Chicago summers are hard to beat, what with street fairs, festivals, and special events taking place practically every weekend. What’s more, the Lake Michigan effect didn’t offer much relief from the sweltering humidity and stifling heat either. So, we turned to look at other reprieves, and what better than to choose hotels with pool in Chicago during our visit to the Windy City? Instead of hiding out in the air conditioning, we decided to cool off in a hotel with a pool. And Chicago being Chicago, a fabulous pool, whether an indoor one or a rooftop one, was never far away. What’s more, these stays range across kinds, locations, and even budgets, ensuring that every traveler with a different budget can find a wonderful pool to cool off in the Windy City.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your one-piece swimsuits and swim shorts and head down to the Windy City for a wonderful water-filled vacation.
Table of contents
- The Hotel at Midtown
- JW Marriott Chicago
- Loews Chicago Hotel
- InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
- Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago
- Viceroy Chicago
- Waldorf Astoria Chicago
- The Langham
- The Peninsula
- The Robey
- The Hoxton
- Our Verdict!
- Where to Stay in Chicago?
- Which pool is open till late?
- Does any Windy City hotel have both indoor and outdoor pools?
- Which outdoor pool is open till the latest?
The Hotel at Midtown
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We begin this list with The Hotel at Midtown, whose entire objective and mission is to ensure that travel is good for the mind, soul, — and body. This isn’t a hotel with a swimming pool and a fitness center, but rather a hotel built inside a fitness/pool center! This boutique property boasts not one but two lap swimming pools, an indoor and an outdoor one. So, we were able to swim in the outdoor pool since the weather was nice when we visited Chicago. When it turns cold, it’s easy to not miss a swimming session here, thanks to the presence of the indoor pool, which is climate and humidity-controlled. The best bit is that both pools even have their whirlpools for anyone who is of age 16 years or older.
“We loved the fact that we had the choice of both indoor and outdoor pools at this hotel!”
WOW Travel
The outdoor pool is seasonal and is open between June and October and the indoor pool is open throughout the year, However, they both have the same timings, from 5 am to 10 pm on Mondays-Thursdays, 5 am to 9 pm on Fridays, and 6 am to 8 pm on weekends. Moreover, both pools boast full 25-yard lap lanes and aquatic fitness classes like aqua pilates and HIIT as well.
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JW Marriott Chicago
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JW Marriott Chicago is one of the landmark Loop stays and had everything we needed for a much-needed weekend away in the Windy City.The highlight of our stay was the indoor heated pool, which was the perfect place to unwind after a day of sightseeing. We loved the soothing indoor space which was lit up with low lights and was perfect for a swim. Later on, we’d even enjoy soaking our sore muscles in the bubbling whirlpool right next to it. We’d come to the pool even after a massage/treatment at the spa, which revitalized us all the more. The pool even had a summer Friday program that allowed locals to enjoy the pool and fitness center for just USD 30/day, but it’s been discontinued now.
Nevertheless, since we were staying here, we got access to not just the pool and the jacuzzi, but also the steam room, workout room, and sauna, since the pool was part of the fitness center. The pool is open between 7 am and 9 pm on Mondays-Thursdays and 7 am to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The best bit? The pool is a heated one, and the hotel provided towels!
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Loews Chicago Hotel
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We wanted to stay close to the Navy Pier,which is why we decided to stay at the Loews Chicago Hotel. So, we were close to major attractions like Millennium Park but were away from the hustle and the hoards of tourists thronging Michigan Avenue.
This urban oasis boasted a 75-ft indoor lap pool, which was part of an ultra-luxurious spa complex on the 3rd floor. So, it was the perfect reprieve for us after a long day of exploring the Windy City. After a long and luxurious swim, we could even relax on the daybeds right next to the pool. What’s more, the hotel even hosts movie nights by the poolside. They announce “Dive-in Movie” nights at the pool, so watch out for their event roster. Guests require a key card to access this indoor pool area, which means that it’s open only to hotel guests. Also, you can even keep up with your fitness routine thanks to the fitness center, which is right next to the pool on the third floor.
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InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
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Best kid-friendly pool. Next up is the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, which we chose for its storied and rich Art Deco history since we’re culture vultures.
The junior Olympic-sized pool sits way up on the 14th floor and is, to this day, the oldest pool in the city and one of the biggest hotel pools in the country! We loved the Art Deco interiors of the indoor pool area which pays homage to the Gatsby era. Think hand-painted wall tiles, stained glass windows, regal marble pillars, and even a gorgeous terracotta fountain. So, we were diving into an Art Deco treasure! What’s more, this stunning indoor pool is also famously called the Johnny Weismuller pool. It’s an ode to the famous actor and Olympic athlete best known for his role as Tarzan and who once trained here. This pool wastheplace to make a splash in the city back in the 1930s.
That’s not all. Children will love the dedicated lane for kids, where they can race to their heart’s content. Meanwhile, we adults lounged on the daybeds and chaise lounges by the poolside — co*cktails in hand. That’s why it’s one of the best stays with indoor pools in Chicago.
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Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago
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Best hotel with indoor and outdoor pools. The Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago is one of the best stays with an outdoor pool in Chicago. With a name like Aqua, we knew that water elements were going to be front and center at this hotel, but we weren’t prepared for the amazing scale and size! The seasonal Junior-Olympic-sized pool is part of a massive 80,000 sq ft lifestyle garden. The immaculate and verdant outdoor space was fabulous in the Chicago summer and we were able to enjoy a wonderful swim. After the swim, we would sprawl out on the loungers or the cabanas on the sundeck, followed by a dip in the hot tub. Did you know that there was even a kids’ splash area and a fire pit right next to the pool? Yes!
Since the outdoor pool is open seasonally, the hotel even has a two-lane indoor lap pool — yes, you heard that right! The indoor pool is open throughout the year, so if you’re visiting Chicago in the winter, you don’t have to give up your swimming dream. How cool is that!
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Viceroy Chicago
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Best outdoor pool. Imagine swimming with views of Downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan! That’s the swimming pool at the Viceroy Chicago for you. The seasonal outdoor pool sits on the 18th-floor rooftop of the hotel and is one of our favorite rooftop pools in the city. After a long day of exploring Chicago in the summer, there was no better way to beat the heat than to enjoy a cooling dip in the rooftop pool. What’s more, we would lie on the loungers and daybeds later, soaking in spectacular views of the city. What made the experience all the better was that the rooftop pool was bookended by the Devereaux bar, which was ideal for poolside sips and bites. All in all, the place is designed to be the perfect summer hangout. That’s why it’s considered one of the top hotels with rooftop pools in Chicago.
What’s great is that this seasonal pool is open from 7 am to 5 pm through September 30th, making it one of the longest open seasonal rooftop pools in the city. Not only is smoking not allowed poolside but also the place is
reserved only for us hotel guests, making it a private space.
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Waldorf Astoria Chicago
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TheWaldorf Astoria Chicago‘s indoor pool and the area are one of the prettiest in the city. The centerpiece is the slim heated indoor lap pool that’s been painstakingly adorned with thousands of pink mosaic tiles, which is just one of the ways we can see the brand’s obsessive attention to detail. Whether you are a lap swimmer or a leisure swimmer like us, the pool was very welcoming, especially since it was heated too. What’s more, they even have an aqua fitness program that compliments the fitness center’s immersive gyrotonic and pilates program.
After a swim, we would sprawl out on either the comfy chaise lounges on one end of the pool or the cushioned in-built benches for relaxing on the other end. We loved that the windows filtered in just enough light filters to make for a claiming and serene space that was perfect for dips followed by a lounge. That’s not all; the hotel even provided towels and had a fantastic and spacious changing room lined with rich walnut wood and white stone lacquered lockers. This lovely pool is open every day between 6 am and 9 pm.
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The Langham
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Best spa pool. The crown jewel of the Chuan Spa atThe Langhamin Chicago is the 67-foot swimming pool, and we have to agree. Since the hotel’s entire focus is on wellness, which it puts right front and center, the pool is one of the best places to unwind on the property. We especially loved the shimmering spotlights on the ceiling and the bottom of the pool, reflecting from both above and below and casting an ethereal halo in the water. After a leisurely and cool swim and dip in the pool, we’d head to the hydrotherapy hot tub to soak our sore muscles.
What’s more, the pool was even attached to the oriental steam room, aromatherapy showers, and a Himalayan saltstone sauna. Since they’re all part of a fully immersive bathing ritual, we took complete advantage of the setup and melted all our cares away. The lovely green plants at the corners and the complete wall of windows which offered superb views of Downtown Chicago completed the picture of perfection.
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The Peninsula
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The Peninsula takes health and fitness to new heights — quite literally — as the 19th and 20th floors are completely focused on wellness. The standout feature here was the spectacular half-Olympic-length swimming pool on the 19th floor. Even though it was an indoor pool, it offered sweeping bird’s eye views of the city and Lake Michigan through the massive 20-ft-tall floor-to-ceiling windows. Since the pool was half the length of an Olympic pool, we could get in some much-needed laps, no matter the time of the day. If you’re looking for something more, they even offer aqua fitness classes in the afternoon. Both can be followed by some amazing decompressing in the Jacuzzi, where we can soak out sore muscles.
But that wasn’t all. The adjacent sundeck was the perfect place to catch up with a co*cktail and some views post a visit to the pool. Or, you could do what we did and indulge in Asian-inspired treatments at The Spa. For those who want to burn off those deep-dish pizza calories, the state-of-the-art fitness center is perfect. Did you know that the hotel even has a small rooftop ice skating rink in winter? Yes!
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The Robey
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The pool at the Robey is a slightly different story. This gorgeous hotel was home to the 6th-floor Cabana Club, which was home to a rooftop poolthat offered mesmerizing 360-degree views of the city.We loved enjoying a dip in this dipping pool, despite its size, as it was open during the May-September season between 8 am and 11 pm, making it one of the latest hotel pools to be open in the city. Even though there were no traditional pool lounge chairs, the pool was open only to us hotel guests, making it perfect to cool off.
However, what made the experience all the better was the poolside bar, which offered great bar bites, summery drinks, lots of cushy seating, and fabulous views of the urban landscape.Despite the pool being open only to hotel guests, the rooftop and the bar are open to day guests too. It doesn’t take any reservations, though, and there is a minimum spend of USD 15. The rooftop and bar are open to the public between 11 am and 11 pm on weekdays and 1 pm and 12 am on weekends.
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The Hoxton
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Imagine a saltwater pool in Chicago on the rooftop and with a thoroughly Windy City nightlife vibe — that’s the rooftop pool at the Hoxton. The rooftop pool reminded us of the ambiance and seating at SoHo House Chicago, but the one at Hoxton was a fantastic option without all the members-only access to the rooftop. Since we were staying at the Hoxton, it didn’t make much of a difference to us.
The rooftop is quite cozy and small, but it’s amazing. The pool was open every day from 8 am to 4 pm, with the last lap at 3:30 pm. Whether it was unwinding after a long day of exploring the city or simply taking a break and spending the entire day at the pool, the pool was heavenly. After a swim or a dip, we would relax and rejuvenate on the sun loungers reserved for Hox guests only. However, all the other rooftop spaces, like the rooftop restaurant, Cabra, were open to everyone. After 4 pm, the rooftop was open to everyone, with Cabra teeming with people. It served bites until 10 pm and co*cktails until 11:30 pm, so we’d hang out on the rooftop even after the pool would close.
What was great was that the pool didn’t require any reservations. All we needed to do was chat with the pool host, and the sun loungers were on a first-come, first-served basis. While the rooftop is open throughout the year, the pool is seasonal.
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Our Verdict!
While we loved all Chicago stays with pools, the ones below are our favorite.
- Best kid-friendly pool: InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
- Best hotel with indoor and outdoor pools: Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago
- Best outdoor pool: Viceroy Chicago
- Best spa pool: The Langham
Where to Stay in Chicago?
Chicago has some of the world’s most diverse and varied neighborhoods. So, choosing where you want to stay largely depends on the type of vacation that you’re looking for.
For first-timers or culture vultures, we recommend the heart of the city, Downtown Chicago, famously known as The Loop. The Loop is a fantastic place to stay whether you’re visiting the city for the first time or the nth time. Since this vibrant district has some of the top things to see and do in Chicago, including its biggest and best attractions and architectural landmarks, it’s perfect for many travelers.
Secondly, there’s the amazing Magnificent Mile, which lies just across the Chicago River and is the prime shopping district in the city. Luxurious to the last mile — pun unintended! — there are nevertheless many best cheap hotels in Chicago on the Magnificent Mile. Next, there’s Wicker Park, which is famous for its entertainment and dining avenues, as well as its bustling nightlife. So, those who want to party the night away in the Windy City are best off living in this pulsating neighborhood. Finally, there’s the lush and leafy Lincoln Park, which is perfect for checking out the local life.
Which pool is open till late?
That would be the Robey, where the pool is open till as late as 11 pm
Does any Windy City hotel have both indoor and outdoor pools?
Yes, the Radisson Blue Aqua Chicago and The Hotel at Midtown both have indoor and outdoor pools.
Which outdoor pool is open till the latest?
The outdoor pool at the Hotel at Midtown is open as late as 8 pm.
