The Best Pools For Lounging In Los Angeles

Judging by Instagram, pool parties seem to be some kind of L.A. rite of passage. And if what you're looking for is a place to sip a mimosa in your swimsuit while peering over your sunglasses at a panoramic view of the city you call home, you're in luck. Here are a list of pools and parties you can check out without having a hotel key card or paying a cover. We advise that you call ahead just to make sure there isn't a private event or a dress code.

Hollywood RooseveltThe Hollywood Roosevelt's Tropicana Bar is a tranquil place to relax on a weekday, but it also knows how to party. For one thing, unlike some of the other hotels with their chic yet tiny pools, the Roosevelt boasts a full-size, heated pool. Dayside, non-hotel guests can drop by and take a dip so long as each person spends $25 on food and/or drinks. They have an extensive list of refreshing cocktails and a small, yet efficient food menu. It's pricy, so you shouldn't have a problem meeting your limit. It's Tuesday's Nightswim party, however, that steals the show. Pop-up shops, guests musician, giant inflatable pool toys, the occasional celebrity and a packed house of attractive socialites make this the perfect Hollywood pool party after the sun sets.

Tropicana Bar, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Open daily 10 a.m. - 2 a.m.

The AceThe Ace Hotel is a relatively new spot, as it just opened in the old UA theatre downtown earlier this year. The pool is tiny, and is more like a hot tub, but there's plenty going on in the rooftop bar. A small selection of food, lots of patio-style seating overlooking the city in the bar area and lots of events and guests DJs. Their cocktail menu features a number of well-made drinks, including a frozen daiquiri that is anything but terrible.

The Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, DTLA. Open daily, 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.

The SLS

The Altitude Pool at the SLS Hotel is posh but low-key, and offers some wonderful views of the city from Downtown L.A. to the Hollywood sign to the beach. On weekdays the pool and cabanas are open for breakfast and lunch reservations until 6 p.m., meaning you get eats from Spanish celeb chef Jose Andres poolside. The weekends are a bit more difficult to get in, and require that you're either a hotel guest or purchase a cabana. —Krista Simmons

The SLS is located at 465 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, (310) 247-0400

The Avalon HotelAnother great option in Beverly Hills is the Avalon. Order a meal poolside and lounge in one of their plush, retro cabanas while knocking out some work on the hotel's free WiFi. Their happy hour on weekdays from 3-5 p.m. boasts $5 classes of wine, $4 beers, affordable cocktails, and plenty of bar bites. Use of the pool is limited to guests only, but the cool, shaded grotto will make you forget the heat of the outside world. —Krista Simmons

The Avalon is located at 9400 West Olympic Boulevard, Beverly Hills, (310 277 5221)

Sky BarThe Sky Bar at WeHo's Mondrian Hotel is a rooftop bar with a gorgeous view and plenty of lounge seating. It's the kind of glamorous settings your friends back in the Midwest probably picture you in when you talk about soirees and 'working from home.' The swankier parties at night are not always conducive to swimming, but Monday's "Dayze Off" from noon to 7 p.m. offers a more casual unwind. Other days, you can drop by for a bite (they have tacos, chips & guacamole) or a drink, but day beds are for hotel guests only. Check the website for all events, DJ information and how to RSVP.

Sky Bar, 8440 Sunset Blvd., WeHo. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Farmer's Daughter HotelThe trick to accessing this pool is to just jump right in. Those who dine at Tart Restaurant on the regular may know that the secret deal: if you'll jump into the pool at the adjacent Farmer's Daughter Hotel, you'll not only get to cool off, but the price of your entree will be chopped in half. Now there is a catch: you have to jump in with your shoes and clothes on. But if you go on a hot enough day, splashing around with the giant rubber duckies that float around this kitschy pool should be an acceptable cap to your brunch. The hotel's pool is otherwise open only to guests.

Farmer's Daughter Hotel, 115 Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to midnight; Friday & Saturday, 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Mr. C HotelTypically only open to hotel guests, this Beverly Hills hotel does have a few events for locals. One Sunday a month throughout the summer, guests can dine poolside at Mr. C Yacht Club for brunch and lunch. (RSVP here: yachtclub@mrchotels.com) On Tuesdays through August 26, Mr. C holds Poolside Cinema at 7 p.m. Order from their Italian menu for dinner and movie, and come early to get your spot on in a cabana or daybed—you don't have to rent.

Mr. C Hotel, 1224 Beverwil Dr., Beverly Hills.

The Standard, DTLAThere are two Standard Hotels in L.A., one in WeHo and one downtown. Downtown's pool features an astroturf deck, mod furniture (including bright red cabanas), a heated pool, gorgeous views and a topiary. Though the pool is relatively small, it's heated and the space is hip. There's also a biergarten and no shortage of events. Weekdays, you can hang out from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. On the weekends, you'll have to be a hotel guest or on a promoter's guest list during the day, then there's a $20 cover from 8 p.m. until close. The guest list to be on is for the sultry Afternoon Delight, a Miami-originated party which occurs monthly.

The Standard, 550 S. Flower St., DTLA. Daily, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.; restrictions apply to non-hotel guests.

The Standard, HollywoodThis hotel is a lot like its downtown sibling, but the Astroturf here is blue. This large heated pool offers walk up service, and the deck area has ping pong table and plenty of seating. There's also a 24-hour diner inside the hotel if you need to catch a break from the sun. The pool is open to non-hotel guests until midnight during the week and 2 a.m. on weekends, but you will need to be a customer, so buy a cocktail or get a salad. Also, be sure to check for events—like this 'relaxation' morning event, or dayside DJ spots.

The Standard Hollywood, 8300 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Monday through Friday, noon to midnight, Saturday & Sunday, noon to 2 a.m.

The WThe W Hotel in Hollywood may be home to the notorious and crowded weekend pool parties, but the W in Westwood has several poolside events of its own. Saturday mornings feature outdoor workouts and discounts on brunch, while Wednesday evenings offer a more cocktail-oriented mingle, with drinks served out of a re-purposed Airstream trailer. They also host a monthly fashion show and Sunday pool parties.

The W Hotel, 830 Hilgard Avenue, Westwood. Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m.

Hotel WilshireThis glamorous poolside lounge The Roof on Wilshire on the sixth floor of Beverly Hills Hotel Wilshire offers beautiful views from any seat around its small small pool. You can also mingle in the lounge or try for a coveted seat near the firepit. Their kitchen is run by celebrity chef Eric Greenspan, and it seems like brunch is the best meal to get there. You can get a carafe of mimosas for $18 (that's about 6), and they keep serving until 5 p.m. for those of us who can never seem to get out of the house on a Sunday in time.

The Roof on Wilshire, 6317 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Open Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday & Saturday, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.

The MontageThere's one trick to getting to use this amazing salt water pool at one of Beverly Hills' fanciest hotels, and that's having a treat yourself day. Book a spa service and if space is available, you'll be allowed access to the pool area on weekdays. You also don't have to be a guest to make a day of it. Montage has a great happy hour as well at Scarpetta from 4-8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, featuring $4 wines and $8 craft cocktails.

The Montage, 225 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Honorable Mentions:

Koreatown's The Line does not quite yet have a pool area open to non-hotel guests, but it soon will! They are currently doing limited bar and food service poolside for hotel guests and their friends, which is admittedly patchy at best. A new Roy Choi restaurant called The Commissary is about to open on the rooftop adjacent to the pool, too. We'll let you know as soon as it does.

Through September, you can still go on a desert adventure to find that little pool, hidden in the middle of nowhere.

There are plenty of public pools and water parks throughout the SoCal area where you can get wet, too. Here are some of our favorites.