Best Gulf Coast Swimming Pools

Sparkling swimming pools and additional water features are two of many amenities beach-goers consider when choosing vacation destinations. Some of today’s resorts are chock full of aquatic perks once only found in water parks. Cascading waterfalls, meandering lazy rivers, refreshing mushroom fountains, sparkling splash pads, and balmy hot tubs are a few amenities beckoning beach-goers year after year to these Gulf Coast resorts and condominiums.

Following are some of BeachGuide's hottest properties with top-notch swimming pools and poolside amenities.

Waterscape Resort — Fort Walton Beach’s Okaloosa Island, Florida

The centerpiece at Waterscape Resort is a 10,000-square-foot multi-tier courtyard with three resort-style swimming pools, a lazy river, a cascading waterfall, and two spacious hot tubs. One pool is zero-entry, and another is designed for kids. A children’s splash-pad play area, several pool decks, a smattering of gas grills, seasonal snack and drink bar, plus a pavilion for gatherings round out some of the awesome offerings.

Hotel Effie, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort — Destin, Florida

Rooftop pool at Hotel Effie, part of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

Touting the only rooftop swimming pool on Florida’s Emerald Coast places Hotel Effie’s water features head and shoulders above the rest — literally! Pool-goers enjoy sweeping panoramic views, private poolside cabanas, life-size-chess boards, and cornhole games. The poolside lounge serves up fine wines, artisanal cocktails, and a wide array of chef-prepared yummies.

Holiday Inn Resort — Pensacola, Florida

Holiday Inn Pensacola Beach resort’s crystal-blue beachside swimming pool flows into a lazy river weaving through towering palms, cheerful loungers and umbrellas, a tiki-hut bar, and two fire pits, before flowing back into the expansive pool. A raised boardwalk leads directly from the pool deck to the pristine-white beach and shimmering-emerald Gulf.

Turquoise Place — Orange Beach, Alabama

Turquoise Place Orange Beach features outdoor pools, lazy river, kiddie pool and indoor pools

Turquoise Place resort’s towering three-story water wall is taller than some houses, its 450-foot meandering lazy river is longer than a football field, and its zero-entry outdoor swimming pool provides even young kids an easy-in-and-out zone for splashing and playing. Add in several more outdoor and indoor pools — with underwater stereos for immersing in music — and two oversized balmy hot tubs, and you’ve got the ingredients for top-notch fun!

Lazy river at Turquoise Place

Caribe Resort — Orange Beach, Alabama

Water slide at Caribe

Tiered-outdoor and heated-indoor swimming pools, a rambling lazy river, splashdown waterslides, rising-and-falling splash pads, and multiple bubbling hot tubs add up to more than an acre’s worth — the most square footage among Gulf Coast resorts — of splash-worthy fun. Keep the energy going all day with convenient meals and refreshments from the poolside deli. Other amenities at Caribe Resort include onsite marina with watersport rentals, fine dining at Cobalt, tennis, basketball and more.

Phoenix on the Bay — Orange Beach, Alabama

A sparkling lazy river winding through expansive outdoor swimming pools forms the centerpiece of this splash-adventure-like resort. Guests enjoy zipping again and again down the corkscrew water slide to a splashy pool landing. And kiddos delight in the children’s pool equipped with fountain features. Indoors, a shimmering-blue pool and bubbly hot tub provide options for sheltered exercise and relaxation.

Published on Monday, February 14, 2022