I’ve always fantasized about spending long afternoons by a glamorous pool, but the Hamptons price tag and scene just aren’t my vibe. That’s why I was thrilled to discover incredible pools hidden in architectural gems across America that feel just as luxurious, without the attitude.
From grand historic estates to sleek modernist homes, these dreamy swimming spots offer stunning design and rich stories that most travelers never even know exist.
I can’t wait to share these amazing finds with you so you can plan your own unforgettable dip without blowing your budget or braving the Hamptons crowds.
1. Kaufmann Desert House Pool, Palm Springs, California
Architect Richard Neutra created this modernist paradise in 1946 for the same family who owned Fallingwater. The pool acts as a mirror, reflecting the dramatic desert mountains and sliding glass walls that blur indoor-outdoor boundaries.
Fashion photographer Slim Aarons captured the pool’s most famous image, “Poolside Gossip,” showing glamorous women lounging beside turquoise water. The photo became an iconic symbol of Palm Springs’ golden era of mid-century cool.
2. Fallingwater Pool, Mill Run, Pennsylvania
Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece features a natural swimming hole where the Kaufmann family cooled off below their cantilevered home. Wright incorporated a boulder-lined basin in Bear Run stream, creating a natural plunge pool beneath the iconic house.
Unlike conventional pools, this one changes with the seasons. Spring brings rushing waters while summer offers gentle wading depths. The Kaufmanns often entertained guests with streamside cocktails while dangling their feet in the refreshing mountain water.
3. Glass House Pool, New Canaan, Connecticut
Architect Philip Johnson’s personal sanctuary features a circular pool that looks like a floating disk in the Connecticut landscape. Located downhill from his famous transparent home, the pool offers complete privacy despite the property’s fishbowl aesthetic.
Johnson often skinny-dipped here while contemplating his next architectural breakthrough. The minimalist design includes zero landscaping – just a perfect circle of water cut into the grassy terrain, exemplifying Johnson’s belief that simplicity creates the ultimate luxury.
4. Taliesin West Pool, Scottsdale, Arizona
Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home features a triangular pool that perfectly frames desert sunsets. The architect designed it as a living canvas where water reflects the changing sky colors against rugged mountains.
Wright’s students (called apprentices) built this pool by hand in the 1940s. The geometric shape continues Wright’s fascination with triangles, visible throughout the property. At night, underwater lights create a magical glow that illuminates the surrounding cacti and stone structures.
5. Eames House Pool, Pacific Palisades, California
Charles and Ray Eames created this humble yet perfect pool beside their groundbreaking Case Study House #8. Unlike flashier designer pools, this rectangular gem celebrates simplicity with clean lines and a meadow backdrop.
The legendary furniture designers used the pool to test waterproof materials and photograph floating objects. Eucalyptus trees provide natural shade while the Pacific Ocean peeks through distant trees. The Eames often worked poolside, sketching chair designs with wet feet.
6. Filoli Estate Pool, Woodside, California
Mining magnate William Bourn commissioned this English garden-inspired pool in 1917. Surrounded by meticulously trimmed hedges and classical statuary, the rectangular pool transforms into a reflecting pond when not in use.
Bourn named his estate Filoli as an acronym for his personal motto: “Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life.” The pool area serves as an outdoor ballroom during summer parties. Eagle-eyed TV fans might recognize it from the opening credits of the 1980s soap opera “Dynasty.”
7. Sunnylands Estate Pool, Rancho Mirage, California
Walter and Leonore Annenberg’s desert retreat features a pool shaped like the Sunnylands logo – a modernist sunburst that appears pink from above. Presidents from Eisenhower to Obama have taken refreshing dips here between diplomatic meetings.
The pool includes an underwater sound system playing music for submerged swimmers. Pink quartz lines the bottom, creating the signature rosy hue that matches the mountains at sunset. The Annenbergs pioneered the concept of “swimming cocktail parties” with special floating trays for drinks.
8. Elrod House Pool, Palm Springs, California
James Bond himself would approve of this circular pool that seems to float between massive boulders. The 1968 architectural wonder featured in “Diamonds Are Forever” still makes jaws drop faster than a belly flop.
Architect John Lautner designed this space-age marvel to incorporate the natural desert landscape. Half-submerged in the pool are smooth boulders that appear to have been there for millennia, though they were carefully positioned during construction.
The concrete dome overhead provides shade while looking like a UFO decided to land during a particularly hot day in the desert. Swimming here feels like starring in your own spy movie!
9. Casa Grande Pool at La Quinta Resort, La Quinta, California
Hollywood’s desert playground since 1926 features a pool that looks like it was carved from the surrounding mountains. Frank Capra wrote “It’s a Wonderful Life” while staying here, probably getting inspiration between pool dips.
The original pool remains largely unchanged since Greta Garbo and Clark Gable splashed around in it. Mountain views frame every angle, creating natural artwork that changes with the desert light throughout the day.
What makes this pool special is the natural mineral content in the water – locals swear it has healing properties.
10. Amangiri Resort Pool, Canyon Point, Utah
Carved around a 165-million-year-old rock formation, this pool makes your inflatable flamingo look seriously inadequate. The desert water oasis appears like a mirage among Utah’s dramatic mesas and buttes.
Architects spent years finding the perfect position to build around the massive stone without disturbing the natural landscape. The result? A pool that wraps like a liquid hug around ancient sandstone, with water the exact same color as the desert sky.
At night, underwater lights create an ethereal glow against the rock face. Swimmers often report feeling like they’re floating in space rather than water,
11. Arizona Biltmore Catalina Pool, Phoenix, Arizona
Marilyn Monroe’s favorite swimming hole sparkles like a desert jewel at this Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced resort. Legend has it this is where the movie star was discovered while working as a model!
The Catalina Pool features distinctive Wright-inspired geometric tiles in turquoise and yellow. Irving Berlin reportedly wrote “White Christmas” while sitting poolside here, proving desert heat really does inspire thoughts of snow.
The most fascinating feature? The pool contains original tiles from the demolished Catalina Casino on Catalina Island, making it a swimming architectural archive.
12. Converted Barn Loft Pool, Nashville, Tennessee
A true masterpiece of design and music, this former 19th-century tobacco barn has been reimagined by country music royalty into an unforgettable pool house.
Original wooden beams cradle a stunning rectangular pool that seems to float on the second floor, with glass floors offering views into the lively entertaining area below.
Reclaimed wood lines the walls, the water is perfectly temperature-controlled, and a retractable roof invites guests to swim under the stars surrounded by Grammy trophies.
13. Meadowood Napa Valley Pool, St. Helena, California
Nestled among vineyards and oak trees, this adults-only sanctuary offers a serene escape from wine tasting adventures.
The pool’s minimalist design showcases California’s natural beauty rather than competing with it. Stone pathways lead to private cabanas where attendants deliver signature cocktails and light bites from the resort’s Michelin-starred kitchen.
Morning fog often creates a mystical atmosphere as it hovers above the heated water, making early swims particularly magical for early risers seeking tranquility before the day begins.
14. Calistoga Ranch Pool, Calistoga, California
Hidden within a private canyon, this woodland wonder merges natural elements with sophisticated design. Ancient oak trees provide dappled shade while the surrounding creek creates a soothing soundtrack for swimmers.
Volcanic stone decking warms naturally in the sunshine, eliminating the need for artificial heating. Guests often spot deer wandering nearby while enjoying the mineral-rich waters that pay homage to Calistoga’s hot spring heritage.
What makes this pool extraordinary is how it changes with the seasons – golden leaves float on the surface in fall, while spring brings wildflowers that perfume the air around happy swimmers.
15. The Greenbrier Infinity Pool, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
Presidential history meets modern luxury at this Appalachian Mountain retreat. Originally built in 1778, the resort’s infinity pool seems to spill directly into the lush valley below, creating a breathtaking visual illusion.
Famous for hosting 26 U.S. presidents, the pool area maintains the resort’s signature Dorothy Draper design elements – bold floral patterns and vibrant colors that somehow work perfectly against the natural backdrop.
Staff members in crisp white uniforms deliver champagne on silver trays, maintaining traditions that date back centuries while offering modern amenities like underwater music and phone-free zones.
16. Post Ranch Inn Cliffside Pool, Big Sur, California
Gravity seems optional at this architectural marvel perched 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean. The infinity-edge design creates the heart-stopping illusion that swimmers might float right off the cliff into the endless blue horizon where whales occasionally breach.
Stargazing takes on new meaning here as light pollution is virtually nonexistent, allowing the Milky Way to reflect dramatically on the water’s surface.
A strict adults-only policy maintains the meditative atmosphere that has attracted celebrities and wellness seekers for decades.
17. The Little Nell Rooftop Pool, Aspen, Colorado
Mountain majesty surrounds this heated rooftop sanctuary where Aspen’s elite gather year-round. Snow-capped peaks create a dramatic backdrop as steam rises from the 98-degree waters during winter months, creating an almost mystical atmosphere.
The pool’s unique black bottom tiles absorb sunlight, naturally maintaining warmth even in chilly mountain air.
Après-ski culture reaches new heights here as skiers trade stories of powder runs while soothing sore muscles. The elevation (8,000 feet) means swimmers absorb vitamin D more efficiently than at sea level.