8 Posh Pool Scenes in Miami

Celebs, A-listers, and Miami’s pretty people all flock to Fontainebleau for its sizzling scene. The massive pool area is the hotspot for BleauLive, a popular poolside concert series, headlining stars like Justin Bieber. VIPs mingle in cabanas while DJ beats pump in the background and glam bikini-clad hostesses serve cocktails right to the water’s edge. There’s also the alfresco La Côte restaurant that whips up Mediterranean classics on its patio and terrace overlooking the sea and swimming area.

There’s much to be impressed by at the new 1 Hotel South Beach. But its biggest draw is the four splash grounds, one of which is the city’s largest rooftop pool. Take in jaw-dropping ocean views from the chic cabanas (that even have built-in champagne buckets for day drinking). Or, head down to the buzzy central pool deck, which spans 30,000 square feet and has a massive South Pool as well as the intimate Cabana Pool, all of which are ringed by cushioned lounges and lavender daybeds that seem to float above the water.

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If you want a high-octane crowd, SLS is where to find it. At Hyde Beach (the swank pool area), you can join a Vegas-caliber party at the hotel’s indoor/outdoor bar and 8,000-square-foot pool, designed by Philippe Starck to look like a bathtub (complete with a 10-foot, 700-pound silver rubber duck statue). And when you want a break from the sun, tuck into tapas on the poolfront terrace of The Bazaar, an award-winning restaurant helmed by José Andrés.

The EDITION is a playground for Miami’s pretty people. With a nightclub, bowling alley, celeb-chef restaurant, and ice rink it has plenty to entice. But on sunny afternoons (er, every day in Miami), locals flood the two sexy pools, set on three-and-a-half perfectly manicured beachfront acres. The lawn area, called Tropicale, evokes a retro Cuban vibe and features a Jean-Georges Vongerichten dining spot, a historic 1950s swimming pool, hanging gardens, a private lap pool and cabanas tucked between swaying palms.

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The Mondrian brings a touch of whimsy to SoBe. Dutch designer Marcel Wanders dreamed up the pool’s Alice in Wonderland-feel, with towering hedges that curve into cabanas, ethereal sheer drapes covering loungers and a labyrinthine garden. Come on Sundays for a wild poolside DJ dance party in the daytime, then stay late to catch the sunset over Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami (the hotel’s westerly location means it’s one of the city’s most picturesque spots).

Want to soak in some healing waters? This adults-only escape puts a sexy spin on the traditional spa experience. Snag a day pass and indulge in a sensual Turkish Hammam Rub and Scrub before hitting the co-ed steam room and the hydrotherapy playground (with a Roman waterfall hot tub, a mud lounge, and a sound shower). For simpler pleasures, try tanning en nude by the topless infinity pool, which blasts underwater beats so you can dance while you dip.

At The Setai, you can dive into not one but three pools. The spa-like set is each a different temperature and vibe: keep cool in the lap pool, sip cocktails in the adults-only pool, or play with the kiddos in the family-friendly pool. If you’d prefer to catch some sun, snag a lounge chair, where you can order up a fruity drink with the touch of a button through the hotel's app.

The newly rebranded W Miami may have changed from its past life as the Viceroy, but one thing that remains the same is its red hot pool scene. Head up to the 50th floor, where there's a private pool (called the WET Deck) and connecting bar, Whisper Cocktail Lounge. Both feature some out-of-this-world Miami skyline views.

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