Commercial establishments such as health clubs, hotels, resorts and spas have endless creative options to enhance the guest’s experiences. In the hospitality sector, offering customers a wide range of facilities is the primary key to running a good hotel business. In today’s luxurious hotels, swimming pools act as a focal point for aesthetics and wellness. Whether it’s a vacation stay or a workstation, the choice often comes down to the amenities of a hotel. The swimming pool is one such amenity that impacts the guest’s decision to stay there or not. Hence swimming pools have become a main structural element of any hotel.
A swimming pool works wonders in warmer/humid locations. One can provide temperature control settings for their swimming pools in colder regions. Mohamed Basheer Hussain, Director of Engineering, JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort and Spa, points out, “Pools in the hospitality industry have proven to be multifaceted so much so that very often it is used to generate revenue too. Design is an important element in the overall experience that a guest has. In an age where people want to capture every moment of their lives, especially on vacations, and post them on Instagram, a pool is not only essential for the aesthetics of the property but also could be used as an attraction for guests. Other than the obvious reason for having a swimming pool for recreational purposes for all guests irrespective of age, hotels have now started capitalising on the ambience that is created by the pool.”
Design it right
Maintaining water hygiene and quality are important factors along with the swimming pool aesthetic. These days, an architect not just looks into the design of a hotel’s swimming pool but also its filtration and drainage systems and addresses its cost-efficiency. On the other hand, hotel operators focus on pool functionality, maintenance and cost efficiency without any additional staffing needs. Khozema Chitalwala, Founder and Principal Architect, Designers Group, observes, “Simplicity is the key to ensuring cost-effective swimming pools in hotels. Their must be simple and elegant with appropriate space and Size. With rising land costs, rooftop pools are becoming a popular, cost-effective design option. They are not just economical but also low on maintenance. Using Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) in pool construction is also the latest trend in low-cost swimming pools of hotels.”
Creating a focal point
Hotels generally comprise larger viewing spaces. A swimming pool adds a focal point to the hotel rooms to make them more eye-catching. Hotels typically have visitors who include guests of all ages, from a family with kids and couples to solo Gen Z travellers. The guests can select any room that suits their type and the view they like. Hotel pools facing gardens generally resemble a quiet private pool, whereas pools facing hotel rooms are considered more public pools. Basheer Hussain says, “The hotel offers two pools to its guests. The lagoon pool of the property is surrounded by private cabanas; this allows the guests to enjoy absolute privacy and simultaneously experience the bliss of the surroundings. Guests looking for more privacy and serious fitness can swim in the temperature-controlled lap pool to witness stunning views of the 60-year-old vastly grown tree and the Nandi Hills, which don’t have guest rooms around it.”
For a strategic location, the pools are located on the eastern side of the building, so it absorbs the morning sunlight. A gym or yoga studio is usually provided around the hotel’s swimming pool to avoid harsh afternoon sunlight. This not only provides a sense of shade but also ensures the pool stays warm until the evening.
Décor elements
Landscape design plays a very important role in enhancing the pool’s surroundings. It’s critical to pick plants which do not impose daily cleaning and operations. Remember to create corners and relaxation spots with outdoor furniture for the visitors to relax and unwind. Hotels invest in high-end design umbrellas, sunbeds and patios for guests to stay longer in the pool area. They also add micro-gadgets that will provide entertainment for the guests. Large umbrellas, mosaic tiles, cascading waterfalls, and subtle planters are a few décor elements that add an attractive touch to the pool area.
Chitalwala adds, “Hoteliers prefer natural influences in various facets of a hotel and swimming pools are not far behind. In most swimming pools, there is a trend of incorporating rocks and cascading waterfalls that create an illusion of natural waters for continuous flow in the pool. When building a leisure pool at the ground level, trees can be planted around the pool to infuse a natural beauty in the hotels.”
Fitness factor
Swimming is an excellent form of exercise involving all the body’s main muscles, providing mental and physical health. They can also be the main attraction for people who like to swim and detox their muscles. Thus, swimming pools offer a scenic view and a great way for guests to get their cardio done for the day.
Ways to go green
The pool’s design is the key to ensuring minimal to zero waste. Usually, the water is monitored through the water meter for more efficiency. Hoteliers typically keep a close watch on the pumps, filtration systems, and compensation tanks for optimal maintenance. Many pool pumps run around 6-12 hours a day, but the debris are usually found at the pool’s surface – which means the pumps need to run for less time, thereby saving electricity and maximising efficiency.
Hoteliers can go natural by providing saltwater, a popular chorine alternative. Natural pools are great ways to save the local ecosystem yet provide purified water to your hotel. Elements such as pool covers can reduce summer evaporation which causes water loss. Chandan Singh, Chief Engineer, Courtyard by Marriott Agra, states, “Using plastic in any form has been eliminated from the hotel. We utilise eco-friendly cleaning supplies and have moved away from chlorine. The pool netted cover is used during non-operational hours to avoid dirt. We use LED bulbs that offer clear light and consume less power to ensure energy efficiency. Limiting water wastage and ensuring all cleanliness activities are maintained all year round are a few sustainable practices the hotel follows to maintain their swimming pool”.
He also adds, “Size of the pool pump plays an equally important role while designing swimming pools. The main task of the pump is to circulate water and ensure treatment chemicals are dispersed, and water does not stagnate.”
Getting creative
A typical rectangular pool is a passé. Hotels are getting more creative by dividing pools into different sections, such as infinity pools, rooftop pools, above-ground pools, and lap pools. Elements such as trampoline, slides, hydromassage jets and pool heating are also being added. Leisure pools are also another way to create aesthetics in the hotel’s pools. They often come in unique shapes and sizes and can even be moulded into the hotel’s theme or logo.
Since most hotels tend to shut down their pools after sunset, patios are provided for guests to sit around. Many restaurants inside the hotel can also be pool-facing so diners can look up to the shimmering water as they eat.
A specific 360-degree pool experience can provide an Instagramable movement for the visitors. Little treats such as soothing music, scents, gastronomy treats, pool towels etc. can provide a unique pool experience to the guests that they will never forget. Singh says,” Events such as evening sundowners by the pool are a hit. We set up special arrangements and offer these in packages. Here we serve small canapés and drinks by the pool. The pool serves drinks on decks designated for swimming. We also have a grill by the pool section with limited tandoori snacks served as per guests’ choice. Al fresco dining by the pool also enhances guests’ experience”.
Maintain it right
The maintenance, cost, build, and upgradation of a hotel pool can be a very expensive business for the hotel. Singh says, “To reduce costs, it is important to test the pool water for combined chlorine, pH, alkalinity and calcium hardness. PH and calcium deposits are the two most likely to cause cloudy pool waters. Thus, one must continuously filter the pool water until water is clear and monitor pool pressure. Backwash or clean the pool filter as per the manufacturer’s instructions. This helps reduce costs in the long run. Limit draining and avoid leaks. Use the correct size pumps and also change your lighting fixtures with LED bulbs to save electricity. Regular pool maintenance and inspections will lead to less scaling up calcium and corrosion.”
More people use hotel pools more than a regular private pool, leading to a wholesome amount of wear and tear. Hence one can always check the cleaning filters to the pumps to the pipelines to ensure cleanliness. Keep harmful algae, bacteria, and odours away from your pool surfaces. Daily cleaning removes dirt and debris. For twice-a-week maintenance, always brush or hoover the pool. For months maintenance activities always cleck the alkaline levels, Water filters, and run bacteriological activities.
Basheer adds, “In this era of covid and the justifiable paranoia surrounding it, our guests’ safety will remain our top priority. The recommended pH level of 6.5 to 7.5 and the chlorine level of 1.2 ppm are maintained. The pool is filtered for 12 hours and is cleaned biweekly. We ensure that while we may be aiming to become more sustainable in our practices to a better world, we do not compromise on the safety and security of our guests and employee in the process as that is our topmost priority.”
