May flowers are in full bloom, the school year is winding down, and temperatures are creeping steadily into the sweat zone.
While most of us simply crank up the AC and scroll through resorts for a respite, a lucky few just amble into their backyards. For those charmed homeowners with resortlike pools on their properties, we cop to a serious case of lazy river envy.
Lazy rivers are the finest pool-related amenity—allowing an aimless sunbather to float along, with jet currents so gentle a cocktail in hand won't spill.
It's the dreamy warm-weather experience most of us get only occasionally, on vacation—if we're lucky. What if you could indulge yourself whenever you wanted? To indulge in our own lazy river–fueled fantasy, we scoped out the coolest pools for sale from coast to coast.
We found seven homes on the market with lazy rivers, swim-up bars, grottoes, and other manner of high-end water experiences that might make your next trip to the resort feel downright dreary. This is how you do summer the right way.
Pass the (waterproof) sunblock and take a dip.
Desert dream
- Price: $935,000
This home's pool cost a cool quarter-million dollars to build in 2006 and has been recognized among the top 10 in Arizona. More than just a spot to cool off, this home's backyard has a lazy river, grotto waterfall, tunnels, a slide, misting system, and much more. The rest of the five-bedroom home is more subdued, but it's all arranged to soak in the views of all the fun out back.
Playtime perfection
- Price: $4,999,500
This five-bedroom estate sits on more than 4 acres and was built first and foremost for fun. The interiors are luxurious to be sure, but it's what's on the outside that gives this home the feel of a resort. Out back, there's a covered kitchen, pond with pier, and pool with spa and dreamy lazy river.
Island ideal
- Price: $3,950,000
This five-bedroom estate was built in 1992 and sits on nearly 3 acres with 300 feet of Intracoastal Waterway frontage. If boating out of the floating dock or swimming at the private beach a short walk away aren't appealing, head out back. There you can take a dip in the 4,500-square-foot, glass-tiled pool with rock structure, waterfalls, spa, lazy river, swim-up bar, and grotto.
Million-dollar marvel
- Price: $6,200,000
This pool connected to a 9,400-square-foot, Tuscan-style estate cost $1 million to build in 2006 and was featured on HGTV's top 50 pools series. In addition to the lazy river, the pool area includes waterfalls, a swim-up bar, and hot tub.
50 acres of fun
- Price: $2,500,000
In addition to over-the-top amenities like an indoor breezeway, loggia, and pet grooming room, this enormous 50-acre estate outside Houston has a bountiful backyard. There's a free-flowing pool, which includes a lazy river, waterfall grotto, slide, fire pit, and cabana.
'White House'
- Price: $1,999,900
Dubbed the "White House," this Colonial-style home from 1999 has seven bedrooms and more than 6,600 square feet. In addition to lavish interiors, this home has a backyard with a new lazy river pool, spa, shower, gazebo, and kitchen with barbecue and pizza oven.
Best of benders
- Price: $1,675,000
Built in 2008, this 10,000-square-foot mansion is big even for Texas. While the interiors boast extras like custom millwork and built-ins, rotunda ceilings, and a grand staircase, this 2-acre property truly shines with its outdoor spaces. Experience outdoor living at its finest with a heated pool with waterfalls, slide, spa, and beach entry. Apparently, sometimes even a spectacular pool isn't quite enough.
