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June to August is the best stretch for a rooftop swim in Austin, with July and August the hottest months. Of the 15 hotels on our list, 11 sell day passes to non-guests and 3 are guests only. Hotel Indigo doesn't publish who can swim.
Our first pick is Hotel Van Zandt: a heated 4th-floor pool, open year-round, with a $20 ResortPass day pass, the lowest on our list. For a cheap pass with less polish, citizenM sells $25 passes for a small deck that holds about 22 people at a time.
Heated and open all year, with lake views and a $20 day pass
Downtown Austin, 4-star hotel, rated 4.5 on Google (4,362 reviews)
Sample photo, not Hotel Van Zandt. Pjotr Mahhonin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
4thfloor pool
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $20
Heated
Heated
Season
Open year-round
Why it's here. Choose Van Zandt for a pool that works in any month. The 4th-floor deck is heated and open year-round, and non-guests pay $20 on ResortPass, the lowest price on our list.
The 4th-floor rooftop deck at 605 Davis St looks out on Lady Bird Lake, over Rainey Street. Loungers, private cabanas and daybeds ring the water, and The Rooftop Pool Bar serves cocktails, local beers and light bites. The deck is aimed at adults and couples, so families will find it a poor fit.
Best forCouples and friends who want a heated pool in any season at the lowest day pass price.
Skip it ifYou're traveling with children or want a high-floor skyline view.
Heated rooftop pool with the longest published hours, 6am to 10pm
Downtown Austin, 4-star hotel, rated 4.4 on Google (5,215 reviews)
Sample photo, not Omni Austin Downtown. Jordiferrer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $40
Heated
Heated
Season
Pool bar open seasonally
Why it's here. Choose this for early swims or late ones. The heated rooftop pool runs 6am to 10pm every day, weather permitting, but non-guest day passes at $40 are limited and seasonal, so check availability first.
Omni's rooftop pool deck is at 700 San Jacinto, with downtown Austin skyline views and Cloud Bar alongside. Chairs and umbrellas are first come, first served, and cabanas can be booked in advance. The hotel doesn't publish the floor.
Best forEarly risers and late swimmers who want skyline views and a heated pool.
Skip it ifYou need a guaranteed day pass in winter or want to know the floor before booking.
The highest pool on our list that publishes its floor
Downtown Austin, 4-star hotel, rated 4.6 on Google (4,052 reviews)
Sample photo, not The Westin Austin. Supercarwaar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
20thfloor pool
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $40
Heated
Not published
Season
Not published
Why it's here. Pick the Westin if height is the point. At Azul Rooftop on the 20th floor, it sits higher than any other published floor on our list, and a $40 ResortPass day pass gets non-guests in.
The pool sits on the 20th floor at 310 E 5th St, next to Azul Rooftop, with sweeping skyline views and loungers. Azul serves cocktails and shareable bites and is open to the public, with hours that vary. There is no lifeguard on duty.
Best forAdults who want the highest skyline view, with Azul's bar on the 20th floor.
Skip it ifYou're under 21 without a hotel guest, or need a lifeguard.
Austin's largest rooftop pool, by the hotel's own description
Downtown Austin, 4-star hotel, rated 4.6 on Google (7,449 reviews)
Sample photo, not Fairmont Austin. Jose Monica, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
7thfloor pool
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $50
Heated
Heated
Season
Described as a year-round sanctuary
Why it's here. Go for scale. The Fairmont calls this Austin's largest rooftop pool, and a $50 ResortPass day pass gets non-guests in, the highest day pass price on our list.
The Fairmont's rooftop pool is downtown at 101 Red River St. A rooftop bar serves cocktails and bites. The hotel doesn't publish the pool's hours or heating details on its own page.
Best forGroups who want a big rooftop pool and are fine paying the top day pass price.
Skip it ifYou want published hours, a heating guarantee or a cheaper day pass.
West University, 4-star hotel, rated 4.7 on Google (1,168 reviews)
Sample photo, not The Otis. Jose Monica, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $45
Heated
Heated
Season
Not published
Why it's here. Consider The Otis if you're staying near campus rather than downtown. A ResortPass day pass costs non-guests $45 per adult, though the hotel publishes little else about the pool.
The Otis, in West University at 1901 San Antonio St, is away from the downtown cluster where most pools on our list sit. The day pass is sold on ResortPass at $45 per adult. Floor, hours and season aren't published by the hotel.
Best forVisitors based in West University who want a pool day without moving downtown.
Skip it ifYou need published hours, a known floor or a clear season before you book.
Downtown Austin, 4-star hotel, rated 4.3 on Google (6,043 reviews)
Sample photo, not Hilton Austin. Alexandre Ultré, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $35
Heated
Not published
Season
Pool bar closed for fall and winter; pool open weather permitting
Why it's here. The Hilton suits you if you want a pool plus a hot tub for $35 as a non-guest. The pool is open weather permitting, and the pool bar shuts for fall and winter.
The Eighth Deck is at 500 E 4th St, eight floors above downtown, with skyline views, a pool and a hot tub, both open weather permitting. Private cabanas come with dedicated space and poolside service. The pool bar there is closed for fall and winter.
Best forSummer visitors who want a hot tub and cabana service at a mid-range day pass price.
Skip it ifYou plan to swim between fall and winter and want the pool bar open.
Downtown Austin, 4-star hotel, rated 4.6 on Google (8,816 reviews)
Sample photo, not JW Marriott Austin. Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $50
Heated
Heated
Season
Not published
Why it's here. Pick this for a downtown day pass at a pool outlined like the state of Texas. ResortPass sells passes from $50 per adult, and no floor is published for the pool.
JW Marriott's rooftop pool, outlined like Texas, sits at 110 E 2nd St in Downtown Austin. A poolside menu serves bar bites and craft cocktails. No floor is published.
Best forGroups of 8-10 who want a private weekend cabana downtown.
Skip it ifYou want the lowest-priced pass, or must know the floor before you book.
Downtown Austin, 4-star hotel, rated 4.6 on Google (2,241 reviews)
Sample photo, not Austin Marriott Downtown. Hu Totya, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $30
Heated
Not published
Season
Not published
Why it's here. Choose this for a downtown rooftop swim at $30 per adult on ResortPass. That is below the Omni, Hilton and JW Marriott passes, though no floor is published.
The hotel sits at 304 E Cesar Chavez St in Downtown Austin, and its rooftop pool takes non-guests with a ResortPass day pass. Floor, hours and heating aren't published.
Best forBudget-minded visitors after a $30 downtown rooftop swim.
Skip it ifYou need a published floor, hours or heating before you book.
West End, 4-star hotel, rated 4.3 on Google (686 reviews)
Sample photo, not Canopy by Hilton Austin. Jvhertum, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $30
Heated
Not published
Season
Not published
Why it's here. Book this for a $30 day pass and a roof deck pool bar on West Sixth Street. Non-guests buy on ResortPass; no floor is published.
The roof deck pool belongs to the hotel at 604 W 6th St, in the West End of Downtown Austin. The deck has a pool bar and a terrace with skyline views. The floor isn't published, and towels are listed as an amenity.
Best forGroups who want a cheap day pass near West Sixth Street with a pool bar.
Skip it ifYou want a published floor or a cabana price in dollars.
Downtown Austin, 4-star hotel, rated 4.6 on Google (720 reviews)
Sample photo, not Hotel ZaZa. Ori Ackerman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
7thfloor pool
Who can swim
Hotel guests only
Day pass
No
Heated
Not published
Season
Hours vary by season and occasionally for private events
Why it's here. Stay here if you want a guests-only deck on the 7th floor over Republic Square Park. Day visitors can't swim, but the public can use the Cabana bar in the evenings.
A resort-style outdoor pool fills a 7th-floor terrace at 400 Lavaca St, Downtown Austin. It overlooks downtown and Republic Square Park, with the Cabana Bar beside it. Hours vary by season and for private events.
Best forGuests who want a 7th-floor deck with a bar beside it.
Skip it ifYou're not sleeping at the hotel but want to swim.
Downtown Austin, 4-star hotel, rated 4.3 on Google (498 reviews)
Sample photo, not Thompson Austin. Amanda Hawker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
9thfloor pool
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $30
Heated
Not published
Season
Not published
Why it's here. Go here for a 9th-floor pool at $30 per adult on ResortPass. It is one of the cheaper passes on our list that publishes a floor, and the hotel lists a sauna and cold plunge too.
Thompson's 9th-floor pool is at 506 San Jacinto Blvd, Downtown Austin. It has terrace seating, and the hotel lists a gym, sauna and cold plunge alongside it. Hours and heating aren't published by the hotel.
Best forVisitors who want a published 9th-floor pool at $30.
Skip it ifYou need confirmed hours, or heating for a winter swim.
Fifth-floor saltwater pool with weekend evening bar access
Seaholm District, 5-star hotel, rated 4.5 on Google (1,140 reviews)
Sample photo, not Austin Proper. Ted Eytan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
5thfloor pool
Who can swim
Hotel guests only
Day pass
No
Heated
Heated
Season
Water closed or restricted late autumn and winter; deck stays open
Why it's here. Stay here for a 5th-floor saltwater pool open daily 8am to 10pm. There are no day passes, and the public gets only the weekend evening pool bar, 6pm to 10pm.
The saltwater pool is on the 5th-floor rooftop deck of the Seaholm District hotel, 600 W 2nd St. It has panoramic downtown skyline views and La Piscina restaurant and bar on the deck. The pool is open daily 8am to 10pm.
Best forOvernight guests who want a saltwater pool with skyline views and poolside food.
Skip it ifYou want to swim without staying, since no day passes are sold.
Downtown Austin, 4-star hotel, rated 3.8 on Google (666 reviews)
Sample photo, not citizenM Austin. Ted Eytan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $25
Heated
Not published
Season
Not published
Why it's here. A $25 ResortPass gets you onto a small rooftop deck that holds about 22 people at a time. The hotel doesn't publish a floor.
citizenM's rooftop pool is at 617 Colorado St, Downtown, beside a rooftop bar. The floor isn't published. Full sun hits the deck until about 3:30 p.m., and size is the catch: about 22 people at a time.
Best forDay-pass swimmers who want a cheap rooftop pool and a bar next to it.
Skip it ifYou need a big pool, a published floor or a heated pool.
Guests-only pool deck on the 16th floor beside Watr
Downtown Austin, 5-star hotel, rated 4.1 on Google (40 reviews)
Sample photo, not 1 Hotel Austin. Blake Patterson from Alexandria, VA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
16thfloor pool
Who can swim
Hotel guests only
Day pass
No
Heated
Not published
Season
Not published
Why it's here. Choose this one only if you are staying: the pool deck on the 16th floor is for hotel guests only. Skyline views come with Watr rooftop restaurant next door, and there is no day pass.
On the 16th floor of 1 Hotel Austin, at 96 Red River St, Downtown, the pool deck sits beside the Watr rooftop restaurant. Watr serves cocktails outside on the roof, and the skyline views are listed for Watr. The catch is access: hotel guests only.
Best forHotel guests who want a 16th-floor pool deck with a rooftop restaurant beside it.
Skip it ifYou aren't staying overnight, since there is no day pass.
Red River Cultural District, 3-star hotel, rated 4 on Google (1,593 reviews)
Sample photo, not Hotel Indigo Austin. Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Access not published
Day pass
No
Heated
Not published
Season
Year-round rooftop pool
Why it's here. Check access before you plan around this one. The outdoor rooftop pool is open year-round, from 7:00 AM until 10:00 PM, but the hotel doesn't publish who can swim or on which floor.
Hotel Indigo's outdoor rooftop pool is at 810 Red River St, in the Red River Cultural District. It has Austin skyline views, cabanas and poolside service. The hotel doesn't publish the floor or its access rules, and the rooftop bar closes from mid-October to mid-March.
Best forGuests staying in the Red River Cultural District who want a pool open to 10pm.
Skip it ifYou want a confirmed day pass, a published floor or heated water.
June to August is the best window, and July and August are the hottest months. Day passes on ResortPass are easiest to plan around then, though the Omni says its passes are limited and seasonal.
Winter days are cooler, so heat matters. Van Zandt's deck is heated and stays open all year, and the Omni's heated pool runs 6am to 10pm. Hotel Indigo's pool is open year-round, but the hotel doesn't say it is heated. The Hilton's pool bar shuts for fall and winter. Rodeo Austin (March 12-27, 2027) and SXSW (March 17-21, 2027) overlap, so book early for a March stay.
Average daily high by month in Austin
Avg high
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
°F
62
65
72
80
87
92
96
97
91
82
71
63
Where to stay: Austin's rooftop pools by area
Downtown Austin
Downtown is described as one of Austin's top neighborhoods, with an urban feel, and Sixth Street is a nightlife draw with live music venues and bars. Most hotels on our list are here, including Hotel Van Zandt, the Omni, the Westin, the Fairmont, the Hilton and 1 Hotel.
Cheaper ways to swim in Austin
Austin's public pools are the cheaper choice if you only want to swim: Barton Springs Pool, Bartholomew Municipal Pool and Austin Municipal Pool. Adult prices for Barton Springs and Bartholomew aren't published, and a $3.00 fair-week fee at Austin Municipal may not be the current rate.
Barton Springs Pool. Adult admission amount is not stated in the sources. The fee-waiver source says Barton Springs is excluded from the waiver.
Bartholomew Municipal Pool. Listed as a lap-swimming option. The sources do not state an adult admission price for it.
Austin Municipal Pool: $3.00 daily admission (temporary reduced fair-week fee; the source does not say it is the adult rate). The source describes a one-time fair-week fee cut, so it may not reflect current pricing.
Hotels you might expect here, and why they're not
The LINE Austin is the hotel people ask about most. Its site mentions an outdoor pool and never places it on the roof.
The LINE Austin. The hotel's site lists an outdoor pool but never says it is on the roof. The only pool-level claim is a third-party ranking calling it ground-level. The rooftop feature named is P6, a bar without a stated pool.
Austin rooftop pools: questions people ask
Which Austin hotels let non-guests use the rooftop pool?
Yes, 11 of the 15 hotels on our list sell day passes, mostly through ResortPass. Prices run from $20 at Hotel Van Zandt and $25 at citizenM to $30 at Canopy by Hilton, Thompson Austin and Austin Marriott Downtown, $35 at Hilton Austin, $40 at the Westin and Omni, $45 at The Otis, and $50 at the Fairmont and JW Marriott.
Are any Austin rooftop pools heated or open in winter?
Yes, 6 hotels on our list have heated pools: Hotel Van Zandt, the Omni, the Fairmont, The Otis, JW Marriott and Austin Proper. Hotel Van Zandt's deck is open year-round, and so is Hotel Indigo's pool, though its heating isn't stated.
Which Austin hotel has the highest rooftop pool?
The Westin Austin Downtown has the highest pool on our list that publishes its floor: Azul Rooftop, on the 20th floor. 1 Hotel Austin is next at the 16th floor, but its pool is for guests only.
Which Austin rooftop pools are guests only?
Three: Hotel ZaZa, Austin Proper and 1 Hotel Austin. ZaZa lets the public use its Cabana bar in the evenings, and Austin Proper opens its pool bar to the public on weekend evenings, 6pm to 10pm.
How can I swim at a rooftop pool in Austin for the least money?
Hotel Van Zandt's $20 day pass is the cheapest on our list, for a heated pool open year-round. Public pools such as Barton Springs Pool and Bartholomew Municipal Pool are another route, though their adult prices aren't published.
Does the LINE Austin have a rooftop pool?
No pool on the roof is confirmed. The hotel's site mentions an outdoor pool without placing it on the roof, and its named rooftop feature, P6, is a bar with no stated pool.
