Caribbean Resorts with the Best Pools

Lagoon-Style Pools

Zöetry Agua Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The lagoon-style pool at this luxe Punta Cana resort with 51 luxury thatched-roof suites flows through lushly landscaped grounds offering plenty of private nooks. Rum tastings, cigar-rolling classes, yoga and four restaurants, such as the newly renovated Dominican-inspired Amaya, round out the experience (room rates start at $528 per person, per night and are all-inclusive; zoetryresorts.com).

Photo courtesy of Zöetry Wellness & Spa Resorts

Grande Bahia Principe, Jamaica
This all-inclusive Victoria-style beach-front resort at Runaway Bay on Jamaica's northern coast tempts guests with three free-form pools amid tropical foliage, all linked together and encircling the resort, creating a meandering mega-pool. Late-night fun includes a sports bar, karaoke and a reggae club (room rates start at $240 per person, per night and are all-inclusive; bahia-principe.com).

Majestic Elegance Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The enormous 985-foot freshwater serpentine pool, dotted with palm tree-sprouting, man-made islands, runs the length of this 600-room all-inclusive property set on the Dominican Republic's east coast PLaya Bavaro. Of course, the property is lined with plenty of thatched-roof barefoot bars and hot tubs along the way, as well as a soothing spa and seven restaurants (room rates start at $257 per person, per night and are all-inclusive; majestic-resorts.com)

Sandy Lane, Barbados
Attentive staff members dispense sorbet and chilled towels while you're lounging by the free form pool with a grotto waterfall at this Platinum Coast resort — one of the Caribbean's most elegant (your airport pickup is a Rolls-Royce). Afterward, enjoy afternoon tea and a round of golf before dining at the beach-front L'Acajou (room rates start at $1,100 a night; sandylane.com)

Swim-Up Bars

Sandals Whitehouse, Jamaica When you belly up to the bar for Red Stripe beer at this European-style all-inclusive property on Jamaica's southwest coast, you don't even have to leave the pool. Just take a seat on one of the underwater stools, and order from the friendly bartenders. Beyond the pool, you'll find glam butler suites, snorkeling, bonfires on the beach and a piano bar. Travel fun fact: The Sandals resort group was the first in the Caribbean to have a swim-up bar (room rates start at $441 per person, per night and are all inclusive; sandals.com).

Regent Palms, Turks & Caicos
Spend the day on Grace Bay Beach and when you're ready for lunch, head to the plunge pool at this stylish 72-suite property, where you can sample conch fritters with a spicy dipping sauce and sip piña coladas while sitting, partially submerged, at an underwater curved banquette complete with an in-water table (room rates start at $625 a night; regenthotels.com). 

Hyatt Regency, Aruba
The three-tiered pool complex complete with waterfalls, a two-story slide and water volleyball area will definitely keep you occupied, but the best part is the terracotta tile-roofed swim-up bar area of the Balashi Bar & Grill, where you can order mai tais and mojitos, along with munchies (room rates start at $335 a night; hyatt.com). 

Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Aruba

Couples Swept Away, Jamaica
There are three pools at this all-inclusive resort in Negril but it's hard to beat the one with the swim-up bar housed under a thatched roof and steps from a large hot tub. There's plenty to do on the 19-acre complex with every sport and activity imaginable, but simply kicking back poolside is perfectly acceptable, too (room rates start at $367 per person, per night and are all inclusive; couples.com).

Special Mention Atlantis, Bahamas
We'd be remiss if we didn't mention Atlantis, the Caribbean's most comprehensive pool complex. There aren't enough words to describe all the water-related activites offered at this sprawling Bahamian resort but here's an attempt: thirteen pools including the free-form Baths pool, the Vegas-style Cain at the Cove and a water park with 18 water slides, lazy and rapid rivers — and opportunities to swim with dolphins and snorkel alongside stingrays (room rates start at $250 a night; atlantis.com).