Skip to main content

9 Incredible Island Pools to Dive Into This Summer

By U.S. News & World Report

As temperatures rise in the final months of summer, now is an ideal time to slip away to some of the prettiest swimming pools on the planet. Whether you want sweeping ocean views and tropical scenery or utter seclusion, there’s an ideal poolside getaway for you. From St. Barts to the Bahamas, here’s where to beat the heat and unwind this summer.

[See: 11 Hotels Without Resort Fees to Visit This Summer.]

Jade Mountain

Soufrière, St. Lucia

Jade Mountain and its sister property, Anse Chastenet, on St. Lucia’s southwestern Caribbean coastline, lures travelers with its infinity pool sanctuaries and rugged stone-faced columns. Here, you can expect grand sweeping spaces appointed with private infinity pools that seemingly float into the jaw-dropping backdrop showcasing the Pitons and the Caribbean Sea. Should you wish to steal away from your private suite, head to the Pavilion to lounge or swim laps.

Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino

San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan’s vibrant skyline offers a special setting for the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino‘s fourth-floor infinity pool and spacious sun deck. You won’t want to skip relaxing at the pool cabanas or ordering a Bio Bay cocktail as you lounge on the pool deck. Best of all, there’s an on-site hot tub and a kid-friendly pool on-site.

Oil Nut Bay

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Tucked away in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, Nut Bay features one of the newest collections of luxury villas. Take your pick of three unique, organically-shaped infinity pools attached to the heart of the resort, the Beach Club. With recycled glass beads, the surface of each pool captures and reflects the natural light of the sun. Even better, after getting pampered at the spa or embracing the great outdoors in Virgin Gorda, you can enjoy casual poolside dining.

Hotel Le Toiny

St. Barts

Privacy is a premium at Hotel Le Toiny St. Barth. The 14 villas each have their own private terrace and temperature-controlled infinity pool. Enjoy sweeping sunset views of the Caribbean Sea from the hotel’s elevated position on the rugged hillside above Toiny Bay. Plus, a large infinity pool serves as the center point for the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, where guests and visitors can take a dip following a decadent breakfast or lunch.

[See: 10 Cheap Summer Vacations.]

Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay

Nadi, Fiji

At the five-star Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, you can take your pick from three pools. The infinity pool offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile, the private plunge pool at the Quan Spa offers an enticing place to take a dip after enjoying a soothing treatment or an intense workout. As the sun sets, sip on poolside cocktails at the swim-up bar.

The Somerset on Grace Bay

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

If you’re looking for a supreme poolside retreat, put the five-star Somerset on Grace Bay on your radar. The pool complex is a launching pad to Provo’s Grace Bay Beach, one of the top beaches in the world. The reverse-current lap pool (the longest in Turks & Caicos) leads to the zero-entry, infinity-edge pool. Plus, the pool is outfitted with an underwater sound system and custom-made, LEED-certified sun-absorbing glass tiles that emit a soft glow at night. Even better, the nearby beach offers lounge chairs, umbrellas and attendants serving beverages and snacks.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

King’s Pond, a free-form pool at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, offers a unique wow factor. The 1.8 million-gallon, salt-water pool is carved into lava rock with more than 4,000 tropical fish from nearly 100 species. You can snorkel in the pool for free, learn about the ocean and marine biology through touch tank exploration, ray and fish feedings, or simply unwind in the adjacent whirlpool. Plus, the property offers the Palm Grove Pool, which features a swim-up bar and striking ocean vistas.

W Retreat & Spa — Vieques Island

Vieques Island, Puerto Rico

The W Retreat & Spa — Vieques Island is home to a two-level infinity WET splash pool with built-in lounge chairs and an underwater sound system. Add to the mix views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and attendants distributing snacks and sunscreen and taking requests for meals and cocktails, and it’s easy to see why this Starwood outpost is an ideal poolside retreat. What’s more, the property’s pool area offers sunbeds along with private cabanas equipped with flat-screen TVs, spacious chaise lounges and fresh fruit.

[See: Escape the Summer Heat in These Cold-Weather Destinations.]

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

Nassau, the Bahamas

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is a pool lover’s paradise. The property boasts seven elaborate pools with swim-up bars, aquariums, cliff jumps and an underwater marine cavern inspired by one of the world’s deepest salt water sinkhole, Dean’s Blue Hole. What’s more, the main pool is located next to an underwater sea life sanctuary filled with adopted nurse sharks, stingrays, tropical fish and other aquatic life.

More from U.S. News

The 10 Coolest Hotel Pool Amenities

10 Under-the-Radar Spa Retreats

12 Top Caribbean Beach Bars

9 Incredible Island Pools to Dive Into This Summer originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote