Have you ever dawdled on the perimeter of a pool to get to the other side? No? Just me then? An easy weapon for someone who wants to kill me and make it look like an accidental drowning: I don’t know how to swim. But, I love pools! Even more if there’s a private pool in my hotel room or Airbnb where I can thrash my legs (I own two swimsuits just for this purpose). And now that we’re confined to our homes (mostly), all the more reason to find private pools in Delhi, or around.
Public pools are risky, so it makes sense if you want to check out the hotels, Airbnbs, and villas offering suites and villas with their own safe haven. When I wrote about the safety of hotel pools and the better alternative of private pools for Fodor’s Travel, I was asked if I knew places around Delhi that had them. Why, I do!
Remember: India is ranking second in the world with 7.65 million COVID-19 cases, so make sure you understand the risks of travelling right now. I have already made a case for not travelling in India, but I empathise with those who are ready to be out there!
Before booking anything, call up the property and ask details about their safety protocols. Some things to look out for: mandatory masks in public areas by guests and staff; sanitation of rooms between guests; 24-hour gap between guests; low capacity at restaurants and a social distance of at least six feet between tables; contactless check-in and room service; and frequent sanitation of high-touch surfaces.
There has been no report that the infection can be caused by water, but you should still ensure that the private pool is cleaned before your use and the pH and chlorine levels are maintained as per the WHO standards.
Hotels With Private Pools
Private pools are indulgences of luxury hotels and resorts, so they come at a hefty price. A tip: Call up the hotel and try to get a better deal. Most of these hotels are pretty generous. Just be nice even if they say no 🙂
The Westin Sohna Resort & Spa
I stayed at The Westin Sohna once for a corporate retreat. Just 40 minutes from Gurgaon, the resort sprawls over 45 acres of greens, and features 97 rooms and suites, four dining venues, a spa, and pools. My favourite part? The emus! Did you know that Westin is known for its extra comfy beds? They also have other programmes focused on overall well-being and fitness.
The guest rooms are spacious and the villas come with decks, patios or gardens. But the best room in the house is the two-bedroom Royal Pool Villa that can be your getaway with your friends (it accommodates five). Westin also has a range of environmental practices including recycling, rainwater harvesting and smart irrigation, among others.
Price: Rs 45,000 upwards per night for five people; book here.
ITC Grand Bharat, Gurgaon
A short drive from Delhi, ITC Grand Bharat at the foothills of the Aravallis is India’s first all-suite hotel. Its sister property in Delhi has always been a favourite of foreign dignitaries and state heads, and the luxury hotel brand is top-of-the-line. This one, however, feels a bit over-the-top with its architecture that draws from various Indian dynasties, styles and schools of art. It seems too ornate.
ITC Grand Bharat has a golf course, a full-service spa, 100 suites, and five restaurants and bars, but most importantly for you: four Presidential Villas with private pools. It was designed to give you a glimpse of India’s legacy, from Cholas to Mughals. Since this is the crown of the hotel, you can expect the works here: two bedrooms (master bathroom has steam, sauna, walk-in closet, and a bathtub), a private deck with a pool with Jaccuzi, a kitchen with fully stocked pantry, and a dining and living room.
Price: Not available online; book here.
The Leela Palace New Delhi
How do you feel about an in-room, heated plunge pool? The Leela Palace New Delhi is one of the best hotels in the city, again a celebrity favourite, and definitely with one of the best private pools in Delhi. It is designed tastefully with modern aesthetics—Persian rugs, Murano chandeliers, fresh flowers and carved statues are spotted everywhere. Plus, the service is discreet and hospitable, hence the throng of state heads, celebrities and dignitaries. There are 236 rooms, and 18 suites with butler service, a spa and a rooftop swimming pool here that overlooks the city.
But let’s get to the point: the luxury suites, with their marble bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling doors and views of Delhi. The Royal Suite with Lounge Pool, the Grand Suite with Plunge Pool and the Maharaja Suite are the three options you have here.
Price: Not available online; book here.
Roseate House New Delhi
Another city hotel that epitomises luxury, Roseate House in Delhi’s Aerocity features 216 rooms and suites, along with a spa, a club and five options that derive from the capital city’s heritage (the names Kheer, DEL, and Chidiya Ghar are no coincidences).
Here, in the swanky neighbourhood with many more upscale hotels, Roseate House makes a run for the first prize with its Presidential Suite. It has its own dining and living room, a master bedroom with study and in-suite bathroom with bathtub and walk-in closet, a stocked pantry, and butler service. The grand finale, the reason it’s on this list: the suite opens up to a private outdoor pool and deck!
Price: Rs 2,50,000 upwards; book here.
The Oberoi Gurgaon
Who could imagine that in the middle of the busy, jam-packed Udyog Vihar area, would be an oasis of luxury? The Oberoi Gurgaon is a business hotel spread across nine acres, all done up with a modern aesthetic in mind. If you’re in luxury rooms or suites, you have an amazing view of the inner courtyard with a reflective pool, the gardens of the pool, which really don’t make you feel like you’re just minutes away from the concrete buildings of a commercial centre. From luxury shopping to fine-dining, this property has it all covered—I’m always impressed with its courteous staff when I visit.
Just a level down from the Presidential Suite (that also has a private pool, FYI) is the Premier Suite With A Private Pool. Open, spacious, filled with natural light, this is a two-bedroom suite with a living room, a dining room, a pantry stocked with an oven, microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator, and a utility room with washing machine and ironing board. Oh and that private pool outdoor is heated. You’d also get a 24-hour butler service, a pillow menu, and Oberoi-special toiletries.
Price: Rs 2,50,000 upwards for four people; book here.
ITC Mughal Agra
I visited Agra for the first time last year and I didn’t come back too impressed with the iconic Taj Mahal. But I just might go again if I get to stay at the ITC Mughal.
This property, built in 1973, is an ode to the Mughals—a fact to remember is that it’s the only hotel in India to have won the Aga Khan Award for Architectural Excellence. Just 10 minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Site, it features 23 acres of gardens (something that the Mughals were known for too), 233 rooms and suites, its signature Kaya Kalp spa, and three restaurants and two bars, all inspired by an era gone past.
Coming to the rooms, you’d have to get the highest category to get your own private pool. The Grand Presidential Suites, of which there are five, have a dining room, a living room, a massage room (in two), and a private pool. This is fit for a Mughal king, with butler service and momentos and so much more!
Price: Not available online; book here.
Mundota Palace, Jaipur
A 14th-century hilltop fort in Jaipur with its own polo ground and horses, Mundota Palace is a historic getaway. Live like royalty here, with days filled with learning how to play polo, dining on fine cuisines, sipping on cool cocktails by the poolside—everything with the touch of fabulous. And of course, the main part this palace is on this list: its palatial suites with their own Jacuzzis or private pools. The scene is as dramatic as it seems on its Instagram page.
If you can get yourself out of the private plunge pool, then there are other curated activities including heritage walks, yoga sessions, hiking, safari, and puppet shows. It’s just five hours from Delhi (35 minutes from Jaipur), so the location works in your favour too!
Price: Rs 23,600 per night; book here.
Tree of Life Resort & Spa, Jaipur
About an hour from the city, in a quiet village, Tree of Life Resort & Spa is a boutique property with 13 villas spread across seven acres of land. You’d love the peace here, away from the bustle of Jaipur. It has some great experiences—teach kids, visit villagers, go for a trek, or stroll around the garden. You can book a private yoga and meditation session, too.
Apart from the infinity pool, the villas also have private plunge pools for guests. If you’re travelling with your family, or another couple, the two-bedroom pool villa would be perfect. Even the luxury pool villa, with one bedroom, has an outdoor shower and spa, as well as a private pool. It really is a great choice this time of the year when the weather is turning, so you can spend all day on your private deck.
Price: Rs 23,000 upwards for one night; book here.
Lohagarh Fort Resort, Jaipur
Private pool at Lohagarh Fort. 
A cottage at Lohagarh Fort Resort, Jaipur.
Another one in Jaipur because it’s a traveller’s haven. Luxury resort? Check. Boutique property? Check. An eco-friendly resort? Check! This one is spread over eight acres, and offers spa and yoga, archery, horse-riding, and a beach-themed pool. You have lots of options to choose from—a tent with a Jacuzzi, a cottage with a mini pool, a luxury suite with an indoor pool, or a luxury suite with an outdoor pool. The latest in the offing is the three-room Dream Villa with a private pool and garden.
Price: Rs 24,000 upwards for two nights; book here.
The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa
Pushkar is a buzz of activity around this time of the year because of the Pushkar Fair that brings in truckloads of people, not just to sell livestock but also for fun contests. Travellers also love its heritage and religious places, apart from the magnificent sunsets on the desert. Is it any surprise then that Westin brought its stellar hospitality to the city a few years ago?
If you’re up for the drive, you will be comforted by its Heavenly Spa, oh-so-comfy Heavenly Beds, and multiple dining venues. Three categories of rooms come with balconies, while the Luxury and Royal Villas have their own private plunge pools. Another thing in its favour? Clean decor with portraits of mustached men in traditional attire on the walls.
Price: Rs 11,000 upwards per night; book here.
The Oberoi Sukhvilas, Chandigarh
Luxury tent with private pool. 
Luxury villa with its own plunge pool.
On the outskirts of Chandigarh, Oberoi has this palace of a hotel with symmetrical architecture, expansive courtyards, and ornamental design. Its biggest draw, other than the obvious Oberoi hospitality, is the 12,000-square-foot spa, which has a host of Ayurvedic treatments. The decor draws a lot from North India, with Punjab at the centre of it all, but the rooms have the air of a Mughal abode. You can go on a private helicopter tour, take a yoga lesson, go e-cycling or trekking, and discover the city of Chandigarh.
The 60 tents, rooms, and suites have the colonial theme running—poster beds, chandeliers, and handcrafted furnishings. Royal Forest Tents, Luxury Villas and the Kohinoor Villa all have private plunge pools. The Kohinoor Villa is the best of them all, designed as a haveli with its own courtyard and a dining pavilion, so it also comes at the cost of Rs 6,00,000 per night. That’s the price you pay for a private bulter and royal life!
Price: Rs 64,000 per night upwards; book here.
Mountbatten Lodge, Ranakpur
Courtesy: The Mountbatten Lodge
It’s a bit of a drive from Delhi to Ranakpur, but if you’re willing to pull through, The Mountbatten Lodge is a lovely oasis. An ode to the British Raj, this lodge features just four suites and oodles of privacy. The architecture brings the outside in with large windows and French doors. A family can book two suites and have the whole bungalow all to themselves, their own private deck and pool, a living room, and courtyard.
All meals are included, so have a relaxed lunch under a banyan tree and dinner with candle light. You’ll love the experiences here—from leopard safari to horse treks to sundowners in the Aravallis. The Lodge Bar plays jazz in the evenings, completing the colonial experience for safari enthusiasts.
Price: Rs 30,000 upwards for a night; book here.
Villas With Private Pools
There are plenty of other options these days, from farm houses to private villas and Airbnbs. These are the best ones I found online. Please check reviews before you go, go, go!
Amber Mansion, Jaipur
This mansion is huge! With eight rooms, a private pool, and a courtyard, this haveli can accommodate 18 guests, so there’s your big family getaway. Breakfast is included when you book the property, and you can get other meals at additional cost. Want to stay in? Play boardgames in the courtyards, take a dip in the pool, cook together, and have evening chai with pakodas in the gazebo. It might not be a great idea to see the sites in Jaipur right now, but you can visit the elephant villa, Nahargarh Biological Park, and Jhalana Leopard Sanctuary nearby.
Price: Rs 1,50,000 for 18 adults for two nights; book here.
RajNikas Farm, Alwar
Around 80 kilometres from Gurgaon, this two-bedroom farm house offers views of the Aravallis. Lush with greenery, the stone house feels part of nature, blending in rather than sticking out as a sore thumb. You can take your pets, and for hoomans without their own fluffies, the property houses two dogs, a cat, cows and calves, and a goat! You have the whole farm to yourself, fit for two couples, or a family. The kitchen is operational and meals can be arranged. When you come out of the pool, you have the option of playing games in the verandah, strolling in the garden, and barbecuing in the evenings.
Price: Rs 14,000 per night; book here.
SimBliss Farm, Gurgaon
If you aren’t willing to drive for too long, check out this property in Manesar. There are four bedrooms here (one with a fireplace!). This farm has a pool and deck, with an attached bar area. There are plenty of spaces to hang out with your friends or family, including an enormous lawn with a swing and hammock, a central courtyard, living and dining rooms, and a kitchen equipped with a microwave, stove top, and fridge. You can also ask the host to arrange for a bonfire or barbecue for your group.
Price: Rs 23,000 per night; book here.
Boutique Farmhouse, Gurgaon
This is another really pretty property close to Gurgaon. There are four bedrooms here, a central courtyard, a kitchen, and a garden. The outdoor swimming pool has a gazebo and you’ll love to host barbecues in the evenings. Perfect for a large family, this place is a getaway if you want to do nothing but read under the sun, walk under the stars, and laze around in the countryside. A cook can handle all the meals if you’re not up to the task and you can even get your pets.
Price: Rs 27,000 per night; book here.
The Hideout Farm, Kurukshetra
It’s a one-bedroom villa in Kurukshetra that’s a perfect fit for a couple. The garden is a great feature here, with trees and greenery everywhere, and you can play games or have a cosy picnic with your partner. The pool and the gazebo will be the highlight for you, but there’s also a fully-equipped kitchen and a living room. Bonfires, barbecues, and small events can be hosted and you can also ask for a cook to take care of your meals.
Price: Rs 7,999 per night; book here.
Pukhraj Palace, Jaipur
This one’s a heritage haveli in the foothills of Kalwar, about 45 minutes off Jaipur. It was built in 1879, and the rich interiors talk about its heritage. Think inlay work, antiques, peacock dancing in the lawns,, lots of florals, and stained glass windows. But here’s the thing: the whole villa can accommodate 18 guests in its 6 rooms, so call up the property before making the booking for a large gathering and know more about the COVID measures in place. There are rooms and suites, an outdoor pool, and a courtyard where you can watch cultural performances. Other things they can offer are yoga sessions with a professional, camel cart rides, romantic candle-lit meals, and traditional Rajasthani food. You can also host an intimate wedding or celebration here.
Price: Rs 1,14,240 per night; book here.
Know any other private pools near Delhi? Leave a comment below!