When summer temperatures soar in the concrete jungle, New Yorkers know that finding a refreshing escape isn't easy — but it's not impossible, either. From rooftop oases high above the Soho streets to serene mountain retreats in the Catskills, below are 31 hotel pools within driving distance of New York City.
The curated selection here spans Manhattan, the Hamptons, the Catskills, Hudson Valley, and the Berkshires, and each location offers its own interpretation of poolside perfection.
For day passes and nearby MICHELIN restaurants, look to the pools within the city limits. For private dips in the mountains or on the seaside, hop in the car north or the train to Long Island and book a room.
Browse by location:
New York City
Small and stylish dips across the boroughs, many with day passes available for visitors.
Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC: When it first opened, Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC was one of a select few hotels that helped turn this downtown Manhattan neighborhood from a niche nightlife district into a viable mainstream destination. The small pool (guests only), which has chairs and umbrellas perfectly packed around it, becomes a place to see and be seen during the summer months. When it's time to eat, try Jeju Noodle Bar, Red Paper Clip, Semma.
ModernHaus SoHo: The small, narrow, guests only rooftop pool provides an unexpected urban oasis high above SoHo’s cobblestone streets. The thoughtful balance of location, design, and amenities creates exactly what discerning travelers seek here — a sophisticated retreat that honors the neighborhood's artistic legacy while delivering contemporary luxury and that rare commodity in Manhattan: a place to swim above the city. Head to One White Street, Family Meal at Blue Hill, and Frevo for nearby dining.
SIXTY LES: When weather permits, the outdoor pool — snug yet chic, with day passes available from $100 — offers the Lower East Side’s most unexpected amenity: a plunge above the gaze of Andy Warhol, whose image is tiled onto the pool’s floor. It’s a downtown favorite, paired with rooftop cocktails at Make Believe and late-night bites at Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya. Nearby, find MICHELIN restaurants Dirt Candy, 63 Clinton and Corima.
The William Vale: Sixty feet long and surrounded by daybeds, cabanas and skyline views, this is one of NYC’s most striking hotel pools. Spend the afternoon poolside in Williamsburg, then walk to dinner at Aska, The Four Horsemen or Shota — all nearby MICHELIN-Starred restaurants. Find pool day passes for purchase online, with prices that fluctuate depending on day and availability.
Equinox Hotel: Two pools: one indoor, one outdoor — both with Hudson River panoramas, both reserved for guests and high-tier Equinox members only. In Hudson Yards, the hotel itself is part spa and fitness center — with unlimited access for guests that includes cryotherapy chambers, as well as a rooftop setting that ranks among the best in the world. Walk from your room to unwinding, visit nearby MICHELIN-Starred restaurants like Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, Kochi or Mari.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge: A small pool glitters in the skyline, perfect for quick dips on a hot day, available to guests only, with the exception of visitors who book a table at the Sky Swim Lounge. On the lower floors, of the hotel, find farm-to-table dining, a comprehensive spa and a lobby that feels like an indoor garden. If you plan to pair with a reservation at Clover Hill, plan well ahead.
Virgin Hotel New York City: In NoMad, the rooftop Pool Club at Virgin Hotels is a sunny surprise — striped loungers, cocktails, music, and views. Guests and $100 day-pass holders mingle in this playful, grown-up oasis just steps from MICHELIN-Starred restaurants like Cote and Atomix.
The Rockaway Hotel: One of the only beaches in New York city, the Rockaways, has a sophisticated luxury boutique in this special hotel, complete with heated pool and cedar saunas. Enjoy full food and beverage service, then indulge in a poolside massage. Day passes available from $125.
The Dominick: Above SoHo’s cast-iron façades, the seventh-floor pool terrace at The Dominick offers a mirror-wrapped view of the Hudson and skyline. Pair a swim with dinner at Vestry — the hotel’s One MICHELIN Star restaurant — for a full-on luxury escape. Guest passes available from $100.
The Hamptons
A short drive or train ride to private, buzzy pool scenes by Long Island's most exclusive beaches.
A Room at the Beach: A luxury experience steps from the shore, this Bridgehampton retreat sits just blocks from the town center and the area’s famous beaches — yet the hotel’s own garden and guests-only pool are so inviting that many find little reason to leave the property.
Journey East Hampton: An elegant private escape, Journey East Hampton features a charming, guests-only saltwater pool that anchors its refined social spaces. In cooler months, the fireside lobby lounge becomes a cozy centerpiece, while the expansive lawn hosts yoga, bocce and other low-key Hamptons diversions.
Daunt’s Albatross Motel: Just 100 feet from the Montauk shoreline, Daunt’s Albatross Motel has been a local landmark since 1977. Today, The Bird restaurant remains a neighborhood favorite, and the saltwater swimming pool anchors a welcoming courtyard where guests lounge between surf sessions, gather for BBQs or decompress after a day of hiking or biking.
Gurney’s Montauk: Gurney's has taken advantage of its unmatched oceanfront real estate for nearly a century. With 2,000 feet of private Atlantic beachfront, the Beach Club sports king-sized daybeds, premium beach chairs and cocktails just steps from the surf. The truly unique indoor pool — the only one of its kind on the continent — uses local seawater that's sand-filtered and warmed to perfection. Open year round, the indoor pool is available to both guests and spa visitors.
Montauk Yacht Club: Fresh off a multimillion-dollar renovation, the 1928-founded yacht club now feels like its own waterfront community, complete with a signature lighthouse and the Hamptons' largest marina. Guests will find two private outdoor pools — one for adults only — and one indoor pool, along with paddleboards and bikes, boat rentals, and tennis lessons.
Marram: It's the wellness program that sets Marram apart in Montauk, with the private pool serving as a central gathering point for guests attending yoga classes, craft workshops, tarot readings and sunset mediations. Select rooms offer Atlantic views from private terraces, while the Mostrador Marram restaurant serves seafood dishes with local and international influences.
Hero Beach Club: One of the rare Hamptons hotels open year-round, Hero Beach Club’s 30 rooms draw artists, musicians and surfers with a straightforward approach to beachside living. The private pool serves as a gathering spot for young families, while other laid-back spaces include garden areas with fire pits and cabana seating.
Montauk Beach House: A hotel that embraces the Montauk party scene, this 33-room hotel property hosts happy hours, pool parties and weekend DJs. Day passes start at $50 every day of the week except Saturdays, and guests and visitors enjoy daybeds around a pair of pools and lounge seating scattered across the lawn.
Baron’s Cove: A 2015 renovation honors the spirit of the original 1950s hotel that once drew guests like Jackson Pollock and Paul Newman, with rooms and suites that embody the style of classic nautical Americana. Tennis lessons are included in every stay, and a heated saltwater pool reserved for guests is lined with loungers. The clubby indoor-outdoor lounge hosts live music around its multiple fireplaces.
The CATSKILLS & HUDSON VALLEY
Beloved, woodsy escapes a two- to three-hour drive north of the city. You'll need a room key or an annual pass to swim at all but Little Cat Lodge.
Little Cat Lodge: Named for the Catamount Mountain just across the valley, Little Cat Lodge transforms from stylish ski lodge to summer standout. Its covered terrace extends from the dining room, tavern‑bar and restaurant, while the refreshing pool offers a perfect counterpoint to active mountain days. Day visitors welcome from $25.
Camptown Catskills: The feel of a summer camp turned smartly designed hotel, with luxe details like Frette linens and heated bathroom floors. Spaces include the private, heated saltwater pool (too late for an annual pass this year) connected to Bar Piscina and surrounded by dreamy waterbed cabanas, as well as firepits, grills, and a self-service pantry stocked with local provisions.
Wylder Hotel Windham: Wylder's 21st-century renovation transformed the 1880 inn and its collection of outbuildings into a sophisticated blend of boutique hotel and mountain resort. The real distinction lies in Wylder's comprehensive approach to mountain recreation: the heated pool anchors an impressive roster of on-site activities, including a wood-fired sauna, pickleball courts, firepits, a game room and a bicycle fleet for exploring the surrounding countryside. Outside of guest access, season passes start at $2,000 a year.
Scribner’s Catskill Lodge: Built in 1966 as an artist getaway, the 38 guest rooms feel more like urban lofts than traditional cabins. For higher luxury, try The Rounds — 11 secluded luxury cabins featuring circular living rooms, outdoor soaking tubs and skylights. At the heart of the property, the heated pool provides a refreshing centerpiece for lazy afternoons, perfectly complementing the cedar deck where guests sip cocktails or peruse a New American menu while taking in some of the best views you can get without a hike. Annual pool membership starts at $495/year.
Hotel Lilien: The new wave of Catskills hospitality favors intimate boutique properties over sprawling resorts, and Hotel Lilien exemplifies the shift — transforming of an 1890s Victorian mansion into a timeless 18-room retreat. Guests gather over European breakfasts of impeccably sourced pastries and coffee, then migrate to the bar and lounge for full dinner -- and wine, beer and cocktail -- service. The outdoor experience centers on the private swimming pool and crackling fire pit.
The private pool reserved for guests at Amelia Hudson.
The Amelia Hudson: On a quiet residential street away from the more hectic scene in downtown Hudson, the renovation of this 19-century home preserved its architectural heritage and gave it a considerably chicer glow-up. The heart of the hotel is a lovely, private 35-foot swimming pool surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers, complemented by an outdoor fire pit and spacious deck ideal for al fresco socializing and intimate events.
The Maker Hotel: The small, strictly guests-only outdoor swimming is a welcome surprise here, but the Maker — beautifully designed and packed with art — draws guests more for its urban sophistication than any bucolic appeal. The sunny all-day café, sultry cocktail lounge in a converted carriage house, and Italian restaurant in a glass conservatory are the main draws, along with the Hudson happenings just outside on the main drag.
INNESS: One of the Catskills' largest properties at 225 acres, INNESS blends a 12-room farmhouse with 28 cabins in the same utilitarian-chic aesthetic, fostering an intimate village atmosphere within the expansive countryside setting. The crown jewel is a 100% geothermal-powered wellness sanctuary, exclusive to guests, featuring five treatment rooms, a bathhouse with steam and sauna, and an indoor tranquility pool that flows seamlessly to outdoor hot and cold plunge pools.
Hasbrouck House: On a park-like estate in the Hudson Valley, this 18th-century Dutch Colonial mansion comes with its own private lake — and a thoroughly modernized outdoor pool that's been here for a century. Summer activities include lawn-side film screenings, an outdoor lounge for cocktails, and nearby hiking trails.
Troutbeck: A Hudson Valley institution that once welcomed Mark Twain and Ralph Waldo Emerson, the masterfully renovated estate includes a farm-to-table restaurant that draws from the region's legendary agricultural tradition, an inviting bar, a refreshing guests-only pool, a well-appointed library and meticulously maintained gardens.
The BERKSHIRES
A three-hour drive north from the city in bordering Massachusetts, scenic spots in one of New England's most picturesque regions.
Tourists: This MICHELIN Key spot transforms a 1960s motor lodge into a modern minimalist design retreat, anchored by the converted 1813 farmhouse that serves as the hotel's convivial restaurant and bar. The heated saltwater pool is open seasonally between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend for guests only.
Miraval Berkshires Resort & Spa: The first Miraval resort on the East Coast brings the brand's luxury wellness bonafides to the Berkshires. Expect Zen-inspired interiors and inspired programming that spans from traditional spa treatments to beekeeping workshops and treetop ropes courses. The outdoor pool serves as a centerpiece for relaxation. Day passes available from $350.
The Porches Inn: Not far from Tourists, Porches is a perfect base for exploring MASS MoCA, America's largest and among its most renowned contemporary art museums. While Tourists is a seven-minute drive away, Porches is a one-minute walk. Set within six beautifully restored Victorian row houses, guests lounge on the namesake wraparound porch or at the private swimming pool tucked just behind the accommodations.
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