We have just completed our pool deck. Only took hubby 2 years....but he did a high quality...last a lifetime....could have elephants on it...professional Job! We live in Canada and have lots of frost so we left a 3inch gap between pool and deck (Glad we did, because one part of the deck is almost touching the pool right now. It moved on our retaining wall side) and have floor a bit higher than pool.
We didn't want kids to step on top rail of pool, so we went higher with deck. Hope you can see by these pictures. Can't wait for warm weather!!! Feels like winter out there today!
Good luck with your pool deck....It will be well worth it!