14 of the world's most outrageous hotel pools

Ever booked a hotel room based purely on its pool?

You might after seeing these 14 beauties, highlighted in a recent list compiled by TripAdvisor.com.

Whether jutting over a sea of urban chaos atop a skyscraper, seemingly slipping into the azure waters of the ocean or surrounded by snowy mountains, these stunning bodies of water are worth a reservation all on their own.

The Sarojin (Khao Lak, Thailand)

Sure, you can take a champagne-laced adventure trek and dine on a deserted island, courtesy of the Sarojin hotel's "imagineers," who personalize stays for visitors.

But you'll want to make time for this Khao Lak resort's incredible infinity pool.

Fringed with palms and overlooking the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, it features pavilion islands with their own sun loungers and removable roofs.

Velassaru Maldives

The minimalistic Velassaru Maldives is all about relaxation.

The hotel's oceanfront infinity pool has a gentle sloping floor that emulates the sensation of entering the ocean from the beach.

If you're after more privacy, select villas have oversized plunge pools overlooking the sea.

Private butlers ensure drinks are never far from your grasp.

Boscolo Milano (Milan, Italy)

Not only is Boscolo Milano in one of the most fashionable cities in the world, it's in the stylish Quadrilatero d'Oro district.

Naturally, even the indoor pool has to be chic.

Walls with mirrored spheres reflect the turquoise hue of the pool and surrounding mood lighting.

The kaleidoscopic theme persists throughout the spa and treatment rooms.

InterContinental Dubai Festival City (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

This pool is as fantastic to look at as it is to swim in.

This pool takes you over the edge. Literally.

The InterContinental Dubai Festival City's 25-meter lap pool juts out from the hotel's 4th floor, meaning you can see the street below through its glass bottom.

Freaked out after the swim? To help you recover, the sun terrace and spa are upstairs, along with a bar.

Delamore Lodge (Waiheke Island, New Zealand)

The design of Waiheke Island's Delamore Lodge is inspired by Mediterranean and indigenous New Zealand art.

A boutique resort, it's built in the shape of a traditional Maori fishhook.

The heated infinity pool is the star attraction. Built right on a cliff, it offers stunning views of Owhaneke Bay.

Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel (Muscat, Oman)

Featuring Arabian architecture, the resort's sprawling grounds include a half-mile-long private beach.

Once you've tired of scooping sand out of your suit, there are five pools to choose from.

The best dip is the main 50-meter pool.

Sitting on the edge of the beach, the temperature-controlled infinity pool is lined with palm trees.

Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (Maui, Hawaii)

Grand Wailea's Hibiscus Pool is a calm, adults-only oasis with two Jacuzzis.

Sure, it's nice.

But the fun doesn't really begin til you hit the Wailea Canyon Activity Pool.

The complex is actually made up of nine pools on six different levels connected by a river.

Among its best features, Wailea Canyon includes a whitewater rapid slide, a Tarzan pool with rope swing, a swim-up bar and the world's first water elevator, in which water fills up a silo, pushing a giant inflatable tube to the top.

Four Seasons Shanghai at Pudong

Warning: Workouts may be impaired by stellar views.

Infinity pools aren't limited to the great outdoors.

Four Seasons Shanghai Pudong features an 18-meter infinity pool against a set of oversized windows on the 41st floor of the hotel.

The indoor pool overlooks Century Avenue, which includes three (soon to be four) of China's most iconic buildings.

If you want some alone time with the view, the pool can be exclusively yours after 11 p.m. for a private swim or private party. Advance booking required. 

The Springs Resort and Spa (Costa Rica)

Set in Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano National Park, The Springs Resort and Spa's 18 mineral-laden pools are fed from area's natural hot springs.

With temperatures ranging from 28-39 Celsius, the freeform landscaped pools offer everything from rushing waterfalls to calm forest experiences.

The resort regularly tests its springs to ensure guests have an ideal soaking experience.

The surrounding valleys offer stunning but strenuous hikes, making an evening dip all that more rewarding.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo (Tremezzo, Italy)

Situated on Lake Como, Grand Hotel Tremezzo has three pools: Flowers pool, T Spa infinity pool and Water on the Water.

The last one is exactly what it sounds like -- a floating swimming pool bobbing on the surface of Lake Como.

The only thing better than swimming in it is admiring the glittering contrast of the turquoise pool against the deep blue lake from the spa lounge.

Perivolas (Oia, Greece)

Perivolas is designed for rest and relaxation, far from the selfie-taking "look at me" crowd.

Built into the amphitheatrical cliffs, the hotel's terraced gardens lead down to the curved infinity pool on the edge.

Colors of the beautiful Aegean sunset reflect in the pool, while the best views are to be had from the nearby cliff's edge.

LeCrans Hotel & Spa (Crans-Montana, Switzerland)

Alps powder in the morning, heated pool in the afternoon. Sign us up.

Just because you're in Switzerland in winter doesn't mean you can't take a swim outdoors.

LeCrans Hotel and Spa's heated outdoor pool has stunning views of the snowy Alps you'll likely have just skied on.

At the end of the day, the chalet-style hotel's Le Mont Blanc restaurant offers avant-garde food made with local produce, as well as mixed grill or brasserie dishes from the heated terrace.

The Cambrian (Adelboden, Switzerland)

The Cambrian's heated outdoor infinity pool gazes at rugged mountains capped with year-round snow.

If a hot pool on a winter day doesn't sound amazing enough, the bubbling massage bed really takes things up a notch.

In summer, views of the mountains and nearby green hills reflect in the pool to stunning effect.

Hotel Hacienda Na Xamena (Ibiza, Spain)

The Hotel Hacienda's tiered pools at the top of the Na Xamena cliff offer a spectacular panorama of the Mediterranean.

Dubbed the "Cascadas Suspendidas," this outdoor thalasso therapy circuit features several pools of heated seawater connected by waterfalls.

Each pool has jets to massage you from head to toe, relax muscles and improve circulation.