11 Best Hotels in Boston with Rooftop Pool

Boston, on the eastern coast of the United States, is all about history, transformation, and revolution. Even today, it happens to be one of the most barrier-breaking and forward-thinking destinations in the country. With so many sights to see and things to do, a day out sightseeing in Boston would leave us dead on our feet. That’s why we chose to stay at the best hotels in Boston with rooftop pool, where we could unwind after a long day of exploring the city. After all, nothing beats swimming in and lounging by a rooftop pool with amazing views of Boston, right?

Given that ‘Beantown’ Boston has four distinct seasons, three of which aren’t conducive for outdoor swimming, the city’s hotels have gotten creative with their rooftop pool concepts keeping in mind our comfort. Firstly, most of them were heated, ensuring that we didn’t shiver in Boston’s (in)famous colder seasons. What’s more, many of them have added cool concepts like floor-to-ceiling windows, which offer amazing sweeping views. Some of them even added retractable roofs to keep the warmth inside on cold days and transform it into an outdoor pool when the weather is nice and sunny. If that wasn’t enough, some even had a hot tub/Jacuzzi for us to jump into the bubbling waters when the pool water felt cold. Above all, the designs of Boston’s rooftop pool stays are undeniably Instagrammable.

We might have not gotten a tan at Boston’s rooftop pools, but we certainly could enjoy a dip, relax, and soak in some stunning views of the city. Here’s a useful guide to some of the best rooftop pool experiences in Beantown.

Harmony Medical Suites on Canal

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We start with a bang with the Harmony Medical Suites on Canal, which has one of the most Instagrammable rooftop outdoor pools in the city. This seasonal outdoor swimming pool sits on the terrace in the middle of the structure, but we were still able to get the rooftop experience, complete with unobstructed views. What’s more, the pool was open only to those who were staying at the hotel, so we didn’t have to deal with crowds and had the lovely wooden deck area all to ourselves. After a swim, we’d sprawl on the comfy sun loungers surrounded by the lovely greenery that lent a tranquil look to the place.

Since it’s an all-suite accommodation, we had the choice of two—or three-bedroom apartments and family rooms, all of which came with kitchens, luxe bathrooms, and living rooms. Ours even had a terrace, so do make sure you ask for that when you book. Aside from the pool, Harmony Medical also has a fitness center and free Wi-Fi throughout.

Revere Hotel Boston Common

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Best pool package. The rooftop pool at Revere Boston Common, along with the outdoor lounge, is the Rooftop@Revere, Boston’s largest rooftop space. Although the pool was technically indoors, it was open throughout the year, with the massive, open-air poolside lounge lending it an outdoor feel.

After a swim, we could lounge on the daybeds, but we’d even booked a cabana one day as a special treat. On weekdays between June and August, they have a USD 200 Food and Beverage (FnB) minimum, which includes four-day passes, towels, fruit, and water. During May-September (peak season) on Saturdays, the FnB minimum was USD 300, along with a USD 100 fee for a small cabana. However, during June-August, day passes were available for just USD 50. Despite all this, it’s one of Boston’s most popular hotel pools. Aside from the fact that the pool had an age limit of 21 years and above post 8 pm, it also didn’t charge for anyone after 5 pm. So, on sunny evenings, the pool space felt exclusive and non-crowded too.

The rest of this design boutique hotel is equally impressive, with state-of-the-art amenities such as two restaurants, a 24-hour fitness center, bike rentals, and business services. Moreover, all rooms and syites boast 55-inch flatscreen HDTVs, plush beds, and modish bathrooms. In fact, it’s one of the best boutique hotels in Boston, MA.

Four Seasons Hotel Boston

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The indoor rooftop pool at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston is located on the eighth floor of the hotel and offers stunning views of the city through floor-to-ceiling windows. After a languorous swim, we’d lounge on the daybeds and soak in the views of the Boston Common and the Beacon Hill neighborhood. If that wasn’t enough, we could even order food and beverages right to our daybeds while lounging and relaxing at the pool. And since this is a Four Seasons outpost, we even had complimentary flavored water, fruit, and coffee right by the pool, along with freshly laundered towels.

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Aside from the enviable location, this Four Seasons property is elegant and boasts a plethora of amenities, including a large spa, a fantastic restaurant, and a craft bar. Rooms and suites here have a courtyard, garden, or city views, and we’d recommend the garden views as the Boston Common’s green trees make for a lovely backdrop.

Did you know that the Four Seasons is also one of Boston’s most expensive hotels? Yes!

Omni Boston At The Seaport

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The four-star Omni Boston sits in South Boston’s Waterfront district, giving us the best of both the seaport and the city life. Tucked on the fifth-floor rooftop, the pool here is a gorgeous outdoor one, even though it was slightly smaller than the other ones on the list. We needed to reserve the daybeds in advance, and that too for a maximum of two hours per day per room. Since we already knew when we wanted to use the pool, we got our reserved time slot, and it was perfect. The best bit is that the pool was available only to hotel guests. Whether it was a hot summer day or slightly cooler, we could lounge on the daybeds and order food and signature cocktails from the Lifted rooftop bar.

Besides the pool, the hotel also has a fitness center and six other restaurants and bars right on the property. So, we never had to worry about food, and there was always a place we could go when we were hungry. Breakfasts, especially, were a lavish affair with American and continental options at the buffet. In fact, its spa makes it one of Boston’s best spa hotels. The rooms and suites were spacious and had luxe bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and superb views out of the huge windows.

Renu at Back Bay

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We were looking for an apartment hotel or aparthotel, and Renu at Back Bay suited us perfectly. It sits close to the waterfront in East Boston and offers splendid views of the harbor, along with a great harbor breeze. We especially loved the rooftop pool here, which made for the perfect getaway after a day of exploring the city. The pool deck was very spacious and boasted not only a huge rectangular pool but also sun loungers under parasols. Even though it was open only from 9 am – 7 pm in the warmer season between May and September (Memorial Day to Labor Day), we could enjoy a swim and great views. Moreover, the maximum number of people at the pool is three for every booking. The best bit? It was open only to us hotel guests.

Besides its fantastic Back Bay location, Renu offered the comfort of a home-like stay but with the amenities and luxuries of a hotel. We had the choice of two/three-bedroom apartments, all of which came with full kitchens, luxe bathrooms, and spacious living rooms.

Wyndham Beacon Hill

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Besides its ideal West End location, the Wyndham Beacon Hill is one of the few Boston hotels that boast seasonal outdoor pools in the city. It’s actually more of an elevated terrace pool, but it served its purpose as it was open only to us hotel guests (we’d access it using our key card). Plus, the hotel sits right in the city center, in the heart of Downtown Boston, and is Downtown’s only hotel outdoor pool. And that was all we needed, didn’t we?

When we wanted to unwind, we’d head to the seasonal pool area, where we’d enjoy a swim. Later on, we lounged on the deck chairs and tables under the umbrellas, perfect for hot summer days. The pool is open from 10 am to 9 pm every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The rooftop is spacious and perfect for a lounge day, while the pool invites you to a relaxing dip or to swimming laps. Did you know that Wyndham even helps you host exclusive private rooftop poolside events, complete with FnB service? Yep.

We liked the rest of the hotel too, which includes a 24-hour fitness center, business facilities, and a great restaurant, bar, and café. Moreover, the rooms and suites are savvy and come with mod-cons like cable TVs, fridges, comfy beds, and modern bathrooms.

The Royal Sonesta Boston

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It was surprising that one of the most beautiful rooftop pools in Boston was at the Royal Sonesta Boston. It boasted a breathtaking atrium-style saltwater pool on the rooftop, which is one of Boston/Cambridge’s biggest pools. Thanks to the retractable roof, the pool transforms into an indoor pool in the winter and an outdoor pool in summer, allowing us to enjoy swimming and scenic vistas no matter the season.

For swimmers, the best bit was that the pool had three lap lanes, so we could more than just enjoy more than just a dip there. We loved the tasteful tropical touches in the atrium pool area, like potted palms and glass brick. During warmer months, the navy-blue curtains pulled back, revealing a brick-walled patio/sundeck overlooking the Charles River where we could sunbathe after a swim. You can drink out on the riverfront terrace well into the fall, thanks to the toasty tabletop fire pits.

“We’d never seen a more beautiful rooftop pool in the middle of the city. We didn’t feel like we were in the middle of the city!”

WOW Travel

The rest of the hotel also offered stunning views of the Charles River, along with a fitness center, a gourmet restaurant, a cafe, and a rather extensive modern art collection. Moreover, the plush accommodations feature comfy beds, seating areas, flatscreen TVs, and luxe bathrooms.

Boston Marriott Copley Place

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Best family-friendly pool. We love the location of the Boston Marriott Copley Place right in the very heart of historic Back Bay. The rooftop pool, albeit an indoor one, was a delight for both us adults and the kids, as the pool even had a shallow end for them to enjoy. While they’d splash around, we enjoyed swimming laps as the pool was long and deep enough. After that, we’d sprawl on the sun loungers and unwind, especially since the pool is open from 6 am to 9:30 pm. And thanks to the floor-to-ceiling wall of windows all around, we got to soak in great views of the city. The best? Since it was heated, we could use the pool even when it was slightly cold.

We had the choice of two eateries, a restaurant, and a Starbucks on the property for all our drinking and dining hankerings. Moreover, the hotel also has a state-of-the-art fitness center and a spa. Since we wanted to splurge, we chose a higher-floor room. Nevertheless, they all came with contemporary creature comforts like flatscreen TVs, coffeemakers, and more.

Sheraton Boston Hotel

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Best indoor/outdoor pool. We love the flexibility of pools in a city like Boston with wavering weather. That’s why we loved the Sheraton Boston Hotel. It’s home to a stunning indoor/outdoor heated saltwater pool, complete with a retractable glass roof and complemented by an outdoor sun deck next door. In fact, it’s Boston’s largest heated saltwater lap pool. The entire poolscape was one of the chicest and most Instagrammable spaces in the city; think of it as a retro lido with cream hues and an array of loungers. When the weather was nice and sunny, which is when we visited, we could even sit on the pool deck and get a tan. The best bit? The pool was available only to us hotel guests.

The rest of this Sheraton outpost was equally impressive. While the on-site restaurant is currently shut for a transformation, the hotel exceeded expectations by introducing Delivery by Sheraton. It allowed us to order in-room dining every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. – how thoughtful is that! Moreover, the rooms and suites were modern, with luxe bathrooms, plush beds, flatscreen TVs, and huge windows. Try and book an upper-floor room – you can enjoy wonderful views of the Back Bay and the Charles River.

Boston Marriott Long Wharf

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There’s another Marriott property on this list; this time, it’s the Boston Marriott Long Wharf. This hotel looks like a luxury cruise liner inside and out, with an enviable location along one of the oldest piers in Boston. The rooftop heated indoor pool was no exception and lies right at the “prow” of this ship-inspired structure. So, when we’d swim from one end to the other, the entire glassed-in area directly faced the harbor!

Since it was indoor, the pool was open throughout the year. At the same time, there were doors leading out to a huge wraparound deck with lounge chairs. So, when we were visiting in warm weather, we could sip on drinks and munch on snacks while soaking in the sea breeze. Did you know they even had couches and fire pits on the deck? Yep. The city truly felt miles away as we settled into our harborside retreat, even though we were thick in the middle of all the action.

Staying at the Boston Marriott was an absolute pleasure. The rooms and suites were spacious, with huge windows and sensational views. Plush beds, coffeemakers, and modern bathrooms completed the digs. In fact, they even have family rooms, making it one of the best family hotels in Boston.

The Colonnade Hotel

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Best overall. Sitting at the top of this list is the Back Bay mainstay that’s the Colonnade Hotel, which is also one of Boston’s best hotel pools. While it offers all the expected luxury amenities, the hotel was best known for its RTP, or Roof Top Pool. That’s the reason we chose to stay here. Open only during summer, the adults-only 12th-storied rooftop poolscape felt like a Caribbean resort in the middle of Back Bay. It stays open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and is free for hotel guests throughout the week. Day guests can only access the pool on Sundays-Thursdays after 2 pm, and there’s a USD 50 charge.

After a swim, we’d lay back on the rattan-weave lounge chairs, soaking in the Boston views while ordering frozen drinks from the poolside bar. Do try the Hibiscus Julep and Not Your Mother’s Lemonade – they’re amazing. Since we wanted to indulge in the complete experience, we reserved a billowing, Bedouin-inspired cabana. What’s more, the hotel also hosts many rooftop events throughout the season, so do check their events schedule.

Besides the pool, there’s also a fitness center and a concierge. The rooms and suites all come with iPod docking stations, Keurig coffeemakers, sleek black-and-white decor, and floor-to-ceiling windows with great views. The Colonnade is also one of Boston’s most pet-friendly hotels.

Our Verdict!

While we loved all the stays with rooftop pools in Boston, we loved some better than the others. Here is a specialized list to help you choose.

• Best pool package: Revere Hotel Boston Common
• Best family-friendly pool: Boston Marriott Copley Place
• Best indoor/outdoor pool: Sheraton Boston Hotel
• Best overall: The Colonnade Hotel

Where to Stay in Boston

Choosing a Boston neighborhood to stay in was definitely easier than zeroing in on hotels with rooftop pools. We looked at the top things to do in Boston to pick and choose what we wanted to do before deciding where to stay.

We begin with Boston’s Downtown, which is the financial and commercial heart of the city and its oldest neighborhood. Besides the CBD, Downtown also has many hip cocktail bars and restaurants and is home to most of the sights on the famed Freedom Trail, which makes Boston one of the United States’ most patriotic places. Secondly, there’s Back Bay/Copley, a beautiful and upscale neighborhood and also home to some of Boston’s most historic homes, sights, and even farmers’ markets.

Culture vultures and history buffs will also love the North End and “Little Italy,” the city’s oldest district. This cobblestoned waterfront neighborhood is home to many churches as well as North America’s oldest set of ringing bells. Finally, there’s Fenway that’s home to home of the Boston Red Sox, the famous Fenway Park. Do check out the best and closest hotels to Fenway Park.

Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Boston

• James Hook & Co.: This institution, which was established way back in 1925, has been feeding amazingly delicious lobster to Bostonians for nearly 100 years now. Here, you’ll find an essentials-only menu of classic New England fare; think lobster rolls, shrimp cocktails, crab cakes, whole-cooked lobsters, and clam chowders.
• Dakzen: Who would’ve thought we’d find excellent Thai cuisine in Boston? This East Boston restaurant was all about happy chaos and had dishes that we’d usually find only in Southeast Asia. Don’t miss Khao Soi, Pad Thai with shrimp, and the famed Tom Yum Noodles soup.
• Boston’s North End: Secret Food Tour – Boston is famous for its unique cuisine, with the North End taking the cake. This three-hour North End walking food tour allowed us to savor Boston’s gastronomic delights, like fresh seafood, as well as North End’s famous Italian fare. Not only did we get to taste these dishes, but we also got to about their history.

Recommended Activities in Boston

• Faneuil Hall Marketplace: This famed marketplace is featured among the USA’s top tourist attractions – and for a good reason. It’s home to not just some of the best dining and shopping in the city but also world-class street performers like acrobats.
• Boston Old Town Hop-On, Hop-Off Trolley Tour: This hop-on, hop-off trolley tour was the most thrilling and exciting way for us to discover the delights of Boston, one of America’s most historic cities. The friendly and warm conductors would regale us with stories of the culture, history, and mysteries of Boston.