When we think of Austin, lots of things come to mind — bats, tacos, ironic facial hair — and we’ve got one more thing to add to the list: rooftop pools. More of the best hotel pools in Austin are located on a rooftop than on the ground.
So, if you’re looking to take a dip with views of downtown, you’ve got options — lots of options. And if you like your swimming pools the old-fashioned way (preferably served with an Old Fashioned from the pool bar), we’ve got a few in-ground swimming pools as well.
Whether you’re an out-of-towner planning an Austin vaycay or an Austinite planning a staycay, this roundup will help you determine which hotel pool will help you beat the heat. Let’s dive in!
The 11 Best Hotel Pools in Austin
We hope you brought your floaties because we’ve got a lot of pools to wade through. Here’s a look at the 11 best hotel pools in Austin and the features that make them a splash!
1. South Congress Hotel
https://southcongresshotel.com
1603 S Congress Ave.
Find your escape in the city at this rooftop pool with a view and verdant landscaping. This swim scene overlooks South Congress Avenue and offers a minimalist, modern vibe.
Poolside food and drinks are available from Café No Sé. And if that restaurant sounds familiar, it might be because it appears on our lists of the best salad, best breakfast, best brunch, and best pancakes in Austin — basically, the food is really freakin’ good.
This hotel pool is open to non-guests Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Day passes cost $30, and include parking and pool entry. Just remember to BYO towel.
2. The Westin Austin Downtown
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/auswi-the-westin-austin-downtown/
310 E 5th St.
Here we are on hotel pool number two, and it’s already our second rooftop option. This hotel in Downtown Austin offers the Azul Rooftop Pool and Lounge where you can sip cocktails in a private cabana by day or beside a cozy fire pit by night.
The swimming pool overlooks Downtown with a clear glass railing for unobstructed views. It was voted the world’s coolest hotel pool by Travel Agent Central and Austin‘s number one outdoor bar by Eater.
3. Four Seasons Hotel Austin
https://www.fourseasons.com/austin
98 San Jacinto Blvd.
Both upscale and family-friendly, the Four Seasons is easily one of the best hotels in Austin. They not only welcome families to the hotel and pool, but they’ve also made family amenities a core part of their offering. (They’ll even bring a Diaper Genie to your room on request, so don’t forget to pack the swim diapers.)
The pool is at ground level, just up the banks from Lady Bird Lake. It’s surrounded by nearly three acres of private green space on the lakefront. There are plush, poolside cabanas for rent and scenic trees surrounding the pool area, so you’ll feel like you’ve found a peaceful getaway in the heart of the city.
4. Hotel Ella
1900 Rio Grande St.
A beautifully restored manor in Downtown Austin, Hotel Ella is one of the city’s original landmark estates. It’s among the best boutique hotels in Austin, and it’s one of our favorite places for afternoon tea. So, Hotel Ella is definitely a spot that makes us put our pinkies up!
After we warm up with afternoon tea, you’ll find us cooling down with a swim. Hotel Ella‘s cabana-lined outdoor pool is located in a secluded boho courtyard. The pool welcomes both hotel guests and non-hotel guests. Non-guests can purchase day passes for $25, depending on availability.
5. W Austin
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/auswh-w-austin/
200 Lavaca St.
The W doesn’t just offer a pool — they offer the WET Deck, a rooftop pool deck with views of Downtown Austin. The WET Deck bills itself as a rooftop paradise for adults.
It features chaise lounge chairs, cabanas, two outdoor showers, a fireplace, and a menu of food, cocktails, and other beverages for purchase poolside. In the summertime, they host the Night Swim event series with live music by the pool.
Non-hotel guests can get in on the fun by attending one of these summer events, or by purchasing day passes to the pool, which are available Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., depending on availability. If you need a day of pampering, you can also get access to the WET Deck with every spa treatment you purchase from the W AWAY spa.
6. Austin Motel
1220 S Congress Ave.
A quirky, kid-friendly venue in South Austin, the historic Austin Motel dates all the way back to 1938. The place has been maintained with love and features colorful, retro-inspired rooms.
At the heart of the motel is a courtyard with a 1,000-square-foot, kidney-shaped swimming pool. That’s big enough for your whole crew and your next pool party, which you can book at the hotel.
7. Omni Austin Hotel Downtown
https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/austin-downtown
700 San Jacinto Blvd.
Another rooftop pool in the heart of Downtown Austin, this option is only open to hotel guests. But, when you stay at the Omni, you’ll be able to soak up views of Downtown through the clear glass railing as you take a soak in the pool.
The pool is heated, so you can enjoy a swim even on a cool Austin night, and there’s a poolside bar that’s open seasonally.
8. East Austin Hotel
1108 E 6th St.
Located in the trendy East Austin neighborhood, one of the best neighborhoods in Austin, the entire East Austin Hotel features mid-century-inspired decor. The retro vibes continue into the pool area, which is surrounded by colorful vinyl lounge chairs inspired by Palm Springs.
The pool is located in a courtyard at the center of the hotel and has a pool bar that’s open seasonally. Even in the off-season, you can throw on your pool cover-up and grab a drink just upstairs from the pool at the hotel’s rooftop bar, The Upside. This spot looks out over the courtyard and pool and offers happy hour from 4-6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.
In season, the pool bar is open to the public — there’s no pool pass required to drink, but you will need one if you want to swim. As long as there’s space, the East Austin Hotel has one of the most affordable pool passes in town: $10 on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and $25 on Fridays and Saturdays
9. JW Marriott Austin
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ausjw-jw-marriott-austin/
110 E 2nd St.
Yet another downtown hotel with a rooftop pool, this one offers views of both the city skyline and Lady Bird Lake. From the deck, you can see some of Austin‘s most famous buildings, including Frost Tower, The Austonian, and the Texas Capitol Building.
The Edge Rooftop Retreat at the JW Marriott features a heated pool, a pool bar, luxury cabanas, and private and semi-private event spaces. There’s an evening lounge experience on the terrace that’s open to non-guests who want to sip a cocktail and get a glimpse of the view.
10. Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt
605 Davis St.
One of the trendiest hotels in Austin, the Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt is located in the Rainey Street Historic District and offers views of Lady Bird Lake and Downtown Austin from its not-quite-on-the-rooftop pool.
This hotel pool is located on the fourth-floor deck and offers shaded cabanas, a fireplace, a poolside bar, and indoor and outdoor spaces that flow from one into the next. The Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt is a previous winner of the Condé Nast Traveller Reader’s Choice Award, and an air of sophistication blows through every passage in the hotel.
11. Fairmont Austin
https://www.fairmont.com/austin/
101 Red River Street
Both the final pool and the final rooftop pool on our list, the Fairmont Austin offers one of the most expansive rooftop pools in the city, and it comes complete with expansive views of Lady Bird Lake, Downtown, and the State Capitol Building.
The deck has an extra long swimming pool and a separate whirlpool. Spending the day here provides a spa-like experience with spontaneous acts of pampering, including complimentary Evian Mineral Water facial spritzes, chilled towels, and frozen fruit. You can also have cocktails delivered to you poolside or book a private cabana.
Stay Cool in the Pool
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly pool or an adults-only rooftop experience, Austin‘s hotels have a lot to offer. To get the most out of these poolside paradises, book a stay at the hotel so you’ll have access to all the amenities.
But, if you’re a local who’s just looking to cool off on a hot summer’s day, plenty of the best hotel pools in Austin have day passes for purchase. Just make sure you call ahead — some are only available on weekdays and most are subject to availability, depending on how crowded the pool is that day.
To discover more sweet stays in Texas‘s Capitol city, check out our list of the best places to stay in Austin.
