|
Here are some of the features that are considered must-haves for the luxury pool.
Two of the more mundane choices you’ll make are surfacing and treatment. Salt-water pools, which use salt and electricity to supply low levels of natural chlorine to fresh swimming water, are in greater use in Los Cabos. Devotees swear that the water is much more comfortable (no chlorine sting), maintenance is reduced, and there is a lower risk of infections, such as swimmer’s ear. Other pool owners feel more comfortable with traditional chlorine-purified water. Here in the tropics, pools are constantly at risk for contamination; using either system, a professional service company is recommended. You will also be given the choice of ceramic tile surfacing or the more natural looking pebble surface. Both types have maintenance issues; your builder can advise you on these. If choosing a tile surface, consider adding a colorful mural to your pool’s bottom. Also, consider lighting of the pool and the pool area for drama when entertaining after dark. If your homeowner’s association allows outdoor speakers, they will add to your guests’ enjoyment.
Now that you’ve made some basic decisions, it’s time to pick out the features that will make your pool spectacular. Los Cabos is a desert and water is at a premium. For that reason, most pools, even in very luxurious homes, tend to be smaller than in other areas of the world. If you swim for exercise this needn’t be a concern. Many homes here have stationary pools in which jets provide a stream of water up to eight miles per hour to allow the swimmer to work out within the confines of a small pool. Hot tubs can be incorporated into most residential pools; your architect can offer a variety of options including hot tubs that cascade into the main pool.
If a cascade effect appeals, consider adding a fountain wall giving the illusion of a natural waterfall. A number of effects are possible, from a simple stacked stone wall with fountain to more dramatic rushing waterfall. If original to the design of the house, they can be added at minimal cost, but make a huge difference in ambience. If you’re building on a sloping lot, you may consider two pools, the upper cascading into the lower. This has been done in several well-appointed homes in Los Cabos, with the cascade varying from a natural looking rock formation mimicking a mountain stream to a full-blown amusement park water slide. For resale purposes, the less dangerous-looking the better: buyers with young children, grandchildren or even just rowdy friends often pass on homes with waterslides. Infinity edges are also dramatic but can worry if no safety shelf has been added.
These often must be shaded by a poolside palapa or other sun shade, so that your guests can imbibe without pushing their sunscreen to the limits. For die-hard sun worshippers, some pools feature sunbathing benches at a depth of about 10 inches to allow comfortable tanning in the hottest weather. These benches are also popular with dog owners: Fido deserves a place to chill, too.
For those who prefer to be over the top, dramatic pool design is de rigueur. Recent years have seen an increase in the number of novelty features. From simple jets creating fountains within the pool, to elaborate custom water shows, the pool is often less a place to swim, and more a spectacle for the senses. Often equipped with light show and music, these units can rival a Las Vegas show and have earned at least one Los Cabos home the nickname “Bellagio South.” Custom installations can cost literally hundreds of thousands of dollars US. For those on a budget, portable pool fountains with LED lights offer 16-foot high displays for as little as $100 US, and when you tire of the effect it can be removed without damage to the pool or pocket book.
And just when you thought fire and water didn’t mix: the latest in pool drama combines the popular fire pit with the humble swimming hole. As the sun sets, the touch of a remote control can ignite a fire island within your pool.
Obviously the pool has, as Architect Carrera points out, become much more than a place to cool off. It’s become an integral part of the home and a design statement. Are we, cabeños, a little bit crazy when it comes to our pools? Not really. Although we choose to live in a desert, we were probably drawn here by water. For us, celebrating water is a way of life, and our personalized pools, a way of bringing it into our homes to share with our loved ones. Whether your pool is simple or something out of Architectural Digest, it is the heart of your Cabo home: make it specially yours. And don’t overlook two of the most important pool accessories: a pool alarm and flotation aids (life preservers) for the little ones. Safety is one feature that should never be overlooked in the design and use of your pool.
Los Cabos offers the rarest of pleasures: year-round good weather. An upgraded pool isn’t an indulgence, but something you’ll enjoy 360 days a year.ts are shopping not just for a home, but a total package.
By Carol S. Billups
|
