A plunge pool gives you the best of both and allows you to maximise the space and your budget. Adding gas heating and spa jets and even a swim spa jet to a plunge pool would really complete this goal.

I'm not an expert, but we have renovated a pool and made 1 big mistake. We had similar coping that formed a big hob all the way around (unlike yours). We leveled it out with paving (and then coated the pebblecrete with an epoxy sandstone-look product). The mistake? Part of the yard sloped down to the pool. Every time it rained.....all the sand, dirt and debris from down the side of my house and around the pool went straight into the pool. If we had our time over- we'd leave a small hob around the side of the pool where the land sloped down. Yours looks like it is on the downside of your house with some garden. The hob might be there for a reason.....as we learned.

Thank you so much Illuminide Interiors. Really appreciate your advice. We did go with the cuban and once the grouting was done, it literally popped. I couldn't believe it.. Have attached a picture. Still a way to go with pebbling etc and the water!! Thank you again for your thoughts.. Best wishes to you..

We have Paramount in floor pool cleaner with hedge/plants around pool. Infloor pool cleaner is awesome. I vacuum pool 2-3 times a year.