Plan Your Summer Getaway Around a Pool!
Late Summer travel means pool culture is at its peak, and wherever you stay, make sure it has a fabulous pool. Here are some picks.
Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report finds that 63% of travelers say access to a hotel pool is a must-have amenity, particularly as travelers continue prioritizing hotels and resorts that offer opportunities to relax, recharge and spend more time on property. It certainly is for us!
From rooftop pools overlooking city skylines in Texas to palm-lined pool decks in Atlantic City and sprawling coastal retreats in the Ocean State, these properties across the country are transforming the pool deck into a destination all its own.
Atlantic City: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Tucked within Atlantic City, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa offers a tropical-inspired escape centered around a sprawling 3,200-square-foot outdoor pool framed by palm trees, cascading waterfalls and glowing LED lighting after dark. The adults-only retreat is designed for lingering summer afternoons, with rows of chaise lounges, private cabanas and daybeds available to rent, while poolside cocktails and live music flow from the adjacent Borgata Outdoor Beer Garden. Just steps from the water, the open-air beer garden keeps the atmosphere going with more than 25 craft and domestic beers, plus elevated poolside bites like the Coney Island Dog and the Smashed Brisket and Short Rib Burger.
New York’s Most Scenic Outdoor Pools
From the Hudson Valley to the Adirondacks, New York’s outdoor pools have become destinations in their own right. The Sagamore Resort on Lake George captures the spirit of a classic Adirondack summer, centered around a sprawling heated pool with panoramic mountain views and a lively terrace lined with chaise lounges overlooking the water. Guests can spend the afternoon lingering between swims with frozen cocktails and poolside bites delivered straight to their chair.
Further into the Hudson Valley, Mohonk Mountain House offers one of the state’s most dramatic pool settings, with a heated mineral pool infused with Dead Sea salts and set within a glacier-formed stone bluff overlooking the lake and surrounding cliffs. Tucked beside the historic Victorian castle resort, the experience feels especially serene after a morning spent hiking the property’s extensive wooded trails.
California’s Most Relaxing Outdoor Pool
Sitting above the Pacific in Newport Coast, the Coliseum Pool at Pelican Hill is one of Southern California’s most recognizable outdoor pools and among the largest circular pools in the world. The 136-foot pool is designed in an open-air amphitheater style, with terraced cabanas and lounge seating encircling the water in place of a traditional linear layout.
Further up north lies Hearst Castle, where two lavish pools sit. The outdoor Neptune Pool, 104 feet in length, is heated through an oil-burning system and framed with marble statues of Neptune and Nereid guarding over the aquatic paradise. The indoor Roman Pool has the look of a decadent Roman bath, with rich details including cobalt blue and gold smalti.
The Joule, Dallas, TX
Located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, The Joule is a design-lover’s dream and cultural landmark, best known for its striking 8-foot cantilevered rooftop pool that extends dramatically beyond the hotel’s edge and gives “hanging out by the pool” a whole new meaning. By day, guests can unwind on plush loungers or retreat to private cabanas overlooking the city’s iconic The Eye sculpture. By night, the pool deck comes alive with live music and DJ sets from Thursday through Sunday as the Dallas skyline glows at sunset.
Viceroy Chicago, Chicago, IL
Located in the bustling Gold Coast neighborhood, Viceroy Chicago’s modernist glass tower of guest rooms and suites is a celebration of Art Deco design – and its 18th-floor rooftop pool, now open for the season, is no exception. Enjoy sweeping views of the Chicago skyline while sipping on cocktails and Southeast Asian bites from Pandan, the cocktail lounge located just inside the pool area.
VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa, CA
Surrounded by lounge seating, private cabanas, and Pacific Ocean breezes, the stunning 85-foot Edge Pool is the perfect location to soak up the SoCal sunshine. Sip on refreshing cocktails and chef curated bites poolside from the stunning Edge Bar offering live music and coastal ambiance that truly makes a splash.
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa – Bonita Springs, FL
Located in Bonita Springs, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa has a gorgeous, outdoor pool oasis, perfect for travelers of all ages. With the largest resort poolscape in Southwest Florida, guests can wade through the on-site lazy river, glide through three waterslides, or for a more upscale visit, rent a private cabana or lounge chair to lay away under the sun. Surrounded by skyscraping palm trees, this outdoor pool allows travelers to feel truly disconnected from the outside world, allowing for max relaxation. Guests can also enjoy a full menu, served right to your chair, as well as signature cocktails including the Spicy Sanibel Margarita, a frozen Bonita Berry Sunset, and locally sourced craft beers.
Newport Harbor Island Resort – Newport, Rhode Island
Positioned on Goat Island surrounded by the Narragansett Bay, Newport Harbor Island Resort’s bayside outdoor pool is perfect for families and romantic getaways. Guests can rent poolside cabanas and relax with cool cocktails and fresh seafood delivered cabana-side. While not far from the hustle of downtown Newport, sitting poolside at Newport Harbor Island Resort is a retreat between days full of mansion-hopping and sailing.
