seven waterslides and flumes and a splash playground with water jets, climbing nets and--what else--slime dump from the 400-gallon dump tank. Not enough? Head over to the more intimate Oasis Pool for more waterslides and flumes and a preschooler-friendly splash zone.

Read our review of the Nickelodeon Family Suites.
2.

Six Flags Great Escape Lodge

You've guessed right: This hotel is part of Six Flags Great Escape and offers the thrills and fun of a Six Flags theme park, but all within the grounds of the resort. Cross the street to enjoy the land-based coasters and rides at Six Flags before returning to the lodge and enjoying its water park. The 38,000-square-foot indoor White Water Bay water park includes the Avalanche family raft ride, a kiddie pool, Tak-it-Eesi-Creek lazy river, Lott-A-Watta-Bay and the Tall Timbers Treehouse play structure with water slides. For an additional fee, kids can surf (or learn how to!) at Boogie Bear Surf.

Read our review of the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge.
3.

Atlantis Resort

The sprawling resort complex features 11 pools, including the Grotto Pool with its cascading waterfalls, the zero-entry River Pool that connects to a lazy river and kiddie pools like Splashers Water Playground, a Mayan-themed water play area with slides, rope and net bridges and plenty of ways to get wet. But that's not all! Atlantis' pools are just one component of Aquaventure, its 141-acre water park that is free to all guests. From slow-moving or fast-churning river rides to waterslides of all heights, it's easy to forget there is a beautiful blue ocean just steps away.

Read our review of the Atlantis Resort.
4.

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel

With a name like Disney, you know you're going to be in for a treat at one of its hotels, and the Grand Californian near Disneyland doesn't disappoint. The Redwood Pool, centered around a Redwood Tree-themed and shaped waterslide is almost good enough to make the kids say "Mickey, who?" It's also just one stop in the resort's water complex, which also features the Fountain Pool and its artisan turtle fountain, and the Mariposa Pool and its private cabanas and hot tub.

Read our review of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel.
5.

Grand Wailea Resort

Sure, you could enjoy the massive surf along Wailea Beach, but why would you need to with the Wailea Canyon Activity Pool? The 25,700-square-foot, 2,000-foot-long pool complex is made up of nine pools connected by a river that varies from lazy to rapids. Four jungle pools, a Tarzan rope swing pool, six waterfalls, an infant pool, five waterslides, three hot tubs and the world's only water elevator round out the fun.

Read our review of the Grand Wailea Resort.
6.

Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells

In the self-proclaimed "Water Park Capital of the World," the Wisconsin Dells' multiple water parks are enough to turn your kids into prunes. Still, the Great Wolf Lodge, located in the heart of the Dells, provides a place to rest weary wet heads after a day splashing indoors or out in its water parks. Fort Mackenzie is a four-story, super-soaker, treehouse-themed indoor water park with rope bridges, soaker buckets and water slides. In Coyote Canyon, ride the enclosed 436-foot water slide before landing in its splash pool, or hit Crooked Creek for a lazy river ride. During the summer months, families can play at the outdoor Thunder Bay water park.

Read our review of the Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells.
7.

The Waverton Hotel

Formerly the Holiday Inn Chicago-Elmhurst, The Waverton Hotel features an indoor water park. The 24,000-square-foot Mayan Adventure Indoor Waterpark features tube and body slides, a lazy river, splash park, activity pool with games like water basketball, and of course, a regular pool in which to splash and play. There's even a Mayan-themed restaurant on hand -- you might never make it to the nearby attractions of Chicago if you stay here!

Read our review of the The Waverton Hotel.
8.

Hot Springs Lodge & Pool

While not filled with endless waterslides and splash zones, the allure of the Hot Springs Lodge's pool is in its name: Hot Springs. This pool, so large it expands two city blocks, is indeed a hot springs mineral pool, averaging temperatures of 104 degrees, even in the dead of winter. Not just therapeutic, but fun, the gigantic pool includes a kiddie section, a diving pool, and yes, even a couple water slides. The pool even welcomes rafts, floats, masks and snorkels, reminding guests that "feeling this relaxed is fun!"

Read our review of the Hot Springs Lodge & Pool.
9.

Hyatt Regency Hill Country

What's better on a hot day, deep in the heart of Texas, than a chance to cool off in an old-fashioned swimming hole in your hotel's backyard? The Hyatt's four-acre "water playground" features a 950-foot Ramblin' River for lazy floats. Cascading waterfalls, an activity pool with sports like water volleyball, a kiddie pool, a sandy beach and two lagoon-style pools nestled around shady trees were enough for my kids to rank this spot better than the SeaWorld across the street!

Read our review of the Hyatt Regency Hill Country.
10.

Kalahari Resort Sandusky

The resort with plenty of room options for families of all sizes is also the home of America's largest indoor water park -- 173,000 square feet in size, to be exact. A transparent roof overhead will make you forget you're indoors (unless, of course, it's snowing) while the kids ride the waves in the 12,000-square-foot wave pool. A lazy river, pools, water slides, uphill water rollercoaster and raft rides, including a swirling bowl raft ride, complete the park. Need more? In the summer, enjoy the outdoor water park with activity pools and hot tubs.

Read our review of the Kalahari Resort Sandusky.

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1 of 12

10 Best Hotel Swimming Pools
  1. Nickelodeon Family Suites
  2. Six Flags Great Escape Lodge
  3. Atlantis Resort
  4. Disney's Grand Californian Hotel
  5. Grand Wailea Resort
  6. Great Wolf Lodge Wisconsin Dells
  7. The Waverton Hotel
  8. Hot Springs Lodge & Pool
  9. Hyatt Regency Hill Country
  10. Kalahari Resort Sandusky
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Won a prize
barbiedc - Apr 1st, 2013

My family enjoyed staying at the Nickelodeon family suites the pools were great the staff there was fun and entertaining, the food was a little expensive not many choices. We had a rental car for the time we were there. The grounds were pretty ... more +
DON'T DO IT
jeannettej1009 - Aug 20th, 2012

BUYER BEWARE!!!!!! This place is awful and not worth a penny of what you pay. They will charge you a resort fee upon check in totaling $31.50 per night that includes pool use, parking, buses and internet. Yes, that is correct-.you have to pay to use ... more +
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Atlantis Fun
becker - Mar 3rd, 2013

We just returned home after a amazing time at Atlantis. Our spending goal for 4 days was $1,000.00 and we managed to stick to it for 2 adults and a 6yr old. We took into consideration all the reviews. The things we used the most. Sun Block ... more +
A great adventure
eberger - Jan 4th, 2013

We really did enjoy being at Atlantis on our family vacation. We haven't done resort travel in a long time and forgot how much fun it can be - we also forgot how tiresome it can be. The waterparks are great! The kids took off for much of the day ... more +
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fun for EVERYONE
BonnieMae - Jun 29th, 2011

We just love Disneyland, every last one of us. We range in age from 1 to 59 and there is not a single person who doesn't LOVE this place. If you have the opportunity or chance, try to stay at one of the hotels on the property. We've tried all of ... more +
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lurcherm - Apr 22nd, 2011

We've traveled to Disneyland several times and have stayed at both the Disney resorts and local hotels. Last year we decided to splurge and stay at the Grand Californian Hotel. Location, location, location - we literally had to only take 20 ... more +
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Truly the GRAND part of Wailea!
jaymike310 - Jun 28th, 2012

This hotel was amazing!!! There were so many water slides and pools, and the beach was so clean and perfect that we debated that it was artificially created! The grounds of the resort were immaculate, and the chapel area where our room was located ... more +
Amazing family vacation spot for kids and adults of all ages!!!!
HEFFNER - Nov 30th, 2011

I have been going to this hotel for 10 years in a row now, from the time I was 12. There has never been a dull moment. They provide plenty of supervised activities for kids 5 and up, and adults can go off on their own to do what they please. ... more +
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Great Winter Getaway!
lrennison - Apr 29th, 2013

My 8yr old and 10 yr old boys LOVED the indoor water park at the Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells. One thing you should know is that you need to request to have your linens changed if you would like them to do it everyday. I know they are ... more +
Great weekend with a huge unexpected disappointment.
fashun - Apr 17th, 2012

We had a family gathering in one of Great Wolf's suites. It was the first of its kind. My wifes mother arranged it with her sisters family as well. Great time for a while. The rooms were nice and everything was provided. We brought 8 Papa ... more +
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My child cried when we left
SirQL8 - Oct 29th, 2012

My 3 year has been on 2 cruises, countless traveling vacations and more weekend trips than most children her age. She has never more thoroughly enjoyed a stay as much as this one. After realizing we weren't returning to 'our room' and were, in ... more +
Family Friendly "Texas Style"
Caliste - May 28th, 2010

We love this place and make it a point to visit each summer. Our whole family goes and we range in age from 73-5 and everyone has a blast. The lazy river winds through the property with the perfect balance of sun and shade. There is even a beach ... more +
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Fabulous Spring Break SPLASH!
kkosch - Apr 30th, 2013

We have been to Kalahari numerous times and they never disappoint. They always add more attractions and seems it gets bigger each time. Although not cheap, the private cabanas you can rent will make for a relaxing water park experience. We stayed 2 ... more +
Fun, but rooms were dirty. Expensive, given different answers, rides broke down
mandamehr@hotmail.com - Jul 2nd, 2012

Every spring break, we take our family to Kalahari Resorts in Ohio. We can't go far, because we own a business. They have placed us in the wrong rooms in the past, but fixed the problem by giving us a free room on our next visit. We found out that ... more +
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