Dive Into Luxury: A Look at the World’s Priciest Pools

Few things are more relaxing than lying next to the pool as the sun gently warms your skin. You can close your eyes and daydream, listen to your favorite songs, or find regulated online casinos to try your luck on, all while sipping on your favorite summer drink. 

Not all pools, however, are created equal. Some are just pools, while others are icons of engineering and architectural design. While beautiful to look at and even better to experience, the latter come with staggering price tags that make them out of reach for most people.

Keep reading to discover how much some people and companies are willing to spend on a swimming pool. 

City of Stars ($5.5 Billion)

Officially called the Citystars Sharm El Sheikh Lagoon, the City of Stars swimming pool is the largest and most expensive pool ever built. Opened in 2015, the pool is a tropical oasis in the middle of the Sanai Desert in Egypt and had more than 500 workers completing its construction.

Filled with water from underground aquifers, the pool holds an astonishing 62.6 million gallons of water, pumped to the surface and processed through multiple filters. Listed in the Guinness World Record Book as measuring 23.9 acres, the pool cost an insane $5.5 billion to complete.  

San Alfonso del Mar ($2 Billion) 

In 2006, the San Alfonso del Mar private resort in Chile became home to the world’s largest swimming pool (for a while at least). Reserved for guests of the exclusive resort, the pool holds 66 million gallons of salt water pumped from the Pacific Ocean, filtered, and poured into the mammoth lagoon.

The pool, covering 20 acres, was constructed by Crystal Lagoons, the same company that built the City of Stars in Egypt less than a decade later. It cost $2 billion and took five years to finish. The pool is surrounded by 1,200 homes and two unique apartment buildings that offer incredible views of the mass of water. 

Seagaia Ocean Dome ($2 Billion)

Despite being closed in 2007 and demolished in 2017, the Seagaia Ocean Dome in Miyazaki, Japan, was once home to the world’s largest simulated pool. The pool was filled with 3.56 million gallons of chlorinated water and had a mega wave simulator capable of 200 wave variations.

Besides having an incredible heating system that kept the water at a constant 82.4°F, the pool was also famous for its retractable roof. The dome, measuring 110 by 330 yards wide and reaching 41.8 yards in height, was fully retractable depending on the weather. The pool cost around $2 billion to complete—which was an even more massive sum in 1993 when it was opened. 

The Tank at Golden Nugget ($30 Million)

Located at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, The Tank is no ordinary swimming pool. The body of water wraps around a 200,000-gallon spherical tank filled with fish and sharks that stay in clear view regardless of where you swim in the shimmering waters.

In addition to incredible views of the aquatic animals, the pool has a 300-foot-long slide that drops three floors and features a transparent section directly through the tank. This astonishing pool, opened in 2007, cost $30 million to build. 

Lev Leviev Residence ($10 Million)

Lev Leviev grew to billionaire status in the late 2000s as one of the world’s top diamond traders. He splurged some of his money by building one of London’s most expensive homes ever, complete with what has often been called the most luxurious private pool in the world.

Appearing as nothing more than a dancefloor in a large ballroom, things change as the retractable floor shifts. Underneath, the pool glistens with carefully crafted mosaic tiles and real gold embedded in its walls. Also offering an attached spa and steam room, the pool is said to have cost $10 million—almost $15% of the total price of the $68 million mansion.

Hearst Castle Neptune Pool ($10 Million)

Built in the early 1900s, Hearst Castle is one of the most striking and luxurious houses in San Simeon, California. But what’s even more striking than the prominent architecture is the incredible Neptune Pool. It was first built in 1924 before being extended in 1926 and again in 1934. It was finalized in its current form in 1936.

The ornate pool features Vermont marble that lines its gutters and an age-old oil heating system to keep it at an enjoyable temperature. Holding 345,000 gallons of water, it is adorned by four Italian sculptures and is said to have cost around $10 million initially, with plenty more being spent on its two expansions.  

The Joule Hotel Pool ($8 Million)

The Joule was built in Dallas, Texas, in 1927. Originally the home of a bank, it was later converted into a hotel after a rigorous expansion and renovation. Part of this expansion included a new rooftop swimming pool to complement the hotel’s sensational day spa and fitness center.

While not the largest, the pool is unique in that it is cantilevered eight feet off the side of the building—ten stories above the sidewalk below. Measuring 39 feet in length and heated to the perfect temperature, the pool is said to have cost around $8 million. 

Nemo 33 ($3 Million)

Opened in 2004, Nemo 33 was home to the world’s deepest swimming pool until 2021, when Deep Dive Dubai stole the crown. The pool was designed and built as a training ground and playground for divers, and it even features several underwater caves to explore.

The pool holds 660,000 gallons of water and is 113 feet deep at its lowest point. The filtered spring water that fills it is heated by an immense solar heater, keeping the temperature at a comfortable 86°F. Located in Brussels, Belgium, the pool cost $3 million and took seven years to complete.

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Infinity Pool

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Infinity Pool has no publicly available information regarding its cost. However, considering the cost of infinity pools, we’ve included it as an honorable mention. Estimates are that the pool set Marina Bay Sands back close to $1 billion to engineer and bring to life.

The pool is the highest infinity pool in the world, measuring 478 feet in length and suspended 57 stories above the ground. It holds 380,000 gallons of water and is built using 422,000 pounds of stainless steel. The pool offers mesmerizing views of the city below while making swimmers feel like they’re about to go over the edge—which fortunately won’t happen due to its clever design!