If you’ve been stuck in your air-conditioned room for the past month—or working in a call center night shift—you’d probably noticed that we are now in the summer months. But more than the searing sunlight, the sweltering heat, and the humid nights, you know it’s officially summer because your Facebook feed has pictures of your friends gallivanting amid the sand, surf, and sunsets while you’re stuck in the city.
However, there are a lucky few who are keeping cool in the summer despite living in the city, thanks to swimming pools that are just lying right outside their condo units. What’s more, these are more than your regular condo swimming pools, given the extraordinary features that make them quite remarkable.
What makes these swimming pools different? Why not check them out? Here are our top six awesome condo swimming pools that will get you in the mood for summer, regardless of the season.
1. One Roxas Triangle
Location: Paseo de Roxas corner Cruzada St., Makati City
Description: One Roxas Triangle is a residential condominium skyscraper situated within the heart of the Makati central business district. Developed by Ayala Land in conjunction with Hongkong Land and BPI, it is owned by Roxas Land and is currently defining the city’s skyline as one of the premier residential communities in the metro. As of present, the building’s Tower One is already complete while Tower Two is still being constructed. One Roxas Triangle is considered lucky according to the Chinese because given its location near the Ayala Triangle, the double triangle figure resembles the number “8”.
Pool Features: Situated in one of the premier condos in Makati, One Roxas Triangle has an expansive lagoon-type swimming pool, an adjacent whirlpool, and a gazebo.
2. Two Serendra at Serendra
Location: 11th Avenue and McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Description: One of the prime residential projects of Ayala Land, Serendra is considered as a pioneer in garden residential developments. As a garden community composed of low-to-mid-rise terraced buildings designed in a European architecture-style “bahay na bato” (or stone house), the condos are situated within a unique garden environment in Bonifacio Global City. What’s more, there’s a retail promenade just outside Serendra dubbed the Serendra Plaza, with upscale shops and restaurants. Serendra is divided into two: One Serendra, developed by Ayala Land Premier, and Two Serendra, the flagship project of Alveo Land.
Pool Features: Two Serendra offers lush tropical landscaping with shaded pocket gardens, an elevated 25-meter lap pool that overflows into the main pool, private pool nooks, and a dedicated kids’ pool beside the outdoor and indoor play areas.
3. The St. Francis Shangri-La Place
Location: Shaw Blvd. corner St. Francis St., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Description: The St. Francis Shangri-La Place, also known as The St. Francis Towers, is located at the heart of the Ortigas commercial business district. A luxury residential development by the internationally-renowned Shang Properties, it has direct access to the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel and the upscale mall Shangri-La Plaza. Because this is a Shang development, the St. Francis Shangri-La Place is as fully equipped with first-class amenities and recreational choices as its hotel counterparts.
Pool Features: Considered as one of the most prestigious residential buildings in the country, St. Francis Shangri-La Place has a 25-meter lap pool, a kiddie pool, and an outdoor Jacuzzi.
4. The Grove by Rockwell
Location: 117 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. (C5), Barangay Ugong, Pasig City
Description: Developed by the same company behind Power Plant Mall and the Rockwell Center, The Grove by Rockwell in Pasig has the signature Rockwell lifestyle outside of its commercial-residential enclave in Makati. The Lopez-led property firm Rockwell Land has come up with a self-contained community complete with retail and food establishments just a few steps away. What’s more, 75 percent of The Grove development will be open space with bike trails, jogging paths, and gardens.
Pool Features: The Grove by Rockwell has a uniquely designed 40-meter lap pool, a central and lounge pool, and a kiddie pool with multi-purpose gazebos and private cabanas.
5. The Lerato
Location: Malugay Street corner Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Description: Located near the crossroads of Ayala Avenue and Buendia Avenue, The Lerato is Alveo’s cosmopolitan mixed-use three-tower project. Though it has its own set of restaurants and shops located at the Piazza, it also has close proximity to commercial, retail, educational and institutional landmarks in Makati. This area is dubbed as Makati’s quiet side and perfect for those who need to be near the central business district but don’t want the noise and bustling activity.
Pool Features: Offering more than the usual swimming pool-and-fitness studio amenities, The Lerato has a garden ambience with themed green spaces surrounding a swimming pool that includes a 25-meter lap pool, a lounge pool, and a separate kiddie pool.
5. Azure Urban Resort Residences
Location: West Service Road, Bicutan, Paranaque City
Description: Designed as an urban residential resort experience with world class amenities, the Azure Urban Resort Residences is the country’s first beachfront property in the city developed by Century Limitless (a brand by Century Properties). As befits its title, it has a large-scale man-made beach, the Paris Hilton-endorsed Beach Club as its private clubhouse, green spaces, and an array of resort-style condo features. The architectural design and masterplan was conceived by Broadway Malyan, an award-winning international practice of architects, urbanists and designers.
Pool Features: Azure Urban Resort Residences lives up to its name with a 3,500-meter man-made beach facility complete with fine white beach sand, artificial waves and waterfalls, cascading and lap pools, an infinity pool that overflows into two private beach coves, a children’s pool and interactive water play area, multiple water slides, a beach bar, a beach volleyball court, and the Beach Club . It also has a Zen garden, picnic grove, and pockets of green space nearby.
Admittedly, construction on some of these pools—or the preselling condos surrounding them—aren’t done yet, like The Lerato, The Grove, and Azure. Regardless, these pools are still on our awesome list for the simple reason that they look cool once they’re in full operation.
Now, who wants to lounge at the poolside for the rest of the year?
