The best getaways with pools to experience this summer

The scorching heat asks for refreshing solutions, and that is why Global Press has compiled a varied selection of unique havens, with lovely pools, located throughout Portugal, including the islands, where you can spend some relaxing and quality time with your family and friends.

1. ‘Double beach’ paradise

A family summer vacation at the unique Domes Lake Algarve – Autograph Collection in Vilamoura, which has direct access to Falésia Beach, is a must for this summer. Offering three swimming pools, five restaurants, and individualised service, the hotel offers a distinctive experience in the Algarve region. For the younger tourists, the renowned natural sand pool is a big plus. Moreover, the resort also features two more swimming pools which strongly invite you to unwind.

Domes Lake Algarve - Autograph Collection also offer a kids Club with some unique activities that introduce the youngest to the idea of sustainability. In an engaging and instructive activity that blends enjoyment with instruction and seeks to promote an environmentally sensitive mindset, kids are encouraged to plant their own flowers, veggies, and herbs by the KiEPOS Club.

Due to Domes Lake Algarve - Autograph Collection's emblematic location, in the heart of central Algarve, it is also possible to engage in water and land activities like kayaking, boat trips, mini-golf, horseback riding, ecological bike rides, among many other, which are suitable to all members of the family.

2. A balance of land and sea

With the Atlantic Coast and the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park serving as the backdrop, The Oitavos, situated in Quinta Marinha, Cascais, is the ideal blend of seaside and rural living. The Oitavos Spa offers its clients a tranquil and distinctive setting by fusing natural light with a peaceful atmosphere. The Oitavos recommends the Pool Day & Spa so that you can take care of your health and well-being while relaxing.

The Pool Day & Spa is perfect for anyone who wants to pamper their body and mind while taking in the peace and quiet of the Spa. It offers a soothing 50-minute full-body massage as well as access to the heated outdoor seawater pool with views of the ocean. Access to a sauna, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi, and indoor jet pool with warm seawater are also included in this programme. The Pool Day & Spa also offers a ‘Healthy Meal’ to complement the day, which consists of a salad, tuna tataki and avocado with ponzu vinaigrette served with a cold hibiscus tea.

3. A sustainable beach line development

Between Praia Verde and Altura, lays Verdelago, the only sustainable luxury development on the first beach line. This five-star resort is surrounded by a vast pine forest that stretches all the way to the beach. It features an exclusive club with an infinity pool and personalised service that allows you to chill out while sipping on a light meal or a beverage.

A two-kilometre stretch of wood walks and expansive green spaces encircle the region, leading visitors to observation towers that provide a 360-degree view of the surroundings or the beach. The development also features a complex with multi-sport fields, a BMX/MTB pump track, cyclists’ and pedestrian paths that span about seven-kilometre and a family babysitting service.

Clube do Verdelago has two indoor and outdoor bars with speciality cocktails, an open market, and “Salicórnia”, an open-kitchen restaurant created by Italian chef Marco Alban. In addition, Verdelago features a second pool in the resort's centre. In the future, the development aims to include a horse-riding arena, an orchard and a vegetable garden featuring locally grown produce.

4. Into the nature

The best example of a place where we truly feel at home is Cerca Design House, where there is genuine communion with nature, silence, and a close proximity to local populations. Located in Fundão, the house, whose origins date back to the 17th century, has 10 rooms available in the main house and 5 Villas with a double bedroom, kitchenette and living room with sofa bed for two people. Apart from the patios that provide views of the mountains, there’s a huge living room with a fireplace, a garden, an orchard, balconies and a great breakfast to experience.

This is the place to forget about time, switch off our phones, and let go of stress. Hiking, cycling, walking, and photography are all things you must try if you want a memorable experience. If the weather permits, hike Serra da Estrela to observe the snow. The plants in the surrounding mountains - sargassum, thistle, rosemary, and orvalhinha - have inspired the names of the rooms, which feature singular decorations.

At Cerca Design House, there is also a tiny snail library, with books in various languages arranged on twisted shelves, cosy couches, a functional fireplace and a Jacuzzi. The villas provide a small, fully functional kitchen as well as a comfortable sitting area. Moreover, Cerca Design House also offers a bed, bowls for food and water, and even a toy for your four-legged buddy.

5. Facing the ocean

The heated water pool of Barceló Funchal Oldtown is situated at the summit of this structure, offering a broad perspective of the Atlantic. The 111-room, five-star Barceló Funchal Oldtown hotel offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Funchal Cathedral together with traditional and elegant design elements. The Barceló Funchal Oldtown Hotel, the outcome of a massive restoration project, which consists of six buildings from the 17th century, have kept their original exteriors and original interior slabs in a way of preserving Madeira’s heritage.

One of the hotel's crown jewels is the B-Heaven rooftop bar, which is situated adjacent to the pool on the roof with a solarium and a breathtaking view of the sea. It's the ideal spot to spend a summer afternoon swimming in the pool and sipping a drink. Situated on one of the city's main streets, with a multitude of parks, boutiques, charming cafes and gastronomic spaces where you can enjoy wonderful Madeiran cuisine, you certainly need to give this hotel a try.