Soak Up the Sun all Summer Long at These Elevated Pools
With summer officially here, it’s time to start planning how you’re going to cool down during those warm, sun-drenched afternoons. The only thing better than taking a dip in a pool is if it’s a rooftop pool complete with views and a menu of poolside bites and cocktails. Luckily, there are a number of great rooftop pools in Los Angeles—and we’ve rounded up the best ones. Whether you’re looking to spend a relaxing afternoon by the pool, join a lively pool party or plan a luxe staycation, there’s something for everyone in the City of Angels.
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
The pool deck at this five-star hotel looks extra bright with the all-white loungers and a large, sparkling pool. There is a hot tub along with views of Beverly Hills’ manicured gardens and the mountains behind them. The food menu comes courtesy of the famed Jean-Georges Vongerichten, so level up that poolside dining with a lobster burger or french fries topped with caviar and crème fraîche. Non-hotel guests can purchase a day pass on weekdays with a minimum purchase of three passes, and on weekends, pool access for non-hotel guests is only available with a cabana rental.
Location: Beverly Hills
1 Hotel West Hollywood
1 Hotel’s pool deck is enclosed with glass panels instead of walls, so you can really enjoy that panoramic view of the city skyline. There are potted plants throughout that give the rooftop a lush garden-like feel. The pool is open from sunrise to sundown exclusively for hotel guests. Like the other restaurants in this sustainable hotel, the poolside menu features local, seasonal produce. Grab a superfood wrap and a smoothie, or sip a different kind of green juice with the Verde cocktail, made with mezcal, Midori, aloe vera, cucumber, cilantro and lime.
Location: West Hollywood
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Santa Monica’s only real rooftop pool is a beach oasis with tropical plants surrounding the pool and an earthy color palette on the loungers and umbrellas. The pool menu offers breakfast until noon and all-day bites with a Mediterranean slant, such as hummus, Greek salad and kebabs. Pool access is exclusive to hotel guests although the rooftop restaurant, Calabra, is open to the public. There are no cabanas here; instead, there are alcoves shaded by palm trees. The alcoves seat up to 12 guests and can be reserved for half-days. You’re going to want to catch the sunset from up here!
Location: Santa Monica
The London West Hollywood
Perched on the 10th floor of The London West Hollywood, this rooftop pool is a slice of British culture in California with black-and-white striped cabanas and Victorian-style wrought iron loungers flanked by palm trees in four corners. You can go casual on the food menu with a cheeseburger, or live it up in style by ordering the charcuterie board. The pool is open to hotel guests only, so the ambiance tends to be quiet and relaxed. The rooftop offers sweeping views of LA from The Getty to downtown, and it’s even more stunning during sunset’s golden hour.
Location: West Hollywood
Mondrian Los Angeles
The rooftop pool of this 12-story hotel boasts some of the best panoramic views of all the rooftops in LA. On weekday afternoons, the pool deck is calm with soothing music and vines covering the walls, but on summer weekends, it’s all about the pool parties, fueled by Skybar’s frosés and mango mojitos. Skybar’s food menu is focused on what’s easy to eat—think tacos, wraps and sandwiches. Non-hotel guests can book a day pass via Resort Pass but only on select days (typically Monday-Thursday).
Location: West Hollywood
The West Hollywood Edition
We love the lushness of the rooftop deck at the West Hollywood Edition. Exclusive to hotel guests, the pool is surrounded by white daybeds and leafy, plant-covered walls on three sides. In front of this 14th-floor pool, the Edition’s signature terracotta potted plants open up to a stunning 180-degree view that includes the DTLA skyline. The rooftop offers a modern Mexican menu with al pastor tacos, tuna tostadas, churros and a selection of tequila and mezcal cocktails. This rooftop is also one of the best spots to catch a scenic LA sunset.
Location: West Hollywood
The Shay
The rooftop pool at The Shay gives off a Palm Springs vibe with its cute pastel orange umbrellas and pink pillows on each lounger. Poolside food and drink service is available all day through The Canopy Club with options that range from avocado tacos to a crispy chicken sando. A special feature at this hotel is the underwater chairs in the middle of the pool, perfect if you want to just sit and soak—preferably with a banana mai tai in hand. Day passes, as well as daybed and cabana rentals, are available via Resort Pass.
Location: Culver City
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Lounge back on vibrant blue daybeds and enjoy the 60-foot pool and a hot tub at The Peninsula, which are available only to hotel guests. Poolside dining is available with a menu that tends to be on the lighter side—think Cobb salads. There are a dozen cabanas available for rent, and each comes with an HDTV with Apple TV capabilities, Bluetooth speakers and more. The best part about renting a private cabana here, though, is that you can book a poolside mani-pedi while you’re at it. This is the 90210, after all!
Location: Beverly Hills
Pendry West Hollywood
It feels a bit like the French Riviera here at The Pendry’s rooftop pool with its pastel-colored daybeds and baby blue velvet barrel chairs. The poolside menu is compact but has something for everyone, from kung pao cauliflower to tuna burgers. The best way to cool down is to order a frozen popsicle or ice cream bar for dessert. For refreshing drinks, there are pitchers of sangria and palomas, perfect for a small party. Note that The Pendry’s rooftop pool is only accessible to—you guessed it—hotel guests.
Location: West Hollywood
Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown
The pool at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown is located on the seventh floor with the towering 73-story hotel behind it and a view of DTLA’s skyscrapers on all sides. There is a heated pool and hot tub with poolside food and drink service from No Dive Bar, which is open for the summer and serves easy favorites like burgers and fish tacos. Non-hotel guests can access the pool by reserving a lounge chair or renting a cabana via Resort Pass. Lounge chair reservations start at $70 and include complimentary bottled water and a glass of champagne.
Location: Downtown
Downtown LA Proper Hotel
The DTLA Proper’s pool sits on a checkered monochromatic terrace just above the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, Cara Cara, and boasts an epic view of the skyline in all directions. There are no private cabanas to rent here, but there is poolside food and beverage service from Cara Cara’s seasonal menu. The chorizo and queso focaccia is easy to share and enjoy by the pool, but you can also head down to the fire pit for a quick meal before taking another dip. The pool is exclusive to hotel guests, but Cara Cara is open to the public.
Location: Downtown
SLS Hotel Beverly Hills
The rooftop pool at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills is as stylish as the rest of the hotel. Interspersed around the pool area are the same whimsical furnishings and sculptures that you’ll find downstairs.The pool area actually has two adjacent pools: a shallow one for wading and one that’s four-feet deep. The food menu is pretty extensive with shareable appetizers like arancini and entrees for one like spinach Carbonara pasta. Day pass and cabana rentals available via Resort Pass start at $50, and we’d recommend snatching one during one of their summer weekend DJ sessions.
Location: Beverly Hills
Kimpton Everly Hotel
The Kimpton Everly has a stylish rooftop on the fifth floor with black and gray tones and a picture-perfect view of Hollywood. In addition to the pool loungers and cabanas, there’s an additional seating area for those who want to enjoy the views without getting in the pool. While there’s no rooftop bar, guests can order Italian sandwiches, pizzas and drinks from their restaurant downstairs, Jane Q, and enjoy them poolside. Non-hotel guests can get a day pass for $25 or a cabana starting at $150 from Resort Pass.
Location: Hollywood
The Freehand
The Freehand brand originally started as a stylish hostel in Miami with the award-winning tropical bar, Broken Shaker, so it’s not surprising that this rooftop pool has a laid-back, bohemian vibe with its pink daybeds and fun cocktails from the LA outpost of Broken Shaker. The twice-fried chicken wings are worth the sticky fingers, and you can wash it down with the refreshing Vibe Check cocktail. The rooftop pool is open to the public from 11 a.m. to sundown, and while there’s no extra charge, there is a $65 minimum spend per pool lounge chair for non-hotel guests.
Location: Downtown
