11 best rooftop pools at hotels in New York

Swim in luxurious rooftop pools at hotels with a mighty view of the NYC skyline. Sounds like a dream right? But it doesn't have to be just a dream.

There are some truly amazing rooftop pools NYC to choose from. From Brooklyn to Midtown Manhattan, you can rise above the busy streets and find fantastic venues to elevate any hot summer day. Most are exclusive to guests staying at the hotel, but some rooftop pools are also available to the public.

The perfect way to make the most out of a weekend in the big city, combining street-level fun with swimming and views at a chic NYC rooftop pool.

If you are looking for drinks and food with a view in NYC, you should check out the best New York rooftop bars and NYC rooftop restaurants.

Here’s our 2023 list of the 11 best rooftop pools at hotels in NYC

11. Royalton Park Avenue

Roof pools NYC | Royalton Park Avenue

What used to be Gansevoort Park is now Royalton Park Avenue. The rooftop pool is however the same, and this 2oth floor terrace can boast with one of the best rooftop pools NYC has available.

One floor above the Rooftop at Royalton Park Avenue you’ll find this gem. Located in the middle of Manhattan (on Park Avenue, as the name suggests) with mighty views over the skyline with Empire State Building as a cool backdrop.

As a guest at the hotel you can enjoy the 40-foot heated indoor/outdoor pool, with one of New York’s best locations. Royalton Park Avenue is a perfect place to stay at if you are searching for roof pools NYC, otherwise you have to 'settle' for poolside chillin at the rooftop bar.

10. Somewhere Nowhere NYC

Roof pools NYC | Somewhere Nowhere NYC

Somwhere Nowhere NYC is a multi-level and vibrant rooftop escape, found on the top floors of the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel.

Here you find a magical, whimsical and 5,516-square-feet indoor garden lounge for fun through the evening and night, but also a top floor open-air rooftop terrace, equipped with a luxurious rooftop pool.

Being the tallest hotel rooftop pool in NYC, it is no surprise that Somewhere Nowhere offers you the chance to swim with some amazing and panoramic 360° views over the Manhattan skyline.

Get comfy in one of the loungers and enjoy tropical cocktails and tapas-style light bites. After a day of relaxation, you will be ready to join in on the fun with live DJs at the rooftop bar.

9. TWA Hotel at JFK Airport

Roof pools NYC | TWA Hotel at JFK Airport

The TWA Hotel at JFK Airport offers an infinity pool that is different from all other rooftop pools NYC (and most other rooftop pools in the world). In so many ways.

Called a 'rooftop pool-cuzzi', the pool is heated up to 95 degrees farenheit daily during the colder months. So it is open and available year-round, offering a much-needed respite during hot summer days, and warming swims in winter.

While lounging in the rooftop infinity pool or in one of the sun beds, you can enjoy thrilling views over JFK’s bustling Runway 4 Left/22 Right. Not your ordinary rooftop view.

Inspired by the infinity edge pool at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France, the TWA Hotel rooftop pool is open daily from 7am to 11pm. Early morning, it is exclusive for guests staying at the hotel, but from 11am, anyone can make a reservation. For $25 Mon-Thu and $50 Fri-Sun you can enjoy the pool, observation deck and pool bar.

8. The Dominick Hotel

Roof pools NYC | The Dominick Hotel

While the rooftop pool at the fantastic Dominick Hotel is not set on the top and 46th floor, the 7th floor location still offers fantastic views over both the Manhattan skyline and the Hudson River.

Open seasonally, the very stylish, blue Italian mosaic-lined rooftop pool and terrace is an exclusive SoHo oasis. Perfect for mixing sunshine, swimming and views. If you stay at the hotel. The hotel also has a great private jacuzzi. Here's a full list of hotels with jacuzzi in NYC.

Non-guests can also visit 'Terrace on 7', an indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar offering food and drinks with Japanese inspirations. Book one of the luxurious cabanas and you can also get access to the NYC rooftop pool.

7. The William Vale

Roof pools NYC | The William Vale

In the trendy Williamsburg neighbourhood you (unsurprisingly) find one of the trendiest NYC rooftop pools. And also one of the largest.

Set on the 4th floor of the fabulous hotel The William Vale, the aptly named Vale Pool is a summer season dream for swims and the good life, all while overlooking Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline.

The impressive rooftop pool and surrounding pool deck is free for guests staying at the hotel, but outside visitors can also enjoy dips, bites and drinks. Either by purchasing a Day Pass, or by reserving one of the stylish cabanas/pergolas (the cost is from $100 to $500).

For even better views, but a lot less swimming, The William Vale is also home to the 22nd floor rooftop bar Westlight. Here you can indulge in a dynamic menu with both classic and original cocktails, alongside small plates with inspration of global street food.

6. Ravel Hotel / Profundo

Roof pools NYC | Ravel Hotel / Profundo

Located just off the Queensbridge Park, right in the heart of Long Island City, the Profundo Day Club at the boutique Ravel Hotel serves an aquatic sanctuary, filled with vibes and views.

The spacious rooftop deck comes with a glittering blue rooftop pool, surrounded with chairs, days beds, cabanas and amazing views over the Manhattan skyline and the Queensboro Bridge.

A resort in the concrete jungle, up here South Beach meets St. Tropez, and you can easily spend a day that feels like holiday. Nibble on premium poolside food, sip custom tiki drinks, get loose to the DJ beats and (of course) jump into the rooftop pool.

Open to the public, where a day pass is at $60 and includes a goodie-bag filled with poolside essentials. Plus rooftop pool, vibes and views, so well worth it.

Note that Profundo is a 21+ venue.

5. Soho House New York

Roof pools NYC | Soho House New York

As with several other Soho House properties around the world, the Soho House New York comes with a fantastic rooftop pool. Located in the Meatpacking District, just a stone’s throw from The High Line, this amazing rooftop terrace comes with sublime views over the Hudson River and downtown NYC.

To swim in this NYC rooftop pool, lounge in the stylish and comfy sun beds/cabanas, and enjoy the trendy vibes and poolside cocktails, you have to stay at the hotel or be a Soho House member. While the former is pretty straightforward (and a great choice), the second option means you have to be in the 'creative industries' and pay a an annual membership fee of around $2000.

4. The Williamsburg Hotel

Roof pools NYC | The Williamsburg Hotel

The Williamsburg Hotel is a fairly new rooftop hotel and rooftop swimming pool in NYC, that has taken Brooklyn by storm. Every weekend during the summer, the terrace is filled with sun-worshippers gathering to drink, party, swim and dance with a view.

Modern and trendy, the terrace is equipped with a long rooftop pool that stretches across the roof, surrounded by comfy pinstriped sunbeds and cabanas. And most of all, some breathtaking views over Manhattan and the Williamsburg rooftops.

The rooftop pool and terrace is open to the public, but you have to reserve a sunlounger/daybed/cabana to take a swim. The cost is from $50-1000. Visit early if you seek relaxation, come afternoon and especially weekends, The Williamsburg Hotel terrace is filled with vibes, live DJs and a fun-filled crowed. Both by the pool, and in the rootop bar right beside.

3. Gansevoort Meatpacking

Roof pools NYC | Gansevoort Meatpacking

A rooftop pool NYC located on top of the cool and trendy hotel Gansevoort Meatpacking. The pool is free and exclusive for guests staying at the hotel.

The rooftop pool is heated, so this urban oasis is open for swim and cocktails year round. And while dipping and enjoying drinks in the comfy loungers, you can also take in the amazing views of Hudson River and downtown New York. A perfect way to see the city and at the same time enjoy total relaxation.

While the rooftop pool is exclusive, everyone not staying at Gansevoort Meatpacking can visit the Gansevoort Rooftop. A chic lounge / cocktail bar with the same amazing views, well made drinks and top atmosphere.

2. ModernHaus SoHo

Roof pools NYC | ModernHaus SoHo

One of the very best rooftop pools in all of New York. The swimming pool in itself is really nothing out of the ordinary, but the roof terrace, the atmosphere and the view is just amazing. Fantastic skyline view of downtown, Hudson River and Manhattan.

While the JIMMY rooftop bar is open nightly to all, it is usually only hotels guests staying at the ModernHaus SoHo (used to be The James) that are allowed to use the rooftop pool. But summer weekends means 'Pool Party Series' up on the terrace, available to the public.

From 3pm - 8pm it ia all about swimming with a view, DJ's and drinks. Make sure to be on time and join the fun. A 'must do' if in New York.

1. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Roof pools NYC | 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

The quite newly opened, eco-luxe hotel 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is a spectacular hotel in itself. But it do come with one major highlight: the rooftop pool! Or two major highlights: the rooftop pool and the views from the rooftop pool.

Located just off the Brooklyn Bridge (on the Brooklyn side) you get an absolutely amazing view of the Manhattan skyline from here. It is almost hard to tell if you are taking a dip in the pool or in the East River.

In between dips you can sip handcrafted cocktails from Harriet's Rooftop. While the rooftop bar is open to the public, you have to stay at the hotel to enjoy the rooftop pool. And we really think you should.

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The Rooftop Guide

- The world's leading experts on rooftop venues