When summer temperatures climb, a standout pool can be enough to tip the scales on where to stay. According to the report, hotels and resorts are refreshing their pool areas with new decks, cabanas, food and drink concepts, and design partnerships that make the water itself part of the draw. The result is a mix of glamorous resort scenes and more practical points redemptions that can appeal to travelers looking for value as well as atmosphere.
Fresh pool scenes from city stays to desert retreats
Several properties highlighted in the report have recently added or upgraded pool experiences. The St. Regis Atlanta has leaned into a colorful Italian Riviera-inspired takeover with Etro, while Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel in Miami reopened its redesigned pool deck in May 2026 alongside a new beach club. In California, La Quinta Resort & Club introduced Plunge, an adults-only pool within its much larger network of pools, giving guests an option for quieter downtime. Rates at these properties start at $609, $255, and $246 per night respectively, with points options also available at each hotel.
Elsewhere, the report points to the setting as much as the pool itself. Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Utah pairs its aquamarine pool with mountain and reservoir views, plus cabanas, a hot tub, cocktails and live music. In Florida, Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort has unveiled two new pool experiences and a waterpark after a multimillion-dollar reimagining. The article also notes that these kinds of updates are increasingly common across North America, where hotels are using design changes and partnerships to make pool areas feel more current and more appealing for summer travel.
For budget-minded travelers, the bigger takeaway is that a memorable pool day does not always require a luxury splurge. The report emphasizes that many of these properties can be booked with points, which may help reduce the cash cost of a summer getaway while still delivering a resort-style experience. Whether the appeal is a stylish deck, a scenic backdrop or a quieter adults-only corner, these newly updated pools show how hotels are turning a simple amenity into a reason to book.
Source: thepointsguy.com