Hotel Zena
Logan Circle
This Viceroy hotel, hung with art honoring women, has a rooftop pool with chaises and private cabanas—a mural celebrating fertility by local artist Rose Jaffe adorns one cabana. A glowing, six-foot-tall Venus presides at one end of the rooftop.
InterContinental
DC Wharf
You’ll get great river views not only from this modern hotel’s guest rooms, but also from the rooftop pool and lounge. Among the options for dinner is chef Kevin Tien’s modern-Vietnamese Moon Rabbit.
Lansdowne
Leesburg
Splurge on one of three cabanas at this resort to get a shady oasis with posh loungers, a big-screen TV, a refrigerator stocked with water, use of towels and sunscreen, and a safe. Cabanas range from $200 (weekday, half-day) to $500 (weekend, full day).
Omni Shoreham
Woodley Park
This landmark property’s gorgeously landscaped, clover-shaped heated pool is just three-and-a-half-feet deep—perfect for laps and wading, not diving. There’s a separate kiddie pool, and the hotel’s proximity to the National Zoo appeals to families.
Rosewood
Georgetown
This elegant hotel’s small but stunning indoor/outdoor pool isn’t inset into the rooftop but sits atop it, like a giant Jacuzzi. With its adjacent lounge and sightlines over the city, it’s a dashing place to take a dip.
The Ven
Embassy Row
Along with a 25-foot-long pool, the Ven’s rooftop has comfy chairs and sofas and tables—with cushions and pillows in pops of pink and blue that contrast against the blonde wood.
Viceroy DC
Logan Circle
Formerly the Mason & Rook, this rooftop pool and bar, done up in rich woods, is a stylish oasis overlooking the 14th Street corridor. Like at its sister property, Hotel Zena, guests can reserve time slots.
Yotel
Capitol Hill
Formerly the Liaison, this property has one of the largest hotel rooftops in the city—and its Deck 11 rooftop lounge was recently renovated. At press time it was the only hotel pool open to the public: Day passes start at $50 and cabanas at $300 for non-guests.
This post has been updated since its original posting.
Sherri Dalphonse joined Washingtonian in 1986 as an editorial intern, and worked her way to the top of the masthead when she was named editor-in-chief in 2022. She oversees the magazine’s editorial staff, and guides the magazine’s stories and direction. She lives in DC.
