15 New York City Pools To Lounge By This Summer—and Year-Round

If you’re looking to clock up the laps, you might want to skip the pool at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge—because this oasis is all about relaxation. Find calm in the middle of the bustling city on this rooftop, complete with handcrafted cocktails, market-driven canapés, and cityscape views. The vibe here is off-beat yet incredibly thoughtful, think brickwork mixed with natural wood, glass, and greenery. Keep in mind that it’s strictly reserved for guests, but springing for a room is worth it to bounce up to this beautiful limestone deck for a toast, tan, and a dip.

If you’re really pining for a bit of the Hamptons then the Dream Downtown is the perfect compromise, featuring its own beach with sand from our favorite Long Island summer destination. This former maritime union turned boutique hotel perfectly blends industrial style and beachy luxury. Expect a cosmopolitan crowd who flock to its private cabanas for some well-earned time out. On weekdays, the pool is open to the public with a $65 day pass—so you'll want to visit on your summer Fridays. On the weekend, The Beach becomes guests-only, and 21+ after 12 p.m. and so you'll want to come prepared to enjoy a cocktail, and splurge on a room.

Soho House members are in luck; one of the lesser-known properties in the group, DUMBO House, has a rooftop pool that offers unparalleled views over the East River and Manhattan. Think soft, shaded daybeds positioned around a 40-foot pool. Our favorite part? With no phones allowed, it’s the ideal spot to sit back, relax, and enjoy time with friends. Plus, it means that both your hands are freed up for cocktails.

They say the best things come in small packages—and that’s certainly true at the Hotel Americano. The pool here has an intimate feel (it's the size of a single lap), so if you’re after a warm, cosy vibe tucked away along the western edge of Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, then you’re in luck. Here, for a day pass fee of $38, delicious margaritas are enjoyed by the pitcher, and a modern Mediterranean vibe transcends the bustle of the streets below.

With strikingly-familiar striped sun loungers, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re poolside at a Soho House property when you pull up to the edge of this chic setup, but the pool at the newly-opened The Williamsburg Hotel has established a luxe name all its own. Accessible to everyone for a $65 fee, kick off the day with a rooftop yoga session before settling in with a well-deserved cocktail with fellow sun-worshippers.

After a busy week of social engagements and emails upon emails, sometimes we simply don’t have the energy to make it to the opera or the theater. Luckily, the pool at The Park Hyatt New York plays classical music through its underwater speakers, so you needn’t make the choice between a quick dip, and a visit to Carnegie Hall across the street (which means should you choose, you could easily squeeze in both). Located on “Millionaire Row,” this 61-foot pool is only open to hotel guests, residents of the swanky One57 condos—or with the purchase of a spa treatment. Whether you splurge on a staycation or the spa, this pool is well worth it.

The glass-enclosed pool of this landmark midtown hotel is part of a three-story spa, which includes a sprawling sun terrace. This space at The Peninsula New York feels calm and thoughtfully enclosed, surrounded by teak columns and black tile flooring. If you're looking for a respite in the big city and a bit of privacy, this is the pool for you; the vibe here is more spa, serenity, and sanctuary than day-club or all-access.

This resort-style club is where South Beach meets St. Tropez—in a beguiling open-air space with one-of-a-kind vistas of the Manhattan skyline, the iconic Silvercup Studios sign, and the Queensboro Bridge.

Just a quick train ride to Long Island City, the Profundo Day Club at the Ravel Hotel is open to the public for a $50 day pass (which includes a goody bag full of poolside essentials to ensure you have everything you could need). As you mill between the raw food station and the bar—where tiki drinks are served aplenty—the air is punctuated by the sound of a resident DJ, spinning seven days a week. Whether you’re visiting during the week or looking to let your hair down at the weekend, the vibe here is always holiday.

If you're looking to treat yourself during a summer weekend in the city, The William Vale should be your destination of choice. Be warned, this place comes at a cost (like most of the things we covet).

Pool access is free for guests, but non-guest options include day passes ($99 on weekdays, $150 on weekends) and membership passes, which grant the member to pool access with a plus-one (starting at $899 for weekdays). Treat yourself to VIP seating by booking a pergola or cabana at an additional cost; two-person pergolas start at $100 on weekdays, $150 on weekends, and six-person cabanas will cost you $300 to $500. Sweeping views over the Brooklyn Bridge are, of course, included in the price.

As the sun sets, a twinkling skyline illuminates the poolside library, and a summery menu of light bites are served, courtesy of Chef Andrew Carmellini and NoHo Hospitality Group. This day out is an investment, but it’s one you won’t regret.

Featuring 4,800 square feet of deck space, the McCarren Pool is a favorite hotspot of Brooklynites and visitors alike. The atmosphere is decidedly one of community, and this feels more like a neighborhood pool than a stuffy hotel one. With a day pass fee, you gain pool access and can lounge on wooden terrace benches including towels and WiFi access. Looking to mix and mingle with old friends and other in-the-know New Yorkers? This is the place for you.

No list of best pools would be complete without the inclusion of the world’s best-known NYC pool setup (even with the strict no-phones policy). Soho House’s rooftop pool is where anyone who’s anyone lounges, swims, and parties away the summer—but there are some strict conditions in place for anyone who wants to make it up to these dizzying, star-studded heights.

To be considered for membership you need a job in the “creative industries,” two recommendations from current Soho House members, and an annual membership fee of $2,100 (or $1,050 if you’re under 27). If that’s not you, find a friend who does fit the description and head in as a guest, or book a room at the hotel to enjoy the same benefits for the night.

When it comes to uber-chic boutique hotels in New York, the Baccarat Hotel steals the spotlight with substance and class to back up their irresistible décor. This luxury Manhattan hotspot has more of a meditative atmosphere, with a checkered floor and crisp white cabanas tucked into alcoves. The space has a dreamlike quality to it, tucked away in the hotel spa, and is meticulously thoughtful in its interpretation of its admitted Côte d’Azur inspiration.

On the 15th floor of the Gansevoort Hotel, you’re met with breathtaking panoramic views of the city. From the majestic Hudson River to the glittering Manhattan skyline which, on a sunny day, can be seen twinkling in the sun, this pool is one that immerses you in the bustle of the city, from above.

The pool-deck here is open all year-round, but summer remains a great time to visit as the atmosphere is decidedly Meatpacking District meets Mediterranean, with small, refreshing bites served between the skyscraper views.

If you’ve got a wardrobe brimming with beautiful swimwear, the Equinox Printing House is about to become your go-to summer hangout. Expect a crowd of beautiful people, all looking to move from gym to swim in one seamless move. Access requires a $175/month gym membership, but booking a spa treatment will also give you access to the pool.