Last Updated: November 9, 2021
Best Hotel Pools In Austin
Looking for a nice pool to escape the heat in Austin? Or maybe you just came back from a great hike!
You’re certainly in the right place because this is a guide to all the hotels with the best pools in Austin, Texas.
From rooftop hotel pools that are perfect for parties to secluded resorts outside the urban area, this guide features all the popular hotel pools in Austin. Whether you’re looking to go for a quick dip or spend a day pampering yourself and admiring panoramic views, you’ll find plenty of great options in this guide to all the best hotel pools in Austin!
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W Austin
© 1996 – 2021 Marriott International, Inc.
The W Austin is situated in downtown Austin and it features a spectacular rooftop pool. You can relax in one of the lounge chairs right next to the pool, or opt to spend your time in the secluded designer chaise lounge. The rooftop area also features cabanas for groups, which are perfect for families and friends. There’s also a bar here, so you can sip on cocktails while lounging next to the pool.
Sounds amazing, right? The only issue is that the pool is very small and shallow. It’s not really made for swimming, and most adults will find that the water doesn’t reach higher than their hips. Because the pool is quite narrow, it gets crowded very fast. Sure, it can fit a lot of people if they’re just standing around and chatting, but even with just 20 people the pool already looks really crowded.
Bottom line – if you want a hotel pool with an awesome view, spectacular drinks, and an excellent lounge area, consider going to the W Austin. But if you want to do some proper swimming, this isn’t the right pool for you.
Fairmont Austin
© Accor 2021
The Fairmont Austin is a 37-story hotel with 1,048 rooms and a spectacular rooftop pool. Situated in the heart of downtown Austin, the expansive pool is big enough that you might actually be able to swim, provided that it’s not overly crowded. It’s a vast pool with lounge chairs in the water, for a truly hedonistic experience. Plus, the hotel has automated sunscreen kiosks, so don’t even need to bring SPF.
Pool guests get complimentary Evian Mineral Water Facial spritzes, frozen fruit, chilled towels, and a few other spontaneous treats throughout the day. There’s also a bar close to the pool, so you pretty much don’t need to get up from your waterside chair. Also, there are other lounge chairs available, if you’d rather not be directly in the water all the time. The rooftop area features a small whirlpool pool, lounge chairs, sun umbrellas, and cabanas, so you get to enjoy your time at the Fairmont Austin however you like.
It’s worth noting that the pool has limited capacity, so you might have to wait in queue if it’s a bit crowded while you visit. Also, only hotel guests are allowed at the pool on the weekends, and there’s a 20% gratuity charge for those who opt to rent one of the cabanas.
Lake Austin Spa & Resort
© 2021 Lake Austin Spa Resort
If you want to have some fun on the water, head to the Lake Austin Spa & Resort. It’s about 23 miles outside downtown Austin, right on Lake Austin on the Colorado River. You can go kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and you can even rent a boat and go on rides on the river. Hotel guests can also enjoy lakeside yoga, romantic dinners right on the water, and happy hour right on the docks. Also, it’s worth noting that the hotel has only 40 rooms, so it’s never going to be ridiculously overcrowded.
With such an impressive body of water right next to the hotel, who even cares about the pool? Well, in case you do, you’ll be glad to know that the hotel features three pools (indoor and outdoor), as well as several lounge areas. Non-guests can have access to the pool if they purchase a half-day or full-day pass for the spa, and they’re free to join in any group activities that are happening while they’re there.
The pools aren’t that big, but with such a spectacular lake nearby, it really doesn’t matter. The views from this luxurious oasis are mesmerizing, and if you’re looking for a quick city break, you definitely won’t regret staying at the Lake Austin Spa & Resort.
East Austin Hotel
© 2019 La Corsha Hospitality Partners. All rights reserved.
If you’re looking for a hotel in Austin with a party pool, look no further than the East Austin Hotel. It’s a boutique hotel in downtown Austin with a small, but rather eventful pool. It’s definitely not the right pool for people who are looking for some R&R, but if you’re looking to escape the heat and have cocktails at noon, this is the place to be in Austin. Also, this isn’t a pool you can properly swim in, especially when there are other people in it.
There’s a great pool bar that’s open to the public, but you’ll need to purchase a day pass for the pool. They start at just $10 for Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, but it’s $25 if you want to chill at the pool on a Friday or Saturday. Parking is included in the day pass, as is WiFi should you need it. You’ll also get access to the pool bar, but no complimentary drinks are included in the price.
Honestly, with such attractive prices for pool access, it’s easy to see why the East Austin Hotel attracts both tourists and locals who want to spend a day relaxing at the pool.
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
© 2021 OMNI HOTELS & RESORTS
Need a break from all the crowds of the city? Head to the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, situated in the rolling hills just outside downtown Austin. The spectacular resort spans 4,000 acres, and it’s the perfect retreat for anyone who needs some R&R. There are three pools, one of which is an adult-only infinity pool, a splash pad, an adult-only hot tub, and a spectacular pool bar.
All the pools are heated and open year-round, so you can enjoy them even when it’s not sizzling hot outside. Guests have the option of choosing between poolside cabanas and regular lounge chairs – cabanas must be reserved in advance, while the lounge chairs and umbrellas are accessible on a first-come, first-served basis.
You’ll need to purchase a day pass to enjoy the spectacular pools of Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa. It’s $75 for a regular day pass and $200 for the cabana. The regular day pass gets you access to all the pools, free parking, WiFi, and poolside drink and food service from Nopales. It’s worth every penny if you’re looking to spend a day lounging in spectacular pools and admiring untouched nature that extends as far as the eye can see.
Austin Motel
Copyright © 2021, Austin Motel
The Austin Motel claims to have the best swimming pool in town, so they’re definitely worth checking out. It’s a kidney-shaped pool spanning an area of 1,100 sq. ft. in the motel’s backyard. The pool features different depths at its various sections, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a hotel with a nice and spacious pool.
The best thing about the Austin Motel is that it only has about 40 rooms to offer, so it rarely gets overly crowded. It is possible to purchase day passes for the pool, but honestly, they’re kind of pricey. It’s about $40 (plus tax) for a three-hour time slot in the pool, and you’re not guaranteed anything else for the money. Chairs and tables are all first-come, first-served, and no complimentary drinks are included in the price of the pass.
It’s worth noting that the afternoon passes really seem like the best deal available. Unlike the other passes, these are valid from 5 PM to 10 PM, and they’re only $15 per pass! They are adult-only passes though, so keep that in mind in case you’re planning a pool day with your kids.
Hotel Magdalena
Copyright © 2021, Hotel Magdalena
Hotel Magdalena is situated in the heart of South Congress, and it features a beautiful outdoor pool. The pool is surrounded by trees and greenery, with just enough chairs and umbrellas that it never gets overly crowded. It’s a 900 sq. ft. sunken pool that is open only to guests of the hotel.
The pool is not very deep or wide, but it is quite long, which actually makes it a pretty good option for all of you who actually want to go swimming. Also, because it can be used only by Magdalena Hotel guests, it’s never going to be so crowded that you can’t find a spot to put a towel. The abundance of trees and greenery around you gives you an impression of being somewhere in the great outdoors, and not in the heart of Austin’s cultural center.
It’s worth noting that you must book a time slot at the pool beforehand, otherwise the hotel staff might deny you access. Also, there’s no pool bar or restaurant here, and ordering food from the hotel’s main restaurant to the pool can be quite a hassle, so you might want to bring some snacks for the day!
Four Seasons Hotel Austin
© Four Seasons Hotels Limited 1997-2021. All Rights Reserved.
The Four Seasons Hotel features one of the best pools in all of Austin. It’s a spacious round pool, with plenty of room for many guests. The heated pool is open year-round, but it’s unclear whether it can be accessed by non-guests. It was possible to purchase day passes that give you access to the hotel spa and pool a few years back, but there’s no info on whether that’s still possible to do. It could be because of the restrictions that are still in place due to the pandemic, so be sure to call the hotel and check before you put your flip-flops on.
The round pool is huge, with varying depths at different sections. It’s up to 5’6” deep at some points, and it’s large enough that it’s possible to comfortably swim in it, as long as there aren’t too many other people around. There’s also a nice pool bar and waiters will take your order even if you’re in the water, which is pretty great.
Last but not least, it’s worth noting that the pool area offers spectacular views of the Colorado River and the surrounding greenery. If you need a little daycation but don’t want to go too far outside of Austin’s city center, the Four Seasons hotel pool seems like an excellent option.
Miraval Austin Resort & Spa
© 2021 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.
The Miraval Austin Resort & Spa features two of the most fabulous pools in all of Austin. They’re both huge infinity pools with some of the best views in the greater Austin area. The hotel is located northwest of downtown Austin, close to Lake Travis and Cypress Creek park, and the pool areas offer panoramic views of the lake and nature that surrounds it.
Since this is a resort and spa, day passes are available for everyone. They’re very pricey though, so don’t consider this hotel pool if you’re looking for a budget city escape. The passes start at some $300 if you want to visit the resort between Monday and Thursday, while the regular passes start at about $400 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It’s worth noting that the pricier day pass includes $250 of resort credit, so drinks and food should be included in the price.
The resort credit also applies to massages and various spa treatments, as well as all gratuities. In general, if you’re looking to spend a day pampering yourself and enjoying some mesmerizing views from the edge of an infinity pool, the Miraval Austin Resort & Spa is easily the best option in Austin.
Hyatt Regency Austin
© 2021 Hyatt Corporation
The Hyatt Regency hotel features a pretty nice pool with scenic views of the Colorado River. It’s not the best or the most beautiful pool in the city, but it’s big enough that you can swim even if there are other guests in the pool, plus it’s quite affordable. Day passes for the pool start at just some $25, and they include access to the pool, hot tub, and free WiFi.
Parking is not included in the price of the day pass, so you will need to pay extra for that. Also, you can purchase food and drinks at the poolside bar and grill, and it’s worth noting that the locale is open for as long as the pool is.
Perhaps the best thing about the pool at Hyatt Regency Austin is the location. It’s on the southern bank of the river/lake, and it offers spectacular views of the water and the downtown Austin skyline. And it’s one of the most affordable hotel pools in the city, so it definitely deserves a spot on this list!
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
