Few things have the ability to relax us quite so fast as a swimming pool. The water invites ease for mind and body alike, immersing us in a different mental space where time noticeably slows down. Sprinkled across Europe, The Aficionados properties offer an incomparable choice of pools, each of which reflects the unique personality of the hotel and its surroundings.
The architecture of each of the following properties perfectly complements the peerless natural surroundings, with design details that pay homage to their context, whether it be Italy, Greece, Austria, or Switzerland.
Casa Fortunato, Alcácer do Sal, Portugal
Casa Fortunato, a meticulously restored 100-year-old townhouse villa designed by Filipa and António, blends curated style, art, and heritage with post-modernist glamour and retro finds. Luxurious suites feature designer furnishings, while the hidden courtyard garden offers a serene escape with a plunge pool.
Son Brull, Pollença, Spain
Son Brull Rural Sanctuary in Pollença, Mallorca, seamlessly blends modern luxury with 1700s cloistral heritage, featuring stunning interiors by Barcelona-based studio Forteza + Aparicio. Originally a Jesuit monastery and farmstead dating back to the 12th century, the property underwent meticulous restoration to become a sustainable hotel nestled within a 100-acre farming estate of citrus, olive, and almond groves. Lead architect Ignacio Forteza’s modernist touches harmonize with nature, creating an atmosphere of quiet solace perfect for urban sybarites seeking a blend of foodie delights and wellness experiences.
Gloriette Guesthouse, South Tyrol, Italy
An Instagrammable beauty – the location alone captures what true wellness is all about, with gorgeous horizon views across the Dolomite peaks and skyline in all directions. The aerial structure is wrapped in bronzed panels and, above the pool, a canopy of crisscrossing steel rods dance in geometry across the blue waters.
BEAUSiTE, Zermatt, Switzerland
There are plenty of ways to replenish the soul (and weary muscles) in BEAUSiTE’s spa. Swim inside or outside, gazing at the Matterhorn while you do your laps in the steamy infinity pool. Work out in the custom-designed wooden Nohrd gym, lined with House of Hackney wallpaper. Be greeted by “Swymposium” by Swiss artist Daniel Cherbuin as you enjoy the wet zone, made up of bubbly whirlpool, Finnish sauna, Hammam, infrared cabin and Vitarium.
Milla Montis, Maranza, Italy
The outdoor infinity swimming pool is perfectly positioned to relax on specially sculpted loungers to view the mountains (and its generous heating means you can do this with snowflakes falling too) and nearby a trickling stream adds to the ambiance of relaxation – and in the hot summer days, you can dip your toes into the icy water that flows from the Dolomites.
Forsthofgut, Leogang, Austria
A resort of nature, this wellness destination has just one problem – knowing which pool to dip those toes into and which view of the Leogang Mountains is your favorite. Water is an essential holistic element of the experience with a choice of pools, lakeside pods and terraces. Water babes will fall in love with the organic 1,500m2 bathing lake of natural spring water – complete with reed decked loungers or perhaps a refreshing icy shower sourced from the hotel’s own spring, relax in the Onsen pool, or head to the pool that floats above the landscape.
Aenaon Villas, Santorini, Greece
Caldera-watching on the island of Santorini is as natural as the Aegean is blue, and from your style perch here, you can enjoy this wonder without the crowds – this is the true front-row luxury.
Miramonti, Avelengo, South Tyrol, Italy
As if created and engineered by nature itself, the spa of the hotel Miramonti is perched onto the mountainside with a forest as the backdrop canopy, created by Merano architects Heike Pohl and Andreas Zanier. The absolute wow factor is the salt-water pool of mountain infinity – it’s like swimming on top of the Alps. Clever architecture has mimicked nature, wrapping the pool in ancient volcanic slabs and Pfitscher silver quartz adding a magical cave-like grotto effect.
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