As the year winds down, Travel Agent reminisces about all the trendy Caribbean hotel pools we've profiled this year as part of our "Cool Pool of the Week" column, featured every week in our newsletter for travel agents looking to sell to Millennials, the MReport.
For those Caribbean specialists who haven't quite kept up with our selections throughout the year, we highlight, in no particular order, the most stylish pools we've featured out of the Caribbean in 2017.
Mount Cinnamon Resort & Beach Club in Grenada
Millennials looking for a place to cool off in Grenada should take a plunge in the pool at Mount Cinnamon Resort & Beach Club.
This classically-shaped, oblong pool is located in the open-air interior of the hotel, but situated to the side for privacy. Dotted with charming and colorful loungers and umbrellas, this cozy pool looks over the lobby and is conveniently located by the hotel's main bar.
Advisors should note that the pool area can be rented out for events and parties. The hotel often hosts local live music that can also be arranged for private functions. At least three months notice should be given for reservations, which can be arranged by e-mailing reservations@mountcinnamongrenada.com.
Since Dive Grenada, the island’s leading scuba and diving shop, is located at the hotel’s beach, scuba lessons are conducted at the pool.
The hotel bar is right next to the pool, where guests can order an array of tropical or classic libations, like Mount Cinnamon’s Rum Punch topped with local nutmeg. Snacks and small bites are also offered from the hotel’s popular Savvy’s Restaurant. Order up the signature Seafood Trio of Seared Tuna, Coconut Shrimp and Lump Crab Salad.
Mount Cinnamon Resort & Beach Club is located just 15 minutes from Maurice Bishop International Airport. Eight new luxe Cinnamon Suites debuted in 2017 and offer chic accommodations with views across the bay to the capital of St. George’s.
Visit www.mountcinnamongrenadahotel.com
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia
Millennials looking for a solid, four-star, all-inclusive resort to take a plunge at in St. Lucia have a quintet of stylish pools to choose from at Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa.
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa’s Splash Pool is one of five at the resort and a popular choice for lounging and fun for adults and kids alike. This zero-entry pool is uniquely shaped to fit the resort landscape, with views of the ocean and St. Lucia’s Maria Islands Nature Reserve.
The Splash Pool is not available for private events, but other options include the Harmony pool deck, the oceanfront Gazebo and the Pavilion at Eternity Beach. Travel advisors should contact Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa Bay toll-free from North America at 877-252-0304 or e-mail salesmanager@cbayresort.com.
The Splash Pool deck is the location for the resort’s twice-weekly Caribbean and Country Western theme night dinners under the stars, featuring live entertainment and a signature drink of fresh coconut water served in just-opened coconuts (rum is optional).
The Splash Pool is home to a swim-up bar, one side serving adults and the other exclusively for kids. The kids’ swim-up bar features a slushy machine and a bartender serving favorites from the "Kiddy Kocktails" menu.
Located adjacent to the Splash Pool is the new Jerk Treehouse, an eatery constructed around a large sea grape tree. Chefs in the top-floor kitchen grill pork, chicken and fish all rubbed with a secret jerk marinade. Homemade ginger beer and freshly squeezed sugarcane juice top the list of refreshments, while coconut cakes show off the resort’s homegrown ingredient included on every menu.
Just steps from the Swim-Up Bar is the Flip Flops Burger Bar and Pizzeria, where guests can relax in booths with device charging stations or grab-and-go back to their poolside lounge chair. Hand-tossed, personal pizza pies are made-to-order and burgers share the grill with fish tacos, the world’s best chicken sandwich and more.
Eight coconut palm trees seemingly float on two islands in the Splash Pool, where other features include a fountain and a waterfall. For guests who want to be poolside, but prefer the shade, the resort has added a thatch-roof to an area that is great for relaxing in a lounge chair. They can also have their favorite refreshment delivered by a cocktail server.
The Activity Pool, another of the five pools, has been completely resurfaced inside and out. Guests taking a break from Aqua Fitness and Water Polo can relax in a new jacuzzi, grab a fresh towel at the new Towel Hut and relax in a lounger on the deck of new pavers surrounding the pool. Daily pool activities, including volleyball, aqua fitness and water polo, take place exclusively at the Activity Pool so as not to disturb guests looking for a more laid-back pool experience.
The hotel, which is a great fit for both Millennial couples and families, reopened on September 28 after completing $3 million in refurbishments over the course of its month-long closure.
Visit www.cbayresort.com
Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa in Jamaica
Palladium Hotel Group's Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica, has a stylish infinity pool where Millennials can lounge in the sun and take in views of the Caribbean.
At more than 48,000 square feet, hotel representatives tell Travel Agent it is one of the largest infinity pools in the country, with a capacity of 500 to 600 people. However, advisors should note that the pool cannot be rented out, as it is for all Lady Hamilton guests to enjoy.
For Millennials looking to stay active while swimming, the pool has an alternating schedule of water aerobics and water sports. Water polo and pool volleyball are every other day at 11 a.m. and pool biking is every other day at noon.
And there’s a swim-up bar for those looking for a cocktail without drying off.
Advisors should note that the swim-up bar's signature cocktail, The Bob Marley, is a layered strawberry and mango daiquiri with a blend of mango daiquiri and blue Curacao to make the green Appleton section on top.
The pool also has four built-in jacuzzis, as well as staff that go around the pool on bicycles offering guests hot dogs and ice cream.
Lady Hamilton has 390 Junior Suites, 78 Suites and 48 Villa Suites with ocean views. Guests can choose from seven a la carte restaurants and three buffet restaurants serving a variety of local and international cuisines, as well as 16 bars located throughout the property.
The adults-only resort also offers the Zentropía Palladium Spa & Wellness, which offers Lady Hamilton guests massages, a beauty salon, a gymnasium with modern facilities and hydrotherapy areas featuring sauna and steam baths, hot tubs and a pool. Guests can also enjoy access to the neighboring Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa.
Visit www.palladiumhotelgroup.com
Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive
Millennials looking for a freshly renovated resort to take a cool plunge in while vacationing in Aruba should check out the stylish pool at The Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive.
The pool is located in the center of the property. It’s steps away from the beach, and has a trendy pool deck complemented by sun cabanas and lounge chairs.
Advisors should note that the pool area can be used as a venue for on-site weddings, but other than that is not available for rent.
There’s no swim up bar, but the Pizza Per Tutti bar is right next to pool, where Millennials can enjoy a mix of cocktails and snacks. The signature cocktail is the "Aruba Ariba," which includes white rum, vodka, Coecoei and banana liquor.
Light snacks include a variety of thin crust pizzas, Mexican fries, chicken tenders, onion rings and a variety of sandwiches (Italian club, tuna salad, meatballs and club sandwich).
During the day, you can find pool volleyball competitions, aqua exercises or bingo around the pool. Every evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. there is live music. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, there are live entertainment shows in and around the pool, including dance performances, water ballet and acrobatics.
The Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive recently completed extensive renovations throughout the property that include a new, trendy look while providing modern luxuries and views of its signature mile-long beach in Aruba.
Guests will be welcomed by chic new decor as they first enter the reception area and lobby. The contemporary reception space is backlit with LED lighting, and the floor comes to life with a virtual underwater display. Now with more open space, the lobby offers comfortable seating throughout the communal area, as well as private concierge service desks.
Visit www.diviaruba.com
The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas
Millennials looking to take a dip at one of the most buzzed about resorts in the Caribbean have seven pools to choose from at the swanky Grand Hyatt Baha Mar on Cable Beach in Nassau, Bahamas.
And Millennials who’ve always wanted to swim alongside friendly sea creatures can do so without ever leaving the resorts’ pools.
The coolest feature of any pool at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, the first hotel to open at the much-anticipated Baha Mar Resort, is perhaps the swim-up aquarium filled with adopted nurse sharks, stingrays, tropical fish and marine life and an underwater marine cavern inspired by one of the world’s deepest salt water sinkhole, Dean’s Blue Hole. Perhaps the second coolest feature of the seven pools is the series of in-pool cabanas surrounded by trickling rain screens. In total the pools use roughly 1,245,797 gallons of water.
Advisors should note that some of the pools, including the circular private pool with cabanas on the perimeter, can be used for group events. To book a poolside event, agents should email group sales at bahamar.grand@hyatt.com.
Marking the official debut of the much-anticipated Baha Mar Resort, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is the first of three properties to open. Just opened in April, Baha Mar Resort offers the Caribbean’s largest casino (one of the only in the world to have direct beach views), a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf course, the Caribbean’s first and only luxury ESPA spa, and of course some stylish swimming pools.
Visit bahamar.grand.hyatt.com
Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas
Millennials looking to escape the crowds in Paradise Island, the Bahamas, should head to the swanky, all-inclusive Sandals Emerald Bay, in the destination’s Out Islands, for a relaxing dip with some of the Caribbean's most beautiful views.
There is actually a choice of three pools at Sandals Emerald Bay. Encompassing over an acre, one pool will entice guests with a whirlpool, swim-up pool bar, a unique fire pit feature and complimentary poolside cabanas. Straw-roofed Balinese gazebos each containing two comfortable beds are dotted around the gardens, on the beach and around the pool. Clients can spend the day in the shade and be pampered by a Cabana Butler, who'll deliver cold towels, suntan oils, a morning fruit platter and continental breakfast, lunch and fresh drinks.
Signature cocktails here include the Caribbean Muse, which is made with Appleton Genesis white rum, vodka cantaloupe juice, creme de banana and simple syrup.
There is also a “Quiet Pool” for total noise free relaxation. Sandals Emerald Bay also offers one of the Caribbean’s largest zero entry pools.
Agents should note that all of Sandals Resorts’ all-inclusive vacations include unlimited scuba diving, land and water sports and fitness classes.
Sandals Emerald Bay will offers Millennials eight, five-star gourmet dining restaurants, 16 relaxing treatment rooms at the Red Lane Spa, and a total of 249 rooms and suites sitting on 500 acres.
Visit www.sandals.com/main/emerald/em-home
The Shore Club on Long Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos
Travel Agent recently visited the new The Shore Club on Long Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos and came back with a wealth of selling points for pool-loving Millennials with a little money to burn.
There are a total of four pools here, including an adults-only lap pool in the wellness area, located in front of the resort’s yoga pavilion.
There is also an adults-only beachfront pool with a hot tub and private cabanas. Swimmers here get full views of the ocean and Long Bay Beach. If the wind cooperates, pool dwellers can watch scores of kite surfers doing tricks and whipping through the shallow water, which is about three feet deep even about a mile out due to a massive sandbar.
The family-friendly Colonnade pool comes with luxury and garden cabanas. While all pools have cabanas, Colonnade has the most. This pool also includes cushioned swings and a fire pit in the middle at the nearby Rope Bar, which, as the name implies, is adorned with ropes hanging from the ceiling.
The Rope Bar also plays host to the Manager’s Cocktail, which takes place every Thursday night from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. During this cocktail reception, certain alcohol, including our favorite beer at the resort, Turks Head Lager, is complimentary to guests.
The last pool is the family-friendly Resort Pool, which has a swim-up bar and a restaurant, Sea Grapes, which serves guests at either the swim-up bar or at a small, seating area outside of the pool. We highly recommend the ribs and jerk chicken here.
This pool also has views of Long Bay Beach and the ocean. At the pool bar, ask main bartender, Jovard Philocin, to whip you up one of his speciality cocktails.
There is also amazing food and beverage service on the beach. Guests get a short red flag attached to a stick to shove in the sand when they need a snack or a cocktail. Beach attendant Kenly Taylor was always there within a minute or two with a strawberry daiquiri or a cold Turks Head to sip in the sand or take into the ocean.
Advisors should reach out to Denario Cook, reservations manager, at denario.cook@theshoreclubtc.com.
Visit www.theshoreclubtc.com
Hermitage Bay in Antigua
Millennials looking to take a dip at one the Caribbean’s coolest beach resorts should put the infinity pool at Hermitage Bay in Antigua on their radar.
The infinity pool is located just off the beach and adjacent to the lounge and bar area. Bar service is available all day and there’s no rush to save a sun lounger, as there are more loungers than guests. With 17 of the 34 suites having a private plunge pool, the main pool is rarely ever occupied, giving Millennials plenty of space to splash around.
The pool ranges in depth from four to six feet. There is no piped-in music - just the sound of the waves lapping onto the beach. The bar is set away from the pool, but positioned so that staff can keep a discreet eye on the guests and have drinks sent over immediately.
The hotel’s signature welcome drink is a "Virgin Mojito." The ingredients are fresh mint leaves from the property's garden, liquid sugar, club soda, and lime. This is usually topped up with local rum on request. Other popular drinks include the "Antigua Smile," which is made up of light rum, banana liquor and pineapple juice and the Hermitage Gold, which includes pineapple, passion fruit, fresh mint, gold rum and champagne. Small plates are also available, including Wadadli battered mahi-mahi goujons and jerk chicken with mozzarella and plantain chips.
And aside from the main pool, the resort also houses some luxurious en-suite pools with views of the ocean and the property's landscape.
Hermitage Bay has roughly 30 suites that are surrounded by 140 acres of greenery. The best rooms here are the Hillside Pool Suites and the Beachfront Suites. During a recent visit, Travel Agent saw Hillside Pool Suite No. 32. The top feature of this room was the view from the pool. Advisors should note, however, that we do recommend that guests be in at least moderate physical shape to stay in any of these rooms as they do require some stairs to get to.
Visit www.hermitagebay.com
Breezes Bahamas
Millennials looking for a cool swim-up bar with views of the Caribbean Sea should take a dip in Breezes Bahamas’ “Sip and Dip” pool, the largest of three pools located at this all-inclusive resort in Nassau, Bahamas.
There are several specialty drinks made at the swim-up bar and, although finger foods aren’t normally offered, they can be prepared by special request. Or, a short walk from the pool resides The Jerk Hut and on the other side, the "Banana Boat Buffet."
Advisors should note that although the pool has never been rented out before, it can be rented out for a private event after 5 p.m. when it closes to the public. To arrange a private space at the pool, advisors should contact the sales office at salesmanager.bahamas@superclubs.com about two weeks prior to the event.
For active Millennials, the Sip and Dip pool features a volleyball net and host occasional tournaments. All of the pools at Breezes are located adjacent to each other and all are freshwater pools. The main pool is smaller than the Sip and Dip Pool, but it has the most room as no games take place in that pool.
There is also the misting pool, which is the smallest of the three and the most shallow. In addition to the three pools, there is also a jacuzzi Millennials can relax in.
Breezes Bahamas sits on a 1,000-foot stretch of Cable Beach. At night, Millennials can enjoy the resort’s live entertainment or take their chances at one of the many nearby casinos. Breezes Bahamas is a solid match for singles, couples, groups and families with children age 14 and older.
Visit www.breezes.com
The Somerset on Grace Bay
Millennials looking for a cool pool with views of one of the best beaches in the Caribbean may want to check out the runner-up of Travel Agent’s recently concluded “Cool Pool of the World” contest.
The centerpiece of The Somerset on Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos is the resort’s pool experience, comprised of a reverse current lap pool that leads to its zero-entry, infinity-edge pool. The infinity-edge pool gives way to views of the ocean and Grace Bay beach, often considered the best beach in the Caribbean.
The reverse-current lap pool, which at 138 feet is the longest on Turks and Caicos, has an underwater sound system and shallow children’s area toward the end, separated by a gentle waterfall. Closer to the ocean is the zero-edge infinity pool. A collection of padded lounge chairs and umbrellas are available to relax on while taking in the view of the pools and Grace Bay.
In December of 2012, The Somerset completely renovated the pools to install custom recycled glass tiles. The LEED-certified tiles, which are imported from Spain and designed specifically for The Somerset, absorb sunlight during the day and emit a soft glow at night. The Somerset on Grace Bay is the only resort in the Caribbean with these unique tiles.
Advisors should note that the pool area can be rented out for private events. There isn’t a set amount of time in advance they need to contact the resort in order to rent out the pool area.
The Somerset on Grace Bay has 53 one- to five-bedroom villas and suites ranging from 1,400 to 5,300 square feet, as well as two restaurants and bars, two freshwater pools, a fitness center, a full-service spa, a range of activities on land and sea, concierge services and a complimentary Caicos Kids Club.
Visit www.thesomerset.com
Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada
Grenada continues to be one of the hottest Caribbean islands for Millennials, and we have a cool pool there perfect for a refreshing dip while gazing at the island’s beautiful landscape.
Millennials with a taste for luxury all-inclusives will love the popular Spice Island Beach Resort. The all-inclusive luxury beachfront resort on Grand Anse beach is equipped with a private pool area, which is set within greenery surrounding the patio.
A poolside bar is steps from the pool for guests who wish to enjoy signature cocktail creations while sunbathing. For extra privacy, the resort offers 64 breezy beachfront suites, many of which are equipped with a private plunge pool or swimming pool.
Whether you're savoring the classic cuisine and more formal ambience of Oliver's or the casual, toes-in-the-sand vibe of the Sea and Surf Terrace & Bar, Millennials who worked up a solid appetite after a good swim will enjoy authentic local specialties and international favorites.
Visit www.spiceislandbeachresort.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Got Millennials looking for a cool pool with views of one of the Caribbean’s best beaches? Or do you instead have clients looking for a quieter, smaller pool where kids can splash around?
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands has one for both Millennial couples and young parents.
The hotel is home to two impressive pools for Millennials. One pool in the Ocean Tower faces Seven Mile Beach and another one in the hotel’s Resort Tower is the Harbour Club pool, which is surrounded by the basketball courts, a children’s waterpark, Starfish Cay, and the property’s Italian restaurant, Andiamo.
The Ocean Pool has views of Seven Mile Beach and overlooks the Caribbean Sea, offering views of the sunsets in the afternoon. This is the largest pool of the resort, with a capacity of 287,651 gallons and a size of 6,992 square feet. It is also a lagoon-style pool.
The Harbour Club Pool offers views of the Resort Tower and the lagoon that leads to the golf course, Starfish Cay and Andiamo restaurant. This is the hotel’s smaller pool and is also lagoon style, with a capacity of 91,540 gallons and is 4,001 square feet.
Advisors should note the Harbour Club pool is available to rent for private events and parties. It is recommended to do this at least six months prior to the event.
In the area around the Harbour Club pool, the hotel has an outdoor movie theatre for families daily at 5:30 p.m. In the ocean pool, there are no activities in the pool, but the hotel's Water Sports Department is located there and has snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddle boards and pedal boats available to use in the ocean.
There are bars available near both pools. The bar for the Harbour Club is located in Andiamo restaurant. Near the Ocean Pool is Bar Jack, the property's beachfront bar and restaurant.
The signature cocktail at Bar Jack is the pina colada, which is said to be the best pina colada in the Cayman Islands. The most popular snacks are the chips and guacamole and the fish tacos at Bar Jack and the home-made gelato at the Harbour Club.
Visit www.ritzcarlton.com
Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa
Millennials looking to take a memorable swim with their children on a family vacation in Turks and Caicos should check out the Italian Village Pool at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.
Some unique features of the pool include spraying dolphin statues, as well as full cabana service and a lit pool tower, with the brand’s signature swim-up pool bar.
Agents should note that poolside cabanas can be reserved for special occasions. We were told that advisors should contact the sales team about a week in advance so they can confirm the cabana space 24-48 hours in advance.
Millennials and their children can linger over great food and conversation at an Italian restaurant, stroll along the piazza for some leisurely shopping or relax in one of the many cabanas, serviced by the resort’s butler team.
The sprawling, 15,885 square-foot, zero-entry pool is located just steps from the beach and is equipped with a massive connecting whirlpool. From saxophone performances in Trevi Tower and fashion shows to water aerobics, volleyball and Marco Polo games, there’s always an activity for those that want it or plenty of time just to relax.
With a commanding presence in the center of the resort, the Italian Village at Beaches Turks & Caicos brings a touch of Italy to the Caribbean. The zero-entry pool at the Italian Village is surrounded by European grandeur and offers a full ocean view. Basically, everything here has an Italian flavor, from the fountains and statues to the cuisine.
Beaches Turks & Caicos is a great option for Millennials with children. It includes such fun activities for children as a 45,000 square-foot waterpark, an Xbox Play Lounge and a teen disco. Made up of four distinct villages, Beaches Turks & Caicos offers the Caribbean Village, the French Village, the Italian Village and the Key West Village, which features three- and four-bedroom villas for nearly 760 rooms across the resort’s 75 acres. The resort also has 22 dining options.
Visit www.beaches.com/destinations/turks-and-caicos/
Renaissance Curacao
Millennials who can’t decide if they want to take a refreshing dip in a pool or sunbathe on a beach during their Caribbean vacation can do both at the same time at the Renaissance Curacao.
The resort is home to the Infinity Beach Club, which has an elevated man-made beach, complete with natural ocean water, white sand, palm trees and sweeping ocean views.
By the pool, guests can also enjoy delicious Mediterranean-inspired cuisine along with refreshing cocktails while taking in a stunning tropical view. We were old the signature cocktail here is the "Infinity Margarita," made with tequila, Blue Curacao, Hpnotiq, pineapple juice and margarita mix.
Agents should note that the pool area can be rented out for private parties and events.
Located in the heart of historic Willemstad, Renaissance Curacao offers guests 237 rooms designed with a combination of contemporary Caribbean flavor and traditional European sophistication.
Visit www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/curbr-renaissance-curacao-resort-and-casino/
Serenity at Coconut Bay in St. Lucia
Millennials looking to swim at one of the newest, luxury all-inclusive resorts in St. Lucia should check out the main pool at Serenity at Coconut Bay.
Although each of the 36 butler suites has its own plunge pool, Serenity’s main pool is a 3,000 square foot pool with a 1,000 square foot lap pool at its center. The two-tier design offers 24 in-water loungers framing the lap pool, while private Pool Cabanas and aqua circle beds are great relaxation spots. In the distance, guests can see Saint Lucia’s Maria Islands Nature Reserve.
Advisors should note that the pool and the entire 36-suite resort can be taken over for private events. Travel advisors should contact Serenity at Coconut Bay toll-free from North America at 877-252-0304 or email serenity@cbayna.com.
There are no scheduled activities in the pool, other than lounging, sun bathing and taking advantage of butler service. Guests are served by attendants offering craft cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, chilled towels, cooling herbal mists and premium cocktails.
Guests can choose to indulge in good company – and five HD TVs -- in the relaxed casual atmosphere of the Pool Bar. Popular appetizers include Tarragon Black Pepper Poached Shrimp with a Guava Cocktail Sauce and Tajin Spice, Pigeon Pea Hummus served with Jerk Spiced Pita, and Buffalo Chicken Wings. Popular sides include Sweet Potato Wedges, Tropical Fruit Salad, and Cilantro Lime Coleslaw.
When the sun sets, the pool is illuminated. Lit fountains create a dramatic backdrop for enjoying cocktails at the nearby fire pits or the Greathouse Restaurant verandah. St. Lucia’s new luxury all-suite resort, Serenity at Coconut Bay, is a personalized adults-only, all-inclusive vacation experience located just minutes from Hewanorra International Airport.
All suites have plunge pools, custom made mahogany king beds, oversized soaking tubs and separate rain showers in en-suite bathrooms. In addition to butler service, amenities include in-suite gourmet dining and 24-hour room service, fully-stocked and personalized wet bars, private in-suite check-in and check-out, Bose entertainment centers, Molton Brown toiletries and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Unlimited reservation-free dining, wine and premium spirits are part of the Serenity all-inclusive experience, as well as butler and wait service at the Serenity Pool, dining at the Greathouse Restaurant and full access to Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa. Guests can enjoy spa treatments in their suite or at the waterfront Spa.
Visit www.serenityatcoconutbay.com
French Leave Resort in The Bahamas
Tell Millennials about French Leave Resort's freshwater pool, which overlooks one of the Caribbean's most picturesque harbors, Cupid's Cay in Eleuthera, the Bahamas.
The pool has sweeping views of the waters, and is a great place for enjoying sunrises and sunsets. Millennials can also unwind and relax with delicious poolside dining options, ranging from lobster salads, pan seared ahi tuna, grouper wraps, to inventive cocktails and the Bahamian lemonade, "Switcha."
In fact, French Leave Resort recently joined the Autograph Collection and is expanding from four seafront cottages to 12 by the end of the year.
The property is the first construction of true seafront cottages on Governor's Harbor since the 1940s, as the 270-acre site had been privately owned.
Each offers full beachfront views, spacious living areas and covered verandas, LCD TV screens, a personal golf cart, and an in-room iPad, which clients can use for everything from room service to pre-ordering lunch on the beach. Some of the villas also offer an in-room washer/dryer, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a Bose Stereo system.
Additional on-property amenities include a fitness center, special events lawn and a wedding pavilion, two mega yacht slips, as well as one of the island's best restaurants, 1648 An Island Restaurant.
Visit www.frenchleaveresort.com
Marriott Port-au-Prince, Haiti
For those Millennials looking to get a little off-the-beaten path in the Caribbean, tell them about a swanky pool in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
The stylish lap pool at the Marriott Port-au-Prince, Haiti offers tremendous Haiti views and is roughly 65 feet long and 24 feet wide. The depth is 4.5 feet.
While there is no swim-up bar here, the pool bar is just a few short steps from the water. It is open Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m to 8 p.m. and is particularly well-known for its mojito options. Every Tuesday evening, the property hosts "Mojito Night" at the pool bar from 6 - 10 p.m. The mojito menu changes each week, with one of seven different variations of the cocktail – all created by the hotel's talented bartenders.
Agents should note that the pool/pool area can be rented out for private parties and functions. In fact, we were told weddings are big around the pool area, as are special events tied to conferences and meetings hosted by the property.
The Marriott Port-au-Prince, Haiti has 175 rooms and three restaurants.
Visit www.marriottportauprince.com
Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant in the Bahamas
Millennials looking for a throwback hotel with some classic charm should take a dip at the main pool of Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant in Nassau, Bahamas.
The main pool at Graycliff is an 82-foot lap pool, one of the first to be built in the Bahamas in the mid-1950s. Make sure to bring a mask or goggles because one of the pool’s coolest features is the artwork on the bottom. The pool was recently retiled with a hand-painted design by artist Sergio Furnari.
There are no scheduled activities at the pool. Guests relax in tranquility. Cocktails are served from a full-service bar at the pool, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Waiters serve food from both the Graycliff Restaurant lunch menu and the Giotto Pizzeria menu. The signature cocktail here is the Graycliff Special, which includes both coconut and banana rum, a splash of lime juice, grenadine, an orange slice and a cherry.
Agents should note that the pool at Graycliff can be rented for events – dinners, cocktails, parties, weddings etc. Advisors should contact Deanne Williams, events coordinator, at Events@Graycliff.com at least one month in advance, although it can be arranged with less lead time.
Graycliff was a private home at the time the pool was built, and its then-owner, Canadian millionaire I. Walton Killam was an avid swimmer, but didn’t want to have to go down the hill to the sea every day.
The hotel includes 20 guest rooms and suites, two swimming pools, three restaurants and the Graycliff Cigar Company. Travel agents can also pre-sell commissionable experiences at Graycliff such as culinary lessons, wine luncheons, chocolate making classes, cigar rolling and more. To book, advisors should email experiences@graycliff.com.
Visit www.graycliff.com
The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort Resort & Spa
Millennials heading to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands this winter and beyond should check out one of the freshest pools in the Caribbean at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort Resort & Spa.
One of Travel Agent's favorite hotels in Grand Cayman, The Westin Grand Cayman recently poured $6 million into it's pool and new pool deck as part of an overall two-phase, $50 million renovation.
In fact, Travel Agent was among the first travel media to tour the pool as the first phase of the renovation was just completed about two weeks ago. We loved how sexy this pool looked at night lit up as guests mingled along the chic patio area nearby, sipping cocktails from the pool area's main bar, which includes a swim-up component.
The pool bar is open from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., except Sunday when it opens at 11 a.m. We were told the Cayman Mama, Cayman Sunset and Cayman Lemonade are some of the pool's most popular drinks. Frozen fruit snacks are also offered in the pool area.
Tortuga’s Beach Grill & Bar services the entire pool deck for lunch and dinner. The pool area also has 12 Deluxe cabanas for rent just off the pool deck for those who want to enjoy both the pool and beach experience at once.
During the day, Millennials will literally feel like rock stars as the pool occasionally offers poolside Karaoke. The schedule of all pool activities, which also includes such interactive games as trivia, Caribbean bingo and scavenger hunts, rotates regularly, so we recommend checking with the front desk the morning of. Agents should note that the pool also offers diving classes for beginners and water yoga.
As far renting the pool area out goes, groups can utilize the north end of the pool based on the amount of rooms reserved.
The $50 million renovation will continue throughout the year with the bulk of the second phase consisting of a redesign of the hotel's roughly 340 rooms and suites. We were told that will be completed by August.
Visit www.westingrandcayman.com and keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for all your latest travel news. Be sure to follow Travel Agent’s Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike and Instagram @pike5260. For more cool hotel pools, follow us on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/travelagentmag/cool-hotel-pools.
Related Stories
The Cool Pool of the Week: CasaSandra on Holbox Island, Mexico
The Cool Pool of the Week: The Palazzo di Varignana Resort & Spa in Bologna
The Cool Pool of the Week: The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina
The Cool Pool of the Week: Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina