Punta Cana is the latest airport to bring pool-side lounging to the airline environment. From December passengers travelling from the Dominican Republic can enjoy the best of both worlds; a pool to cool off in while waiting for a flight and uninterrupted views of the apron, with aircraft rubber duck-throwing distance from the pool (please don’t throw rubber ducks).
Designed by Dominican architect, Antonio Segundo Imbert, the new pool feature is the latest in a series of expansions the airport has seen since the early 2000s. It sits in a brand new lounge, that is being built to supplement two existing lounges in terminals A & B.
However, this new pay-for lounge isn’t the only Caribbean lounge with a chance to dip your toes. As we announced back in June last year, Virgin Holidays is opening their own pre-departure lounge, situated on a beach just moments away from the airport. The lounge will feature a private air-conditioned lounge, ‘premium’ bathroom and showering facilities, a beach-friendly bar and restaurant and most importantly, it’s own Virgin Atlantic check-in.
These aren’t the first airport swimming pools though. Changi airport in Singapore opened its own rooftop pool in Terminal 1 a few years ago, offering passengers who were connecting the chance to enjoy some Singaporean sunshine and a dip between flights.
However, there is a fourth, less known pay-for pool in an airport. This one a huge 25m long. Situated on the 4th floor of Doha’s Hamad International airport, the pool is the perfect place to do some lengths between flights or just relax in the hydrotherapy pool.
Our top tip is whenever you have a layover, do your homework first, as many airports now offer a myriad of options for transiting passengers to kick back, relax and let off some steam.
TheDesignAir 