If you get an urge to wallow in a few hotel pools in New York, where would you go? At most hotels, only guests are allowed to use the pool. But there are some that also allow non-guests access to their swimming pools for a nominal fee.

Crowne Plaza Times Square

Crowne Plaza Times Square: Access to Fitness Club & Pool on the 15th floor of the hotel, operated by the New York Sports Club. Facilities include a 50-foot lap pool, as well as steam rooms, saunas, state-of-the-art weight machines and exercise equipment. Charge: $25; Info: 1605 Broadway New York NY 10019; (212) 977-4000

Millennium UN Plaza Hotel: Access to Millenium Health & Racquet Club. Charge: $40; Info: One UN Plaza 44th Street (between 1st and 2nd Ave) New York NY 10017; (212) 758-1234 

Room Mate Grace Hotel: Indoor pool with bar; Charge: $10 (plus two-drink minimum); Info: 125 West 45th Street New York NY 10036; (212) 354-2323

Holiday Inn Midtown: Access to Health & Fitness Center with pool; Charge: $60; Info: 440 West 57th Street New York NY 10019; (212) 581-8100

Golden Gate Motor Inn: Outdoor pool. Charge: $15 ($7 for children under 12); Info: 3867 Shore Parkway Brooklyn NY 11235; (718) 769-1394

New York Marriott World Financial Center: Charge: $20; Info: 85 West Street at Albany Street New York NY 10006; (212) 385-4900

New York Marriott Brooklyn Bridge: Charge: $25; Info: 333 Adams Street Brooklyn NY 11201; (718) 246-7000 

Le Parker Meredien: Access to Gravity Fitness and Spa; Charge: $100; Info:  119 West 56th Street New York NY 10019; (212) 708-7340

Note: Charges mentioned are for non-guests only. Most hotels do not charge guests for use of the pool.

Photos courtesy Crowne Plaza Times Square/IHG Hotels

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The Colonnade Roof Top Pool

Now that we can actually glimpse the beginning of another glorious Boston summer, hotels with rooftop pools have elevated to the pinnacle of popularity.  So, where can you cool off in the hottest pool locations?  Here are two of the most popular:

The Colonnade Hotel, 120 Huntington Street, Boston, MA

The Rooftop Pool (RTP) at the Colonnade Hotel is THE Boston hot spot for the summer. The RTP has received loads of awards, including Top U.S. Hotel Pool Bar in 2008 by MSNBC.com, twenty-five Best Al Fresco Spots 2008 by Boston Magazine and as “The Best Reason to Call in Sick”, America’s Best Poolside Bar A-List by Playboy.com – June 2007, Best Hotel Pool by Citysearch.com 2006 and 2007 and USA TODAY as the “Top 10 Great Places Built for Making a Splash” – August 2006.

The RTP offers a variety of events and concerts, and is open to the public during the week for a flat rate of $40 per day, or $20 after 3pm.  It’s open daily from 8am to 8pm.

The Hotel Indigo, 399 Grove Street, Newton, MA

The newest pool hot spot in Boston isn’t actually in the city of Boston – it’s in the neighboring suburb of Newton, MA.  The Hotel Indigo pool and pool bar is open seasonally, and offers a sunny relaxation deck, and luxury cabana rentals. It’s open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day, 11am to 5pm for a fee of $20 per person, cash only, based on availability.  Newton residents are free on Tuesdays with proper I.D.

Photo credit: The Colonnade

Schwimming – “To mess around in a pool, but not actually swim.” Here’s a list of 10 good reasons (with hotel suggestions) for schwimming.

1. Adventure - If you’re seeking adventure in a hotel swimming pool, you might find it in The Tank at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.

The Tank at Golden Nugget Las Vegas

You can slide through a transparent tunnel inside the shark tank or schwim around outside with the sharks on the other side of the tank.

2. Healing - In Desert Hot Springs, CA, every hotel pool is a natural mineral water pool with healing and rejunevation powers as good as a full body spa treatment. The Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel has 8 (that’s right – eight) natural hot mineral pools, while the Miracle Springs Resort & Spa offers 110 luxurious rooms and an odorless hot mineral water pool. Read More »