With the 4th of July weekend behind us, summer is in full force and (if this weekend’s weather was any indication) the temperature is only going to rise. While sitting indoors with the air conditioner cranked up to capacity may be an easy solution, it’s impossible–and almost silly–to spend your entire summer inside. Check out these rooftop pools for a quick, cool getaway from the city’s upcoming heat waves.
King and Grove
At almost 5,000 feet long, the saltwater pool at King and Grove in Brooklyn offers a lounge-like deck space with gorgeous views of Manhattan. Non-hotel-guests can purchase a pass for $35 on weekdays and $45 on weekends from 11am–9pm. This includes access to the pool deck, towels, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Hôtel Americano
Hôtel Americano offers a small but refreshing pool for free to non-guests on its rooftop, boasting gorgeous views of the High Line. It may be best to plan a weekend visit because the hours are a bit funky: Monday–Friday 6pm–1am; Saturday and Sunday 12pm–1am. The adjacent restaurant, La Piscine, serves fresh Mediterranean cuisine, which can be nibbled on the poolside daybeds or at the rooftop restaurant.
The Beach at the Dream Downtown Hotel
This chic Chelsea rooftop features a 4,800-square-foot heated pool surrounded by imported white sand, private cabanas, Cote D’Azur-inspired chaise lounges and a full-service bar. Day passes begin at $175 to reserve a chair, running up to $2,500 for a cabana on the weekend. Hotel guests lounge poolside for free.
Thompson Hotel
While the rooftop pool at this popular Lower East Side hotel is only open to guests, it does make an exception for private events. The third-floor space also features a bar and room service delivered straight to your deck chair, offering views of the surrounding tenement-lined streets. Art-lovers will also notice an underwater tribute to Andy Warhol in the form of a filmstrip-style image of the famous pop artist gracing the pool’s bottom.
Soho House
This hip, private pool requires a membership at the club, but offers spectacular views of the Hudson River and West Village. Guests can sunbathe on striped lounge chairs under cream colored parasols.
Gansevoort Hotel
The Renewal Day Package at the Gansevoort Hotel in the Meatpacking District is the ultimate summer time splurge. For $295, you’ll receive access to the rooftop pool (I loved that the music is piped in and played even under the water), a poolside cocktail, one Core Fusion Class, a 30-minute massage and facial, and a cute gift bag that includes SPF and lip balm.
Holiday Inn
This sprawling body of water spans 60 feet in length, is 30 feet wide, and goes up to nine feet deep! Day passes for non-guests are $70/day and run from 10am–6pm for the use of pool and towels. Who would have thought to head to the Holiday Inn for one of the best rooftop pool experiences in NYC?
The James Hotel
A secret rooftop retreat in Soho, the plunge pool is perfect for basking in the summer sun. It’s The James New Yorks’ sexiest and most coveted feature. Surrounded by inspiring views of the city skyline, the rooftop boasts a concrete “halo” roof that frames the pool deck, teak decking, an outdoor shower and plush outdoor chaise lounges.
