Daily Times

As Britain enjoyed its warmest day of the year last week, a handful of intrepid swimmers were spotted taking a dip in the UK’s first Sky Pool. Suspended between two high-rise residential blocks at a height of 115 ft 35 metres), the 82 ft-long) pool – made of acrylic imported from Colorado – is a spectacular addition to the new cityscape at Nine Elms in South London.

But it is by no means the world’s only pool with a nerve-shattering view. From Texas to Singapore, via Italy and Dubai, sky pools are all the rage. The daddy is an infinity pool 57 storeys up at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore.

At 492 ft, it’s the world’s longest elevated pool, and offers guests unrivalled views of the city from 1,100ft.

But if you really want to get spooked, try the glass-bottomed number on the roof of the Market Square Tower, a luxury apartment block in Houston, Texas.

One section with a see-through bottom juts out over the edge of the building and residents can experience the terrifying sensation of treading water above the city. At 500ft up, it is claimed to be the highest glass-bottomed pool in the world.

Almost as vertigo-inducing is the pool on the 29th floor of the Hotel Indigo in Hong Kong. Swimmers who fancy a unique view of the city streets proceed to an end section that is entirely transparent.

Dubai wouldn’t be Dubai if it didn’t jump on the latest tourist novelty bandwagon, so it’s no surprise to find that among its various infinity pools, one stands out – literally.

The rooftop swimming pool at the InterContinental Festival City Hotel has a glass-walled end section that hangs over the promenade seven storeys below.

Among the six pools installed at the Hotel Hubertus in the heart of the Dolomites, a mountain range that forms part of the Italian Alps, is a pool on stilts above the approach road. It offers breathtaking panoramas of snow-capped mountains above and verdant forests below. Swimmers needn’t worry about the winter chill as the water is maintained at a constant 33c all-year-round.

Bali

A monster hangover

The Edge Luxury Village Resort, Uluwatu

At 500ft above the Indian Ocean, this pool is available to swim in if you can afford to hire one of eight opulent villas. It extends 20ft over the cliff edge and can lay claim to being the ultimate infinity pool, but it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Hong Kong

The mind goggles

Hotel Indigo, Wan Chai

You’ll feel on top of the world if you have a dip 29 floors up in this boutique hotel.

The cantilevered glass-bottomed infinity pool was created by architectural firm Aedas, who designed it to resemble a pearl in the mouth of a dragon wrapped around the building, in an elegant homage to the history of Hong Kong.

Dubai

Enjoy those Arabian heights

InterContinental Festival City Hotel, United Arab Emirates

Dubai has a reputation for extravagance, as proved by this extraordinary pool hanging off the side of the hotel. To take your mind off the fact you are floating 100ft in the air, you can soak up views of the city’s ultra-modern architecture and luxury stores while taking a dip.

Vancouver

Canada high

One Pacific, Vancouver

The developer behind this tower in Vancouver wanted to make a statement and they succeeded with a curved pool jutting out of the building at a height of 200ft.

Swimmers will be reassured to know the 6in-thick acrylic floor is made to support the weight of 1,650 cars.

Italy

A big window on the world

Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus, South Tyrol

What could be more relaxing than dipping into a pool after a long day of hiking?

Overlooking the Dolomite mountain range, this striking structure is suspended 40ft above the ground, with a glass window to give bathers the sensation of swimming through the sky.

The dramatic 82ft-long pool is part of a new extension in the resort for skiers and hikers.

Houston

Walk tall in Texas

Market Square Tower, Houston, Texas

Never mind floating in water, you’ll feel like you’re floating on air here. The developer claims it is the highest glass-bottomed pool in the world at 500ft and it’s been making waves on Instagram.

Only residents of the apartment block are allowed to swim, so if you want to try it out, you’ll have to move in. But, gosh, wouldn’t it be worth it.

Hawaii

Get your water wings…

Anaha, Honolulu

As if having the world’s best beaches wasn’t enough, Hawaii now has one of the best swimming venues in the sky.

Anaha, which means ‘reflection of light’, was designed with the play of light on water in mind.

The glass-bottomed pool is a dizzying 75ft in the air, jutting out 15ft from the side of the residential building, giving swimmers a panoramic view of the island.

Just be careful not to swallow any water if you start gawping.