11 gorgeous hotel rooms around the world with private plunge pools - all starting under $500 per night

Book Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket

With a starting price of just $112 per night in low season, the Mövenpick Karon Beach in Phuket offers highly-accessible luxury. And there's no catch; the family-friendly resort is located a short walk from beautiful Karon Beach, as well as an area full of markets and shops, with multiple plunge pool offerings. Choose from a ground-floor family suite that can sleep four in a King bed and two Twin beds, or upgrade to the sultry King Suite, where an inviting plunge pools looks out onto a dense jungle for a truly remote feeling.

If you manage to tear yourself away from the well-appointed room, the resort has four restaurants, a scenic bar, a cafe, spa, and play zone for children ages four to 12. Indulge in a Thai massage on the beach, or hop a quick 10-minute taxi or tuk-tuk to the vibrant town of Patong.

COVID-19 policies can be found here.

Book Las Brisas Acapulco

Las Brisas Acapulco is perhaps best known as the honeymoon destination for John and Jackie Kennedy. Honoring their time in Acapulco, the couple even brought home a mounted sailfish caught by John that was proudly displayed in the White House where it became known as the "Honeymoon Fish." Since then, the hotel has remained a celebrity favorite, known for timeless charm and hillside casitas dotted with private pools and stunning views of Acapulco Bay.

Villas are stand-alone, spread across five different levels, and feature plunge pools on intimate terraces, most boasting views of Acapulco Bay. When guests arrive, they are given a margarita before hopping into a jeep to be driven to their casitas. The jeeps will also take guests to the La Concha Beach Club that features a swim-up bar, a pool, and two saltwater swimming grottos if guests are in the mood to mingle outside of their private accommodations. Or, charter a catamaran for a magnificent sail.

COVID-19 policies can be found here.

Book Hotel Casa Chameleon Mal Pais

The adults-only Hotel Casa Chameleon Mal Pais is nestled in a secluded part of Costa Rica located between the jungle and popular surf destinations Santa Teresa and the Cabo Blanco Nature preserve. There are just 10 large rustic boho villas, each with over 1,000 square feet, a private plunge pool, as well as a glass wall that can be opened to let in the ocean breeze. Rooms come with terraces that include a couch, hammock, and eclectic statues and fountains.

In addition to glowing reviews from past guests, Hotel Casa Chameleon Mal Pais was also awarded the 2019 Reader's choice award for 2019 as one of the top 10 resorts in Latin America by Conde Nast Traveler.

COVID-19 policies can be found here.

Book Taj Bekal Resort & Spa Kerala

The five-star Taj Bekal Resort & Spa Kerala, located on over 26 acres on Kappil Beach in Bekal, India, offers high-end excellence for a fraction of the price it might cost elsewhere. Premium Villas come with plunge pools housed in a large private courtyard, around 405 square feet, and includes a large day bed, fountain, and an outdoor shower.

The beautiful resort, with buildings inspired by Ketuvallam houseboats, exudes an elegance rich with Indonesian influences alongside contemporary art. There are three restaurants and one bar, as well as a spa offering Ayurveda wellness sessions with healing therapies, beauty procedures, and yoga. Breakfast is included in room rates, solidifying the value even further.

COVID-19 policies can be found here.

Book the Ti Kaye Resort & Spa

The adults-only Ti Kaye Resort & Spa in picturesque St. Lucia is an intimate retreat with Ocean View rooms, Ocean View Cottages, and also the top-tier Ocean View Cottage with Pool. For the last category, there are 11 cliffside cottages which boast views of the Caribbean Sea, private pools, and peaceful terraces with rocking chairs and a double hammock — the perfect place to watch a sunset. While prices can soar in high season, the off season starting rate of $273 is refreshing for an island like St. Lucia, where accommodation costs typically double that.

Inspired by nature, rooms feature romantic touches such as wood four-poster beds and expansive outdoor shower areas that are handsomely decorated with plants and sculptures. Guests enjoy a continental breakfast for two each day included in their rate and choose between two restaurants for a la carte lunch and dinner meals.

COVID-19 policies can be found here.

Book Cala de Mar

Wedged between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Madre mountains, Cala de Mar is perched atop a stunning cliff in Ixtapa, Mexico, and each one of the 59 suites includes a private heated plunge pool with panoramic ocean views. 

The five-star resort is tastefully decorated in hues of sandy beiges, deep oranges, and crisp whites alongside sturdy wood furnishings that feel both contemporary and cozy. A nice selection of added amenities add value and luxury, including a personal assistant to guide you through your stay, an award-winning spa and fitness center, four restaurants, and various wellness classes such as yoga overlooking the ocean.

COVID-19 policies can be found here.

Book Royal Isabela

The Royal Isabela, in Isabela, Puerto Rico, features large suites tucked throughout the resort's lush leafy grounds. There are only 20 casitas, each rich in natural wood and romantic touches such as four-poster beds and vaulted ceilings. Each casita is also incredibly spacious, with offer 1,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, including a terrace with a private plunge pool. So much space means a truly romantic couple's escape or a well-appointed family vacation with room for all.

Hit the links at the cliffside golf course, or order farm-to-table dining at the on-site restaurant. There is also a library, swimming pools, grass-court tennis, and two miles of beaches to explore.

COVID-19 policies can be found here.

Book the Viceroy Riviera Maya

Located just three miles from bustling Playa del Carmen, the Viceroy Riviera Maya manages to feel worlds away with a quiet location alongside the turquoise Caribbean Sea, abutting a thick jungle. Villas are luxe and upscale, with a private plunge pool alongside a large deck with a plush sunbed, handmade hammock, and an outdoor shower. In line with the Viceroy's luxury reputation, rooms are outfitted with 500 thread count Egyptian cotton linens and a splash of aromatherapy during turndown service. They even offer soap concierge service, if you're so inclined.

The beachfront location, serene pool, and manicured landscaping surrounded by swaying palms all set an inviting scene and the hotel routinely receives high marks and was named the number one Mexican Resort in Travel and Leisure's World's Best Awards. 

COVID-19 policies can be found here.

Book Banyan Tree Samui

Another option in Thailand, this time on the island of Koh Samui, is the secluded Banyan Tree Samui. Every villa comes with 1,399 sprawling feet of space and a large private infinity pool facing either vibrant nature, or the Gulf of Thailand. 

Each stand-alone unit comes with a large deck, sunken lounge and sunbed area outside, as well as a separate living room, bedroom, and spa bathroom with a jetted tub and rainfall shower. Pricing starts in the low $400s and varies depending on view, with sea views costing a bit more. We think the private pools, which alone total nearly 400 square feet, are stunning and even nicer than the hotel's central pool. If you manage to tear yourself away, there's also a world-class spa, wellness classes, multiple on-site dining venues, and plenty of scheduled activities and shuttles into town, which can be booked by the personal butler that comes with all villa bookings.

COVID-19 policies can be found here.

Read Business Insider's full hotel review of Banyan Tree Samui

Book Mulia Villas

Nestled in Nusa Dua, Bali's bustling tourist area, Mulia Villas offers five-star perks at a far lower price point than most similarly appointed luxury hotels on the island.

Mulia's smallest One-Bedroom Villas still counts a whopping 5,400 square feet, which immediately makes the higher price tag feel a bit more worth it. These rooms come with large pavilions that include a hydrotherapy pool, spacious terrace, day bed, lounge chairs, and a generous helping of privacy.

Other chic amenities include daily breakfast, afternoon high tea, 24-hour butler service, nine restaurants and bars, a fitness center, award-winning spa, tennis court, private beach, and several pools, including an oceanfront infinity pool.

COVID-19 policies can be found here.

Book Andronis Arcadia Hotel

Located in Oia on the Greek island of Santorini, the Andronis is a five-star resort with just 52 rooms and offers exactly what you picture when dreaming of a Greek island getaway. The hotel is only five minutes from the popular main shopping area of Oia, but manages to feel far removed from civilization thanks to suites with private infinity pools on balconies overlooking the glittering sea.  

The hotel features the crisp airy white aesthetic synonymous with Santorini style, and suites come with plush day beds to savor such tranquil views. Breakfast is included with your stay, which helps offset the higher price tag, and while there are two restaurants on property, town is just a short walk away.

COVID-19 policies can be found here.

Discover more of the best hotels in Santorini

Are hotels safe?

There's some risk involved when it comes to hotels since you will encounter other people in common areas and interact with staff. However, experts note that with proper precautions, hotels are safe.

Is international travel safe?

While the CDC has stated that travel in the US is safe for those who are fully vaccinated, that is not the case for international travel. 

Even if you are fully vaccinated, there is still a risk of variants in other countries. Many countries are also still experiencing surging COVID-19 cases. With any international travel plans, always follow CDC and WHO guidelines and read up on current local COVID-19 protocols and potential risks.

Additionally, even if you are fully vaccinated, you will need a negative COVID-19 test to return to the US, so plan accordingly. 

Is it safe to use a hotel pool?

According to Dr. Thomas Russo, chief of the division of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo, the highest risk at hotels is directly between people.

So when it comes to hotel pools, "other bodies is the main concern," he says. That means that hotel rooms with private plunge pools where you don't share the space with anyone else are extremely safe.

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