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Hotel Zena’s passes start at $50 to sip, swim, and soak up Thomas Circle views.
Hotel Zena

Sip and Swim at These D.C. Pools With Drinks

Cool off at a pool with a bar this summer

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Hotel Zena’s passes start at $50 to sip, swim, and soak up Thomas Circle views.
| Hotel Zena

Need an escape during the first days of summer in D.C.? Crowded public pools aren’t the only option when the heat becomes too much to bear. Several hotels across the city offer day passes to their swanky pools, complete with trendy bars for patrons to drink the day away.

Better yet, some even have menus with a variety of snacks for pool-goers to enjoy, eliminating the need to lug around self-packed lunches. Some pools are for guests only, but they can provide an excuse for a staycation on weekends that are too hot to battle traffic leaving the city.

Whatever the reason, take a dip and sip a cocktail at one these luxurious D.C. pools.

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Omni Shoreham Hotel

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The hotel’s heated pool, hot tub, and 11-acre gardens used to be only accessible to guests and members with seasonal passes, but day passes are now available this year ($75). The renovated outdoor destination, lined with lounge chairs and literally shaped like a splash of water, is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Food and beverage are available to purchase from the Omni’s Robert’s Restaurant and Morsel’s Coffee Shop. The Pool Bar is open 11 a.m. daily. Omni also takes advantage of its sizable pool with aquatic workout classes on select Wednesdays ($25). .

Omni’s heated pool.
Omni/official photo

Washington Hilton

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D.C.’s iconic Washington Hilton hotel opens its heated rooftop pool to the public for the first time this summer. The seasonal membership ($1,500), which also includes access to its health club, runs through Halloween. The refreshed pool deck, with new lounge chairs and unobstructed views of the Washington Monument, invites swimmers from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. All hotel guests have full access to the seasonal pool and health club with yoga classes. Cabana packages for six ($350-$700) include themed menus full of picnic or barbecue spreads. Summer cocktails include a the Rockstar blended with Chinola, lychee sangria, and rum-less punch.

Washington Hilton’s pool got a big revamp this summer.
Washington Hilton

Generator Washington DC

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Dupont’s hip Generator hotel unveils its pool this summer, but only guests can swim and order poolside margs and tacos from its adjoining Mexican restaurant Hoja Taqueria. Book two or more nights under its “R&R Poolside” deal for 25-percent off summer stays. Kick off the trip with a free drink, complimentary late checkout, bike rentals, and fresh fruit cup from its Café Integral.

Generator’s pool is open to hotel guests.
Generator Washington DC

The Ven at Embassy Row 

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Boasting panoramic city views in the heart of Dupont, the Ven at Embassy Row hotel unveiled a new Tag Rooftop Bar over Memorial Day weekend (open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily). A fresh lineup of cocktails and spritzes for summer join mini fish tacos, crispy wings, lobster rolls, and more. A heated pool, open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and starting at 9 a.m. on weekends, offers food and drink service from its hotel restaurant Fred & Stilla. The heated pool is reserved for hotel guests and day pass holders (starting at $60). Splash around from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and starting at 9 a.m. on weekends.

Poolside bubbles at the Embassy Row Hotel.
The Tag Rooftop Bar at The Embassy Row Hotel

Hush Rooftop Bar at Viceroy Washington, DC 

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This postage stamp-sized rooftop pool in Logan Circle is only accessible for hotel guests (and $99 day pass holders) by day. At 6:30 p.m., the space flips, and Hush rooftop bar opens to the public (until 10 p.m. on Wednesday to Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday). Soak in the capital skyline over live music and a new Asian menu full of bao buns, Taiwanese fried chicken, cucumber salads, egg rolls, and fried rice with Chinese sausage. Classic cocktails getting the clarified milk treatment this summer include a mojito, Paloma, margarita, and more.

Hush is open to guests and locals alike.
Viceroy Washington, DC

Washington Plaza Hotel

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Only hotel guests can go to the seasonal pool at the Washington Plaza Hotel on Thomas Circle (open 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily until the Sunday after Labor Day). Staycationers can head to the royal blue chaises lining the pool, and treat themselves to frozen cocktails, Champagne, and crab cake sandwiches at the Poolside Bar and Terrace that lights up with candles at night.

Washington Plaza Hotel/Facebook

Hedy’s Rooftop at Hotel Zena 

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While this gorgeous view hasn’t changed, this Thomas Circle hotel is now owned by West Hollywood, California-based Viceroy Hotels & Resorts (not Kimpton). Day passes can be purchased for $50 (and kids are $25) or relax and unwind in one of its private cabanas that start at $500 for a party of six. Poolside fare includes jerked mahi tacos, beer braised pork carnitas tacos, fried crab poppers, and a fried chicken sandwich with a Caribbean remoulade and salsa criolla. New cocktails include the You Name It (whiskey, lemon, ginger, all spice, and honey) and Bicycle Thief (Nana’s rye, mezcal, grapefruit, lime, jalapeño, and tonic water). The rooftop bar is open starting at 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday; 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Pool hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Hotel Zena’s scenic hotel pool sits on the 15th floor.
Hotel Zena

Deck 11 - YOTEL Washington, DC

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Home to one of the largest rooftop pools in D.C., the recently renovated Yotel hotel offers day passes for non-guests ($75). Daily swimming hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with service from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday to Sunday. At the bar, find canned beers, rosé, sparkling wines, and frozen and classic cocktails. Baller cabanas for four go for $199, complete with a mini fridge, bottled water, fruit plate, and dedicated server (with minimum spends from $250 to $500 on weekends). A Mediterranean-themed menu this year includes falafel fritters with harissa aioli, beef skewers with chimichurri and crumbled feta, a chickpea salad, and separate kids menu.

Pendry Washington DC - The Wharf

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Staycation alert: The pool at Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf is only open to hotel guests, but non-guests score access if they book any 90-minute treatment at Spa Pendry. Its Poolside at Pendry package stocks up rooms with sunshine essentials, a reserved pool lounge pass for two, and complimentary frozen treat.

Penthouse Pool and Lounge

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Luxury gym VIDA Fitness opens its rooftop pool to members (starting at $189 per month), who can buy day passes for their friends ($19-$29 each). Those willing to commit to a pricey food and beverage minimum can rent a private cabana with HDTV on the weekends. As it is a fitness club, this summer menu includes items like a Greek and steak salads or an Impossible burger, along with fried crab balls and wings and jalapeno margaritas by the pitcher. Both pools are open beginning at 10 a.m. every day.

A poolside salad at Vida’s U Street NW location.
Travis Vaughn Photography/TravisVaughn.com

Omni Shoreham Hotel

The hotel’s heated pool, hot tub, and 11-acre gardens used to be only accessible to guests and members with seasonal passes, but day passes are now available this year ($75). The renovated outdoor destination, lined with lounge chairs and literally shaped like a splash of water, is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Food and beverage are available to purchase from the Omni’s Robert’s Restaurant and Morsel’s Coffee Shop. The Pool Bar is open 11 a.m. daily. Omni also takes advantage of its sizable pool with aquatic workout classes on select Wednesdays ($25). .

Omni’s heated pool.
Omni/official photo

Washington Hilton

D.C.’s iconic Washington Hilton hotel opens its heated rooftop pool to the public for the first time this summer. The seasonal membership ($1,500), which also includes access to its health club, runs through Halloween. The refreshed pool deck, with new lounge chairs and unobstructed views of the Washington Monument, invites swimmers from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. All hotel guests have full access to the seasonal pool and health club with yoga classes. Cabana packages for six ($350-$700) include themed menus full of picnic or barbecue spreads. Summer cocktails include a the Rockstar blended with Chinola, lychee sangria, and rum-less punch.

Washington Hilton’s pool got a big revamp this summer.
Washington Hilton

Generator Washington DC

Dupont’s hip Generator hotel unveils its pool this summer, but only guests can swim and order poolside margs and tacos from its adjoining Mexican restaurant Hoja Taqueria. Book two or more nights under its “R&R Poolside” deal for 25-percent off summer stays. Kick off the trip with a free drink, complimentary late checkout, bike rentals, and fresh fruit cup from its Café Integral.

Generator’s pool is open to hotel guests.
Generator Washington DC

The Ven at Embassy Row 

Boasting panoramic city views in the heart of Dupont, the Ven at Embassy Row hotel unveiled a new Tag Rooftop Bar over Memorial Day weekend (open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily). A fresh lineup of cocktails and spritzes for summer join mini fish tacos, crispy wings, lobster rolls, and more. A heated pool, open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and starting at 9 a.m. on weekends, offers food and drink service from its hotel restaurant Fred & Stilla. The heated pool is reserved for hotel guests and day pass holders (starting at $60). Splash around from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and starting at 9 a.m. on weekends.

Poolside bubbles at the Embassy Row Hotel.
The Tag Rooftop Bar at The Embassy Row Hotel

Hush Rooftop Bar at Viceroy Washington, DC 

This postage stamp-sized rooftop pool in Logan Circle is only accessible for hotel guests (and $99 day pass holders) by day. At 6:30 p.m., the space flips, and Hush rooftop bar opens to the public (until 10 p.m. on Wednesday to Thursday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday). Soak in the capital skyline over live music and a new Asian menu full of bao buns, Taiwanese fried chicken, cucumber salads, egg rolls, and fried rice with Chinese sausage. Classic cocktails getting the clarified milk treatment this summer include a mojito, Paloma, margarita, and more.

Hush is open to guests and locals alike.
Viceroy Washington, DC

Washington Plaza Hotel

Only hotel guests can go to the seasonal pool at the Washington Plaza Hotel on Thomas Circle (open 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily until the Sunday after Labor Day). Staycationers can head to the royal blue chaises lining the pool, and treat themselves to frozen cocktails, Champagne, and crab cake sandwiches at the Poolside Bar and Terrace that lights up with candles at night.

Washington Plaza Hotel/Facebook

Hedy’s Rooftop at Hotel Zena 

While this gorgeous view hasn’t changed, this Thomas Circle hotel is now owned by West Hollywood, California-based Viceroy Hotels & Resorts (not Kimpton). Day passes can be purchased for $50 (and kids are $25) or relax and unwind in one of its private cabanas that start at $500 for a party of six. Poolside fare includes jerked mahi tacos, beer braised pork carnitas tacos, fried crab poppers, and a fried chicken sandwich with a Caribbean remoulade and salsa criolla. New cocktails include the You Name It (whiskey, lemon, ginger, all spice, and honey) and Bicycle Thief (Nana’s rye, mezcal, grapefruit, lime, jalapeño, and tonic water). The rooftop bar is open starting at 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday; 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Pool hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Hotel Zena’s scenic hotel pool sits on the 15th floor.
Hotel Zena

Deck 11 - YOTEL Washington, DC

Home to one of the largest rooftop pools in D.C., the recently renovated Yotel hotel offers day passes for non-guests ($75). Daily swimming hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with service from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday to Sunday. At the bar, find canned beers, rosé, sparkling wines, and frozen and classic cocktails. Baller cabanas for four go for $199, complete with a mini fridge, bottled water, fruit plate, and dedicated server (with minimum spends from $250 to $500 on weekends). A Mediterranean-themed menu this year includes falafel fritters with harissa aioli, beef skewers with chimichurri and crumbled feta, a chickpea salad, and separate kids menu.

Pendry Washington DC - The Wharf

Staycation alert: The pool at Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf is only open to hotel guests, but non-guests score access if they book any 90-minute treatment at Spa Pendry. Its Poolside at Pendry package stocks up rooms with sunshine essentials, a reserved pool lounge pass for two, and complimentary frozen treat.

Penthouse Pool and Lounge

Luxury gym VIDA Fitness opens its rooftop pool to members (starting at $189 per month), who can buy day passes for their friends ($19-$29 each). Those willing to commit to a pricey food and beverage minimum can rent a private cabana with HDTV on the weekends. As it is a fitness club, this summer menu includes items like a Greek and steak salads or an Impossible burger, along with fried crab balls and wings and jalapeno margaritas by the pitcher. Both pools are open beginning at 10 a.m. every day.

A poolside salad at Vida’s U Street NW location.
Travis Vaughn Photography/TravisVaughn.com

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