The Ultimate Los Angeles Pool Guide
ROOFTOP RETREATS
Photo Credit: Petit Ermitage/Facebook
Petit Ermitage
You’ll find a Secret Garden-esque atmosphere at this rooftop pool at the whimsical and wonderful Petit Ermitage. In addition to the 360-degree views of Hollywood, you’ll also be able to dip in heated saltwater—chosen as such for its therapeutic effects. Occasionally, the pool is scented with the essence of pure damask roses. It’s bliss.
Social Media: Facebook: @petitermitage, Instagram:@petitermitage, Twitter: @Petit_Ermitage
Address: 8822 Cynthia St, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone Number: (310) 854-1114
Photo Credit: SLS Beverly Hills
Altitude at the SLS Beverly Hills
The jewel-like Altitude Pool at the SLS Beverly Hills deck offers a seductive environment of glamour and comfort. Reserve a cabana and enjoy not only the stellar views of Hollywood and Beverly Hills, but in truly gourmet cocktails and nibbles by Chef José Andrés. On weekends from 2pm-6pm, Altitude transforms into a poolside lounge with DJs spinning open format music.
Social Media: Facebook: @SLSBeverlyHills, Instagram: @slsbeverlyhills, Twitter: @SLSBeverlyHills
Address: 465 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone Number: (310) 247-0400
Photo Credit: The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Peninsula Beverly Hills
Surrounded by panoramic views of the Los Angeles and Century City skyline, The Peninsula Beverly Hills’ 60-foot outdoor rooftop pool and Jacuzzi is an idyllic spot for hotel guests to relax and cool down in true haute style. Guests can rent one of 12 private poolside cabanas fitted with cordless telephones, flat-screen TVs, fans, heaters, safes and iPod docks. Health-loving Angelenos (so most of us) can order up signature cocktails, refreshing juices or smoothies and light fare from the Naturally Peninsula menu; m any of the herbs, fruits and vegetables used are grown on site in The Peninsula’s rooftop garden.
Social Media: Facebook: @PeninsulaBH, Instagram: @peninsulaBH, Twitter: @PeninsulaBH
Address: 9882 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Phone Number: (310) 551-2888
Photo Credit: Andaz West Hollywood
Andaz West Hollywood
Speaking of prime views—the Andaz West Hollywood has ALL of the views. On a clear day, you can see the Hollywood Hills and downtown LA as well as the Pacific Ocean at the highest rooftop pool in Los Angeles.
Social Media: Facebook: @AndazWestHollywood, Instagram: @andazweho, Twitter: @andazweho
Address: 8401 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone Number: (323) 656-1234
POOLS WITH HOLLYWOOD HISTORY
Photo Credit: The Dorchester Collection
Beverly Hills Hotel
Everyone who was (and is) anyone in Hollywood has hung out at the storied Pink Palace’s pool. Marilyn Monroe, the Rat Pack, John Wayne, Henry Fonda… you name it, has lounged poolside. In 1956, the hotel’s pool and cabana club were even backdrops for Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall in Designing Women. Nowadays, you can still enjoy that vintage feeling in a modern way, with complimentary refreshments like frozen peanut butter cups, mini cones of soft serve ice cream and mojito pops; gratis Evian mists and complimentary sunglass cleaning. Should you go seriously VIP and get a cabana, you’ll be treated to a fruit bowl, complimentary wifi, bottled water, a 46” LCD television with Blu-ray DVD player and privacy curtains to help create your own private escape.
Social Media: Facebook: @Beverlyhillshotel, Instagram: @bevhillshotel, Twitter: @BevHillsHotel
Address: 9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone Number: (310) 276-2251
Photo Credit: Millenium Biltmore Millenium Biltmore
The beautiful indoor pool at the Millenium Biltmore first opened in 1926 as a men’s club. Designed to look like the deck of a luxury cruise ship, solid brass trims the windows separating the swimming pool from the weight-room area, teakwood deck chairs and hand-laid Italian mosaic tile adorn the walls and pool. The area outside the enclosed pool section once consisted of small, separated treatment rooms where guests could get massages, steam baths and other spa-type services considered ultimate luxury and state-of-the-art back in the ‘20s. Now, the club—which also includes a dry sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and fitness equipment including cardio machines, Stairmasters and treadmills as well as a full weight room—is completely accessible only to guests. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight onto the silver screen here as well—the Health Club was featured in films such as Bugsy, Cocoon and Cruel Intentions.
Social Media: Facebook: @MillenniumBiltmoreLosAngeles, Instagram: N/A, Twitter: @millennbiltmore
Address: 506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone Number: (213) 624-1011
Photo Credit: Hollywood Roosevelt
Hollywood Roosevelt
The Hollywood Roosevelt’s Tropicana pool is one with pedigree. In addition to its one-of-a-kind underwater mural, hand-painted by artist David Hockney in 1989 (it was his last pool mural and is valued at $1million); it was here that Marilyn Monroe posed on the diving board of the hotel’s swimming pool for her first-ever ad; and was the setting for films such as Sunset, Beverly Hills Cop II, Catch Me If You Can, Curb Your Enthusiasm, I Love Lucy, Almost Famous, and more.
Social Media: Facebook: @TheHollywoodRoosevelt, Instagram: @thehollywoodroosevelt, Twitter: @hwood_roosevelt
Address: 7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Phone Number: (323) 856-1970
Photo Credit: The Beverly Hilton
The Aqua Star Pool at The Beverly Hilton
In addition to being the annual home to HBO’s blow-out Golden Globes bash, the Aqua Star Pool at The Beverly Hilton has some personalized celebrity moments. The pool was inaugurated by film star and competitive swimmer Esther Williams, who swam through white gardenias in 1955 during its opening. And many may remember Angelina Jolie’s star-making moment during (and after) the 1999 Golden Globe Awards, when, after winning Best Performance by an Actress for Gia, took a post-swim in the pool while wearing her Globes gown.
PARTY POOLS
Photo Credit: Morgans Hotel Group
Mondrian West Hollywood
This pool could be quiet and relaxing—there’s no doubt as to its beauty thanks to a lushly landscaped area with fragrant flowers, blooming vines, enormous trees and comfortable teak and wicker furniture—but don’t let its beauty fool you… the Mondrian is a party spot. You’ll find hot bodies crowding the pool on any given week or weekend day, sipping champagne and grooving to tunes. Shades optional.
Social Media: Facebook: @Mondrian, Instagram: @mondrianhotels, Twitter: @MondrianLA
Address: 8440 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone Number: (323) 650-8999
Photo Credit: The Standard Downtown The Standard DTLA
The Standard DTL has fully earned its reputation as a playground in the sky. This rooftop pool is a favorite party spot thanks to its awesome views of the downtown skyline and mountains beyond, heated swimming pool, red AstroTurf deck, dance floor, nightly DJs, bar, outdoor fireplace, waterbed pods, sculptured topiary and its classic German Biergarten… which also serves pretzels and weiners. Ja, gut.
Social Media: Facebook: @TheStandardDowntownLA, Instagram:N/A , Twitter: @standarddtla
Address: 550 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phone Number: (213) 892-8080
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: A POOL BY THE BEACH
Photo Credit: Terranea Pool
Terranea
There is not one, not two, but three pools at this chic beachside resort in Palos Verdes. Bliss out at the spa pool, indulge in some non-kiddie conversation at the 18+ Cielo Point pool or have everything at once—a slide, a saltwater pool, a jacuzzi AND stunning views of the Pacific Ocean at the Vista pool. Don’t threaten US with a good time!
Social Media: Facebook: @Terranea, Instagram: @terranearesort, Twitter: @TerraneaResort
Address: 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Phone Number: (310) 494-7891