10 Best Hotels with Rooftop Pools in New York

The pool at the Royalton Park Ave. will make you feel like royalty with stunning views of the Empire State Building. The 1,000-sq-ft deck features a 40-ft indoor/outdoor pool. It’s located on the 20th floor of the hotel. It even has a huge living wall of ivy that gives it an earthy feel as you swim in the skyline.

Guests of the hotel enjoy premium access to the pool. Outside guests can come in the evening with a reservation if there is availability. The evening views are magical with twinkling string lights and glowing candles.

If you are looking for VIP pool access, Gansevoort Meatpacking is the spot for you. Pool access is free and exclusive to hotel guests. You don’t even need to limit your visit to summer; the rooftop pool in this trendy neighborhood is heated and open year-round.

The pool is located on the 15th floor and has sweeping, panoramic views of the city and the Hudson River. The 45-ft pool is the centerpiece, surrounded by comfy lounge chairs. There’s also poolside service for American bistro bites and cocktails.

Get a taste of island life just steps away from Broadway, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. Margaritaville Resorts TSQ is a tropical oasis located in the super popular Times Square section of Manhattan. Enjoy Manhattan luxury while you set your watch to island time as you sip cocktails poolside.

You’ll be greeted by island-kitsch in the form of a giant blue, glass flip-flop and glowing Statue of Liberty. The pool is heated and open year-round. You’ll enjoy VIP access to Margaritaville’s pool, as it’s only open to hotel guests. Grab a margarita poolside and enjoy views of the surrounding Times Square neighborhood.

If you’re taking in a Broadway show as part of your NYC trip, and hoping to spend some time poolside, check out Virgin Hotels New York City. Their pool is the latest on the scene in Virgin’s debut hotel located above Broadway. The pool is only open seasonally, so if it’s a must-do for you, make sure to time your vacation with the warmer weather.

The pool area has colorful indoor and outdoor spaces. Poolside you’ll lounge on cushy striped chairs, enjoying a boozy ice pop while gazing at the Empire State Building. The pool lounge closes for the day around dinnertime, so you can catch a glimpse of the sunset before starting your evening plans.

If you plan to hit the galleries and boutique shops of SoHo, ModernHaus SoHo might be a good place to stay. It’s a trendy hotel and it’s got one of the only rooftop pools in the area. SoHo is an acronym for “South of Houston Street,” and became an art hot spot in the 60s.

ModernHaus SoHo has a lovely Modernist aesthetic to match the artsy boho vibe of the neighborhood. Sitting poolside you’ll have great views of the city skyline and the Hudson River. As a hotel guest, you’ll enjoy VIP access to the pool. Summer weekends occasionally open the pool up to the public.

If you’re heading to Brooklyn, one of the top hotels in the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood is Arlo Williamsburg. Its rooftop pool was voted one of the best in NYC. Soak up the sun next to the 40-ft pool while sipping cocktails and nibbling on al fresco bites. The pin-striped sunbeds and leafy potted plants will help you destress and relax.

The pool, which is 8 stories up, offers lovely views of surrounding Brooklyn and the Manhattan skyline in the distance. Hotel guests get VIP access to the pool, but outside visitors can purchase a day pass. If you choose the day pass option, make sure to get there early. The pool deck fills up quickly on summer weekends.

The pool scene at Dream Downtown will transport you to the beach. Perhaps it’s the 800 sq ft of imported sand to sink your toes into. Dream Downtown is historic, having once been the National Maritime Union Headquarters. There’s a nautical vibe, which has been a backdrop on many TV shows. The pool opens seasonally, so plan your trip for warmer months.

The boutique hotel is in the trendy West Village, close to Chelsea Market, SoHo, and the Highline. The 5,000-sq-ft pool deck is a blissful retreat. The pool’s glass bottom is a unique feature. Lounge poolside on a chaise lounge or private cabana. The rooftop bar and grill has cocktails and seasonal bites.

If your NYC travel plans take you to Long Island City, check out the luxurious Ravel Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham. The boutique hotel has a stunning rooftop pool with great views of the Manhattan skyline and the Queensboro Bridge. The pool deck also overlooks Roosevelt Island and the East River.

The Summer Club is what the hotel calls their pool experience. Hotel guests get VIP access, but anyone can buy a day pass to enjoy the vibe of the day club. There’s a rotating list of DJs and plenty of food and drink. The pool is only open seasonally, but the hotel also has a hip, enclosed, and heated rooftop restaurant you can enjoy year-round.

The Renaissance New York Chelsea is part of the Marriott hotel chain. The boutique hotel is close to many destination hot spots like the Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden. The pool experience is known as Somewhere Nowhere NYC and has been voted one of the best rooftop pools in the city.

The open-air pool deck offers panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. Hotel guests get premium access to the pool, but outside visitors can purchase a day pass. Enjoy live music while sipping tropical cocktails and tapas-style bites.

The William Vale is a well-known Brooklyn hotel in the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood. The luxury hotel has a 60-ft-long heated pool that has been featured in TV shows. Enjoy artisanal cocktails poolside while overlooking the East River and the Brooklyn Bridge. The pool is free for guests, but outside visitors can buy a day pass or rent a cabana.

In the winter months, the deck transforms into a luxury spa experience featuring saunas and red cedar hot tubs. The William Vale also has an ice skating rink in the chilly season. The “ice” is actually a special synthetic material known as Glice, so you won’t get wet or cold if you happen to fall.