There is no question that the legendary Biltmore Estate in North Carolina is a stunning piece of real estate that embodies all that is luxurious and magnificent. Home to George W. and Laura Belle Vanderbilt, the palatial Biltmore Estate is steeped in history and abounds with stunning gardens and luxuries that are fit for a royal king or queen. As it turns out, the swimming pool at the Biltmore Estate is quite large, capable of holding literally dozens of swimmers at a time. It’s no wonder that the pool at the Biltmore Estate is such a popular spot with locals and visitors alike. In fact, if you’re visiting the Tar Heel state, consider making the trek to the Biltmore Estate to take a dip in the pool. Here is a more detailed account of the large pool and how it compares to other swimming pools around the country.
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The Largest Inland Freshwater Pool In The Country
If you are looking for the largest fresh water swimming pool in the country, you won’t have to look any further than the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. Measuring 60 feet by 40 feet, the pool is considerably larger and deeper than the typical neighborhood pool. Constructed in 1929, the pool features a 12-foot deep concrete barrier that protects swimmers from the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Overlooking the pool is the iconic Biltmore House, designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt and famously featured in the 1980 film adaptation of the popular Margaret Mitchell novel, Gone With The Wind. The swimming pool at the Biltmore Estate is not only the largest of its kind, it’s also the oldest and continuously operated pool in the country. It was originally built for the members of the American Society of Masters of Arithmetic (ASMA).
The Biggest Outdoor Pool In The World
Although the Biltmore Estate keeps its indoor pool up and running all year long, the real draw to the property is the outdoor pool. Opened in the summer of 1922, the pool is a wonder to behold. Measuring 140 feet by 70 feet, with a depth of up to 24 feet, the swimming pool at the Biltmore Estate is the largest outdoor pool in the world, which gives it a certain leg up on the competition. The pool is surrounded by tropical gardens and fed by a stone waterfall. If you happen to be in the area, make sure to stop by the Biltmore Estate to take a dip in this natural oasis. Not only does the pool look fantastic, it’s also perfect for swimming laps. You won’t get bored of diving into this pool any time soon.
How Long Has It Been Opened?
The outdoor pool at the Biltmore Estate is one of the most photographed and sought-after pieces of real estate in the country. Due to its remote location in the woods and its size, not many people get the opportunity to swim in this magnificent pool. The lucky few that do get the chance to swim in this pool have a story to tell. Ayan Mahajan was the first to record a time in the pool and came back over a year later to beat his record. He is now the owner of the pool and continues to host events there. The pool was closed to the general public for many years, but was opened to the public in the summer of 1949. Since then, it has operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without a miss.
How Do You Enter?
Believe it or not, the outdoor pool at the Biltmore Estate is actually accessible through an elevator. The elevator carries swimmers from ground level all the way to the top of the pool’s hill, where they are greeted by the pool’s bar, which is open from 7:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. To ensure the safety of the swimmers, there is also an alarm system that sounds off if anyone gets into the water without a swimsuit on. The bar also serves as a lookout point for swimmers, offering them a fantastic view of the surrounding area.
What Size Does It Need To Be?
If you are unfamiliar, an ICU (Intensive Care Unit) is the place where severely injured or ill people go to recover. It is often called “the ICU syndrome”, where people who are very sick or have experienced a major injury will need critical care and end up in the ICU. The number of people that end up in the ICU due to a swimming pool mishap is fortunately very small. In most cases, people just want to have some leisure time and end up slipping on the pool’s concrete or diving off the board and hitting their head on a rock. The vast majority of traumatic brain injuries happen at home. The good news is that aside from the mental anguish, most people will recover completely and lead normal lives.
How Many People Can It Handle?
The Biltmore Estate can comfortably accommodate up to 12 persons at a time. The indoor pool is heated, making it possible for people to swim during the winter months. If you are looking for a large indoor/outdoor pool that can also handle a decent amount of people, the Biltmore Estate is a wonderful place to be. Besides, you’ll get to enjoy the tropical climate all year long. The downside is that the indoor pool is quite expensive, with a 12-month membership costing you almost $7,000. If solitude and seclusion are what you’re looking for, you could look into purchasing a vacation property in Tulum, Mexico, which is near the Mexican border and features an infinity pool overlooking a jungle waterfall. The owner will be more than happy to help you out with a quiet spot where you can swim with no one else around. Just make sure to bring your passport.
How Deep Does It Go?
The depth of the pool at the Biltmore Estate ranges from 12 to 24 feet. The deepest part of the pond is 12 feet below sea level, which gives it an intimidating presence. Many people are afraid of going deeper than 12 feet, which is understandable. To put that into perspective, the clearance depth for a large cruise ship is 20 feet. If you are claustrophobic, you might want to consider exploring another option. Besides, most of the big luxury hotels also have their own private pools, which are much deeper than 12 feet.
In addition to the impressive pool, the Biltmore Estate also offers exceptional dining experiences at its two on-site eateries, which serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Estate’s chef, Jean-Philippe Maury, is known for his creations, which include frogs’ legs, snails, and sea bass. If you get the chance to visit the Biltmore Estate, be sure to make a stop at the restaurant and try out one of their fabulous French-inspired dishes. The food is fantastic, but the real draw is the pool. You won’t get bored of swimming laps anytime soon.
What’s The Temperature Like?
The water in Lake Ontario is quite cold, dropping down to a low of 48 degrees Fahrenheit at the end of June. By August, the temperature can reach a sweltering 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Since the temperature of the water changes so drastically, it’s vital that swimmers wear swimsuits that are appropriate for the temperature. The water in the pool at the Biltmore Estate is kept at an even keel, which helps prevent any ill effects from extreme temperatures. The water is maintained at 76 degrees Fahrenheit all year long. If you visit the pool during the winter, be sure to bring along warm clothes. Otherwise, you might end up shivering in the chilly waters. The good thing is that this type of temperature variation doesn’t happen often, so you won’t have to worry about overheating or underheating.
If you are visiting the pool during the summer and don’t want to overheat, try and stay out of the water for at least an hour after your swim. The air conditioning in the pool area is also turned on at this time, which helps to keep your body at a comfortable temperature. The air is also supposed to be good for your skin, so it’s always a win-win situation.
You can’t blame the water in the Biltmore pool for the hot summer days. It’s usually around noon by the time the sun is bearing down, so you will be relieved to dive into the cool water. There are also mats on the bottom of the pool, which you can roll up for something akin to a water slide. The only downside to this pool is that there aren’t any swimsuits designed for extreme temperatures. If you are not a fan of wet clothing, you will have to bring your own or risk being fined by the pool management.