The 14 best hotels with indoor pools in NYC

The Peninsula is undisputedly an international hospitality icon, and its spa is no exception—especially considering its blissful oblong glass-enclosed pool with floor-to-ceiling windows and a bevy of outdoor-inspired wicker seating. It’s a perennial illusion of sunny times, and the only downside is that you’ll need a membership (or a friend who has one), unless you can talk your way into a day pass.

Park Avenue’s most scene-y rooftop pool setting is abuzz all summer long, but what most don’t know is that throughout the rest of the year, the indoor portion of the space remains open as a means of keeping swimmers appeased until the warm weather’s return. This pool is available to hotel guests only during off season.

It’s not often that you’ll come across a Côte d’Azur–inspired indoor pool complete with chrome-and-white cabanas and a checkered floor beneath the crystal-clear water, but there’s always the Baccarat. Granted, it’s for guests only, but all the more reason to book a night or two and bask in the lap of luxury on a staycation—all in the name of pool romping.

The Park Hyatt’s 25th-floor Spa Nalai is the best spa pool experience. With a eucalyptus steam room, six treatment suites and a hydrotherapy pool, this oasis is as blissful as they come. Gain access by either purchasing a spa treatment or booking at least one night in the hotel – either way, the experience is worth the expense.

This Park Avenue mainstay is the definition of posh, and its opulent ambiance trickles all the way down to its Wellness Center, which is comprised of a luxe spa, a Turkish hammam, a semi-warm relaxation area, an experiential shower and of course, a 799-square-foot lap pool area, all surrounded by marble in some form or another. The Wellness Center in its entirety is available to hotel guests only.

AKA’s 56th Street location takes the cake in terms of chic, modern design, and the cozy lounge chairs only up the ante. This spot also offers a fitness center in conjunction with its aquatic amenities, but access to one side or another requires a room key and a room key only—no guest passes are available.

Richard DeNiro’s ultra-exclusive Tribeca hotel is home to Shibui Spa, otherwise known as one of the best places to relax in NYC. It’s so exclusive, in fact, that unless you’re a guest, you’ll only be granted a 30-minute dip session with the booking of a spa treatment. Or you could just book a room and lounge poolside to your heart’s content.

A waterfront spot that sparks envy in the heart of fashionable travellers, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge brings together a contemporary mix of wooden and floral features that look great on Instagram, but even better in person. Head to the roof and you’ll discover a rooftop pool. Sink in, kick back and gaze across the cityscape. If views could kill, this one would be serial. 

Floor-to-ceiling windows, lightbox headboards, and a 180-degree view of Manhattan is why you stay in Sixty… but the spa and pool is why you’ll never want to leave. Oh, did we mention there’s a 24-hour sauna? Plus, a collaboration with interior designer Pao Lopez gave birth to the hotel’s Make Believe bar, which is located on SIXTY’s rooftop (for when you desire drinks with your view).

Ah, another luxury hotel pool with massive windows, a copious food-and-drink menu for the poolside area and sweeping views of Central Park, nothing to see here. Off-season day passes (including fitness privileges) will run you a cool $100, but as any Manhattanite can relate and attest to, desperate times call for desperate measures.

The Mandarin Oriental doesn’t mess around when it comes to its pool game. The 75-foot lap pool is perfectly suited to professional swimmers (or aficionados) and also boasts panoramic views of the Hudson River. Like the other Midtown five-stars on this list, the Mandarin’s pool is accompanied by access to a state-of-the-art gym and health program, but it all comes at the price of a room; no memberships or guest passes here.

A stone’s throw away from Chelsea Market and a mere block from the High Line this hotel certainly has a dream location—but it’s the in-house entertainment that really knocks it out of the park. It’s got a fun club atmosphere, resident DJ’s and if you look up from the lobby, you’ll be dazzled. Why? You can see right into the 50-foot heated glass-bottom pool (part of the hotel’s sand-filled “beach” courtyard). 

Part of a newer, friendlier side of Williamsburg, the CODA hotel has aesthetically-pleasing, mid-century-designed rooms and a breezy Brooklyn-come-Miami vibe. Arguably the biggest draw, the backyard pool and deck sports comfy chairs, vibrant murals and a bar reminiscent of a beachside watering hole. Jump in and you’ll soon forget you’re in the city.

The William Vale is a relative newbie when it comes to hotels in New York. It only opened it's doors in late-2016, but it's made quite the impression since then. The most spectacular thing about the palce is its windows. We're talking floor-to-ceiling – in fact it's basically one giant window. Step out of the elevator on any floor and you'll be met with a whopper of a view across Brooklyn. Two major selling points for the Vale are its elevated park (think High Line) and its 60-foot pool.