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Pool hotel at Santa Monica Proper
Santa Monica Proper Hotel.
Courtesy of The Ingalls

The best hotel pools in LA, mapped

From rooftops with killer views in Downtown Los Angeles to posh cabanas in West Hollywood

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Santa Monica Proper Hotel.
| Courtesy of The Ingalls

What’s better than a sandy, crowded beach? A pool. Whether you’re a down-to-earth sweaty Angeleno looking to take a dip or a tourist who still thinks Entourage is aspirational, there’s something for you on this map of 21 awesome hotel pools in Los Angeles, all listed from west to east.

This is LA, so some of the properties are exclusive, meaning you’ll have to book a (pricey) room in order to enjoy the sparkling aquatic splendor. Others are open to the public, but it’ll cost you. A precious few are totally free. Advice on how to get in is noted in each description.

Have fun, stay cool, and don’t forget to slather on that sunscreen.

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Hotel Shangri-La

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Once the coastal getaway for Madonna, Mae West and others, the Hotel Shangri-La is an architectural destination in its own right. The Streamline Moderne landmark’s heated pool and jacuzzi are open to the public for $25 per chair (plus a $25 food/drink minimum) or $100 for a six-person cabana ($500 food/drink minimum).

Pool at Hotel Shangri-La Courtesy of Hotel Shangri-La

Santa Monica Proper Hotel

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The first of two Proper hotels to arrive in LA (a Downtown outpost is opening later this year), the Santa Monica getaway’s poolside environs were dreamed up by design superstar Kelly Wearstler. The pool deck is for guests only.

Pool hotel at Santa Monica Proper Courtesy of The Ingalls

Loews Santa Monica

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If you want to admire the beauty of the Pacific without actually putting your toes in the sand, this is your best bet. The skinny heated pool and two-tier deck look gloriously straight out to the ocean. It’s open to hotel guests only.

Courtesy of Lowes Santa Monica

Viceroy Santa Monica

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The Viceroy is a contender for the trendiest hotel on the Westside, and its shaded, verdant pool features inviting glamorous black and white cabanas. Typically open to hotel guests only, day passes to the pool are available online for $40 per day ($30 for kids) or $400 to $550 for a VIP cabana that fits 12 to 18.

Courtesy of Viceroy Santa Monica

Hotel Bel-Air

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Inspired by the equestrian ring that previously stood on its very spot, the luxury hotel and its oval pool are steeped in Hollywood history. It’s set beneath tons of palm trees and foliage, but you’ll have to check into the five-star property as the pool is open to guests only.

Pool at Hotel Bel-Air Courtesy of Hotel Bel-Air

The Beverly Hills Hotel

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The luxury hotel’s pool is the equivalent into swimming in its iconic Martinique banana leaf wallpaper. Though it no longer features real beach sand as it did when it first opened in 1938, there are plenty of chic striped lounge chairs, 11 private cabanas (each named after LA neighborhoods), as well as amenities such as pool floats, googles, board games, headphones, and phone charges by request. It’s open to hotel guests only.

pool at Beverly Hills Hotel Courtesy Beverly Hills Hotel

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

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This swanky rooftop setting is befitting of its high-end ZIP code. The luxury hotel’s heated pool promises panoramic views, a landscaped garden, and charming striped green cabanas—all of which come with your room, as it’s only accessible for guests.

rooftop pool and cabanas at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills

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For some sweet hilltop and city views (and stunning sunsets), there’s the pool at the London. Some R&R in this posh setting will set non-guests back $300 (Monday to Thursday) to $500 (Friday to Sunday) for a cabana, on top of a $500 food and beverage minimum.

Courtesy of The London West Hollywood

1 Hotel West Hollywood

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If you prefer to swim with sustainability in mind, the carbon-neutral 1 Hotel West Hollywood (previously the James and then the Jeremy) is the place to be. The picturesque poolside’s rooftop views stretch as far as Downtown and there’s reclaimed wood and greenery a plenty. It’s open to hotel guests only.

Rooftop pool at 1 Hotel West Hollywood Courtesy of James Baigrie/1 Hotel West Hollywood

Mondrian Hotel

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One of the chicest hotels pools that’s (semi) open to the public, the views at the Mondrian’s Skybar are killer and the stylish scene starts buzzing when the sun comes out—and when it goes down, thanks to the regular rooftop markets and summer soirées. The pool is open to non-hotel guests starting at 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays—at the doorman’s discretion.

Courtesy of Mondrian Hotel

Sunset Tower Hotel

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The award for the most fun pool umbrellas goes to the Sunset Tower, but the hotel has a lot more to offer than wavey sun shades. It’s a Hollywood institution in a gorgeous high-rise with stellar views. The 21+ pool entrance fee is $75 for non-hotel guests and “subject to manager approval” (so come in your most chic poolside dress) or $50 if you book a day pass online.

Pool at Sunset Tower Courtesy of Sunset Tower

Château Marmont

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It goes without saying that the pool at the Château Marmont, a favorite celeb haunt, is open only to hotel guests. But if you’re going to drop a big chunk of hard-earned money on a swanky hotel room in LA, you better do it at the legendary Chateau. In a crazy setting above the Sunset Strip, it’s as low key as a French-like castle can be. Oh, if those lounge chairs could talk.

Niall Huffman via Flickr creative commons

The Hollywood Roosevelt

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The legendary Tropicana pool is a welcome retreat from the madness of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This ’60s-style oasis is lined with palm trees and daybeds and never seems to get overly crowded. The newly-restored David Hockney floor mural is sure to provide a photogenic pool selfie, too. It’s open to the public, and there’s a food and beverage minimum of $100 per person on weekdays and $150 Saturday and Sunday; your best bet it to relax during the week as daybeds are highly coveted—and usually always sold out—on weekends.

Courtesy of The Hollywood Roosevelt

W Hollywood

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This can be a fun setting in the heart of Hollywood, depending on how you feel about pool floaties and bad LA stereotypes. Non-hotel guests can access the 21+ pool by purchasing a day pass, which starts at $30 and includes complimentary valet parking. Daybeds start at $150 and cabanas at $300.

Courtesy of W Hotel

The LINE Hotel

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A little oasis in the middle of Koreatown, the second-floor pool deck is right next to the pretty greenhouse that houses Openaire. Non-hotel guests can dine outside at Openaire and soak in the pool views, but it’ll be a big tease. The pool and lounge chairs are available only to hotel guests.

Courtesy of The LINE

Hotel Figueroa

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Originally opened by the YWCA in 1926 as a women’s-only hotel, the Downtown destination reverted its Moroccan interiors back to the original Spanish Colonial Revival style. The courtyard pool is only for hotel guests, but it frequently hosts hip (and free) poolside parties that are open to everyone.

Pool at Hotel Figueroa in Downtown Courtesy of Hotel Figueroa

The Standard, Downtown LA

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The Standard made rooftops cool in LA, and it’s usually on every visitor’s must-see list. The stylish hotel chain’s Downtown outpost—housed in the former Standard Oil building—boasts panoramic views, red AstroTurf, and super fun (although possibly germ-ridden) waterbed cabanas. For non-hotel guests, there’s a $45 food and beverage minimum per person.

Courtesy of The Standard

Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles

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Hands down, this is one of the best rooftop experiences in Los Angeles. The scene here is hip, but it’s not pretentious. The wading pool is small, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in setting. It’s nestled below the hotel’s magnificent terra cotta-clad tower. The pool is open—for free—to non-hotel guests from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Guests take priority, so if the area fills up, you might have to wait in line.

Courtesy of Ace Hotel

Freehand Los Angeles

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The bright pink umbrellas and loungers are very ’grammable, but so are the skyscraper-surrounded views at Freehand’s rooftop haven. Located atop the renovated ’20s-built Commercial Exchange building, the Downtown getaway’s pool is only for hotel guests, but its adjacent Broken Shaker cocktail bar serves all.

Rooftop pool at Freehand Hotel in Downtown Courtesy of Freehand Hotel

The NoMad Los Angeles

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Although the stunning skyline views are a draw, the real star of the poolside show is the Jacques Garcia-designed fireplace, a replica of a sculpture from the 16th century Italian garden Il Parco di Mostri. The rooftop cafe and bar are open to everyone all day, while the pool is available to the public starting at 6 p.m.

The rooftop pool at NoMad Los Angeles Courtesy of Benoit Linero/NoMad Los Angeles

The Langham, Huntington, Pasadena

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The wellness-focused Langham offers a ground-floor saline pool, which is said to help swimmers destress in addition to leaving their skin less itchy and dry. However, only hotel guests can enjoy the chlorine-free aqua’s health benefits.

Pool at The Langham, Huntington Courtesy of The Langham, Huntington

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Hotel Shangri-La

Once the coastal getaway for Madonna, Mae West and others, the Hotel Shangri-La is an architectural destination in its own right. The Streamline Moderne landmark’s heated pool and jacuzzi are open to the public for $25 per chair (plus a $25 food/drink minimum) or $100 for a six-person cabana ($500 food/drink minimum).

Pool at Hotel Shangri-La Courtesy of Hotel Shangri-La

Santa Monica Proper Hotel

The first of two Proper hotels to arrive in LA (a Downtown outpost is opening later this year), the Santa Monica getaway’s poolside environs were dreamed up by design superstar Kelly Wearstler. The pool deck is for guests only.

Pool hotel at Santa Monica Proper Courtesy of The Ingalls

Loews Santa Monica

If you want to admire the beauty of the Pacific without actually putting your toes in the sand, this is your best bet. The skinny heated pool and two-tier deck look gloriously straight out to the ocean. It’s open to hotel guests only.

Courtesy of Lowes Santa Monica

Viceroy Santa Monica

The Viceroy is a contender for the trendiest hotel on the Westside, and its shaded, verdant pool features inviting glamorous black and white cabanas. Typically open to hotel guests only, day passes to the pool are available online for $40 per day ($30 for kids) or $400 to $550 for a VIP cabana that fits 12 to 18.

Courtesy of Viceroy Santa Monica

Hotel Bel-Air

Inspired by the equestrian ring that previously stood on its very spot, the luxury hotel and its oval pool are steeped in Hollywood history. It’s set beneath tons of palm trees and foliage, but you’ll have to check into the five-star property as the pool is open to guests only.

Pool at Hotel Bel-Air Courtesy of Hotel Bel-Air

The Beverly Hills Hotel

The luxury hotel’s pool is the equivalent into swimming in its iconic Martinique banana leaf wallpaper. Though it no longer features real beach sand as it did when it first opened in 1938, there are plenty of chic striped lounge chairs, 11 private cabanas (each named after LA neighborhoods), as well as amenities such as pool floats, googles, board games, headphones, and phone charges by request. It’s open to hotel guests only.

pool at Beverly Hills Hotel Courtesy Beverly Hills Hotel

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

This swanky rooftop setting is befitting of its high-end ZIP code. The luxury hotel’s heated pool promises panoramic views, a landscaped garden, and charming striped green cabanas—all of which come with your room, as it’s only accessible for guests.

rooftop pool and cabanas at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills

For some sweet hilltop and city views (and stunning sunsets), there’s the pool at the London. Some R&R in this posh setting will set non-guests back $300 (Monday to Thursday) to $500 (Friday to Sunday) for a cabana, on top of a $500 food and beverage minimum.

Courtesy of The London West Hollywood

1 Hotel West Hollywood

If you prefer to swim with sustainability in mind, the carbon-neutral 1 Hotel West Hollywood (previously the James and then the Jeremy) is the place to be. The picturesque poolside’s rooftop views stretch as far as Downtown and there’s reclaimed wood and greenery a plenty. It’s open to hotel guests only.

Rooftop pool at 1 Hotel West Hollywood Courtesy of James Baigrie/1 Hotel West Hollywood

Mondrian Hotel

One of the chicest hotels pools that’s (semi) open to the public, the views at the Mondrian’s Skybar are killer and the stylish scene starts buzzing when the sun comes out—and when it goes down, thanks to the regular rooftop markets and summer soirées. The pool is open to non-hotel guests starting at 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays—at the doorman’s discretion.

Courtesy of Mondrian Hotel

Sunset Tower Hotel

The award for the most fun pool umbrellas goes to the Sunset Tower, but the hotel has a lot more to offer than wavey sun shades. It’s a Hollywood institution in a gorgeous high-rise with stellar views. The 21+ pool entrance fee is $75 for non-hotel guests and “subject to manager approval” (so come in your most chic poolside dress) or $50 if you book a day pass online.

Pool at Sunset Tower Courtesy of Sunset Tower

Château Marmont

It goes without saying that the pool at the Château Marmont, a favorite celeb haunt, is open only to hotel guests. But if you’re going to drop a big chunk of hard-earned money on a swanky hotel room in LA, you better do it at the legendary Chateau. In a crazy setting above the Sunset Strip, it’s as low key as a French-like castle can be. Oh, if those lounge chairs could talk.

Niall Huffman via Flickr creative commons

The Hollywood Roosevelt

The legendary Tropicana pool is a welcome retreat from the madness of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This ’60s-style oasis is lined with palm trees and daybeds and never seems to get overly crowded. The newly-restored David Hockney floor mural is sure to provide a photogenic pool selfie, too. It’s open to the public, and there’s a food and beverage minimum of $100 per person on weekdays and $150 Saturday and Sunday; your best bet it to relax during the week as daybeds are highly coveted—and usually always sold out—on weekends.

Courtesy of The Hollywood Roosevelt

W Hollywood

This can be a fun setting in the heart of Hollywood, depending on how you feel about pool floaties and bad LA stereotypes. Non-hotel guests can access the 21+ pool by purchasing a day pass, which starts at $30 and includes complimentary valet parking. Daybeds start at $150 and cabanas at $300.

Courtesy of W Hotel

The LINE Hotel

A little oasis in the middle of Koreatown, the second-floor pool deck is right next to the pretty greenhouse that houses Openaire. Non-hotel guests can dine outside at Openaire and soak in the pool views, but it’ll be a big tease. The pool and lounge chairs are available only to hotel guests.

Courtesy of The LINE

Hotel Figueroa

Originally opened by the YWCA in 1926 as a women’s-only hotel, the Downtown destination reverted its Moroccan interiors back to the original Spanish Colonial Revival style. The courtyard pool is only for hotel guests, but it frequently hosts hip (and free) poolside parties that are open to everyone.

Pool at Hotel Figueroa in Downtown Courtesy of Hotel Figueroa

The Standard, Downtown LA

The Standard made rooftops cool in LA, and it’s usually on every visitor’s must-see list. The stylish hotel chain’s Downtown outpost—housed in the former Standard Oil building—boasts panoramic views, red AstroTurf, and super fun (although possibly germ-ridden) waterbed cabanas. For non-hotel guests, there’s a $45 food and beverage minimum per person.

Courtesy of The Standard

Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles

Hands down, this is one of the best rooftop experiences in Los Angeles. The scene here is hip, but it’s not pretentious. The wading pool is small, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in setting. It’s nestled below the hotel’s magnificent terra cotta-clad tower. The pool is open—for free—to non-hotel guests from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Guests take priority, so if the area fills up, you might have to wait in line.

Courtesy of Ace Hotel

Freehand Los Angeles

The bright pink umbrellas and loungers are very ’grammable, but so are the skyscraper-surrounded views at Freehand’s rooftop haven. Located atop the renovated ’20s-built Commercial Exchange building, the Downtown getaway’s pool is only for hotel guests, but its adjacent Broken Shaker cocktail bar serves all.

Rooftop pool at Freehand Hotel in Downtown Courtesy of Freehand Hotel

The NoMad Los Angeles

Although the stunning skyline views are a draw, the real star of the poolside show is the Jacques Garcia-designed fireplace, a replica of a sculpture from the 16th century Italian garden Il Parco di Mostri. The rooftop cafe and bar are open to everyone all day, while the pool is available to the public starting at 6 p.m.

The rooftop pool at NoMad Los Angeles Courtesy of Benoit Linero/NoMad Los Angeles

The Langham, Huntington, Pasadena

The wellness-focused Langham offers a ground-floor saline pool, which is said to help swimmers destress in addition to leaving their skin less itchy and dry. However, only hotel guests can enjoy the chlorine-free aqua’s health benefits.