10 Best Hotels in the U.S. with Rooftop Pools

It’s impossible not to talk about the Joule Hotel in Dallas and not mention its rooftop pool. Sure, the property itself is cool, in a 1920s Neo Gothic building with whimsical artwork and a sprawling ESPA spa. But it’s the heated infinity pool, extending eight feet beyond the building’s edge over the street below, that grabs all the attention, thanks to a glassed-in wall, which affords vertigo-inducing views of the city.

RELATED: The World’s Craziest Pools

SoHo heats up come summertime at The James, whose 18th-floor rooftop is the place to be on weekends. While its plunge pool is on the smaller side, no one seems to care—not when a host of rotating DJs keep the beats going and signature cocktails from the adjacent bar, JIMMY are strong and flavorful. After making the rounds, set yourself up on an oversize lounger with your Brigitte Bardot (vodka, Grand Marnier, Prosecco, and fresh orange juice) and soak in the 360-degree Manhattan views.

This serene sleep near the base of the Hollywood Hills charms in more ways than one, though it’s the rooftop pool that takes it to the next level. The interior is lined with Swarovski crystals—so LA—while the private cabanas are star-worthy corners kitted out with their own private fireplaces and cocktail tables. Its sweeping, sun-drenched views of the hills and downtown—as well as the swanky terrace lounge, Above SIXTY—are for guests only, ensuring the scene remains oh-so-intimate.

Views in this city are a dime a dozen—if you’re willing to shell out for them. But guests of the Gansevoort Meatpacking are blessed with the best vista of them all, free of charge. Head to the 45-foot heated pool on the hotel’s 15-story rooftop and you’ll see the Hudson River and city skyline no matter where you turn. The lounge's design takes a page from Morocco, with cutout lamps and papyrus plants, and the bar serves Mediterranean-inspired small plates set against a backdrop of skyscrapers.

Ask anyone where the cool-kid scene is in "Hotlanta," and they’ll probably point you straight to W Atlanta Downtown, where the city’s only year-round rooftop pool is as sexy as the people who gather there. After a dip and a sip from your favorite martini courtesy of WETBAR, make a beeline for Bliss Spa on the same floor to treat that sun-induced fatigue.

The pool at the Mondrian LA is what Instagram dreams are made of. A wall of windows line the deck, framing one of the best views of the city. After tanning and dips in the water (which features underwater music), kick back in the outdoor living room and adjacent, ivy-covered SkyBar for libations like The BLVD (gin, maraschino, hops liqueur, and lime and pineapple juice). Still not gotten your fill? Stay past sunset for swims by lantern light and live music on weekends.

RELATED: 9 Hot New Hotels in Los Angeles

Okay, maybe you’ve come to Miami for the beach. But for us, it's all about 1 Hotel South Beach, which has not one but four scene-worthy pools including an adults-only rooftop number that is currently the largest in Miami Beach. Ocean views are standard from any of its chic Sky Cabanas (which come with built-in champagne buckets). Even if you decide to just sprawl out on one of the cushy chaise lounges, it’s just as easy to drift off to the sound of the waves.

RELATED: 8 Posh Pool Scenes in Miami

An outdoor pool in the breezy Pacific Northwest you can actually enjoy? Believe it. Seattle’s most luxurious hotel also lays claim to some of the city’s best views of Puget Sound, which you capture perfectly from the infinity pool. Stay for the sunset, then head downstairs to Goldfinch Tavern, where restaurateur Ethan Stowell and chef Joe Ritchie keep foodies busy with their hefty burgers and fresh local oysters.

The pool at the Cromwell Las Vegas isn’t just a nice amenity—it’s the star of the show. This is Las Vegas’ only rooftop party pool, and it’s a triple threat: equal parts beach party, nightclub, and after-hours lounge. By day, swimsuits are the dress code for lounging on the fuchsia banquettes and taking shade beneath the towering palm trees on its 30,000-square-foot pool deck, surrounding on all sides by views of the Strip; by night, everyone heads to the next-door nightclub for dancing and debauchery beneath disco balls and strobe lights. The scene is as big and bold as the hotel itself—and as Vegas as it gets.

RELATED: Our 10 Favorite Hotels in Las Vegas Are Sure Bets

One of the greatest perks of staying at a Soho House property? Gaining access to their exclusive, member-only rooftop pools. We’re partial to the 60-foot stunner at their Chicago outpost, which clocks in as the brand’s largest and is lined with daybeds, fire pits, and views that stretch all the way to the John Hancock and Willis towers. Here, you’ll find Chicago’s glamour crowd, who come to tan between rounds of ping pong at the fifth-floor club, massages at Cowshed Spa, and stiff drinks at South Bar.