Dive Into the Best Hotel Pools in America
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Summer in the US can be sweltering, so while traveling around the country, where better to cool off than your hotel pool? Whether you want to do some serious laps, lounge in the sun, take a quick dip or simply sip cocktails in the shade, TPG International Contributor Lori Zaino invites you to enjoy the best hotel pools in America.
The Biltmore Coral Gables — Coral Gables, Florida
Whoever said bigger is better was absolutely right — at least when it comes to this magnificent man-made body of water, which measures 150 feet by 225 feet, making it the largest hotel pool in the continental United States. Surrounded by palm trees and lounge chairs since its debut in 1926, the Biltmore's pool has hosted water ballets and made appearances in TV shows and movies, but it's a star performer unto itself. June rates at this American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts (Amex FHR) property start at about $229 per night.
The London, West Hollywood — Los Angeles, California
This swanky rooftop pool offers sun-seekers a luxurious, relaxing place to lounge, but if it's shade you prefer, sink into one of the soft cabana sofas while you sip a Pimm's or an Elderflower Spritz and enjoy sweeping views of Los Angeles. Poolside happy hour at sunset and evening drinks by the fire pit ensure that this is a happening scene even when the sun goes down. June rates at this Amex FHR property start at about $369 per night.
Dream Downtown — New York, New York
Perfect for voyeurs, the bottom of Dream Downtown's 50-foot-long heated rooftop pool features glass portholes that let you to peek into the lobby while you take a dip. Likewise, those entering the hotel can look up and see into the pool. Kind of creepy, kind of awesome — and definitely a one-of-a-kind experience. If you'd rather be in the Hamptons but aren't able to make the trek, you'll appreciate that the hotel features a separate "beach" area with 5,000 square feet of sand shipped in from Montauk. June rates start at $465 per night.
The Joule — Dallas, Texas
This perilously perched rooftop pool juts eight feet beyond The Joule's structure, making the pool's one glass sided-edge an exciting place to both swim and peek at the street below. Enjoy some amazing city views, have a relaxing soak in the heated water or head to the cabanas and lounge area to seek shade from sunny, hot Texas afternoons. June rates start at $269 per night.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess — Scottsdale, Arizona
With four pool options — the Casita, East and South pools and the Sonoran Splash — this 6,000-square-foot oasis in the middle of the Sonoran Desert has something for everyone. Kids will love the 200-foot water slides and play areas with sandboxes and beach toys, while adults can enjoy having kid-free pools all to themselves. Pool experience coordinators are on hand to help you with cabana rentals, pool and chair selection, food and drink options and fresh, fluffy towels. June rates at this Visa Signature Hotels property start at $349 per night.
Post Ranch Inn Big Sur — Big Sur, California
This hotel has a rather average lap pool, but the two large infinity Jade and Meditation spas are the reason it made the list. The two giant infinity jacuzzis, heated at a constant 104 degrees Fahrenheit, are perched on cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, offering breathtaking views in a romantic and chic environment. June rates at this Visa Signature Hotels and Amex FHR property start at $1,225 per night.
Amangani — Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Surrounded by the stunning Teton Range, Amangani is set above a wide valley that's best known as Jackson Hole. Gaze out at meadows and rolling countryside as you swan around the hotel's 115-foot-long outdoor swimming pool or the 113-square-foot whirlpool; with a winter water temperature of about 80°F (27°C), this swimming pool can be enjoyed year-round. If you're a fan of beauty, watching the sunset poolside is highly recommend. June rates at this Visa Signature Hotels and Amex FHR property start at $1,277 per night.
Grand Wailea Resort — Wailea, Maui
The Wailea Canyon activity pool complex features nine different pools. The sprawling, spectacular family section is comprised of four jungle pools connected by a river (with gentle currents that are appropriate for small children), an infant pool, four intertwining slides, a whitewater rapids slide, a Tarzan pool with rope swing, a sand beach, six waterfalls, some caves, three Jacuzzis, the world’s first water elevator (open 11 am to 4pm) and a swim-up bar. If you want some exclusive adult time, head to the 4,850-square-foot Hibiscus Pool, named for the giant flower mosaic, made from over 630,000 pieces of Mexican glass tile, on the pool's bottom. Open only to ages 18 and up, the Hibiscus also features two adults-only jacuzzis. June rates at this Visa Signature Hotels property start at $544 or 172,000 Hilton HHonors points per night.
The Delano Hotel — Miami, Florida
Envisioned by Philippe Starck, the Delano's expansive backyard pool is known for its fun yet chic design. With ornate iron furniture set in the shallow end, this "water salon" is surrounded by sleek cabanas and airy bungalows, offering refreshing cocktails and some of Miami's best DJs spinning trendy tunes. Quirky touches, such as whimsical topiaries, a giant chessboard and an absolutely huge mirror, make this a kitschy, sassy spot to party day or night. June rates at this Visa Signature Hotels property start at $348 per night.
Viceroy Miami — Miami, Florida
While in South Beach, try to break away from the Delano long enough to head to the Viceroy and check out Florida's longest infinity pool. Surrounded by greenery and soaring condos, the 300-foot pool — as well as a pair of huge, heated whirlpools — overlooks sparkling Biscayne Bay. June rates start at $234 per night.
Hard Rock Hotel — Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is another destination with a very happening pool scene, but the fan favorite may just be the Hard Rock, as it features three, well, rocking pools: Upper Breathe (a heated pool that's open year-round), the Nirvana Pool (all ages) and the Rehab (21+ only). Rehab offers weekend pool parties that attract some of the hottest 20-and 30-somethings west of the Mississippi. Cabanas, daybeds and plenty of sun chairs are available, and this summer, Richard Beynon, DJ Shift and Wellman will be on the DJ decks. Non hotel-guests can get tickets online for the Rehab weekend parties ($20 for ladies, $40 for men), while room rates start as low as $40 for a weeknight in June.
Golden Nugget — Las Vegas, Nevada
For a more offbeat Vegas pool experience, visit the Tank at the Golden Nugget, which is open year-round and hosts a three-story water-slide, 15 private cabanas, waterfalls shooting into the pool and ... a shark tank! Climb up 30 feet and race down the slide, which sweeps you through this over-sized aquarium for a quick glimpse of 300 types of fish and 16 kinds of sharks, including Black-Tipped, Sand Tiger and Zebra sharks. If you want to enjoy these creatures for a longer period of time, you can also do a shark tour —a great idea for families. Or, head to the relative safety of the third-floor Hideaway pool, where the 21+ scene features DJs on the weekends all summer long. Weeknight rates in June start at just $42 per night.
If you want to live the resort lifestyle all year-round, check out a Snapshot on Resort Memberships: Pool, Spa, & Gym Access for Locals.
[card card-name='Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express' card-id='22035076' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.