In the first post of this series, we laid the groundwork and began shaping the pool environment, so now it’s time to layer in the elements that bring it fully to life—the experiences that energize, refresh, and entice guests to stay all day. Think of these as the fruit at the ends of the branches on our bubble diagram tree: food, drink, entertainment, specialty seating, and cabanas.

Destination Bar: The Heartbeat of the Scene

One of the first focal points guests encounter upon entering the pool area is often an open-air bar—strategically placed at the end of a pool or a crossroads in the promenade. Far more than just a beverage station, this becomes the social epicenter of the resort pool experience.

It offers a shaded break from the sun, a chance to catch the game on a big screen, or simply the perfect people-watching perch. Music gives it rhythm, while the flow of guests in and around it gives it life. At casino resorts, it may even include outdoor gaming to reduce the reasons to head back inside. Where codes allow, integrating it with the pool creates the ever-popular swim-up bar.

The bar’s location is key. We often draw guests deeper into the environment by positioning it farther from the initial entry point, making it a destination within the pool area and activating more of the surrounding space in the process.

Dining That Draws You In

Just as important, guests typically prefer not to stray too far for food. A well-placed café or poolside restaurant allows them to recharge without leaving the comfort of their swimsuit and sandals.

Ideally, this venue has a slightly elevated vantage point to showcase the resort’s views and surroundings. Centrally located along the promenade and adjacent to a main pool, it becomes accessible to both those lounging outside and guests coming out from the resort’s interior spaces to enjoy a casual, al fresco meal.

Connecting this destination bar or café back into the resort’s main building allows the venue to serve indoor and outdoor patrons throughout the day—and into the evening—regardless of whether the pool itself remains open. Rather than letting the pool area go dormant at night, this approach turns it into a beautifully lit backdrop for dining terraces, events, and indoor-outdoor experiences. Overflow from a bustling restaurant or meeting space can naturally spill into the deck or garden rooms, giving the pool area a second life after dark.

It’s this kind of integration that transforms the pool zone from a daytime amenity into a fully functioning part of the resort ecosystem.

Entertainment as an Amenity

Another essential component that extends guest stays—and draws them in the first place—is entertainment. Done well, it can become a defining feature of the resort.

It can be as simple as ambient music and hidden speakers, or as intentional as a designated space for live DJs, musicians, or children’s programming. Often, we design multipurpose lounge zones with built-in equipment connections that easily convert to casual performance areas. These spaces may not be activated daily, but when they are, they inject a sense of vibrancy and create lasting memories.

For resorts seeking a more consistent entertainment offering, we may create purpose-built stages—complete with overhead structures, lighting, and even LED displays. Ideally nestled against a backdrop of lush planting or along a building façade, these spaces ensure maximum visibility from both the pool area and other resort venues.

Entertainment programming doesn’t have to be constant, but the infrastructure to support it should be thoughtfully baked into the design, giving operators the flexibility to energize the space as needed.

The Club Pool Experience

At the far end of the spectrum is the true club pool—a seamless blend of daytime lounging and nightlife energy.

In these cases, we work with operators to design pool areas that physically connect to an interior venue. Large operable doors, pivoting walls, and flexible transitions allow the dance floor to spill out onto the deck. By day, it’s a pool scene with a pulse. By night, it transforms into an alfresco party under the stars.

This hybrid approach maximizes both square footage and ROI, allowing one destination to serve multiple functions, audiences, and revenue streams.

Specialty Seating: Privacy, Personality & Profit

Whether it’s day or night, guests want their own space. And the more personalized—or aspirational—that space feels, the more valuable it becomes.

From in-water chaises and shaded daybeds to semi-private lounge clusters, these specialty seating options are about more than comfort. Positioned to take advantage of the best views and social adjacencies, these higher tiers of seating establish a visual and functional hierarchy that enhances the overall scene while offering further levels of monetization.

Because these furnishings are often loose and reconfigurable, operators can adjust them seasonally or in response to guest behavior. They’re easy to monetize, whether through reservations or amenity packages, and they help define the “zones” within a pool area without the need for excessive built structures.

Cabanas: The Resort Real Estate

For guests traveling in groups—or simply seeking an elevated experience—cabanas are the crown jewel of the poolside experience.

These range from simple canvas tents to enclosed, amenity-rich bungalows with TVs, fans, mini-fridges, and curated services. For the guest, they offer privacy, shade, and a sense of exclusivity. For the resort, they represent a reliable revenue source that enhances the brand’s lifestyle offering.

Cabanas typically require adjacent terraces where groups can spread out and sunbathe. That’s why we often elevate them slightly—either off a key pool scene or at the perimeter overlooking a main deck. This elevation gives them a commanding view and creates a subtle sense of separation. Located near the promenade for easy access and close enough to the nearest pool for quick dips, they function as mini compounds that elevate the entire guest experience.

Designing for Experience and Revenue

Ultimately, every one of these elements—bars, dining, entertainment, seating, and cabanas—has a dual purpose: enhancing the guest experience and driving resort revenue.

They invite guests to stay longer, spend more, and create memories guests will want to revisit. And when thoughtfully integrated into the overall design, they elevate the pool area from an amenity to a destination.

At the core of it all is balance: between programming and relaxation, excitement and intimacy, exclusivity and accessibility. That’s the art of crafting a true resort pool oasis. And it’s why, for every project we touch, we don’t just design pools—we design experiences that resonate.