"Infinity-style," "negative," or "zero-edge" pools take their inspiration from the naturally occurring phenomenon created when you look at the ocean as far as the horizon and the water appears to extend into infinity until it "hits" the sky.
The earliest referenced example of a human deliberately mimicking this effect is seen at one of the fountains at the French Palace of Versailles, although the Stage fountain is actually has an "inverted" vanishing edge, in that the water flows over the lip of a weir towards the viewer, whereas the "infinity" visual effect is experienced when you're viewing from the other side.
ALos Angeles architect called John Lautner (1911-1994) is credited as the modern pioneer of the vanishing edge pool and incorporated variations on this pool design into in many of his projects, which are known for their dramatic, futuristic, "space-age" design.
In Las Vegas, Green Valley Ranch was the first hotel we recall adding an infinity-edge pool. Others venues we're aware of that boast at least one, include the Golden Nugget (at the new Rush Tower pool complex), CityCenter's Veer Towers, The Cosmopolitan Day Club pool, The Spa at Aria, the Daydream Pool Club at M Resort, and Encore Beach Club.
Check out our Cool Pools feature for details of which of these are open to non-hotel guests and what other amenities these and the other hippest pools in town have to offer. Many pools are opening early this year and events are just starting to be announced, so keep checking back for updates all-summer long.
