I will miss all the hotel swimming pools.
We have been in 7 hotels (including the dodgy unplanned one at the border in Padang Besar) and have enjoyed all the pools. Ranking them bottom up.
No 6: Vie Hotel Bangkok had an infinity pool but it was pretty boring after the initial wow factor. It is a token pool for the business travellers.
No 5: The pool at Festive Hotel in Sentosa Singapore was lovely and only disappointed because we saw the gorgeous pool area at Hard Rock Hotel next door. Hard Rock Hotel had one of the most impressive pool area we have seen – multiple types to pools, play areas and even a sandy beach area. Ahhh … the grass always greener on the other side …
No 4: Peninsular Singapore had an interesting pool with a glass side facing the reception area in the hotel. Not sure I like strangers see how I swim, which typically is not very graceful. We swam there at night and it was absolutely beautiful in the lights and the water was very warm at the end of the day.
No 3: I loved the visually stunning series of pools, bridges and fountains at Centara Khun Phaya in Chiangmai. It was so charming and restful. The green and blue tiles set in the pools just brightened up the whole area and the colour of the water.
No 2: David’s favourite pool is at Bayview Hotel in Penang. He loved the children’s pool where we played water volley ball and there was a slides and water play area. That was also our first hotel on our journey and so we were absolutely delighted with the novelty.
No 1: For the rest of us, we liked the pool at Novotel Singapore. Not because of its looks (it is a boring rectangle pool) but because its depth goes from 1m to 3.5m. It is very unusual for hotel pools to be that deep. This meant we could play more challenging games here – swimming down to touch the bottom of the pool or bouncing down to touch the bottom. John and Alex are good with the hand stands in water. I beat them on holding my breath under water. All other activities, I concede to them…. I am not that competitive and do not have to win all the time.
The fun was in joining in and doing all these things together as a family.
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