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Los Angeles is in the midst of a serious heat wave, with temperatures set to potentially break a 131-year-old record on Saturday in downtown L.A. Looking to escape into some cold, cold water, preferably with an even colder margarita in hand? Here are six of L.A.'s best hotel pools, all of which are open to non-hotel guests.
Note: there is no such thing as a free lunch (or a free hotel pool), so all of these require either a day pass or a food and drink minimum, details for which are listed below in each entry. For a breakdown of truly open to the public pools, see this list of public pools in L.A.
SUNSET TOWER HOTEL
(Photo courtesy of the Sunset Tower Hotel)
The Old Hollywood-glam Sunset Tower Hotel pool is open to non-hotel guests with a $75 day pass, which can be purchased on-site (just go to the front desk when you get there, and they can direct you). Bonus points for architecture: the gorgeous Art Deco hotel building was described as "as much an emblem of Hollywood as the Hollywood sign," by David Gebhard and Robert Winter in their definitive guide to L.A. architecture.
The Sunset Tower Hotel is located at 8358 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Pool hours: sun up to sundown.
THE STANDARD DOWNTOWN LA
A typical party (Photo via The Standard)
The rooftop at the Standard Hotel's downtown location is quite a scene, and it has a heated swimming pool, red AstroTurf deck, and panoramic city views...plus a sculpted topiary, a dance floor and a classic German Biergarten. It's open to non-hotel guests with a $45 food and beverage minimum to use the pool.
The Standard Downtown LA is located at 550 S. Flower Street in downtown L.A. Pool hours: 12 p.m. to late, with events most nights (full calendar here).
THE STANDARD HOLLYWOOD
(Photo courtesy of the Standard)
If you want some mid-century vibes with your hotel pool hang, the Standard Hollywood (technically in West Hollywood, right on the Sunset Strip) can deliver, with its blue waters backed by the hotel's wavy Mid-Century Modern facade. This pool has top-notch bar food and a relatively cheap weekday food and beverage minimum of $35 (the minimum goes up to $50 from Friday through Sunday).
The Standard Hollywood is located at 8300 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Pool hours: 9:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends; 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays.
W HOLLYWOOD ROOFTOP POOL
(Courtesy of Resort Pass)
The city views from the W Hollywood's famously hip rooftop pool are rivaled only by the people watching. It's definitely a party scene, and there is a live DJ on weekends. The W Hotel requires non-hotel guests to buy a day pass on ResortPass.com. Day passes start at $30 (parking included!) and are available here. Renting two daybeds costs $150, and a cabana can be had for $300.
The W Hollywood is located at 6250 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. Pool hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
W HOTEL "WEST BEVERLY HILLS" POOL
(Photo courtesy of Resort Pass)
First of all, this West Beverly Hills name thing is hilarious, because the W is in Westwood. But we digress. It's your hotel and you can call it what you want. Anyway, the outdoor pool is lovely—and "West Beverly Hills" is usually about five degrees cooler than downtown, so this pool has that going for it as well. There is also free wi-fi. As with the Hollywood location (East Beverly Hills?), the hotel requires non-hotel guests to buy a day pass on ResortPass.com. Day passes start at $35 (parking fees not included) and are available here. Renting a cabana is also an option, though that will set you back a cool $300.
The W "West Beverly Hills" is located at 930 Hilgard Avenue in Westwood. Pool hours: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
THE RITZ-CARLTON MARINA DEL REY
(Photo courtesy of DayAxe)
The Ritz-Carlton's marina-adjacent pool has waterfront views and tends to be pretty mellow. Day passes are available starting at $25 (purchase here). Cabanas, however, will set you back $300.
The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey is located at 4375 Admiralty Way in Marina del Rey. Pool hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
