Philadelphia, PA - hot, hot, hot summer temperatures show no signs of declining in August, making it a great time for regional residents to consider a staycation at one of the many city hotels offering pool access. After touring the town, hotel guests can lounge among the skyscrapers on the 24th floor of the downtown Windsor Suites or take a lap or two at the posh pool of AKA University City—just two of many alluring pool options in the city’s sandbox.
Most of the hotels featured here offer the perks-packed Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package, which always comes with free hotel parking, giving locals even more incentive to book a stay.
Here’s a look at some of the city’s best hotel pools for relaxing with a book, taking an energizing swim and beating the summer heat:
*Does not offer Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package
Center City:
1. Hilton Garden Inn Center City – At 16-by-40 feet, this indoor pool is heated and conveniently adjacent to a hot tub. It’s also located next to the fitness center for optimal post-workout relaxation. 1100 Arch Street, (215) 923-0100, hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com
2. Hilton Philadelphia Penn’s Landing– Buffeted by three windowed walls and a wrap-around seasonal outdoor sundeck, this fourth-floor pool offers panoramic views of the Center City skyline and a stunning view of the Delaware River. It’s open early, at 5 a.m. and shuts down well beyond sunset, at midnight. 201 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard, (215) 521-6500, hilton.com
3. Holiday Inn Express Midtown – One of few outdoor pools in Center City, Holiday Inn’s seasonal escape offers a bit of an oasis from its location on the seventh floor with a view of the city. Hours run 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Recently updated furniture and covered tables are a bonus. 1305 Walnut Street, (215) 735-9300, ihg.com
4. Loews Philadelphia Hotel – Inside the upscale, luxury hotel’s 15,000-square-foot health club is a 20-meter, indoor, heated lap pool with two lanes. Located on the fifth floor, it’s also just high up enough for views of the cityscape. 1200 Market Street, (215) 627-1200, loewshotels.com/philadelphia-hotel
5. The Logan Philadelphia – Part of the expansive 7,600-square-foot, well-lit underground Spa at the Logan, the pool is heated and filled with salt water to prevent post-swim, chlorine-induced dryness. Hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the hotel offers a $65-a-day pass for non-guests to utilize the pool and fitness center. 1 Logan Square, (215) 963-1500, theloganhotel.com
6. Marriott Philadelphia Downtown – A complete experience with towels, a locker room and loungers, this lap pool is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. It’s also a fine complement to the hotel’s new 24-hour fitness facility. 1201 Market Street, (215) 625-2900, marriott.com
7. The Rittenhouse Hotel – The high-rated Rittenhouse mainstay boasts an 18-by-36-feet pool inside an atrium with a west-facing outdoor sundeck, offering views of the city’s breathtaking sprawl. The pool is heated to 85 degrees year-round. 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, (215) 546-9000, rittenhousehotel.com
8. Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown – With a medium-sized pool, the Sheraton’s pool is heated and four-and-a-half-feet deep all around. For early-morning swimmers, it opens bright and early at 5:30 a.m. 201 N. 17th Street, (215) 448-2000, sheratonphiladelphiadowntown.com
9. Sheraton Society Hill – The top-floor heated pool is enclosed in a glass atrium, offering the illusion of being outdoors but allowing the pool—popular among families in the winter months— to remain open year-round. There’s even a baby pool. 1 Dock Street, (215) 238-6000, sheratonphiladelphiasocietyhill.com
10. Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square– This outdoor, eighth-floor deck pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with plenty of space to breathe and a stunning view of the skyline. Cabana-style seating makes it great for sunbathing; food and beverage service from the hotel gives it a luxury feel. 1800 Market Street, (215) 561-7500, sonesta.com
11. The Windsor Suites Philadelphia– The Windsor’s rooftop pool offers 360-degree views—observable from the 24th floor. The seasonal pool is accessible from 9 a.m. to dusk. 1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 981-5678, thewindsorsuites.com
12. The Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District – The Wyndham’s outdoor, rooftop pool touts about five feet of depth and operates from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Guests can settle in on any of the loungers or corner tables and soak in the skyline sights. 400 Arch Street, (215) 923-8660, phillydowntownhotel.com
University City:
13. *AKA University City – Measuring 72 feet long, this heated “pool in the sky” exists in a serene aerial space with floor-to-ceiling windows and a mobile bar, lending itself well to end-of-day relaxation. White cushion loungers add to the luxurious experience, as do the cozy fire pits. Cira Centre South, 2929 Walnut Street, (215) 372-9000, akauniversitycity.com
14. *Sheraton University City – This rooftop pool sits on the seventh floor, providing guests with a private cabana feel alongside a limited view of the Philadelphia skyline. Weather permitting, it’s open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on a seasonal basis. 3549 Chestnut Street, (215) 387-8000, sheratonuniversitycity.com
