14 New Orleans hotel pools you can dive into this summer
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The pool at the Hotel Chloe has added a VIP cabana option for its daily pool access. Photo: Courtesy of Randy Krause Schmidt
Summer's hottest temperatures are swiftly coming upon us in New Orleans, so now's the time to revisit the coolest pools in town.
Why it matters: Unless you're lucky enough to have one of your own, chances are you're either diving into a public swimming pool or paying to access one of the city's hotel pools with drop-in access.
Between the lines: Not every hotel welcomes extra guests, so don't go traipsing in just anywhere with your floaties and towels.
- To help you navigate your options, we're rounding up our favorite New Orleans-area hotel pools where you can jump in and cool off without an overnight reservation.
- The Country Club, the LGBTQ+-friendly restaurant in the Bywater, is New Orleans' original drop-in pool, but it's not part of a hotel, so it's not noted in the list below.
The fine print: Some of these properties don't welcome drop-in guests under 21. The larger chains are more likely to host them.
- If you do have kids, you may also consider splash pads or one of the free public pools in the area.
Key:
- 🍹 Serves alcoholic beverages.
- 🍽️ Serves food.
- 🧖♀️ Towel included.
- 👶 Kid-friendly.
🧖♀️ 🍽️🍹 Hotel Chloe
Dip into the scene at this bustling boutique hotel in Uptown, where non-hotel guests can drop in to swim between 11am and 8pm.
Cost: $45+. There are also options for annual passes and cabanas.
Fine print: First come, first served.
🧖♀️🍹🍽️ Virgin Hotel
The 13th-floor rooftop Pool Club offers one of the best views in the city, so even if you don't book one of the special seating areas, you'll still feel like a VIP.
Cost: $25+ on ResortPass. But on Mondays, locals with a Louisiana ID can get in for $10.
🍹🍽️ The Garden District Hotel
This spot claims to have New Orleans' first swim-up pool bar.
- Bonus: Across the street is its sister property, the Blackbird Hotel, which has a drop-in pool for the same prices.
Cost: $30+.
🧖♀️👶 The Iris Motel
This family-friendly pool is at the new Iris Motel in Mid-City. It's BYO for food and drinks. Go deeper for more photos.
Cost: $18/adults and $10/children through ResortPass.
🧖♀️ 🍽️🍹 NOPSI
The NOPSI has both single reservations and cabanas, which offer shaded space for two people.
Cost: $20 through ResortPass.
🧖♀️ 🍽️🍹 High Five Pool
The Ace Hotel is out, but the Barnett is in. Above it all is the High Five, the new incarnation of New Orleans' popular early entry into the rooftop pool game. Basic passes don't include lounge chairs, but you can always upgrade for that.
Cost: $20+ through ResortPass.
🍽️🍹👶 The Dew Drop Inn
The renovated historic Dew Drop Inn is open for business, and that includes its swimming pool out back, dubbed the Haven Pool Club.
Cost: $20+. Call for availability at 504.948.3002.
🧖♀️ 🍽️🍹 The Lost Coyote
This new restaurant sits along Esplanade Avenue in the Treme, but tucked behind it is a backyard pool that'd be just perfect for a brunch that rolls into a lazy afternoon hangout. Plus, the pool is available for private parties, too.
Cost: $20+, with memberships available.
🧖♀️ 🍽️🍹👶 The Windsor Court
There's free WiFi at this 65-foot, saltwater pool, so if you can work from home, you might as well work from here. Or you could make a day trip out of it and pay for your kids to join you.
Cost: $60+ for adults, $25+ for kids on ResortPass.
🧖♀️ 🍽️🍹👶 The Roosevelt
Sure, you probably stop here for an annual Christmas card lobby photo, but stop by in the summer for the well-sized and newly renovated pool and pool deck. If you like your poolside drinks boozy, we love the Frozevelt.
Cost: $65+ for adults, $35+ for kids on ResortPass.
The fine print: Think you'll be a regular? Stop by the hotel's spa for a membership, which starts at $120 and includes monthly treatments, too.
Go deeper: ResortPass has even more drop-in hotel pools, including the Hyatt Centric, the Hotel Monteleone and the Royal Sonesta.