THE JOURNAL
The rooftop infinity pool at The Yeatman, Porto. Photograph courtesy of The Yeatman
The best spots for a bite by the water.
One sure measure of a summer well spent is the hours clocked up lounging by a pool. If you’re anything like the MR PORTER team, you'll make a rapid transition from hotel check-in to poolside with slides, bathers and essential summer read in hand. Naturally, such exertion requires high-grade sustenance.
To which end, the world’s hotel operators are becoming increasingly adept at whipping up poolside fare to rival the allure of their turquoise waters, whether that’s world-class seafood, winning wine lists or light-bite menus inspired by their surroundings. From a tropical paradise to a beachfront terrace via an urban oasis, we’ve picked five poolside menus we’ll race you to this summer.
Miami Beach EDITION, Miami, USA
Florida black grouper tacos at The Miami Beach EDITION, Miami. Photographs courtesy of The Miami Beach EDITION
One of the area’s most decadent destinations, Mr Ian Schrager’s Miami Beach EDITION opened its doors in 2014. Within its manicured grounds, its two luxurious pools – complete with vintage Art Deco diving board – come equipped with day beds, teak loungers and all-day dining, courtesy of the 1950s-inspired Tropicale bar, which takes its retro design cues from legendary Havana nightclub Tropicana. Frozen margaritas and fresh seafood take centre stage, with Florida mahi mahi and Maine lobster sitting alongside more conventional bar snacks on Mr Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s suitably pastel-hued menu.
What to order: stone crab claws and Avión frozen margaritas.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy
The floating pool on Lake Como. Photograph courtesy of Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Sitting on the western shore of Lake Como, Grand Hotel Tremezzo is an Art Nouveau gem with an A-list fanbase and a majestic floating pool on the lake. Helping secure its status as one of the world’s finest pools, the T Beach restaurant and open grill is overseen by Mr Osvaldo Presazzi, who delivers a masterclass in Italian cuisine – from saltimbocca to seafood pasta – to keep you sated, while the Pommery champagne bar ensures the good times roll.
What to order: beef carpaccio salad.
The Yeatman, Porto, Portugal
Cod fillet with freeze-dried seaweed at The Yeatman. Photographs courtesy of The Yeatman
Porto is one of Europe’s lesser-known gems, with its charming UNESCO-worthy medieval streets, tiled townhouses and baroque spires. It’s also a rather fantastic place for oenophiles. High-end wine features heavily at the city’s majestic Yeatman hotel, where an impressive range of vintages is offered alongside an accomplished snacking menu by Michelin-starred chef Mr Ricardo Costa at the decanter-shaped infinity pool, which is also the perfect place to drink in sweeping views over Porto’s terracotta rooftops.
What to order: crab salad with corn strips and guacamole washed down with a zesty alvarinho.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, New York, USA
The rooftop pool at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, New York. Photograph courtesy 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
As well as winning plaudits for its eco credentials and a Mr Woody Allen-worthy vista – from Manhattan’s gleaming skyscrapers to the Statue of Liberty – this elegant addition to Brooklyn’s hotel roster recently opened a rooftop pool that boasts a bar, fire pits and seating made from reclaimed railway sleepers. A high-end bar menu serves all-American fare – including hearty burgers, hotdogs and caramelised popcorn – to your lounger to accompany views of those hard at work over the iconic bridge.
What to order: lobster rolls with tartare sauce.
Hanging Gardens of Bali, Ubud, Bali
Crème brûlée at the Hanging Gardens of Ubud, Bali. Photographs courtesy of Hanging Gardens of Ubud
Far from the trappings of modern life, this gravity-defying luxury resort (with two-tiered infinity pools) clings to a mountainside deep in the Indonesian jungle with only verdant rainforest and its inhabitants in sight. The food is far from rustic and while Mother Nature shows off in the foreground, you can pick from the range of fragrant curries, grilled fish and ceviche from Mr Gary Rosen’s colourful menu at The Garden restaurant, which skilfully blends Indonesian and international influences.
What to order: nasi goreng with wagyu beef, lobster tail and XO sauce.
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