Top 10 Most Expensive Swimming Pools

Key Insights

When you think of high-end swimming pools, you might imagine your favorite hotel pool or the wave pool at a nearby water park. While these pools can be impressive, they are nothing compared to the world's priciest pools, which can cost millions or even billions of dollars to construct. These extraordinary pools are located in luxurious resorts and private homes around the globe. Many of them are open to the public, offering a taste of luxury in breathtaking environments.

Increasingly, these luxury swimming pools are becoming destinations in their own right. By creating the world's most expensive or most extravagant pools, developers and resort owners are attracting visitors eager to experience the latest and most thrilling attractions around the globe.

What exactly makes a pool so expensive? Often, the steep cost of these pools comes from the advanced technology needed to build large-scale or deep pools. It can also be attributed to the use of premium materials such as marble, mosaic tiles, or other sophisticated design elements. Luxury features like waterslides, fountains, and high-tech control systems can also push the cost of a pool into extraordinary figures.

Curious about the type of pool you can create with a $2 billion budget? Keep reading to discover the world's largest pool.

10: San Alfonso del Mar

Situated in the resort town of Algarrobo along Chile's southern coastline, the San Alfonso del Mar pool has revolutionized the way the world perceives swimming pools. The pool is so large that a boat can sail within it, and if you were to swim its entire length, you'd cover 8/10ths of a mile (1.3 km). Spanning over 20 acres (8 hectares), the San Alfonso pool is 6,000 times the size of an average hotel pool and was recognized as the world's largest pool by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2008 [source: Crystal Lagoons].

The construction of the pool took five years and cost almost $2 billion USD (around $1.1 trillion Chilean pesos) [source: Tatko-Peterson]. To fill the pool, developers used an innovative salt-water filtration system developed by Crystal Lagoons, which purified over 66 million gallons (2.5 million liters) of ocean water [source: Crystal Lagoons]. The pool opened in 2007 as part of the San Alfonso del Mar resort, a large complex with thousands of apartments, condos, and hotel rooms. Although the pool isn't accessible to the public, resort guests and residents enjoy unlimited access.

9: Seagaia Ocean Dome

When it's too chilly to enjoy the beach, visitors to the Sheraton Seagaia Resort in Miyazaki, Japan, can retreat indoors to the resort's renowned pool. Known as the "Ocean Dome," Seagaia houses the world's largest indoor pool, stretching nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters) long and 328 feet (100 meters) wide. The pool features a retractable roof, allowing sunlight to shine through on warmer days. Several times a day, the pool is cleared to allow surfers to ride artificial waves, and an artificial volcano erupts every 15 minutes. The beach at the Ocean Dome is crafted from crushed quartz, and there's also a designated children's pool and waterslide area [source: Seagaia].

The Seagaia Ocean Dome, costing an eye-watering $2 billion (200 billion yen), opened in 1993. It has been closed on multiple occasions due to ownership changes and financial troubles [source: Scanlon]. In October 2007, the Ocean Dome was shut down indefinitely for a major renovation and restructuring project as part of the resort's redevelopment [source: Seagaia].

8: Nemo 33

Looking for deep waters to practice your diving skills? The Nemo 33 pool in Brussels, Belgium, is your perfect spot. At 108 feet (33 meters) deep, it holds the title of the deepest man-made pool on Earth. The pool contains a staggering 660,000 gallons (2.5 million liters) of water, complete with underwater rooms and tunnels for explorers. The construction took 7 years and had a price tag exceeding $3 million USD ($3.2 million Euros) [source: Swimming World Magazine].

Opened to the public in 2004, Nemo 33 is primarily used by scuba divers and film crews looking to capture underwater footage. Any certified diver can access the pool for around $30 USD (20 Euros), or visitors can take diving courses to learn how to dive safely [source: Nemo 33].

7: Hearst Castle

California's Hearst Castle is home to two of the world's most iconic luxury pools. The Neptune pool, located outdoors, spans 104 feet by 58 feet (32 by 18 meters), while the indoor Roman pool is slightly more compact. Constructed between 1924 and 1936, the entire estate, including both pools and furnishings, was built for under $10 million [source: Hearst Castle/California State Parks]. Today, recreating these pools would be nearly impossible at any cost. Designed to evoke ancient Roman baths, both pools are adorned with priceless marble and intricate tile mosaics. The Neptune pool area, including its walls, ceilings, and the pool itself, is decorated with thousands of mosaic tiles featuring gold accents, along with stunning sculptures commissioned by the Hearst family from Italian master artisans [source: Hearst Castle/California State Parks].

Visitors can explore the mansion year-round, with both day and evening tours available. But for those wishing to take a swim in these renowned pools, there are special occasions throughout the year when the mansion holds charity auctions, offering a chance to bid for an exclusive evening at the estate or a swim in the famous pools.

6: Lev Leviev Residence

In 2008, Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev and his family moved into what became the most expensive private residence ever built in the United Kingdom. Situated in North London, the house cost $68 million USD (35 million British pounds) to construct and houses one of the most luxurious private pools in the world [source: Cleland]. Leviev's indoor pool is lined with gold tiles and features a full spa and sauna. When entertaining guests, the pool has a retractable cover, transforming the area into an elegant ballroom. However, access to this opulent pool is limited to friends and family, so don't expect an invitation just yet.

5: Gellert Thermal Baths

Located in Budapest, Hungary, the Gellert Thermal Baths are among the oldest and most renowned public bathhouses still in operation today. Built between 1912 and 1918, the baths are a pristine example of the Art Nouveau design that was popular during the era. The baths cover more than 7,500 square feet (700 square meters) and include an outdoor wave pool, a children's pool, and opulent Roman-style baths [source: Gellert Baths].

The Gellert pools are supplied by over 100 hot mineral springs, which many believe possess natural healing powers. The baths feature timeless design elements like fine marble, mosaic tiles, and priceless artwork. When the weather is warm, the building's retractable roof opens, allowing bathers to bask in the sun. Even better, the pools are open to the public, so anyone can enjoy a luxurious swim for a modest fee.

4: Umaid Bhawan Palace

The Umaid Bhawan Palace in India serves as both a hotel and a royal residence. When it was completed in 1943, it was the largest private residence in the world, having required the labor of over 3,500 workers. The palace cost more than $225,000 USD (11 million Indian rupees) to build and took 15 years to finish [source: Harbord]. Among its many remarkable features is the underground indoor pool, called the "Zodiac," located deep within the heart of the palace. This circular pool is designed in a classic Art Deco style, with mosaics of the Zodiac signs adorning the bottom. The walls and ceiling are adorned with thousands of one-inch (25.4-millimeter) tiles, some of which are covered in gold. Today, hotel guests can enjoy a swim in the pool alongside members of India's royal family, who still reside in their own private wing of the palace.

3: Sarojin Resort

The Sarojin Resort in Thailand boasts one of the most extravagant hotel pools worldwide. Situated near the popular Phuket resort area, Sarojin has been repeatedly named Asia’s most luxurious boutique hotel by the World Travel Awards. Initially set to open in December 2004, the resort was devastated by the Asian tsunami and had to be fully reconstructed. Remarkably, it reopened just eight months later, playing a key role in the region's recovery and attracting visitors back.

The resort’s infinity pool spans 269 square feet (25 square meters) and offers sweeping views of the Indian Ocean. Guests can lounge amidst lush tropical greenery or float on pavilions directly within the pool. For the ultimate indulgence, visitors can schedule a massage at one of the pool’s floating tables, all while enjoying the stunning ocean panorama [source: Sarojin Resort Thailand].

2: Kitchukov Family Pool

In Gilbert, Arizona, you'll find the most extravagant and costly private pool in America. Built by Red Rock Contractors, this pool is at least ten times larger than the typical backyard pool. The construction took 5 months and cost $1 million, featuring waterfalls, fountains, and a 15-foot (4.5-meter) waterslide. [source: Walsh]. As night falls, a sophisticated lighting system illuminates the area, creating the perfect ambiance for enjoying the 15-person hot tub or full bar. The pool area is surrounded by lush landscaping, including a putting green and a skateboard bowl.

One of the standout features of this pool is its cutting-edge control system. Using the ScreenLogic interface, the family can manage the pool's operations from anywhere in the world at the touch of a button. This system lets users remotely adjust the pool's temperature, change the lighting colors, or even heat up the Jacuzzi. Best of all, this can be done from any Internet connection or through the company's new iPhone app [source: Red Rock Contractors].

1: City of Stars

Crystal Lagoons, the innovators behind the enormous pool at San Alfonso del Mar, are using their exclusive filtration technology to create even bigger pools around the globe. Their newest project is located in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, slated to open by the end of 2009. Spanning over 21 acres (8.5 hectares), this pool will be a full kilometer longer than the world's current largest pool. Part of the City of Stars resort complex, it will be encircled by more than 30,000 condominium and hotel rooms. Visitors and residents will be able to swim or even sail boats in this mammoth pool, which is expected to cost over $5.5 billion (30,639,565,000 Egyptian pounds) [source: Splash Magazine].

Crystal Lagoons isn't stopping with the City of Stars project. Once it's completed, the company will shift its focus to a new pool venture in Soma Bay, located just south of Cairo. This upcoming pool will feature 18 interconnected lagoons spread across more than 30 acres (12 hectares), with a projected cost of $12 billion. Crystal Lagoons has nearly 50 other pool projects underway, all designed to redefine the boundaries of luxurious and expensive pool construction [source: Construction Week Online].