As the weather warms up, a pool becomes a must-have amenity for travelers seeking a tropical vacation, a break from city life or a relaxing staycation.
Whether it’s a stunning rooftop pool with panoramic views, a secluded oasis complete with lush greenery, or luxurious indoor pools nestled between skyscrapers, we’ve rounded up a list of impressive hotel pools, each with its own unique features and amenities.
Here’s your chance to go deep into the best in hotel and resort vacations this year.
CHICAGO
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago offers a taste of luxury living in Chicago’s coveted Gold Coast neighborhood where guests are invited to forget the outside world, even if only for a few hours. The hotel’s 52’ lap heated indoor swimming pool is topped by a glass atrium that brings in natural light and looks out to the towering skyscrapers. Members of the exclusive Carlton Club also have access to the expanded fitness center and luxury spa by K’Alma for an urban retreat in the heart of the Windy City.
Address:160 E. Pearson St. at Water Tower Place, Chicago, IL 60611
MIRAMAR BEACH
Osprey Pointe at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
The newest luxury offering at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Osprey Point, offers spacious 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom floor plans and easy access to everything from the beach to the bay. Guests have access to four resort pools, more than 2,400 acres of lush landscaping and stunning bay views. For some of the best sunsets on property overlooking Choctawhatchee Bay, guests should check out The Pool at Bayside. Guests can take a dip or get their laps in at the Phil Hummel Aquatic Center pool, which is heated and open year-round. After a round of golf on The Links, the Linkside Pool on Audobon Drive is a guest favorite for unparalleled relaxation. Guests can enjoy the best of both worlds at the Beach House Pool, located at the beach access on the south side of the resort.
Address: 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy W, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Hotel Effie – The Only Rooftop Pool on the Emerald Coast
At Hotel Effie, guests will find the only rooftop pool on Florida’s Emerald Coast. Hotel Effie provides both a luxury pool experience and a chic rooftop lounge offering hand-crafted cocktails and delicious dishes from celebrity chef Hugh Acheson. Guests can soak up the sun from a private cabana and even play life-size chess or cornhole. On select days and times, guests can enjoy rooftop yoga, movies, wine tasting or live DJ by the pool. As the sun sets, guests can watch the rooftop transform into a vibrant night scene, looking out at the jaw-dropping panoramic views of the bay and The Village at Baytowne Wharf.
Address:1 Grand Sandestin Blvd, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
FORT LAUDERDALE
Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort – A Rooftop Oasis
Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is a boutique resort located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale channeling an elevated and vibrant atmosphere with an art deco flair. Those looking for a secluded tropical oasis can hang by the hotel’s courtyard pool adjacent to La Fuga’s patio. The courtyard crystalline pool has a tranquil setting perfect for anyone to lay out with a good book. Guests can make their way up to the rooftop pool for a show-stopping view of the Intracoastal Waterway and catch the South Florida UV rays with a refreshing cocktail in hand.
Address: 2900 Riomar Street Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33304
MIAMI
THesis Hotel – Lush Tree-top Views
This sun-filled rooftop pool with tropical views and a poolside bar is one of Coral Gables’ finest hotel pools. The rooftop terrace bar at the THesis Hotel is next to an infinity pool that overlooks a beautiful view of the lush green parks in the area. Enjoy your pool day and head to Mamey on 3rd, a rooftop terrace bar located right next to the pool, featuring a menu by Mamey’s award-winning Chef Niven Patel. Bringing the vibes with live music and bites daily, this rooftop destination is one of Coral Gables’ hidden gems.
Address: 1350 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables, FL 33146
Arlo Wynwood
Located in the heart of Wynwood, Arlo Wynwood features a spectacular 80-foot rooftop pool deck, offering guests unparalleled 360-degree views of the city of Miami. Whether you’re drawn by the views, the art, the 80-foot pool, privacy in one of the four cabanas, or cocktails and bites by Bar Lab, the trend-setting culinary and cocktail collective that received national acclaim in 2009 with the opening of James Beard finalist and three-time “Top 50 Bars in the World” award-winner Broken Shaker, the rooftop is a sun-kissed paradise and the perfect backdrop for your next tanning day or refreshing craft cocktails and bites.
Address: 2217 Northwest Miami Court, Miami, FL 33127
The Elser Hotel & Residences – An Urban Escape
The Elser Hotel & Residences is an all-new luxury 646-room property in Downtown Miami that captures all the energy of the city with innovative design and a community-driven approach. Guests enjoy access to an abundance of well-appointed amenities, including a two-story state-of-the-art fitness center and a 19,000-square-foot sun deck offering sweeping views of Biscayne Bay, a 132-foot-long ‘L-shaped’ pool complete with a 16-foot LED screen and an expansive event lawn serving as the ultimate destination for outdoor celebrations.
Address:398 North East 5th Street Miami, FL 3313
The Gabriel Miami – Skyscraper Pools
In a hot tourist location like Miami, the options of beautiful hotels, pools and views all around the city are endless. What makes the infinity lap pool at The Gabriel Miami special is not only the towering view that overlooks Biscayne Bay, but also its ideal spot to watch the sunrise over the Miami skyline. Enjoy your day from the infinity lap pool or the resort-style rooftop pool with a palm-tree-lined sundeck, while you sip on a cocktail made fresh at Bella’s Bar.
Address: 1100 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
The Gabriel South Beach – Glass Bottom Show-Stopper
Located on Ocean Drive, The Gabriel South Beach is nothing short of show-stopping when it comes to the two pools. Featuring a lush landscape to create a tranquil retreat in the midst of a bustling city, the oasis pool in the courtyard adjacent to the hotel’s outdoor eatery and bar, offers a relaxing ambiance. Guests can lounge by the show-stopping rooftop glass-bottom pool situated six stories above the open atrium overlooking South Beach’s pristine shoreline.
Address: 640 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139
KEY WEST
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort – SaltWater Heaven
This modern, waterfront resort offers a hidden sanctuary of lush tropical grounds with three saltwater pools. Among palm-filled hideaways, relax on chic chaise lounges before cooling off with a dip on a sunny Florida day. The Marker Key West Harbor Resort offers an adult-only pool, with cocktails provided by the resort’s late-night poolside service.
Address: 200 William St, Key West, FL 33040
