9 Splashy Indoor Pools Around the World, From South Africa to N.Y.C.

For cities with four seasons, an outdoor pool is accessible for just a small portion of the year—and what is an avid swimmer to do? Build an indoor pool, of course. Whether it's built into a basement entertainment level, below ground as part of a spa, in a glass-enclosed greenhouse, or off the kitchen, designers are getting increasingly creative with how indoor pools are designed. Not just a place to get in your laps, pools are lined with windows, accessorized with chic furniture, or in proximity to fireplaces so you can get toasty after a dip. Whether you’re in the market for a home with an indoor pool or simply seeking design inspiration, we’ve rounded up the most design-forward and over-the-top indoor pools from a pool designed for safari viewing in South Africa to a pool overlooking the desert landscape of Joshua Tree to a pool in a living room in New York City.

This private game reserve in Jansenville in South Africa's Eastern Cape, listed for $20 million, is a luxury safari lodge with three lodges, one camp, and a conservation dedicated to endangered animals. Located in the Karoo, a semi-desert region in South Africa, this property offers unique access to the Big Five and other iconic African animals. One of the coolest amenities on property is an indoor swimming pool with windows that slide away to reveal the wild landscape, so you can enjoy a heated dip while you try to spot animals.

Architecture and interiors firm Purple Cherry, founded by Cathy Purple Cherry, was tapped to create a bespoke pool for a client in Annapolis, Maryland. Alongside builder Pilli Custom Homes, they created a water feature with LED lights so the owners could control and change the color of the water. There's also a nearby stone fireplace and a full-shafted cupola that allows light to stream through the structure 24/7. The pool is a swim spa, meaning it has a current so you can swim against it for an added fitness boost.

This incredible estate in the Montalbano hills outside of Italy's famed Tuscany region is like a dream come to life. After a careful renovation, the property's 19th-century Renaissance villa still retains its many frescoes, period furnishings, verdant landscaping, and architectural details of a bygone era. In addition to the acres of parks, botanical gardens, olive trees, and vineyards, there's also an elegant indoor pool and Jacuzzi, lined with playful giraffe head sculptures. It's the perfect spot to take a plunge before you embark on an afternoon of wine tasting.

Stonewall Farm in Granite Springs, New York, listed for $100 million, has just about every amenity under the sun. More like a palace than a residence, the 740-acre property is divided into 18 parcels with equestrian facilities, gardens, expansive lawns, and opportunity for more residential development. Inside the main residence is an elegant indoor pool with vaulted ceilings and walls of windows plus a hot tub and lounging areas.

One of the most upscale cities on the East Coast, Greenwich, Connecticut is known for its sprawling estates and immaculate mansions—and this five-acre property, listed for $30 million, is one of the city's finest pieces of real estate in the area. Amenities include wildflower gardens and expansive lawns, an upstairs billiards room, and a separate pool house with an indoor pool. There's a sizable pool and entertainment area with loungers and a TV for added entertainment.

The Invisible House has made headlines for its mirrored glass exterior that encourages guests to interact further with the desert landscape. This incredible architecture gives way to luxury interior amenities that overlook the dramatic, rocky landscape of California's Joshua Tree National Park. This truly unique interior design concept features open-plan spaces and a hallway-like layout where you can find the kitchen, dining table, and an indoor pool. From floor-to-ceiling windows that the house is made of, take a plunge in the pool while surrounded by a desert landscape—you almost feel like you’re outside.

Originally built in 1939, the Azria Estate is part of the fabric of Los Angeles's architecture history. In fact, it was the largest estate that renowned architect Paul R. Williams had ever built. Currently listed for $85 million, the home was formerly owned by writer Sidney Sheldon and the late Max Azria, founder of fashion label BCBG Max Azria. Of the many amenities, like the secret doorways in the office and poker room, five private gardens, walled tennis court, and movie theater, one of the most striking is the Moroccan-style pool house. The indoor pool area also has a custom hammam and floor-to-ceiling heated marble floors and walls.

Located within Soori Highline in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood, this $11.5 million combined unit (3A and 3B) has six bedrooms, a living room with double-height ceilings, walls of windows, and an indoor pool just off the living room. You can see the pool behind a giant pane of glass, and the pool is ensconced in its own room with views over the city. You can swim directly up to the window and look three floors below onto the bustling street.

This seaside retreat on a private peninsula in Massachusetts is like stepping back in time. Built in 1900, the 16,000-square-foot residence, listed for $25 million, features many whimsical water-inspired decor, water features, and period art. Opulence abounds at every turn, from many chandeliers, colorful walls, and ornate fireplaces, as well as the many amenities. There's also a one-of-a-kind fitness room with a pool that runs through the middle. There's a bridge underneath that goes over the pool for easy access to each side of the room.