Michele Heisler, 61, is an avid swimmer, doing 45 minutes three times a week in a local 80-foot pool. But swimming while traveling can be difficult. “Most hotel pools are too small or too full,” he said.
Then, while planning a trip to Chicago, Ms. Heisler, of Ann Arbor, Mich., came across a photo of her dream hotel pool. At the Intercontinental Hotel, the 25-meter swimming pool, built in 1929, is one of the oldest in Chicago and is surrounded by Greek-inspired marble decoration. “You feel like you are swimming in an ancient Greek temple. It’s a magical experience,” said Ms. Heisler, who has stayed at the Intercontinental four times in the past 10 years because of the pool.
Even at a resort, swimming laps often means negotiating odd and often short lengths while watching kids cannonball into water that can feel like a hot tub. Finding a hotel pool big enough to swim in in a big city is even more daunting. But they exist. Here there are six hotel pools that are at least 25 meters long and provide plenty of space for lap swimming, as well as a first class atmosphere. Some are open to non-overnight guests. Most are open all day, but the early morning hours will offer the best swimming experience, hotel representatives say.
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
The regulation: The south tower of the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile Hotel was originally a private sports club, with this indoor pool, home to famed Olympic swimmer and actor Johnny Weissmuller, who broke records in the 1924 and 1928 Olympics.
The pool, on the hotel’s 14th floor, is “an architectural marvel complete with spectator seating and turrets” decorated with Spanish majolica tiles, said Christopher Cawley, the hotel’s general manager. It has four swimming lanes. Sun loungers surround the pool, while a newly renovated, multi-level gym is nearby.
Hours: Weekdays 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Weekends 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. There are no times set aside specifically for lap swimming.
Pool temperature: 84 degrees
Public access: Non-guests can purchase a resort pass online to use the pool and fitness facilities through Resort Pass, a platform that partners with hotels across the United States to offer day passes to access exclusive amenities. Prices vary by season, currently a day pass for adults is $40.
Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
The regulation: When the Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown opened in 2016, it included this 25-meter indoor pool designed, like the rest of the hotel’s interiors, by Canadian-based interior design firm Yabu Pushelberg.
The pool area features stone-clad columns, wooden screens and a custom scrubbed plaster finish on the walls to add to the soothing tranquility of the space. “If you close your eyes, you feel like you’re transported to the French Riviera,” said Thomas Carreras, the hotel’s general manager. He calls it “holy”. There is a mix of seating, from chaise lounges with plush white towels to comfy love seats with oversized cushions. The pool is on the third floor of the hotel, along with the gym and spa. There is a designated lap lane.
Hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m
Pool temperature: 83 to 85 degrees
Public access: The pool is open to hotel guests and members of Club 27, the hotel’s private health club.
W Miami
The regulation: The W Miami is located within the IconBrickell complex and condominium development in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood, which was built in 2008. The W opened in 2016. Hotel guests and building residents use the complex’s outdoor pools, which include a reflection pool, a hot tub and a swimming pool. The lap pool, which overlooks Biscayne Bay and has an infinity edge, is 205 feet long, 40 feet longer than an Olympic-sized pool, making it somewhat interesting for swimmers used to more standard lengths.
The design of the pools was inspired by French designer Phillip Starck whose firm designed the complex’s public areas and residences. It’s meant to be a “whimsical urban-chic version of the Champs Elysees,” with the pool serving as a boulevard instead of concrete, said Arianna Calcaterra, the hotel’s director of marketing.
Gail Gensler, 63, who lives in a condominium in the complex, swims there twice a week once the pool opens, often at sunrise. “It’s pretty cool watching the sun come up over the bay and getting your workout in,” he said.
The pool sits on a two acre resort style pool deck. There are also lounge pools and cabanas, as well as a poolside restaurant serving food and drinks.
Hours: Guests can go swimming from dawn. Pool service, which includes towels and lifeguards, is available from 9am. until 6 p.m. Food service is from 11am. until 6 p.m.
Pool temperature: 78 to 82 degrees in spring and fall and 76 to 78 degrees in winter.
Guest Access: The pool is managed by IconBrickell, the developer of the complex. Hotel guests have access together with the residents of the complex.
Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans
The regulation: Built in 2021, the 75-foot outdoor pool at the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans overlooks the Mississippi River, and the mosaic pool has a slight crescent curve to reflect the curve of the river.
The pool, on the hotel’s fifth floor, is also 3 feet 8 inches deep throughout and features underwater lighting and music. There are two designated lap lanes. It is surrounded by sun loungers, a separate hot tub and four cabanas available for daily rental. The gym and spa are on the same floor. There is also a poolside bar serving cocktails and food.
Hours: 7 am until 10 p.m
Pool temperature: 84 degrees.
Guest Access: The swimming pool is used both by hotel guests and by the residents of the accommodation.
Conrad Nashville
The regulation: Built in June 2022 when the Conrad Nashville opened, this outdoor pool is 81 feet long and is located on the hotel’s third floor rooftop.
As you swim, you can enjoy views of Nashville, including Vanderbilt University, said Eumi Koh, the hotel’s general manager. Food and drinks are available in the pool area from May to October, but the pool is open all year round. There are around 30 sunbeds, all equipped with umbrellas, along with daybeds and dining tables and chairs. You can reserve three bells. There are no lap lanes with ropes.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset. Food and beverage service is available Monday to Sunday from 10am. until 6 p.m
Pool temperature: 85 to 89 degrees
Guest Access: The pool is for hotel guests only.
Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter
The regulation: The 75-foot indoor pool, located on the ground floor of the Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter, located across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati, was renovated in 2020. Windows along the length of the pool provide natural lighting. “It feels like you’re swimming in a cave,” said Shawnna Dunaway, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing. “It’s very open and light.”
He said the pool is particularly attractive to the hotel’s many corporate guests, who “can get the full workout of a lap pool.” There are also sun loungers around the pool and a gym nearby. There are no lane dividers.
Pool temperature: 84 degrees.
Hours: 7 am until 10 p.m
Guest Access: Only hotel guests can use the pool.
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