What are the best New York City luxury hotels with a swimming pool? Many people visiting NYC with kids ask me this question, as do some guests who regularly swim laps for exercise. Space is at a premium in NYC, so there are very few luxury hotels with a swimming pool. It’s a great amenity, however, particularly after a busy day sightseeing, or whenever you need a break from the city’s frenetic pace.
The Peninsula New York
The pool: The Peninsula New York is my favorite if you want a pool more for relaxation than for lap swimming. The 42 foot pool is on the 22nd floor and part of The Peninsula Spa, which spans three floors and includes a full range of massages, facials, hair salon and fitness center with yoga, Pilates and other complimentary classes for hotel guests. It’s perfect both for those family members who want to swim or play in the pool (there are foam noodles for the kids) and for those who simply want to read the paper while enjoying complimentary Nespresso coffee or Mighty Leaf tea. The pool is indoors and open year round, but if you want a bit of sun during the warmer months, there’s also an outdoor sun deck.
The hotel: The Peninsula New York has a great midtown location at 700 Fifth Avenue at 55th Street, convenient to 5th Avenue shopping, The Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, FAO Schwarz, and transportation. Families will want to book at least a Grand Luxe Room, which offers 2 queen beds and can accommodate four (a relative rarity for NYC hotel rooms) and overlooks either 5th Avenue or 55th Street. Luxury touches of the Grand Luxe Room include a fruit welcome amenity, marble bathroom with separate walk in shower and bathtub, Oscar de la Renta bath products, fresh flowers in the room, and an intuitive bedside control panel for lights and room privacy. A courtesy car, available in the afternoon and early evenings, is another nice perk, and if you book a suite, you can even pre-book a Mini Cooper for up to 3 hours a day. Don’t forget to book with Virtuoso benefits, so that you can receive a complimentary upgrade if available, complimentary breakfast for two at Clement Restaurant or via room service, and a $100 food and beverage credit.
The Mandarin Oriental New York
The pool: The Mandarin Oriental New York offers a 75-foot lap pool on the 36th floor, with great natural light and Hudson River views. The pool is part of an extensive 14,500 square ft. spa that spans the 35th and 36th floors and includes treatment rooms for massages and facials, a Thai Yoga Suite, a VIP Spa Suite with fireplace, private steam room and shower, an Oriental Tea Lounge, and Fitness Center.
The hotel: The Mandarin Oriental New York is at 80 Columbus Circle, and attached to The Shops at Columbus Circle, which also includes everything from fine dining at Per Se and Jazz at Lincoln Center to a Whole Foods in the basement. Central Park is less than a block away, and the location is well connected via subway to the American Museum of Natural History. Even entry level City View Rooms are quite spacious for NYC, at 400-425 square feet, although I recommend booking at least a Hudson View Room, if not a Central Park View Room or a suite on a high floor. Enjoy the best value by booking with Virtuoso amenities, which include an upgrade at time of booking subject to availability, daily continental breakfast for two, complimentary WiFi, and a $100 spa services credit.
Trump International Hotel and Tower New York
The pool: The lap pool at The Trump International Hotel and Tower is a bit shorter than at the Mandarin Oriental New York, at 55 feet, and this pool doesn’t have the views that the Mandarin Oriental has. Still, it’s one of just three NYC luxury hotel indoor pools that are open year-round, and it’s part of a health club that also includes Technogym machines, free weights, and personal trainers on request (additional fee). The Trump Spa offers a steam room, sauna, and range of massage treatments, facials, and nail care.
The hotel: The Trump is at 1 Central Park West, right across from Central Park, and just a stone’s throw from the Mandarin Oriental New York, with great access to shopping, dining and transportation. Note that because of its location, lower floors in particular can be quite noisy due to the street noise. I recommend booking a Park View room on as high a floor as possible, and ideally an Executive Park View Suite.
Trump SoHo
The pool: The pool at The Trump SoHo is outdoors and only seasonal, and typically open from late May to mid-September, so take this into account if the pool is a key motivating factor in booking the Trump SoHo. The pool is on the 7th floor, and includes a waterfall and pool deck, with drinks and food courtesy of Bar D’Eau.
The hotel: The Trump SoHo is at 246 Spring Street, at 7th Avenue, convenient to SoHo galleries, shopping and dining, as well as Tribeca and Chinatown. As with the Trump Central Park, aim to book a room on as high a floor as your budget will allow, both to avoid street noise and for more spectacular views. I recommend booking at least a Premier Room and requesting a view of the Hudson River. Book with Virtuoso amenities, which include an upgrade if available at time of check-in, daily continental breakfast for two, and a $100 spa services credit.
Have you stayed at any of these NYC luxury hotels with a pool?
