You don’t have to be a tourist to enjoy some of DC’s best hotel pools. Many are open to the public–granted, for a fee–and offer tropical drinks, munchies, and weekly parties.
10 I St., SW; 202-488-7500
The Skyline’s rooftop pool will host parties each day of the weekend, with DJ tunes and summery drinks. Enjoy a cocktail from the poolside bar and nosh on beach-inspired food from the hotel’s two rooftop restaurants.
Fee: Day passes are $30 per person; food and drinks are extra.
Hours: 8 am to 10 pm, daily.
415 New Jersey Ave., NW; 202-638-1616
The hotel’s renovated rooftop pool is open to the paying public. Visitors can dine, drink and swim–a rare treat among DC’s private hotel pools. Sip craft cocktails with coconut-infused rum and nibble bites from Art and Soul chef Douglas Alexander, after which you can grab an inner tube and relax.
Fee: Day passes are $35, with access starting at 8 am; entrance is free after 5 pm.
Hours: Open for swimming 8 am to 8 pm; food and beverage, 10 am to 11 pm.
The Rooftop at the Embassy Row Hotel
2015 Massachusetts Ave., NW, 202-265-1600
Swim, sunbathe, and enjoy refreshing cocktails at this Dupont hotel’s tenth-floor deck. Other rooftop events include a silent disco on Friday nights where you can channel your inner John Travolta, and a patriotic red-white-and-blue party on Saturday with drink specials from Ciroc.
Fee: Day passes are $30 and can be purchased at the front desk, day-of, beginning at 3 pm.
Hours: 3 pm to 5 pm, daily.
10 Thomas Cir., NW; 202-842-1300
Catch some rays and imbibe a tropical drink at “DC’s most beautifully landscaped swimming pool,” complete with a poolside bar.
Fee: Purchase day passes on the day of for $50 on a weekday, $60 on Saturday or Sunday.
Hours: 9 am to 9 pm, daily.
Rosa is a senior editor at Bitch Magazine. She’s written for Washingtonian and Smithsonian magazine.
