Poolside Lounging: 10 Gorgeous Cabanas at Top Hotels

Offering the ultimate in poolside luxury, Viceroy Anguilla provides guests with their own private poolside oasis. Cabanas come with sofa beds, lounge chairs, and gourmet treats. After all, opened in 2009, the Viceroy is the most modern property on this tiny island -- and arguably the most luxurious. The Kelly Wearstler-designed resort manages to mix an upscale look with a laid-back, beachy feel, and features sleek lines, modern amenities, numerous art installations, earth tones, animal prints, and wood, stone, and gold accents throughout.

The stunning 312-room W South Beach -- located on the sand on the northern outskirts of Miami's South Beach -- blends cute comforts, intricate design (that spares no expense), and flawless service. The hotel's WOW cabanas come with flat-screen TVs, sounds of the waves from the Atlantic Ocean, plush oversize couches, and refrigerators to chill a bottle (or two) of champagne.

The rooms may come close to those at Regent Bal Harbour, but the Acqualina's beach is far better -- especially considering that it offers free cabanas with plush loungers and tables. For families especially, this a superb luxury pick. Four pools, great Italian cuisine, a luxurious spa, 97 huge, modern rooms, and its attentive service make it stand out.

The Viceroy in Palm Springs has three different cabana experiences to choose from. The Kids Cabana at the Presidio Pool is ideal for families and comes with inflatable beach balls, bottled water, and fruit smoothies. The Regency Cabana comes with additional seating for up to eight people, and the Presidio Cabana is the big kahuna of cabanas! The largest space of the three, it comes equipped with 10 chaise lounges, bottled water, and plenty of pampering poolside services.

Situated on a rock between two beaches, the 22-acre, 546-room Wailea Marriott has panoramic ocean views and a serene vibe that's missing from some of the more crowded, neighboring resorts. The cabanas here are surrounded by water on three sides. After sunset, the cabanas offer the perfect spot for a romantic candlelight dinner. Renovated in 2008, the Marriott's spiffy rooms, gorgeous adult-only infinity pool surrounded by plush cabanas, reputable spa, and popular restaurant make it the best upscale, yet reasonably-priced (considering the extensive amenities), option in ritzy Wailea.

The uber-luxe Resort at Pelican Hill has received rave reviews for its many services and amenities; in fact, its cabanas were named the "swankiest pool cabanas" in the area. And that's not all: A sprawling, immaculately kept resort (500 acres!) with two golf courses, a 23,000-square-foot spa, two pools, five restaurants, and 332 bungalows and villas, it is known as one of the most beautiful resorts in California, let alone Newport Beach. The rooms are large, with top-notch technology (although the absence of iPod docks is surprising) and beige decor (of the upscale variety, not the bland kind).

The 569-room Beverly Hilton, the site of the Golden Globes, excels at affordable luxury. Its massive pool is the largest heated hotel pool in L.A., and Angelina Jolie infamously jumped into it after winning her second Golden Globe. Plush day beds with curtains for added privacy are available for rent, and with the pool opening at 5 a.m., you can make it a full day of poolside lounging.

Less stuffy than the Beverly Hills Hotel, more glam than the Beverly Hilton, this iconic Beverly Hills hotel is a top luxury pick for business or leisure, families or romance. With beautiful guest rooms, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant, and a great spa, pool and fitness center, plus doting Four Seasons service, it's hard to find fault. Numerous poolside cabana packages are available; the most luxe is the VIP package, complete with private cabana, bottled waters, bottle of Dom Perignon, snacks like chips and salsa and fruit, a cocktail pitcher, chocolate-covered strawberries, and lunch for two.

This sprawling 140-acre resort feels more like a Renaissance palace than a hotel. The oceanfront grounds are defined by historic architecture and elegant landscaping, and the extensive features include five swimming pools, two 18-hole golf courses, 10 tennis courts, 9 restaurants, and 10 boutique shops. The poolside bungalows range from 300 to 400 sq. ft. and the lounge areas include tropical teak wood furnishings as well as day sofas, living room and dining furniture, and full bathrooms with showers; some have sexy open-air showers.

Given the hotel's aquarium, wave pool, and broad assortment of 20+restaurants, this hotel rates with ones like the MGM Grand as one of the best upscale family hotels in Vegas. There are over 100 poolside cabanas to choose from -- choose one right in the middle of the pool party action or in a more secluded oasis.


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