Best Hotels in New Orleans with Pools (Local Picks for Every Traveler)

Having a pool at your hotel in New Orleans seems like a must in the summer months, doesn’t it? The heat and humidity can make sightseeing exhausting without a place to cool off. I don’t discourage anyone from visiting New Orleans at any time of the year, but the warmer (ok, scorching hot) months come with some warnings. Water from all angles is involved in said warnings, and pools are an easy way to make the trip more pleasant and much cooler.

After years of exploring the city and visiting many of these properties myself, I’ve rounded up the best New Orleans hotels with pools across several neighborhoods. Many locals - myself included - depend on the hotels around town to provide our overheated bodies with some relief, and I’m going to share my favorite spots with you. Your trip is going to be exponentially better by getting a hotel with a pool. We have many worthy candidates, so let’s “dive in” to this list. Come for the pools, stay for the dad puns.

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Best overall: Hotel Monteleone

Best historic French Quarter: Bourbon Orleans

Best trendy boutique: Hotel Saint Vincent

Best Uptown stay: The Chloe

Best rooftop pool: NOPSI Hotel

Best social rooftop: Virgin Hotels

Best luxury classic: Roosevelt

Best quiet boutique: Blackbird

Best midrange courtyard pool: Garden District Hotel

Best modern French Quarter edge: ONE11

Nothing Like a Pool Dip

New Orleans is a dreamy city, and it’s also a very hot city many months of the year. And what we consider “cool” is other people’s summers, so most of the year is pool weather. While you won’t catch me in a pool if it’s under 85 degrees, normal people want to plunge in there to get relief from the heat. I personally like a bathtub anywhere I go. We’re not talking about me, though.

You’re likely going to walk a lot here, from the French Quarter to the Garden District to eat beignets and then poboys. Yes, dessert before meals is acceptable here. Having a pool to come back to is next level for your trip, and I don’t want you to miss out on that little slice of heaven that your hotel can provide. Whether you’re staying Uptown or in the French Quarter, having a pool should be on your must-have list. And hey, maybe a whole day at the pool is just what the doctor ordered. Who am I to tell you how to spend your days here? I will if you want me to, though!

Not all pools are built the same, you know? You might not want a hoppin’ scene at a rooftop pool like at Virgin Hotels. But, you might want to be a smidge louder than what would be acceptable at the Blackbird Hotel. Knowing what type of pool you want to get yourself into is key, and my list should cover quite the array that our city has to offer. I think you’ll be pleased with my findings and roundup.

When guests and visitors come to New Orleans, it’s important, in my opinion, that they stay in the more centrally located areas of the city. Typically a trip only lasts a few days, so you want to maximize your time in the city. The three best areas to stay in New Orleans are the French Quarter, the Garden District/Uptown, and the Warehouse District/CBD. You’re a bit far from the main attractions if you stay outside of these areas. The good news is that there are plenty of options for you regarding hotels with pools. All different, and all worthy of this list.

Enjoying a Cocktail by the Pool

Hotel Monteleone

You cannot go wrong with the Hotel Monteleone. It’s in the heart of the French Quarter and has the most iconic bar: the Carousel Bar. You’ll easily want to move into this beautiful accommodation, but let’s make it your home for the time you’re here. The best part about the pool is that it is heated, and the second best part is that it’s on the rooftop. It’s an absolutely stunning setting, and one that you can take a peek on their website. If you want a classic French Quarter hotel with a rooftop pool and unbeatable central location, this is one of the safest choices you can make.

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

The Bourbon Orleans Hotel is one of the most favorite hotels amongst visitors and locals. Its position in the French Quarter couldn’t be more perfect, and the fact that it’s haunted adds to the appeal of the stay. This is a very lively hotel, very beautiful and grand, and one that I’ve gone to many times over the years as a resident for weddings and company parties. Many people I know make this their home away from home when in New Orleans - I can’t blame them. The pool is stunning, and it’s outdoors but surrounded by the hotel walls. I imagine taking an evening dip would be delightful after a long day exploring.

Hotel Saint Vincent

Such a lovely environment to stay, the Hotel Saint Vincent started off as a historic charitable home for children. I watched the property transform into the stunning hotel it is today. I have been there for cocktails, meals, and just to walk around. Everyone who stays here seems to really love it. Their pool is fantastic, and this is a pick I would highly recommend for girls trips. It’s a boutique hotel, and very stylishly decorated and curated. You could stay on the property the entire time and be totally satisfied, but please, go explore and take my advice on authentic New Orleans experiences with you.

The Chloe

I’m a huge fan. The aesthetic, the restaurant, the pool, the size. All of the things about The Chloe Hotel are things that I dream about in a hotel. It’s on the streetcar line on St. Charles Avenue, so you can bop around the city very easily. But why? You have so much that you need here at this precious boutique hotel in New Orleans. This is one I’d stay at if I were traveling solo or with a friend or romantic partner. Many locals go to this pool during the summer months to escape the heat, so you know it’s a good spot. Consider this option, my dears.

NOPSI Hotel

Once the transit (streetcars), electricity, and gas company in New Orleans, The NOPSI (New Orleans Public Service Inc) Hotel is a nod to its former life in terms of decor. It’s a stunning hotel located in the CBD just outside of the French Quarter, and it’s a perfect spot to have your head hit the pillow, but only after a good walkabout in the city and dip in the pool on the rooftop. If you’re traveling with a group, this is a fantastic place to stay, and you can get around easily to all areas of New Orleans. You’ll settle in quickly at this gem.

Virgin Hotels

Known for a lively atmosphere, Virgin Hotels New Orleans has a famously social rooftop pool, great for singles that want to mingle or bachelor or bachelorette trips. The location of the hotel makes it very easy to navigate the city, so if you want to hit the French Quarter one night and Uptown another, you’re in good shape. You’re set up for a nice cafe, gym, and areas to hangout if you so choose. But hey, you’re on vacation in New Orleans, so go have some fun! If you’re staying at Virgin, you already know what fun is about.

The Roosevelt

There’s so much draw to staying at The Roosevelt Hotel. The Christmas lights alone are worth a visit and stay, as well as a signature cocktail at the Sazerac Bar. Perhaps you want to have a spa treatment on one of your lighter days, or a dip at the rooftop pool that overlooks Immaculate Conception church. Whatever your fancy, it’s at The Roosevelt. You’re near the Saenger Theater for performances and the French Quarter for days of leisure and strolling. I’m a big fan of this hotel and know you’d be very happy with your stay here.

The Blackbird Hotel

When I went to have a cocktail to check out The Blackbird Hotel, I got a wonderful tour of the property because I knew I’d want to include it in something I wrote. This very boutique hotel is a gift in the Lower Garden District. It is sleek and sexy, and perfect for wedding parties, friend trips, or a romantic getaway. The pool is fantastic and has a relaxing outdoor area with nearby bar service. It’s a perfect spot to relax on a warm day in the Big Easy. This is the type of property I look for in my own travels, so it has my heart.

Garden District Hotel

Across from The Blackbird Hotel is its sister property, the Garden District Hotel. A totally different vibe, I enjoyed this property tour as well. The pool is awesome and I love how large it is. You can really have some fun in that pool. There is a spot where you can order food and drinks so you never have to leave the area if you don’t want. If you do, though, the bar inside is stunning and you can get a proper cocktail. The location is perfect, and I would highly recommend this for most visitors to New Orleans.

ONE11 Hotel

Did somebody say perfect location? This hotel not only has a beautiful pool, which is what you want from me, but it’s also located in the most amazing spot for all kinds of New Orleans exploring. Beside the Mississippi River, you’ll find ONE11 Hotel, ready to welcome you to our city. If I were to come for, say French Quarter Fest, this is exactly where I’d be staying. And after my full day of festing, I would be hopping into the hotel’s pool with a cocktail - an old fashioned for me. This is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the middle of New Orleans.

My biggest recommendation is to decide where you want to stay in New Orleans. It will make a difference if you’re here traveling solo, with a bachelorette party, or a romantic partner. Each neighborhood has its own vibe, so it’s important to make that decision first, then choose your pool…ahem, I mean, hotel. Wherever you stay, New Orleans is accessible enough to explore much of it in a few days. Here’s the bad news for you: you’ll never want to leave. If you decide to eventually make it your home, don’t say I didn’t warn you. In the meantime, let the good times roll and book your hotel early. If you’re visiting in the summer, a pool quickly goes from nice-to-have to absolutely essential. Festivals and peak season accommodations fill up fast as well, especially the hotels with the best pools.

If you liked this guide, you might also like my guide on what to do on your first visit to New Orleans or my favorite bars in New Orleans.

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