The Poule at The Joule Hotel, Dallas
Think a rooftop pool is just a place to cool off? Think again. Around the world, these luxury pools come in many shapes, from a baby grand piano to a giant cruise ship in the sky. Some have underwater music, some have underwater views, and all of them provide an opportunity to “soak in the view.”

The Poule on the 10th floor of The Joule Hotel in Dallas extends 8 feet beyond the hotel itself and is cantilevered over downtown. Swimmers can peer out of pool’s glass window for a view of the city. Hotel guests can also enjoy bar service, cabana beds and VIP treatment; pool attendants will spritz your sunglasses upon request.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
From the air, the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, or rooftop complex, looks rather like a cruise ship. From the ground, it looks a bit like Stonehenge. It rests atop three hotel towers 656 feet off the ground. A public observation deck can hold 900 people and offers views of the Singapore Flyer. The SkyPark contains three linked, 200-foot-long swimming pools, providing a 479-foot infinity pool overlooking Singapore. It also has landscaped gardens, restaurants, bars and spas.

The Residences at The Little Nell, Aspen, Colo.
Skiing is the main attraction in Aspen. If you’re staying at The Residences at The Little Nell, however, soaking in the view can be a main attraction, too. The rooftop patio has curving stone walls, multiple seating areas, a swimming pool and two hot tubs that provide 360-degree views from Aspen Mountain to Independence Pass. These three- and four-bedroom residences are next to the Silver Queen Gondola.

Gansevoort Park Avenue, New York
The Gansevoort Park Avenue is in midtown Manhattan within walking distance of the farmer’s market at Union Square, the Empire State Building, the Theater District, Grand Central Station and Madison Square. The luxury hotel’s rooftop is a 20,000-square-foot trilevel complex that contains an indoor-outdoor rooftop pool with a view of the Empire State Building, a lounge with attached outdoor balconies and a pool deck connected to multiple bars.

Viceroy Miami
The Viceroy Miami’s 15th-floor pool stretches across two acres and is filled with opulent amenities. The pool deck connects all three towers of the hotel complex and contains an infinity pool that is the longest pool in Florida, a sun deck with 12 cabanas and 200 chaise lounges, a thermal hot pool that seats 50, a life-size chess set, a poolside bar with fireplace and dim-sum-style food carts.

Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel, Vancouver, B.C.
The Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver, B.C. boasts a heated rooftop pool with a view of both Coal Harbour and the North Shore Mountains. The rooftop pool area also has a hot tub, private cabanas and fire pits. When you’re not swimming or sunbathing, rent a cabana, bring five of your closest friends and watch a large-screen TV.

The Roof Top Pool, The Colonnade Hotel, Boston
Sink into the cooling waters of The Roof Top Pool, 11 stories above street level at The Colonnade Hotel in Boston, and you’ll still be looking up at surrounding skyscrapers. From this lofty perch, you’ll see the residential brownstones and distant views of Fenway Park. The pool, nicknamed the RTP, is also a great place to dine alfresco and enjoy outdoor concerts.

Thompson Beverly Hills
What’s the weather in Beverly Hills? It’s probably quite lovely for a dip in the heated pool on top of the Thompson Beverly Hills. The bilevel rooftop also has a gym, a lounge and private cabanas with flat-screen TVs, minibars and sofa beds. The lounge offers cocktails, appetizers and full meals, private trellis shade areas, fire pits and a palm tree.

Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC, New York
The Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC hotel in New York’s meatpacking district might have a funny name, but it has some sexy amenities. Its rooftop has a 45-foot heated pool with underwater music and colored lights on the south side of the hotel. The roof also has a garden, Plunge Bar and Lounge, a loft with 20-foot ceilings and a fireplace. Chill out and watch the sun set over the city.

Naumi Hotel Singapore
The Naumi Hotel Singapore is a five-star hotel in Singapore’s Central Business District, and its rooftop infinity pool has a five-star view. Relax on a sun-deck bed and phone in an order of tapas and drinks. You’ll also be able to see the historic Raffles Hotel across the street. It dates from 1887 and was named after Singapore's founder, Sir Stamford Raffles.

Regent Grand Hotel, Bordeaux, France
The Regent Grand Hotel Bordeaux is in the heart of historic Bordeaux, France. Guests in the top-floor Royale Suite can sip the region's world-famous wines from the privacy of their own rooftop Jacuzzi. The pool overlooks Bordeaux's famed Grand Theatre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the picturesque L'Opera de Bordeaux.

Donovan House, Washington, D.C.
Donovan House, a few blocks from the White House in Washington, D.C., boasts a heated rooftop pool surrounded by chaise lounges, a horizontal fireplace and Brazilian decking. The roof is also home to a private bar and lounge. Take a dip and enjoy a panoramic view of our nation’s capital.

Thompson LES, Manhattan
Combine a swim with a panoramic view of New York. The third floor of the Thompson LES on Manhattan’s Lower East Side boasts an outdoor pool and lounge. A film-strip image of Andy Warhol is lithographed onto the tile on the pool floor. The image is the work of artist Gerard Malanga, Warhol’s muse.

Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa, Hollywood, Calif.
The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa has a unique spin on the rooftop pool. It’s heated, shaped like a baby grand piano and overlooks the Hollywood sign. Swimmers and sun worshippers can order from the Wolfgang Puck pool bar or simply chill out in one of the 14 private cabanas.

Soho House, New York
The Roof at Soho House in New York’s Meatpacking District is home to a heated pool, a bar, a kitchen and fine dining and lounging spaces. Whether swimming or just catching some rays, guests will have spectacular views over the West Village and the Hudson River. Guests can lie on loungers or sit at tables for drinks and meals during the summer.

Thompson Toronto
Swim, soak or even sip a hot toddy while casting your gaze on the Toronto skyline, including the soaring CN Tower. The Thompson Toronto opened recently and is already a favorite of celebrities. While you’re toweling off, perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of celebrity visitors such as James Franco, the Kardashians or Usher.

Fullerton Bay Hotel, Singapore
The Fullerton Bay HotelSingapore’s rooftop pool is 25 meters long, music to the ears of swimmers who actually wish to do laps. Lap swimmers or not, guests have plenty to enjoy on their lofty perch at seven stories. Lounge on sun-deck recliners surrounded by lush tropical landscaping, catch a waterfront breeze from Marina Bay and order cocktails. Hit the pool by 6:30 p.m. for a glorious Singapore sunset.

Soho Beach House, Miami
What’s the weather in Miami? Excellent for a dip. The rooftop pool at Soho Beach House in Miami overlooks the ocean. The pool is surrounded by lounge chairs and fans that enhance the ocean breezes. Guests will also discover a towel station, showers and a cocktail bar. It’s a great place to catch a Miami Beach sunrise.

Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel and Casino
Climb to the fourth floor of the Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel and Casino and you’ll discover an infinity pool with lounge chairs and tropical landscaping. (See which famous architectural firm designed the infinity pool.) The 57,000-square-foot pool deck has a view that stretches from San Juan Bay to Old San Juan. And if you want to get real sand in your toes, Condado Beaches are only a couple of miles away.

Hard Rock Hotel, San Diego
The Hard Rock Hotel San Diego offers Float, a rooftop bar, lounge and pool that overlooks the Gaslamp Quarter. Views from this lofty perch take in Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres baseball team, the San Diego Convention Center and the city’s historic Gaslamp Quarter sign. Private poolside cabanas have leather lounge seating, flat-screen TVs and mini bars. Float really rocks at night, when guests can enjoy live music and resident DJs.

2011 Maybach 62 S

 The Maybach isn't the most expensive car in the world, but it is the highest-price line of autos made by Mercedes-Benz. The 62S model of the Maybach — the automaker's answer to the Rolls-Royce and Bentley — costs 8 million Hong Kong dollars (about US$1 million). And that's without extras.But the biggest reason for its high price is the Hong Kong luxury tax, about 50% in this Chinese territory. In the U.S., the car costs about $459,000. Even so, we found that as luxury cars go, the Maybach doesn't offer much beyond what other cars in this category offer, save for a couple of features.

2011 Maybach 62 S

The Maybach received a facelift last year, and small changes were made to the exterior, including a larger chrome-radiator grille in front, more aerodynamic mirrors, new wheels — with 12-spoke 20-inch alloy hubcaps painted in a sterling silver color for the Maybach 52S and 62S — and daytime LED driving headlights (daytime driving lights are mandatory on cars sold in the European Union; but experts disagree on whether they cut down on the rate of traffic fatalities). Of all the Maybach models available in Hong Kong, the 62S has the most powerful engine. Oh, and the “S” stands for “special.”

The 62S was a popular Christmas gift among Hong Kongers, according to the dealership, and all 60 of its available models sold out in eight months. Now, there is an eight-month waiting list for the car.

At the Maybach dealership in Hong Kong — a decked-out space with a terrace overlooking Repulse Bay and an open bar — senior manager Karin Hoo explains why the car costs seven figures.

More colors: Buyers can choose from 18 different exterior colors, including the newest Maybach “New Bahamas Blue” (a dark sky blue). That’s four more than the standard number offered in Mercedes Benz models. Of course, as with all luxury cars, the Maybach can be painted any color under the rainbow for an extra fee.

2011 Maybach 62 S

Sheepskin interiors: High-grade nappa-leather interiors are standard and each seat is upholstered with a single piece of uncut hide. Buyers choose between two colors: black or white.

Back-seat recliner: Most Maybach owners rarely sit in the front seat of their car; they have chauffeurs. Fashioned after first-class airplane seating, the Maybach back seat reclines to a nearly flat position and comes with a leg rest and tray table on the side “That’s why they call the Maybach a ‘jet on wheels,’” Ms. Hoo says. The back seat has 84.5 centimeters of legroom.

Perfume atomizer: Forget about those paper air fresheners that hang on the rearview mirror. Each Maybach 62S is fitted with a perfume atomizer — built into the air-conditioning vent. That’s guaranteed not to stain the fine leather interior or your (no doubt) bespoke or haute couture clothing, of course. Swiss flavor and scent manufacturer Givaudan custom-blended two scents just for the Maybach: a citrus-y green tea and more-masculine agarwood.

An extra meter: Most Mercedes S-series models are roughly five meters long; the Maybach 62S — as its name denotes — is 6.2 meters. “We name the car in the same way boats are named after their length,” Ms. Hoo says.

A glass roof: With the press of a button, the glass roof changes from opaque to clear to let in more light (it’s made from a liquid-crystal membrane of conductive polymer plastic, and an electric current in the crystals changes the view). Another button triggers a cover to close over the glass roof completely.

Lighting: Turn on the side LED lights, along the edge of the window, for softer interior lighting. “The idea is to have just the right ambience the owner prefers,” Ms. Hoo says.

Engine: With a 12-cylinder, 630-horsepower engine, the Maybach 62S can hit 100 kilometers an hour in just five seconds (that’s a second faster than most luxury sports cars). It can hit a maximum speed of 250 kilometers an hour. The Maybach name, in fact, comes from engineer Wilhelm Maybach, who designed the engines of the first Mercedes.
Entertainment system: Two 9.5-inch flat-screen monitors are installed in the back of the front seats. The monitors can play DVDs or connect to the Internet through the car’s built-in WLAN wireless connection. Sound is surround: 21 speakers, designed by Bose, are strategically placed throughout the car for what Ms. Hoo calls “concert-hall quality.” And everything is controlled via a center console with a remote control in the back and front seats.

Customizable add-ons: “Each Maybach is meant to be bespoke, and personalized to the customer’s own preferences,” Ms. Hoo says. Ask and you shall receive, the dealership says, from adding your family crest to the seats to installing a minibar in the back. But there isn’t a list of “extras” from which to choose — it’s up to the customer to ask. Previous add-ons have included the family crests etched onto the glass, fax machines and cigar humidors.
Read More: Yahoo