Top 8 Rooftop Pools

It's cold and gloomy for the parts of the planet experiencing winter, so what better time to consider a rooftop pool for catching a few rays now or to put in the plans for your next sunny holiday. To help you select a suitably chic place to soak up the sun, here’s an edited version of list of rooftop pools by Askmen.com

 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore: Architect Moshe Safdie's multibillion-dollar resort and casino is the very definition of balls-out: 55 stories crowned by a 500-foot rooftop pool, which is set amid 250 tree species and several hundred different plants in a blooming oasis called the Sands SkyPark. Three-times Olympic size and cantilevered so that the water seems to drop straight over the sides of the hotel, this claims to be the biggest rooftop pool in the world, and it's for guests of Marina Bay Sands only. Forget about views to distant monuments; from the nearby observation deck (which is open to the public), you'll be amazed just looking down at lower reaches of the monumental hotel itself.

 The Standard, Downtown Los Angeles, California: The 360 degree views of Los Angeles' reenergized downtown are enhanced by the pool topping Andr Balazs' flirty revamp of the old Superior Oil headquarters. Imagine vibrating cherry-hued water beds and yellow 1960s Panton chairs, Astroturf underfoot and a nightly DJ reigning over the next-door dance floor. If you're in the mood for cozy, order a drink from waitresses dressed as cheerleaders and sit around the outdoor fireplace. The party's on until 1:30 a.m., after which you can satisfy late-night cravings at the hotel's 24-hour outdoor patio restaurant, next to a flaming water fountain.

 Pacific Regency Hotel Suites, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Luna Bar is a covered bar extending the length of the hotel's rooftop pool. Views are of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, including the 88-story Petronas Twin Towers, and the bar, which offers al fresco dining as well, is a fixture of Kuala Lumpur nightlife and three-time winner of Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards' "Best Night Spot Award." The pool is a more exclusive, private venue that's only open to hotel guests.

 Shoreditch House, London, England: The definition of true privacy is a pool for members only, and this one sits on the roof of a converted warehouse that's now a private members club in East London serving A-listers from media and fashion industries. Founder Nick Jones has nine "houses" in Berlin, London and U.S. cities, including New York City's Soho House. Shoreditch House's pool shares the roof with a bar-lounge complete with cozy open fire and a lawn-garden area for relaxing barefoot. Next door, a pub has been converted to offer 26 rooms for club members (you can even borrow "dress-up accessories" from the concierge).

 The Top at Hotel Adriana, Hvar, Croatia: A neon-lit bar runs the length of The Top, this Croatian Dalmatian islands hotspot within a stylish contemporary boutique hotel facing the sea. It takes a ferry or speedboat from Split Kastela/Resnik Airport to get to Hvar, but once ensconced on Hotel Adriana's roof, you'll spend hours swimming in a year-round seawater pool, taking in views of the Venetian piazza, cathedral and harbor they call "the next St. Tropez."

 Hotel Unique, Sao Paulo, Brazil: This sexy, curvy hotel shaped like a boat (huh?) was designed by architect Ruy Ohtake, with interiors by Joo Armentano, and it's a veritable objet d'art that lives up to its name. The oversize pool with an underwater sound system runs the length of the roof and is illuminated in crimson at night. And right beside is Skye bar and restaurant, serving up a multi-ethnic menu with views of Ibirapuera Park within the upscale Jardim neighborhood.

 Atrium Pool, Park Hyatt, Tokyo: Bill Murray fans will remember this pool well. It's the 20-meter stunner with floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass-topped roof that, in Lost in Translation, Murray swims attempting to court Scarlett Johansson in her breakout role as Charlotte. So to recap: Shinjuku district and Mount Fuji views from the 47th floor, and the bonus of swimming in a movie set for a bodacious Hollywood star.