Los Angeles Hotel Pools: 6 That Make a Big Splash

With perfect swimming weather year-round and a solid poolside fish taco, many hotel pools in and around Los Angeles offer great perks. But some of these SoCal hideaways are going above and beyond, delivering even splashier experiences.

Whether it’s up on the roof, down below in the basement, tucked away on a private peninsula, or nestled within a luxury oceanside resort further along the freeway, these six upscale hotel pool experiences are absolutely worth the extra dive.

1. Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles

For nearly a century, the iconic Millennium Biltmore in Downtown L.A. has been the host to royalty, presidents, the Beatles, nine Academy Awards ceremonies, and countless business tycoons making the most of their corporate expense accounts.

Tucked away on a quiet floor beneath the hotel’s ornate, grand lobby is the city’s most charming hidden gem: the Biltmore’s Roman-inspired swimming pool.

Adorned with columns, gleaming brass rails, and blue-and-cream Italian tilework, this indoor pool was added to the hotel three years after its 1923 opening, designed to evoke the glory days of Pompeii, as noted in Margaret Leslie Davis’s book, 'The Los Angeles Biltmore: The Host of the Coast.'

It may also bring to mind scenes from classic films like 'Bugsy' (1991) and 'Cocoon' (1985), which were both shot here over the years.

With a co-ed wet steam room, dry sauna, Jacuzzi, and a fitness center surrounding it, guests can easily skip the beach without missing out on relaxation. Pool policy: Facilities are available to hotel guests only.

Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles, 506 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071; +1 213-624-1011.

2. Mondrian Los Angeles

One might expect the Sunset Strip’s iconic rooftop pools to be overshadowed by some trendy new West Hollywood hotspot, one that's too fresh to recall the glory days of 'Entourage' or the 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' wrap party.

But that's not the case.

The timeless heart of the Mondrian’s elevated Outdoor Living Room, with its stylish teak deck, mosaic poolside tables, groovy house beats (played underwater), sweeping LA views, and the rejuvenated Skybar lounge just a few stairs up, remains the ultimate hangout for the perpetually youthful crowd.

The pool itself may appear a bit on the smaller side—if you're planning to perfect your butterfly stroke.

Mondrian Los Angeles, 8440 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069; +1 323-650-8999

3. The Standard, Downtown L.A.

Around 15 years ago, The Standard (known from its West Hollywood location) took a risk by setting up shop in an old Superior Oil Company building in the then-up-and-coming Downtown L.A. neighborhood.

Did the gamble pay off? Head up to the rooftop pool and experience it for yourself:

Red AstroTurf. Waterbed pods. Plush couches. A cozy fireplace. A dedicated dance floor. A German beer garden. Weekend morning yoga sessions. DJs spinning all day, keeping the pool party vibe going. And now, even better panoramic views of Downtown – especially from your vantage point.

If there’s a cooler pool hidden atop 12 floors of reimagined concrete and marble in an urban revival, the stylish crowd gathering here hasn’t caught wind of it yet.

Pool guest policy: Available to non-hotel guests by invitation or for a fee.

The Standard, Downtown LA, 550 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071; +1 213-892-8080

4. Terranea Resort

Nestled along the rugged Palos Verdes peninsula at the southern tip of L.A., the 102-acre Terranea Resort offers a Mediterranean-inspired oasis with a perfect lineup of four oceanfront pools tailored for every type of guest.

The main 5,000-square-foot Resort Pool area is packed with families and features a 140-foot Peninsula Plunge waterslide and a jumping splash pad. For a quieter experience with the same stunning ocean views, try the saltwater Vista Pool or the Spa Pool, complete with private cabanas and fire pits.

Our top pick here: The seasonal Cielo Point pool (open May through September, for guests 18 and older) offers the closest poolside experience to the Pacific Ocean, with live music, craft cocktails, additional cabanas, and easy access to a private cove where you can sink your toes into the sand.

Pool guest policy: Exclusively for resort guests.

Terranea Resort, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275; +1 310-494-7891

5. SLS at Beverly Hills

Guests won’t be diving into the shallows of Altitude – the stylish, dual-pool rooftop deck at SLS Beverly Hills. It's all about deep, indulgent relaxation.

At just feet deep, the hotel’s ‘plunge’ pool is perfect for lounging, with a side of palm-fringed sunsets and a DJ spinning indie-pop beats in the background.

The one-foot-deep reflection ‘pool’ invites you to relax in a floating chaise in a Philippe Starck-designed outdoor space, complete with oversized vases, bold art frames, and quirky furnishings.

Pool guest policy: Pool access is exclusive to hotel and spa guests. In spring and summer, Altitude opens to non-guests after 6 p.m. for music, food, and cocktails.

SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, 465 South La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048; +1 310-247-0400

6. The Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Beach

We know, we’ve technically crossed a line – Newport Beach is outside of Los Angeles. But take one glance at the aptly named Coliseum Pool at Pelican Hill, and we think you'll agree: A short drive down the 405 Freeway into Orange County is well worth it.

Boasting more than a million hand-laid glass mosaic tiles, the resort’s 136-foot-diameter saltwater masterpiece is one of the largest perfectly circular pools on the planet.

Inspired by its ancient Roman namesake, this pool is likely the only one in the world that might convince an emperor to consider reincarnation in Southern California.

Pool guest policy: The pool is exclusive to registered guests. Non-guests can enjoy dining at the Coliseum Pool & Grill.

The Resort at Pelican Hill, 22701 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Beach, CA 92657; +1 855-315-8214

Now, it’s time to eat.

If you manage to pull yourself away from the pool to explore, Downtown LA offers a variety of attractions to keep you entertained: Grand Park, the Broad Museum of Contemporary Art, and shopping at Grand Central Market are just a few examples.

And while you’re enjoying downtown’s parks, museums, and other hotspots, you can also enjoy a meal. The downtown restaurant scene is thriving and continues into the evening.

For a standout dining experience, check out Broken Spanish. Their tostada comes highly recommended. (1050 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, CA 90015; +1 213 749 1460)