Fort Lauderdale in Florida has come a long way since its raucous days as a spring break destination. Today, it’s all about chic beach parties, jazz concerts, martinis, and of course, the pristine beaches of the North Atlantic Ocean. Moreover, Fort Lauderdale continues to be the cool-down destination during summer. So, whether you’re staying there or not, you can now stretch beside some of the swankiest best hotel swimming pools in Fort Lauderdale. Gone are the days when beachfront hotels reserved pool access only for those staying there. Today, many oceanfronts and other luxury hotels offer pool access with the help of day passes. On the other hand, you’ll also find some really cool and chic bed and breakfasts with pools, which is a rarity anywhere, and not just in Fort Lauderdale.
So, no matter the kind of hotel, or hotel pool you’re looking for, you’ll find one in this scintillating Floridian city. Whether you want to splash for a staycation or crave to relax in posh surroundings, this beachside haven has you covered. To that end, here are the 11 best hotel swimming pools in Fort Lauderdale.
Table of contents
- The Plunge Beach Hotel
- Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach
- The Atlantic Hotel and Spa
- W Fort Lauderdale
- Pelican Grand Beach Resort
- Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach
- Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
- Inn Sea Garden By The Sea
- Inn On The Drive
- The KarINN Boutique Hotel
- Villa Venezia
- Our Verdict!
- Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale?
The Plunge Beach Hotel
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The Plunge Beach Hotel is one of the best hotel pools in Fort Lauderdale. This retro-themed resort lies in three 1950s-era structures in the gorgeous Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. The modernized and upgraded structures now overlook the stunning ground-floor turquoise pool. It’s fringed with the most comfortable white loungers and palm trees and has a shallow end perfect for lounging. The pool is open for 12 hours between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day.
One of the best things is that if you’re not staying here, you can access the beach, even if you can’t access the poolside. The day passes for adults, and children are available for a time period of 9 hours beginning at 9 am. They include daily activities, beach games, Wi-Fi, an umbrella, cabana/chairs, beach towels, parking, and even a 20% discount at the Backflip Beach Bar. Moreover, you need to sign up for the limited spots on the resort website. A single adult pass costs 53.5 USD, while a cabana for 2 people costs 106 USD. Finally, a kid’s day pass costs 43 USD.
Rounding up the features here is the 24-hour fitness center, slick rooms, including beach-facing ones, and free bicycles, which can be used only by guests staying here.
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Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach
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You’ll be forgiven for thinking that you’re on some Greek island at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach pool. It’s easily one of the most ethereal and best hotel swimming pools in Fort Lauderdale and overlooks the North Atlantic. The striking oval-shaped plunge pool sits on the sixth floor and is framed by white pillars overlooking the inviting cerulean waters of the Atlantic Ocean. If you aren’t staying at the Conrad, then a day pass will cost you $50. Moreover, it comes with access to the shower room, free valet parking and Wi-Fi, and 10 percent off beverages and food from the poolside Spinnaker Pool Grill. With the pool open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., you have lots of time to lounge poolside.
Aside from the beguiling pool and excellent accommodations, Conrad also has a bar, a restaurant, and a fitness center. Plus, it offers a sun terrace for catching some of that Floridian sunshine and an excellent continental breakfast. If you’re someone who likes exploring on your own, grab one of the bicycles and cycle around the beachside neighborhood.
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The Atlantic Hotel and Spa
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Best hotel pool with a day pass. The fabulous fifth-floor pool at the Atlantic Hotel & Spa is one of the best hotel pools in Fort Lauderdale. The long pool feels as languorous as it looks and sits at a height just perfect for breathtaking panoramic views of the Atlantic coastline. If you aren’t staying here, get a day pass for just $40 or $15 for kids and access the pool. Moreover, you also get free valet parking, Wi-Fi, and access to the hotel’s whirlpool and pool bar. Sprawl on the comfy loungers and sip on cocktails while admiring the stunning views. The pool is open every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
You’ll love the hotel beside the pool too. For one, it’s one of the best gay-friendly hotels in Fort Lauderdale. All rooms are spacious and feature a slew of mod-cons, from minibars to kitchen essentials. Moreover, the hotel also houses a bar, restaurant, gift shop, fitness center, hot tub, and sauna. It even has a spa boutique and beauty salon on the property.
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W Fort Lauderdale
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Most luxurious rooftop pool at a hotel. No one does hotel swimming pools in Fort Lauderdale better than the pulsating Wet Deck at The W. The aptly named Wet Deck boasts the most decadent-looking rooftop pool ever, overlooking the blue skies and seas. It even has a full bar as well as DJ parties on weekends. If you’re looking to splurge, we’d suggest booking one of the Wet Cabanas for a blissful spa treatment while enjoying complimentary food and watching TV.
Order light bites and cocktails like the Miami Vice and Guava Sin to spice up your pool time if you’re sprawled on the daybeds. Moreover, the transparent walls of the pool are sensuous and the perfect place to unwind. If you aren’t staying here, you can get day passes for $25 every day except Saturdays. It’ll get you a towel, a plush lounge chair, and discounted drinks and food. After a swim, you can even enjoy a soak in the outdoor hot tub.
It’s no wonder that the W is one of the best hotels in Fort Lauderdale. The rooms and suites channel the same seaside vibe, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular views. The hotel also has the Bliss Spa, a superb restaurant and bar, and 24-hour room service.
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Pelican Grand Beach Resort
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If you’re looking for luxury and serenity, then head to the Pelican Grand Beach Resort. The resort overlooks a quieter stretch of Fort Lauderdale Beach and is perched atop its northern edge. It also has one of the best hotel pools in Fort Lauderdale. The stunning zero-entry freeform pool is surrounded by a winding lazy river, both of which overlook the ocean. Day passes cost $35 for adults and $25 for kids and include $10 valet parking and free Wi-Fi, apart from pool access. Sip on cocktails by the poolside as your children enjoy a tubing ride down the lazy river. What’s more, you also get access to the fitness center and a 15 percent discount on drinks, food, and spa services. Moreover, with the pool being open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., a sunrise swim sounds heavenly, especially if you’re staying here.
Besides sublime views of the Atlantic, the beach-inspired rooms are done up in a sleek manner with all modern creature comforts. The hotel also boasts a gift shop that serves coffee treats and ice cream (yes!), an oceanfront restaurant and bar, a spa, and an on-site fitness center.
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Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach
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Best hotel pool only for hotel guests. The pool at the Bahia Mar is another one of the best hotel swimming pools in Fort Lauderdale. Overlooking the Fort Lauderdale marina, the rooftop pool deck at the Bahia is one lively place. Colored floats dot the turquoise pool, which is perfect for a cool plunge on a hot day. If you want a day pass, ask the front desk concierge for a “locals loyalty card,” which will get you free daylong access to the pool deck. Plus, you’ll also have access to the cushy lounge chairs, a 20 percent discount on drinks and food, 4% valet parking, and free Wi-fi. If you’re staying here and are visiting during the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, then you have the rooftop all to yourself, with only guests allowed. Oh, and one more thing – the pool is open all night! So, say hello to swimming in the night.
There’s so much to do at the hotel that you won’t feel like leaving. Bahia features a watersports facility, lighted tennis courts, and a private walkway to Fort Lauderdale Beach. Besides the gorgeous rooms, the hotel has a sleek fitness center and rents boats, snorkeling equipment, and bicycles. Also, it has a wonderful restaurant and bar from where you can order poolside cocktails and bites.
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Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
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Best value for money. As far as beachfront pools go in the city, the Westin is one of the big-value luxury hotel pools in Fort Lauderdale. For those who aren’t staying here, the hotel offers a day pass for as low as $40. It includes access to the pool and its sun loungers, free Wi-Fi, and a 9 a.m. complimentary yoga class on the pool deck (weekends only). What’s more, it even offers valet parking at a discounted rate of $5 per hour. The heated infinity pool is one place to behold and is the perfect spot to unwind, accompanied by cocktails. Finally, the pool is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The hotel boasts many other amenities and facilities, including a 24-hour fitness center, a Heavenly Spa, a restaurant, a bar, and even a Starbucks. It also features direct beach access via a skywalk and slick accommodations with all modern flourishes.
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Inn Sea Garden By The Sea
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If you’re looking for a cozy hotel swimming pool in Fort Lauderdale, then look no further than the Inn Sea Garden By The Sea. The lovely, fenced-in pool has a shallow end with a stepped entry and is perfect for a cool plunge on a hot Floridian sun. The setting is as romantic as it gets – Romanesque statues, day beds and chairs beneath umbrellas, and palm trees all around. The best part? The pool is heated, and so can even be enjoyed when the weather turns milder in the winter. Plus, the hotel even provides beach towels, so you don’t have to carry your own.
There’s even a poolside grill at this Lauderdale-by-the-Sea property and free on-site parking. Some rooms even overlook the pool, so ask before you make a booking. Moreover, all the rooms are comfortable with coffeemakers, fridges, microwaves, and private ensuite bathrooms.
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Inn On The Drive
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The Inn On The Drive is one of the cutest and most intimate hotel pools in Fort Lauderdale. This adults-only bed-and-breakfast has just four rooms, so staying here is as intimate as it gets. Moreover, it means that you have to share the pool with a lot fewer people! The lovely plunge pool is set in the backyard of the renovated and updated B&B and is fringed with daybeds and lots of lovely foliage. There are even umbrellas for when the sun really hits, so you can relax in the shade. The pool deck has comfy chairs and a garden just beyond, where you can enjoy your breakfast.
Despite being a quaint B&B, the Inn provides a whole lot of extras, beginning with an excellent continental breakfast. It also features a sun terrace, free Wi-Fi, and free parking. All rooms have balconies with views of the pool and ooze a distinct seaside vibe. Moreover, they’re packed with mod-cons like flatscreen TVs, coffeemakers, fridges, and microwaves.
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The KarINN Boutique Hotel
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Best adults-only pool. Now, this is one place that definitely gives off distinct Florida beach vibes. Plus, it’s easy on the wallet too! Welcome to the sun-kissed poolside at the KarINN Boutique Hotel, one of the best hotel swimming pools in Fort Lauderdale. Sitting next to the all-white guesthouse, the adults-only swimming pool is heated for you to enjoy it in all seasons. Enjoy a fun-filled cooling dip accompanied by loads of swimming pool toys. Post that, retire to the daybeds or sunbeds shaded by umbrellas and read a book, listen to music, or sip on cocktails. It even has a shallow end if you want to enjoy a quick dip.
This is one guesthouse you’d love to stay at. The place has a sun terrace, complimentary parking, and Wi-Fi. Begin your day with a superb breakfast spread of cold and hot cereals, granola bars, yogurt, juices, tea, and coffee. Even the rooms are great with all mod-cons and eco-conscious bath products in the ensuite bathrooms.
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Villa Venezia
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The charming, all-white Villa Venezia undoubtedly has the best Fort Lauderdale hotel pool. The heavenly rectangular plunge pool is the centerpiece of the property and is surrounded by lush foliage and palm trees. It even has sun loungers under parasols to relax after your swim and a kids’ pool to the side. What’s more, the pool offers stunning views of the marina, with boats docked right out front and even sailing lazily down the marina. The best part? The pool is open all year.
The rooms at Villa Venezia are like taking a trip around the world – think French Country, Island Delight, Belize, Capri, and the like. The décor is different, keeping with the theme of the room, but all mod-cons and modern creature comforts are similar throughout. The hotel also has a garden, free private parking, free Wi-Fi, and a concierge service.
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Our Verdict!
All hotel pools in Fort Lauderdale are awesome, without a doubt. However, as travelers, you might be looking for specific pools. These could be according to the size or kind of the hotel, its location, or even the size of the pool. Hence, we’ve curated a special list of hotels for you below, which are categorized according to their best attributes.
- Best value for money: Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
- Best adults-only pool: The KarINN Boutique Hotel
- Most luxurious rooftop pool at a hotel: W Fort Lauderdale
- Best hotel pool with a day pass: The Atlantic Hotel and Spa
- Best hotel pool only for hotel guests: Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach
Where to Stay in Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale is famous as the ‘Venice of the US’ with its sandy beaches and sparkling waters. So, it’s not surprising that the city has many diverse neighborhoods that you need to zero in on before choosing hotels. A good way to choose neighborhoods is by looking at the top things to do in Fort Lauderdale and what interests you the most. To begin with, we have the Fort Lauderdale beach area, which is highly recommended for first-time visitors, families, and even couples. Its southern end is Sebastian Street Beach, which is one of the best gay beaches in the world. So, we’d recommend this neighborhood for LGBTQ travelers also.
Hollywood Beach is an excellent, budget-friendly option south of the city. The Hollywood Beach area is brimming with mid-range hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, and bars. If you’re here to delve into the nightlife, then Las Olas is for you. One of Fort Lauderdale’s best neighborhoods, it’s also known as the ‘Venice of America.’ It’s filled with a bunch of amazing attractions, historical sights, and the best bars and pubs in town. On the other hand, Wilton Manors is quieter, has local flair, and is close enough to the beach. Finally, we have Lauderdale-by-the-Sea in the north, which retains its small-time charm and is perfect for families and couples looking for serenity.
Did you know that the stunning beachside destination of Miami is merely half an hour south of Fort Lauderdale? If you plan to head south, then you might want to check out the best hotel pools in Miami next.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Fort Lauderdale:
- Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill – For the most indulgent food in your life, head to Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill. Think perfect burgers with gooey melted cheese, crispy fries, salads, soups, and wraps, and the most decadent desserts ever.
- El Camino – Do you love Breaking Bad and Mexican food? Then you must eat at El Camino. It’ll be one of the most delicious value meals you’d have ever had. Choose from all kinds of tacos – barbacoa, carnitas, shrimp, etc. – and wash them down with $5 margaritas. Our recommendation – is the smoked brisket nachos.
- Padrino’s Cuban: Cuban food is a staple in the city, and Padrino’s is one location that uses family recipes to date. The welcoming family-run restaurant has used these family recipes since the 1930s to make typical Cuban lunch food, such as Cuban sandwiches and ham croquettes. You’ll also find things such as mojo-marinated pork and picadillo that are absolutely delicious.
Recommended Activities In Fort Lauderdale:
- Fort Lauderdale 1-Hour Family Pirate Adventure Cruise – If you’re visiting Food Lauderdale with your family, then this fascinating pirate adventure cruise is perfect. Climb aboard a ship on Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway, battle pirates with water cannons, and follow maps to find a treasure!
- Fort Lauderdale Famous Yachts and Mansions Segway Tour – How about you indulge in an activity that requires no coordination, balance, or experience but is thrilling? This segway tour takes you around the most affluent neighborhood in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Guided by a local partner, you’ll all glide on your segways, check out celebrity mansions, and learn about the history of Fort Lauderdale. There’s even an 8-mile tour option that allows up-close views of Fort Lauderdale Beach, the Intracoastal Waterways, and the Port Everglades.