Travel Impressions top ten lazy river lounging
Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
This high–end resort in Uvero Alto may be small, but its features and luxury are definitely mighty. It's only got 96 suites, but plenty of those are swim–up suites that line a long serpentine pool that extends practically from the beach to a loop that closes out the row of bungalows.
Iberostar Rose Hall – Montego Bay, Jamaica
See this resort from a new angle with a lazy river that provides ample views of the hotel grounds. Located behind an arc of rooms around the main beach–facing pool, the lazy river loops around an island connected by two lovely bridges for a leisurely float. These are only two out of four pools; one's just for kids while another always has something going on with organized daily activities.
Atlantis, Paradise Island – Paradise Island, Bahamas
This reclamation of the lost city of Atlantis only just barely qualifies as land; its more than 20 swimming areas, 11 distinctly different pools, five miles of beaches, and a grand total of over 8 million gallons of saltwater marine habitats make it pretty clear that water wins here.
MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, Nevada
A whole thousand feet of winding waters sounds like a lot—and it is!—but it's only a fraction of the 6.5 acres of fun within the pool complex, which includes four pools and three whirlpools broken up by cascading waterfalls. Particularly of note is the Wet Republic Ultra Pool, which has dipping pools, daybeds, banquets, bungalows, and party cabanas galore.
The Fives Azul Beach Resort Playa Del Carmen, By Karisma – Riviera Maya, Mexico
Why walk when you can float? The lazy river winds its way through the entire property. Swim–up suites mean you can live like a mermaid, spending the day in the water and emerging only every once in a while, for a bit of sun on a patio or lounger, and maybe some poolside drinks and snacks. With seven pools and an exclusive kids club pool, there's no end of ways to stay wet.
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort – Maui, Hawaii
"Two thousand feet of excitement" is probably the best way to describe Wailea Canyon, an oversized complex of water features and attractions best visited by a river that's lazy and rapid in turns. Another way to look at it is to call it 25,700 square feet of adventure or 770,000 gallons of fun.
Sunscape Splash Montego Bay – Montego Bay, Jamaica
Ranked one of the best family–friendly resorts in the Caribbean by USA Today, this Jamaican resort is right in Montego Bay Marine Park, Jamaica's first and fully underwater park, complete with protected swimming areas and stellar snorkeling opportunities. To add to that, on the grounds is the Pirate's Paradise Water Park, which features a pirate ship with two water slides and—you guessed it!—a lazy river.
JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes – Orlando, Florida
With a capacity of more than 1,500 that can comfortably lounge in this lazy river, this is a pool party unlike any other you might experience. Of course, it helps that this is also the property's main pool, filled with 9,000 gallons of water under a canopy of trees. Its banks are as equally lined with Florida foliage as with guests of all ages having the time of their lives.
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa – Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia
Coast under waterfalls to splash your way into CocoLand, Saint Lucia's largest water park. There's 1,500 feet of lazy river to traverse between exciting water slides and kid–friendly aquatic playgrounds at this resort, geared toward guests of the Splash family–friendly wing.
Valentin Imperial, Riviera Maya – Riviera Maya, Mexico
One of the largest pools in Riviera Maya. You'd think that's a good enough pool–type attraction, but not here. Two swim–up bars and the fact that parties with a live DJ, shows, and games take place here make it a hopping spot, but it's the lazy river that makes it an obvious contender for this list.
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