If you don’t feel like swimming in the chilly waters of Lake Michigan during your trip to Chicago, the next best thing is to book a hotel with a great pool. I know first-hand from living in Chicago how hot and humid the summers can get, but pools are just as ideal during the cooler seasons to stretch sore muscles, relax in a tranquil environment, and let the kids splash around to burn off some energy.
Fortunately, there are lots of great hotel pools in the city of Chicago, including these top-rated lodging options.
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago
The Radisson Blue Aqua Hotel has a lovely outdoor pool that is surrounded by the skyscrapers of the city. There are lounge chairs along the lap lanes, plus comfy seating with umbrellas to get a break from the sun. A top pick for families, the hotel also has an indoor lap pool and hot tub for when the weather isn’t pleasant for outdoor swimming. During your stay, you can also book a deep-tissue massage, facial, or body treatment in your room through Windy City Massage. The hotel has a grill house and cocktail bar in a relaxed atmosphere, plus room service is available.
Key Amenities:
-
Indoor and outdoor pool options
-
Comfortable poolside seating with umbrellas
-
In-room massage and other spa services are available
The Peninsula Chicago
One of the best 5-star hotels in Chicago, The Peninsula has an indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows that let you see amazing views of the city skyline. This is a half-Olympic size swimming pool with an indoor hot tub and outdoor sun terrace too. Families can visit the pool between 9 am and 1 pm and then again between 3 pm and 7 pm for a one-hour period. Child-free adults can spend time at the pool during all operating hours, which are 6 am to 9 pm Mondays through Saturdays and 6 am to 8 pm on Sundays. Besides the pool, the Peninsula is a five-star hotel with a top-rated Chinese restaurant and special accommodations for families with kids and pets.
Key Amenities:
-
Half-Olympic size pool with hot tub and sun terrace
-
Special hours for families and kid-free swimming
-
Pet-friendly rooms and special family packages
The Hoxton Chicago
For a rooftop pool hotel experience in Chicago, consider booking accommodation at The Hoxton. This hotel has a rooftop pool and is in the busy Fulton Market District of the city. This is a hub for creative types and is near Restaurant Row. The Hoxton has 182 rooms with warehouse-style, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a co-working space if you need to get some work done while you travel. There are multiple dining options onsite, including Peruvian food served on the roof, a modern Mediterranean restaurant, and a cocktail bar with live music.
Key Amenities:
-
Rooftop pool in Fulton Market
-
Peruvian restaurant on the rooftop
-
Co-working space and meeting rooms
The Langham, Chicago
Another top hotel pool in Chicago is located at The Langham, Chicago, which has a 67-foot pool that is refreshing and luxurious. The pool area also has a hydrotherapy hot tub, Himalayan salt sauna, steam room, herbal sauna, heated recliners, and upscale changing rooms. The pool features are located on the fourth floor of the hotel, and children are allowed if accompanied by an adult. The Langham’s pool is open daily from 6 am to 8 pm. Popular with couples, the hotel is also home to the Chuan Spa, a fitness center, an afternoon tea service, a restaurant, and a cocktail bar.
Key Amenities:
-
67-foot luxurious pool and hot tub
-
Saunas, steam rooms, and spa onsite
-
Afternoon tea service and on-site dining options
Ritz-Carlton Chicago
As part of its spa offerings, the Ritz-Carlton Chicago has a pool and expanded fitness center. It is a heated indoor pool with towels provided and open from 6 am to 10 pm daily. Family swim hours are from 8 am to 8 pm. Guests can book massages, facials, and other treatments at the spa, including seasonal specials and couples massages. Along with some of the best hotel city views in Chicago, this luxurious hotel also has an Italian steakhouse, a rooftop cocktail lounge, and a greenhouse-inspired café.
Key Amenities:
-
Pool with family and kid-free swim hours
-
Spa with seasonal and couples’ treatments
-
Rooftop lounge and steakhouse onsite
At Water Tower Place, 160 E Pearson St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA— +1 312-266-1000
Waldorf Astoria Chicago
The Waldorf Astoria Chicago has an award-winning spa in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, which includes an indoor lap pool. This tranquil pool is perfect for unwinding and destressing, as well as taking a water class for a unique workout. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent to use the pool, which is open daily from 6 am to 9 pm. There is a fitness center here with personal training sessions available, dining specials offered, and a total of 214 luxurious rooms and suites on 19 floors at the Waldorf Astoria.
Key Amenities:
-
An indoor lap pool
-
Pool workout classes
-
Fitness center and on-site restaurants
Royal Sonesta Chicago River North
At the Royal Sonesta Chicago River North, you’ll find a heated indoor pool and a rooftop sundeck to get in your pool fix during a trip to the city. This sophisticated hotel has a prime location just minutes from top attractions but with a local neighborhood vibe. There is a restaurant at the hotel serving classic American cuisine and craft cocktails and a state-of-the-art fitness center with a Peloton bike.
Key Amenities:
-
Heated indoor pool and rooftop sundeck
-
Fitness center with a Peloton bike
-
American restaurant and cocktail bar
The Robey
The Robey has one of the best rooftop pools in Chicago and is a fun place to stay in the trendy Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. The charming hotel is a unique fixture in the city with lots of fascinating history. With a range of accommodation options, you can choose from spacious tower rooms and annex lofts at The Robey. Guests enjoy complimentary bikes and an onsite café serving seasonal comfort food at the hotel. The pool area, called the Cabana Club, has an indoor/outdoor cocktail bar too.
Key Amenities:
-
Rooftop pool in trendy Wicker Park
-
Indoor/outdoor cocktail bar by the pool
-
Seasonal comfort food café
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
At InterContinental Chicago, there is a junior Olympic-size swimming pool on the 14th floor. It is decorated with Spanish Majolica tiles and one of the most historic pools in the city, built in 1929. The InterContinental also has a three-level fitness center with punching bags, Peloton bikes, Finnish hot saunas, and more. Guests also love staying at this hotel because it is home to Michael Jordan’s Steak House, a full-service spa, and pet-friendly rooms.
Key Amenities:
-
Junior Olympic-size swimming pool
-
Three-level fitness center with saunas
-
Onsite spa and steak house
Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel
Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel is known for its heated indoor pool that is filled with natural light and surrounded by windows. The hotel provides towels and locker rooms for the pool, which is open from 6 am to 10 pm daily. The Renaissance also has a well-equipped fitness center and a rooftop bar serving innovative cocktails and creative American cuisine year-round. Another hotel restaurant and in-room dining are also available here.
Key Amenities:
-
Heated indoor pool with lots of windows
-
Well-equipped fitness center
-
Rooftop bar and other dining options
Viceroy Chicago
Another wonderful hotel option for an outdoor rooftop pool is the Viceroy Chicago. The pool is open here from 8 am to 6 pm daily, weather depending, and offers panoramic views of the Gold Coast and Lake Michigan. Hotel guests can use the pool for a two-hour duration on a first-come, first-served basis. When you stay at the Viceroy, you can also use the fifth-floor fitness center, dine at the Somerset Restaurant or in your room, and use the hotel bicycles. There are pet-friendly rooms and pet amenities if you bring your furry friend along to this trendy and eco-friendly hotel.
Key Amenities:
-
Outdoor rooftop pool for two-hour sessions
-
Fitness center and complimentary bikes
-
Pet-friendly rooms and pet amenities
Four Seasons Chicago
At the Four Seasons Chicago, there is a 50-foot indoor pool, whirlpool, and steam room that guests have complimentary access to. The hotel also has complimentary shoe shine, a 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour in-room dining, and house car service within a two-mile radius. You can book an appointment at the spa, access 900 shops just one floor below the hotel, and take advantage of airport transportation and babysitting services here too. This family-friendly hotel has an ice cream delivery service to your room, children’s welcome amenities, and kids’ toys available.
Key Amenities:
-
50-foot indoor pool, whirlpool, and steam room
-
Fitness center and onsite dining
-
Children’s toys and amenities, plus ice cream delivery
Loews Chicago Hotel
When you stay at the Loews Chicago Hotel, you can use the 20-meter heated lap pool that is by the fitness center on the third floor. Access to the pool is via a key card, and it is open daily from 7 am to 9 pm. Loews has a complimentary business center, babysitting services, valet and self-parking, a tavern-style restaurant, a lobby lounge, and a rooftop bar. Lowes is a very family-friendly hotel that offers games, gaming consoles, pool toys, iPads, and coloring books. It also welcomes pets and offers a pet room service menu.
Key Amenities:
-
20-meter indoor heated lap pool
-
Fitness center, rooftop bar, and restaurants
-
Special amenities for children and pets
Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile Suites
There is an indoor, top-floor pool at the Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile Suites, which also offers a fitness center, business center, and meeting rooms. The pool and fitness center offer views of Lake Michigan. The hotel suites are adjacent to the John Hancock Center and within two blocks of Water Tower Place. Pets weighing up to 75 pounds are welcome at this hotel for a $75 fee.
Key Amenities:
-
Top-floor pool with Lake Michigan views
-
Fitness center, business center, and meeting rooms
-
Pet-friendly rooms for large dogs
W Chicago Lakeshore
You can use the indoor heated pool at W Chicago Lakeshore while soaking up the panoramic view of the city that overlooks Navy Pier and Lake Michigan. The indoor pool is open every day from 5 am to 11 pm. The neighboring outdoor WET Deck is a fun place to soak up some sun as well. At the W Chicago Lakeshore, there is also a fitness center to accompany the sleek hotel rooms and suites with waterfront views. There is a hotel restaurant, pet-friendly rooms, and meeting rooms at the hotel to accommodate different types of travelers.
Key Amenities:
-
Indoor heated pool with panoramic views
-
Outdoor deck for sunbathing
-
Restaurant, meeting spaces, and pet-friendly rooms
644 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, USA— +1 312-943-9200
Nobu Hotel Chicago
When you stay at the Nobu Hotel Chicago, make sure to visit the indoor tranquility pool and state-of-the-art fitness center. The hotel offers 115 rooms and suites that are decorated with Japanese influences and ultra-modern design elements. The rooftop area has an indoor lounge and outdoor terraces for guests to gather and enjoy the views. Dine at the sushi bar, signature restaurant, rooftop, or in the privacy of your room at the Nobu.
Key Amenities:
-
Indoor pool with a modern design
-
Rooftop with indoor lounge and outdoor terrace
-
Sushi and other dining options
