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Warm weather runs long in New Orleans, and May to July is the best stretch for a rooftop swim. All 13 hotels on our list keep their pool on the roof, and 9 sell day passes to non-guests. None is guests-only, but 4 don't publish their access rules.
Our first pick is Hotel Monteleone: a heated French Quarter rooftop pool open daily 6am to 10pm, with ResortPass day passes from $40. For the easiest way in, Virgin Hotels New Orleans sells $10 passes for its heated 13th-floor Pool Club, adults 21 and over only.
Heated French Quarter rooftop pool, open year-round until 10pm
French Quarter, 4-star hotel, rated 4.6 on Google (6,957 reviews)
Sample photo, not Hotel Monteleone. Sandra Cohen-Rose and Colin Rose from Montreal, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $40
Heated
Heated
Season
Open year-round
Why it's here. Monteleone suits a heated French Quarter rooftop swim at any time of year, daily 6am to 10pm. Non-guests can buy a ResortPass from $40, against $10 at Virgin and $25 at Omni.
Hotel Monteleone has a heated rooftop pool on Royal Street in the French Quarter. It is open daily 6am to 10pm, all year. The hotel doesn't publish the floor, and the day pass is the priciest on this part of our list.
Best forFrench Quarter guests who want to swim late in the evening or in winter.
Skip it ifYou only want a day pass and would rather pay $10 at Virgin Hotels.
13th-floor Pool Club and a $10 day pass for adults 21+
Warehouse District, 4-star hotel, rated 4.6 on Google (1,608 reviews)
Sample photo, not Virgin Hotels New Orleans. PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
13thfloor pool
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $10
Heated
Heated
Season
Not published
Why it's here. The easiest rooftop pool on our list to get into if you're 21 or over: a ResortPass starts at $10 for the heated 13th-floor Pool Club. It is also the highest pool here that publishes its floor.
Virgin Hotels' Pool Club is on the 13th floor in the Warehouse District, with a heated pool and an indoor-outdoor bar and lounge. It looks over the New Orleans skyline. The drawbacks are the 10am to 7pm window and the 21-and-over rule for non-guests.
Best forAdults who want a skyline pool on a small day-pass budget.
Skip it ifYou're under 21 and not staying at the hotel.
Renovated rooftop pool with French Quarter and river views
French Quarter, 4-star hotel, rated 4.3 on Google (3,615 reviews)
Sample photo, not Omni Royal Orleans. Pjotr Mahhonin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $25
Heated
Heated
Season
Open year-round
Why it's here. Choose Omni for panoramic Mississippi River and French Quarter views. The renovated rooftop pool is heated and open year-round, 6am to 9pm. Day passes start at $25 and depend on availability.
Omni Royal Orleans has an outdoor, heated pool on its roof in the French Quarter. La Riviera, a newly renovated rooftop lounge, sits next to it, and the view covers both the Quarter and the Mississippi River. The floor isn't published by the hotel.
Best forVisitors who want river and Quarter views and a cabana.
Skip it ifYou need a guaranteed pass, since outside access depends on availability.
Hot tub beside a heated roof pool, with a valet-parking option
Warehouse District, 4-star hotel, rated 4.4 on Google (1,362 reviews)
Sample photo, not Renaissance Warehouse District. Jordiferrer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $25
Heated
Heated
Season
Not published
Why it's here. Book this if you want a hot tub next to a heated rooftop pool and plan to drive. Non-guests pay $25 on ResortPass, and one pass option includes valet parking.
The Renaissance's heated rooftop pool is in the Warehouse District, with a hot tub beside it and skyline views. Food can be ordered to your sunbed by QR code. The hotel doesn't publish the floor or the hours.
Best forDrivers who want a hot tub, a daybed and parking in one pass.
Skip it ifYou need the floor or opening hours confirmed before you commit.
Seasonal heated rooftop pool with poolside dining on St. Charles
Central Business District, 4-star hotel, rated 4.2 on Google (3,579 reviews)
Sample photo, not InterContinental New Orleans. Supercarwaar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $25
Heated
Heated
Season
Open seasonally, weather permitting
Why it's here. Best for guests staying in the Central Business District who want poolside dining at a heated rooftop pool. It opens seasonally, weather permitting, and a ResortPass for non-guests costs $25.
InterContinental New Orleans has an outdoor rooftop pool on St. Charles Avenue, with a lounge area and poolside dining. The hotel says it is heated. It opens seasonally, and the hotel doesn't publish the floor, dates or hours.
Best forWarm-month visitors who want to eat by the pool.
Skip it ifYou're traveling between November and January and need a pool that's reliably open.
9th floor, Above the Grid bar, day passes from $35
Central Business District, 4-star hotel, rated 4.3 on Google (2,052 reviews)
Sample photo, not NOPSI Hotel. Jose Monica, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
9thfloor pool
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $35
Heated
Not published
Season
Open year round
Why it's here. Book here for a swim and a cocktail at the same address. The 9th-floor pool sells day passes from $35 on ResortPass, and Above the Grid serves cocktails, beer and light bites above it.
NOPSI Hotel's pool sits on the 9th floor, on Baronne Street in the Central Business District. The hotel lists sweeping skyline views over the city, and the Above the Grid rooftop bar serves cocktails, beer and light bites. Heating isn't published.
Best forGroups who want a swim, a drink and skyline views from one 9th-floor spot.
Skip it ifWinter swimming matters to you, since the hotel doesn't publish heating.
9th-floor heated pool with fire pits, rooftop for in-house guests
Warehouse District, 4-star hotel, rated 4.3 on Google (2,238 reviews)
Sample photo, not The Barnett. Jose Monica, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
9thfloor pool
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
Sold, price varies
Heated
Heated
Season
Runs on New Orleans weather rather than a fixed calendar
Why it's here. Stay here for a heated 9th-floor rooftop pool and bar with fire pits, open daily from 9am. The hotel limits the rooftop to in-house guests, so a day pass is a risk.
On the 9th floor of The Barnett in the Warehouse District, the High Five Rooftop Pool & Bar has a heated pool with panoramic city and skyline views, and fire pits sit around the deck. The hotel lists the rooftop as in-house guests only.
Best forHotel guests who want a fire-pit deck on the 9th floor.
Skip it ifYou need a confirmed day pass at a published price.
Central Business District, 4-star hotel, rated 4.2 on Google (7,716 reviews)
Sample photo, not Sheraton New Orleans. Alexandre Ultré, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $20
Heated
Not published
Season
Not published
Why it's here. Choose this one on price. Day passes start at $20 on ResortPass; only Virgin Hotels, from $10, is cheaper. The pool is described as small and basic, so don't expect a scene.
At 500 Canal St in the Central Business District, the Sheraton's pool is on the roof. The floor and heating aren't published. Descriptions call the pool small and basic.
Best forBudget travelers who want a quick rooftop swim for $20.
Skip it ifYou want a bar, cabanas or a big pool deck.
Central Business District, 4-star hotel, rated 4 on Google (2,857 reviews)
Sample photo, not Le Méridien. Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
4thfloor pool
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $40
Heated
Heated
Season
Open year round
Why it's here. Le Méridien suits groups who want a cabana rather than just a lounger. Day passes cost $40 on ResortPass, matching the highest day-pass price among the hotels with a listed price on our list.
Le Méridien's outdoor pool sits on the roof at 333 Poydras St in the Central Business District, with skyline views. Its floor is given as the 4th. There are three private cabanas with couches, lounge chairs and TVs.
Best forSmall groups who want a private cabana with a day pass.
Skip it ifYou want the cheapest entry, since passes start at $40.
A 75-foot rooftop pool facing the Mississippi River
Warehouse District, 5-star hotel, rated 4.4 on Google (710 reviews)
Sample photo, not Four Seasons. Hu Totya, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Access not published
Day pass
No
Heated
Not published
Season
Not published
Why it's here. Pick this for the size and the river view, and only if you are staying. The hotel calls it a 75-foot resort-style pool with panoramic Mississippi views, but it doesn't publish day-pass or access rules.
The Four Seasons, at 2 Canal St in the Warehouse District, has its pool on the roof. The hotel lists it at 75 feet, with panoramic views of the Mississippi River and handcrafted cocktails poolside. The floor isn't stated.
Best forStaying guests after a long rooftop pool and river views.
Skip it ifYou want a day pass, since none is published.
Central Business District, 3-star hotel, rated 4.5 on Google (938 reviews)
Sample photo, not The Marquee. Jvhertum, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Access not published
Day pass
No
Heated
Not published
Season
Not published
Why it's here. Consider The Marquee for a short swim and an evening by the fire pit, not for laps. The hotel calls the rooftop pool modest in size, and it publishes no access rules or day-pass price.
The Marquee, at 144 Elk Pl in the Central Business District, has its pool on a rooftop deck. The hotel lists sweeping city views and a rooftop fire pit with seating. The floor and heating aren't published.
Best forGuests who want a short swim and a fire pit with city views.
Skip it ifYou want a long pool or a bookable day pass.
Central Business District, 3-star hotel, rated 4.3 on Google (1,877 reviews)
Sample photo, not The Jung. Ori Ackerman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Access not published
Day pass
No
Heated
Not heated
Season
Not published
Why it's here. Go in the warm months, because the Jung's rooftop pool is unheated. Hours are a clear 9am to 9pm every day, and the water is 5 feet deep, but access rules aren't published.
The Jung Hotel & Residences, at 1500 Canal St in the Central Business District, has an outdoor pool on the roof. The hotel lists skyline views, a 5-foot depth and no heating. The floor isn't published.
Best forWarm-weather visitors who want fixed hours and a 5-foot-deep rooftop pool.
Skip it ifYou plan to swim between November and January.
Heated rooftop pool with a poolside bar, year-round
Central Business District, 3-star hotel, rated 4.1 on Google (3,249 reviews)
Sample photo, not Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome. Amanda Hawker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Access not published
Day pass
No
Heated
Heated
Season
Year-round enjoyment, per hotel's own site
Why it's here. Book here for a heated roof pool with a poolside bar in the Central Business District, which the hotel says stays open all year. The floor and the access rules are both unpublished.
On the roof of the hotel at 330 Loyola Ave, in the Central Business District, you get a pool with a patio and deck beside it. The hotel describes it as outdoor and heated, with views over downtown New Orleans. It publishes neither the floor nor who besides guests can swim.
Best forStaying guests after a heated roof pool and a poolside bar, without paying for a bigger-name hotel.
Skip it ifYou need a confirmed day pass, a published floor or set hours.
May to July is the best three months for a rooftop swim in New Orleans. Average highs drop to 21.8°C in November, 18.2°C in December and 16.9°C in January, so winter swimmers should pick a heated pool. Hotel Monteleone and Omni Royal Orleans are heated and open year-round, and Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome says it stays open all year. The Jung's pool is unheated, and InterContinental opens its heated pool seasonally.
Events fill hotels, so book early for the Jazz Festival (Apr 22 to May 2, 2027) and for French Quarter Fest, which runs Apr 8 to 11, 2027. Carnival season starts in January 2027, the July 4th festival weekend is also busy, and Halloween draws visitors every year.
Average daily highs: November 71°F (22°C), December 65°F (18°C), January 62°F (17°C). The warmest stretch for swimming is May–Jul.
Where to stay: New Orleans's rooftop pools by area
French Quarter
This is the city's oldest neighborhood and a very walkable one, with Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral nearby. Hotel Monteleone and Omni Royal Orleans are both here.
Central Business District
Canal Street separates this area from the French Quarter, and it is home to the Superdome and the National WWII Museum. Our list has InterContinental, NOPSI, Sheraton, Le Méridien, The Marquee, The Jung and Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome here.
Warehouse District
The Arts & Warehouse District is close to galleries and museums, and Mardi Gras World is here. Virgin Hotels, Renaissance, The Barnett and Four Seasons are in this area.
Cheaper ways to swim in New Orleans
Two free public options exist if you only want to swim: Audubon Park Whitney Young Swimming Pool is listed as free, and city-run public pools are free for residents.
Audubon Park Whitney Young Swimming Pool: Free. Public pool in Audubon Park; the source lists admission as free.
New Orleans city public pools: Free for residents. City-run public pools; the source says they are free for residents. The snippet does not name individual pools.
Hotels you might expect here, and why they're not
Several hotels people expect to find here have pools in courtyards, not on the roof, so they aren't on our list.
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans. The hotel's own site describes a courtyard pool inside the French Quarter, not a pool on the roof or a top-floor terrace.
Bourbon Orleans Hotel. The hotel's own site describes a courtyard pool, not a rooftop pool. No source places a pool on the roof or a top-floor terrace.
The Garden District Hotel. The hotel's own pages describe the pool beneath palms and in the courtyard setting. No source places the pool on a roof or top floor.
ONE11 Hotel. The hotel's own pages place the pool in a ground-floor courtyard just off the lobby. The FAQ's "rooftop-style pool terrace" wording is marketing copy, and the rooftop terrace on the amenities page is not described as having a pool.
The Blackbird Hotel. The hotel's own pool page describes a private courtyard pool, not a roof or top-floor pool. No source places the pool on the roof.
Hotel Le Marais. The pool is a courtyard pool. No source places it on a roof or top-floor terrace, so it does not qualify as rooftop.
New Orleans rooftop pools: questions people ask
Which New Orleans hotels let non-guests swim?
Nine hotels on our list sell day passes: Hotel Monteleone, Virgin Hotels, Omni Royal Orleans, Renaissance Warehouse District, The Barnett, InterContinental, NOPSI, Sheraton and Le Méridien. Passes are sold on ResortPass. The Barnett limits its rooftop to in-house guests, so a pass there is a risk.
Are any New Orleans rooftop pools heated or open in winter?
Yes, 8 hotels on our list have heated pools. Hotel Monteleone and Omni Royal Orleans are heated and open year-round, and Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome says it is open all year. The Jung's pool is unheated.
Which New Orleans hotel has the highest rooftop pool?
Virgin Hotels New Orleans, on the 13th floor. It is the highest on our list that publishes its floor. The Barnett and NOPSI are on the 9th floor.
Which New Orleans rooftop pool is for adults only?
Yes, in one case we can state. Virgin Hotels' Pool Club day pass is for adults 21 and over. The other hotels on our list don't publish an age rule that we can report.
How can I swim at a New Orleans rooftop pool for the least money?
Virgin Hotels, from $10 on ResortPass. Sheraton is next at $20, and Omni, Renaissance and InterContinental start at $25. For a free swim, Audubon Park Whitney Young Swimming Pool lists free admission.
Which New Orleans hotel has the best pool?
Our first pick is Hotel Monteleone for its heated French Quarter rooftop pool open daily 6am to 10pm. If you want a cabana, Le Méridien has three bookable ones, with day passes at $40.
