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Mapping New Orleans's best hotel pools

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2016 and has been updated with the most recent information.

Back in the day, crashing hotel pools was a summer rite of passage for New Orleanians. But now that more and more hotels are opening their pools to the general public, elaborate elevator switch-a-roos and shows of false confidence (“Why yes, Ms. Concierge, I do have a key card, as you can surmise by my relaxed-yet-purposeful stride toward the mezzanine level”) are no longer necessary. In fact, at many hotel pools offer free admission with a food and beverage purchase— a very valid excuse to indulge in a poolside cocktail.

From fancy hotel rooftop pools to indoor lap pools, here’s a list of places to take a daylong staycation in New Orleans—without springing for a room.

Want to only stick to pools that are open to the public? We have a map for that, too.

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The Drifter Hotel

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This Tulane Avenue hotel may have eclipsed the Ace Hotel when it comes to see-and-be-seen summer hotspots. The heated courtyard pool has a distinctly mid-century modern vibe. Bathing suit tops are optional for people of all genders, and there’s a robust slate of poolside yoga, concerts, and parties that are open to the public (admission costs vary, but it’s usually $10 to $15 to swim—or you can pay $299 for year-round access.)

Maison Dupuy

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Surrounded by a beautiful courtyard, the heated swimming pool here is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

courtesy Maison Dupuy

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

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When the Bourbon Street debauchery gets to be too much, hotel guests can round the corner and unwind in the heated saltwater pool at the Bourbon Orleans.

New Orleans Hotel Collection

Dauphine Orleans Hotel

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The historic French Quarter hotel features buildings that date back to the early 19th century. In the petite, charming courtyard, you’ll find a saltwater pool.

New Orleans Hotel Collection

Omni Royal Orleans Rooftop Pool

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If the rooftop pool and bar isn't appealing enough, there's always the observation deck.

Hotel Le Marais

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This narrow, heated saltwater pool is tucked in a brick courtyard at the French Quarter boutique hotel is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

New Orleans Hotel Collection

Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans

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There's a lot of activity at this Bourbon street hotel pool, which is surrounded by a large terrace and a poolside bar.

A post shared by Lia S-P (@lia_s_p) on

W New Orleans - French Quarter

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Framed by lush vegetation and iron work fences, this courtyard pool is open for guests from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Starting in late June, the hotel offers public admission to the pool, which costs $20 and includes two complimentary drinks.

W New Orleans

Hotel Monteleone

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This heated rooftop pool has downtown views and is open year-round. There's also a poolside bar serving up snacks.

Hotel Monteleone

The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

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The rooftop pool has a whirlpool tub, private cabanas for rent, poolside service, and a full bar with frozen concoctions. Although it’s only open to hotel guests, the Roosevelt occasionally hosts events that open the pool to the public. Or, any 50-minute spa treatment at the hotel gets you pool access (locals get a 20 percent off discount at the spa, too).

The Ehrhardt Group

Aloft New Orleans Downtown

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This contemporary boutique hotel in the CBD features a heated rooftop pool with views of downtown.

Aloft New Orleans on Facebook

Le Pavillon Hotel

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A heated pool that's open year-round, plus a hot tub, sun deck, and private cabanas make up this rooftop set-up in the CBD.

lepavillon.com

Hyatt Regency New Orleans

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Cabanas at this heated rooftop saltwater pool are complimentary on a first-come, first-served basis during the week, and available for a fee on weekends and holidays. This convention-centric hotel is like its own mini-city, so the pool isn't the most intimate spot in town, but there's a ton of seating, a poolside bar, and food options.

Hyatt Regency New Orleans on Facebook

Windsor Court Hotel

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The 65-foot-long saltwater pool on the roomy rooftop deck of the Windsor Court is open year-round and heated during the winter months.

Deveney

Le Meridien Hotel

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Petite but refreshing, the rooftop pool here has three cabanas equipped with TVs if you want to really indulge.

Starwood Hotels

Ace Hotel New Orleans

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This hip rooftop pool has a bar and restaurant, which is open to the public daily (10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends, year-round). There’s a $20 entry fee for non-guests, and admission is first-come, first-served.

Fran Parente

Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center

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The Hilton Garden Inn unveiled a $9 million renovation earlier this year, which also updated its rooftop pool. This one is a stone’s throw from the Convention Center and boasts sweeping downtown views.

The Drifter Hotel

This Tulane Avenue hotel may have eclipsed the Ace Hotel when it comes to see-and-be-seen summer hotspots. The heated courtyard pool has a distinctly mid-century modern vibe. Bathing suit tops are optional for people of all genders, and there’s a robust slate of poolside yoga, concerts, and parties that are open to the public (admission costs vary, but it’s usually $10 to $15 to swim—or you can pay $299 for year-round access.)

Maison Dupuy

Surrounded by a beautiful courtyard, the heated swimming pool here is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

courtesy Maison Dupuy

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

When the Bourbon Street debauchery gets to be too much, hotel guests can round the corner and unwind in the heated saltwater pool at the Bourbon Orleans.

New Orleans Hotel Collection

Dauphine Orleans Hotel

The historic French Quarter hotel features buildings that date back to the early 19th century. In the petite, charming courtyard, you’ll find a saltwater pool.

New Orleans Hotel Collection

Omni Royal Orleans Rooftop Pool

If the rooftop pool and bar isn't appealing enough, there's always the observation deck.

Hotel Le Marais

This narrow, heated saltwater pool is tucked in a brick courtyard at the French Quarter boutique hotel is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

New Orleans Hotel Collection

Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans

There's a lot of activity at this Bourbon street hotel pool, which is surrounded by a large terrace and a poolside bar.

A post shared by Lia S-P (@lia_s_p) on

W New Orleans - French Quarter

Framed by lush vegetation and iron work fences, this courtyard pool is open for guests from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Starting in late June, the hotel offers public admission to the pool, which costs $20 and includes two complimentary drinks.

W New Orleans

Hotel Monteleone

This heated rooftop pool has downtown views and is open year-round. There's also a poolside bar serving up snacks.

Hotel Monteleone

The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

The rooftop pool has a whirlpool tub, private cabanas for rent, poolside service, and a full bar with frozen concoctions. Although it’s only open to hotel guests, the Roosevelt occasionally hosts events that open the pool to the public. Or, any 50-minute spa treatment at the hotel gets you pool access (locals get a 20 percent off discount at the spa, too).

The Ehrhardt Group

Aloft New Orleans Downtown

This contemporary boutique hotel in the CBD features a heated rooftop pool with views of downtown.

Aloft New Orleans on Facebook

Le Pavillon Hotel

A heated pool that's open year-round, plus a hot tub, sun deck, and private cabanas make up this rooftop set-up in the CBD.

lepavillon.com

Hyatt Regency New Orleans

Cabanas at this heated rooftop saltwater pool are complimentary on a first-come, first-served basis during the week, and available for a fee on weekends and holidays. This convention-centric hotel is like its own mini-city, so the pool isn't the most intimate spot in town, but there's a ton of seating, a poolside bar, and food options.

Hyatt Regency New Orleans on Facebook

Windsor Court Hotel

The 65-foot-long saltwater pool on the roomy rooftop deck of the Windsor Court is open year-round and heated during the winter months.

Deveney

Le Meridien Hotel

Petite but refreshing, the rooftop pool here has three cabanas equipped with TVs if you want to really indulge.

Starwood Hotels

Ace Hotel New Orleans

This hip rooftop pool has a bar and restaurant, which is open to the public daily (10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends, year-round). There’s a $20 entry fee for non-guests, and admission is first-come, first-served.

Fran Parente

Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center

The Hilton Garden Inn unveiled a $9 million renovation earlier this year, which also updated its rooftop pool. This one is a stone’s throw from the Convention Center and boasts sweeping downtown views.