7 Best Hotel Cabana Scenes

On LA’s famed Sunset Boulevard, the ritzy Beverly Hills Hotel—or “Pink Palace,” as it is more commonly known— has been the unofficial playground for Tinseltown’s starlets and deal-makers since opening its doors in 1912. Rent a swanky poolside cabana and hear about Hollywood’s latest nude-photo scandal or blockbuster flop. You’ll be offered everything from refreshing Evian facial spritzes to frozen peanut butter treats and sunglass-cleaning service by the pool staff. If you spot the paparazzi trying to get a peek, close your privacy curtains and turn on your favorite flick (cabanas come with 46” LCD TVs and Blue-ray DVD players). After an afternoon spent on SoCal time, you’ll be ready for your close-up.

When it first opened in 1977, the Macakizi Hotel was a hub for Turkey’s freethinking intellectuals and creative-types. Fast-forward nearly 40 years and you’d be hard pressed to find any signs of its previous incarnation. Down by the seaside cabanas, bikini-clad supermodels (Kate Moss here, Bar Refaeli there) lounge on stylish chaises while attentive pool boys scribble their drink orders and take song requests (top local and celebrity DJs spin here, of course.) Between the scores of beautiful people and Bodrum’s lush surroundings—think fragrant olive groves, flowering bougainvillea and the dazzling Aegean Sea—you won’t know where to look first.

Exclusivity is everything at the Kivotos Luxury Boutique Hotel. Set against a rugged Mykonos coastline is the hotel’s luxurious private beach, accessible only to guests and touted as one of Greece’s best. Posh cabanas line the pristine shores—in them, Greece’s glitterati and hotel regulars sip cocktails. Order your favorite and indulge in a Swedish massage, or channel Bey and Jay and take a spin on the hotel’s private yacht, which pulls right up to cabana’s edge. You won’t even have to get your toes wet.

In Sin City, anyone can splurge, but not everyone can do it in style. The fastest way to achieve high-roller status? Cash in your chips, shed some layers (scanty swimwear is practically compulsory), and rent a cabana at Wynn or Encore. Featuring plasma TVs, plush loungers, and mini-fridges, the luxurious candy-colored cabanas attract leggy Euro models and A-listers like moths to a flame. On weekends, famed DJs like Aviici and David Guetta bump pool parties to the next level; kick back, crack open a cold one, and enjoy the show from the best seats in the house.

The only thing harder than getting on a guest list at one of South Beach’s hottest clubs? Landing a lavish poolside cabana or bungalow at the Thompson Miami Beach, the most buzzed about newcomer to the Miami Beach scene. The two pools exude a Caribbean meets retro-vibe, with six cabanas done up in sea foam green, canary yellow and nautical color schemes. Splurge on one of three private poolside bungalows and be treated to an exotic fruit tray, a flat-screen TV and gaming system and a chilled bottle of champagne. Prep for that night’s party with a poolside mani-pedi, courtesy of the hotel’s luxurious spa.

At Sri Panwa resort's infinity pool, perched nearly 200 feet about sea level, you won’t come across swanky pool cabanas with cutting-edge gizmos and spa-grade massage services. What you will find is comfy oversized pillows, generous smiles and miles and miles of dramatic rainforest and ocean views. Watch yachts carve through the ocean’s glassy surface while exotic birds and other rainforest-dwellers create an atmospheric nature playlist. When happy-hour rolls around, find your crowd and prepare to experience the most beautiful sunset you’ve ever seen.

The 7,000 square-foot pool at Gansevoort Turks and Caicos marries the brand’s clean modern design with the island’s cool, laid-back vibe. Secure one of four “private island pods” (read: cabanas) before they’re all booked, which invariably happens by sun up. The scene is well worth the splurge; celebrity-sightings are routine, with notable guests including Molly Sims, John Legend and Kelly Rowland. Even if you’re not a former Destiny’s Child, the wait staff will ensure you’re treated like a star.