Los Angeles has a mild year-round climate so hotels in the City of Angels take their swimming pool designs very seriously. It is an art form and to be the best they must offer much than just swimming. Ambiance. Room to lounge. Evening events. This all goes into consideration for the following list of the 10 Swankiest Hotel Pools in Los Angeles. You need to be a guest to access most of these pools and being that it’s a recession you may not have $500+ per night to throw down but it doesn’t hurt to admire from a far.
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
If pools could talk, the one at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel ought to have some good stories. Surrounded by sultry palm trees and flanked by the famous Tropicana Bar, the David Hockney-designed pool is classic Hollywood — great drinks, loud music and energy buzzing with excitement. During the day, things settle down for some peace and quiet, and you never know what celebrity will plop down on the lounge chair next to you.
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
Literally steps from the beach, the Loews pool not only boasts amazing ocean and Santa Monica Pier views, but it also observes a host of thoughtful details that keep guests coming back — think water aerobics classes, happy-hour specials to get things started each night, grown-up games during the summer months (with Loews Hotels prizes at stake), and blankets and fireplaces to keep the party going when the weather gets chilly.
Terranea Resort
The coastal Terranea Resort has perfected the pool experience by offering three choices for getting your swim on. There’s one for families with a 140-foot waterslide and a splashy fountain for giggling little ones, an adults-only option for those seeking tranquility, and a salt-water oasis that welcomes those fresh from an exhilarating spa treatment. All three have ocean views and are ringed by cabanas for refuge from the sun.
The Standard Downtown LA
Few hotel pools are as iconic as the one at The Standard Downtown LA, which is likely why Travel + Leisure voted it one of the top 10 hotel swimming pools in the world. Situated on the rooftop, the outdoor pool is as hip as it is relaxing. Funked out vibrating waterbeds and a cocktail lounge highlight the pristine water, but extras like movie nights and DJs take “pool party” to the next level.
Viceroy Santa Monica
Classy and sophisticated, the Viceroy’s tree-ringed pool lures an elegant and laid-back crowd with bottle service, designer cocktails, comfy lounge chairs, cozy cabanas that add privacy to any poolside gathering and background music that makes for a festive atmosphere while still allowing you to have a conversation with your pool-mates.
