SINGAPORE - What is it that we like most about five-star hotel swimming pools?

The olive oil tanned bodies parading around in the skimpiest of fabric?

The frosted glasses that come filled with potent sweet-tasting liquors that are infused with tropical fruits?

The cleavage?

On second thought, what is there not to like about five-star hotel swimming pools? We haven’t met one we haven’t liked yet.

But some do stand out from the crowd — like the Top 10 mentioned here on our favourite’s list:

1– Hotel Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Anything goes in Rio. And the first thing to go poolside at this iconic Orient-Express property are the bakini tops. The semi-Olympic-sized pool at the Copacabana is the best we’ve ever seen. The poolside restaurant serves up some spicy local dishes and the air is always spiced with a Latin flavour. The world-famous Copacabana beach is right across the street but if you don’t like crowds, then this pool is the great escape. The hotel’s best rooms look out on the pool, where starlets from South and North America can be regularly seen catching a few rays. The pools sits under a blue sky umbrella just about every day of the year.

2- Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, Thailand

Recognized as the best hotel in the world, the pool at Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental is second only to Rio’s Copacabana on my list of greatest hotel pools. Newly upgraded with rich mosaics, the 25-metre-long pool is perfect for exercising or just relaxing after a hectic day of touring Asia’s naughtiest city. Although situated in the middle of the vast Mandarin Oriental property, between the hotel’s historic author’s wing and its main restaurants, the pool remains a sanctuary of calm thanks to the thick foliage that camoflagues it. The poolside massages are superb; the food is Thai delicious; and the attentive service never disappoints.

3- Banyan Tree, Mahe Island, Seychelles

Few people ever venture to this Indian Ocean hideaway, which means few people ever get to experience the best infinity pool in the world. Couples arrive early so they can claim a spot at Banyan Tree’s main pool, which looks out on an ocean vista that can’t be matched anywhere else. Every villa at the sprawling Banyan Tree resort comes with a small pool but still, guests trek down each day to the large main pool where they settle in to hear the waves lapping against the resort’s shores and be pampered by a well-trained staff that caters to their every wish. There’s lots to see on tiny Maha Island, but it’s hard to leave Banyan Tree’s magnificent pool.

4- Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Kuda Huraa

For a place surrounded by turquoise water and where many of its majestic beach villas come with lap pools and others sit perched on stilts over a tranquil lagoon, there sure is a lot of activity around the Kuda Huraa’s main infinity pool. Maybe it’s central location next to the posh property’s main dining room is it’s drawing card; or the fact that it offers swimmers some breathless views of the Indian Ocean. I think it’s because of the swim-up bar. Just think, you can swim, eat and drink without ever drying off. When you do drag your pruned-skinned body out of the pool, though, get set to be waited on by a Four Seasons staff that exceeds the chain’s industry-leading standards.

5- Fullerton Hotel, Singapore

I wrote to tell a lot of friends about the magnificent pool I found at the Fullerton Hotel, which is located atop a building which once served as Singapore’s main post office. The Fullerton’s pool was spotlighted in a 2006 Conde Nast Traveller magazine where the influential publication named it one of its Top 10 global infinity pools, and it’s become a must-see attraction ever since. The views one gets of Singapore’s river, its futuristic concert hall, and its forest of office towers, is truly amazing. The 25-metre-long pool is flanked by 20-metre-high Doric columns which just adds to the majesty of the experience.

6- Crane Hotel, Saint Philip, Barbados

The historic Crane has been a holiday fixture almost from the time tourists discovered this enchanting Caribbean island. However, it was always the Crane’s pink-sand beach that was the attraction. That was until the owner added a three-tier main pool complex, which looks out on the ocean brilliance, to go along with the charming, columned-lined original pool that looks over the beach and its splendour. The new pool complex was built for the residents who buy into the resort’s time-share properties but hotel guests are welcome to hang around and enjoy the top-notch services supplied there. The original pool is quaint and attractive and a great place to escape.

7- Fairmont Turnberry Isle, Miami

Noted mainly for its golf courses and five-star service, this Fairmont “family” property surprises with a classy pool that wouldn’t look out of place in Palm Springs. The lagoon-style behemoth sits surrounded by the resort’s luxury rooms and its el fresco dining spots. There’s always lots of activity by the pool, which attracts some of the best bodies Florida has to offer. The lagoon-style pool is just one of three offered at one of Miami’s best properties and it’s favoured by mature guests. The only criticism I had was the lack of attention guests got from the pool staff. they’re slow to react to almost all requests.

8- Nam Hai Resort, Hoi An, Vietnam

This communist-governed country was a late comer to the world of luxury resorts but it’s catching up fast. There’s no better proof of that than the Nam Hai Resort, located on a stretch of virgin sand known as China Beach, which became famous as a GI hangout during the Vietnam War. Much has changed here since and the multi-level infinity pool that drifts off into the South China Sea is the hotel’s defining structure. Most of the resort’s rooms look out on the pool and this swimming hole would have ranked higher but for the poor pool service and food. However, the Vietnamese are quick learners and the quality of service will no doubt improve.

9- Perivolas Resort, Santorini, Greece

This Aegean gem may be one of the most unique hotel retreats in the world and its infinity certainly doesn’t look out of place. The resort is set within an amphitheatrical landscape amid Santorini’s natural splendour. The resort’s 17 sleek villas, transformed from 300-year-old cave dwellings, look out over the Aegean Sea as does the probably the most romantic among my list. Next to the pool, an old winery is reborn as an indoor cafe and a poolside bar. Very nice!

10- Amankila and Amanpuri Resorts, Bali,

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a tie for our final spot among the Top 10 Most Romantic Pools. After visiting the Aman Resort properties in Bali, I could not decide which was better, but both deserved to be on this list. The multi-tiered infinity pool at the remote Amankila property, which drifts off into the surrounding sea and mountain brilliance, must be seen to be appreciated. Same goes for the Amanpuri property, which is closer to civilization but no less secluded and private. Romantic dinners for couples can be arranged at both properties’ main pools and at sunset there is not a more romantic place on earth than Bali.