Cool Pools: Beyond Your Average Chlorinated H20

These cool pools won’t make you faster but they might do something even better: bring back your enthusiasm for the water

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These cool pools won’t make you faster but they might do something even better: bring back your enthusiasm for the water.

Written by: Marty Munson

Dive-In Movie Theater

Every Wednesday, all year round, retro-chic charmer The Pearl hotel hosts its Dive-In Movie Theater. They play newer comedies and classic films on a big screen while you float around the 82-degree saltwater pool. You don’t even have to be a hotel guest to enjoy the flicks.

Location: The Pearl, San Diego

Thepearlsd.com

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Mid-Gotham Swim-up Bar


This swim-up bar isn’t in the tropics for a change; it’s in the middle of New York City. This indoor pool lets you act like it’s summer even when there are 2 feet of snow on the streets.

Location: Grace Hotel, New York City

Room-matehotels.com

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Shark Swim


See if you can swim faster than the sharks—while they’re safely encased in The Tank in the middle of the pool at the Golden Nugget hotel in Vegas. Or see the five species of sharks and other fish as you go right through The Tank in an encased chute. Not a hotel guest? Twenty bucks gets you a day pass to the action.

Location: Golden Nugget, Las Vegas

Goldennugget.com

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Swim-up Gambling

Play blackjack right in the pool at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Maybe you’ll win enough to finally get those race wheels you’ve been eyeing—and a new frame to go with them. This hotel and casino is also home to the famed pool party called Rehab. In case you missed the party’s reality TV show, this has nothing to do with foam rollers and ultrasound devices.

Location: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

Hardrockhotel.com

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Pool with a Serious View


“The Poule” at Dallas’ The Joule hotel is either the best or worst place to get over a fear of heights. The pool juts 8 feet over the edge of the 10th floor of the hotel, so you’re literally swimming over the edge of the building. Grab a margarita smoothie or a lobster corn dog once you’re out of the water. Open to hotel guests only.

Location: The Joule, Dallas

Thejouledallas.com

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Jan Frodeno Reflects on His Final Ironman World Championship

Immediately after finishing 24th place at his final Ironman World Championships, the Olympic medalist (and three-time IMWC winner) explains what his race in Nice meant to him.

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