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Chicago's rooftop swim season is short: June to August is the best stretch, and average highs fall to 9.8°C in November and 0.4°C in January. Of the 12 hotels on our list with a pool on the roof, 2 sell day passes and 6 are guests only. The other 4 don't publish who can swim.
Our first pick is The Hoxton in the West Loop, where the public can swim on Sundays from 12pm to 9pm for $20, paid at the hotel. For a pass you can buy ahead, DoubleTree Magnificent Mile in Streeterville sells rooftop access for $30 per adult on ResortPass.
West Loop, 4-star hotel, rated 4.2 on Google (961 reviews)
Sample photo, not The Hoxton. Hu Totya, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
Sold, price varies
Heated
Not published
Season
Early May through October
Why it's here. Sunday is the one day the public can swim without a room: 12pm to 9pm for $20, the lowest day-pass price we list, bought at the hotel.
The Hoxton is at 200 N Green St in the West Loop, with its pool on the roof. The hotel doesn't publish a floor. It has sun loungers, towels and city skyline views, and the catch is that public swim runs on Sundays only.
Best forVisitors who want a cheap rooftop swim and can do it on a Sunday.
Skip it ifYou can only swim on a weekday and aren't staying at the hotel.
Lake Michigan views, with pool access folded into a $27 fee
Near North Side, 4-star hotel, rated 4.5 on Google (1,323 reviews)
Sample photo, not Viceroy Chicago. Jvhertum, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Hotel guests only
Day pass
No
Heated
Not published
Season
Seasonal; open until October 12th
Why it's here. Book this one if the rooftop pool should face Lake Michigan and you are staying anyway. Access comes with the mandatory $27 nightly amenities fee, and the pool is for guests only.
The Viceroy's rooftop pool is on the Near North Side at 1118 N State St, with panoramic views of Lake Michigan. The hotel doesn't state which floor it is on. The catch is a short season that ran until October 12 and weather-dependent access.
Best forGuests who want lake views from the pool and don't mind the added fee.
Skip it ifYou want a swim without a room, or plan a trip after mid-October.
Rooftop day pass from $30, sold online through ResortPass
Streeterville, 4-star hotel, rated 4 on Google (4,150 reviews)
Sample photo, not DoubleTree Magnificent Mile. Ori Ackerman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Non-guests can swim
Day pass
From $30
Heated
Not published
Season
Open all summer long, seasonal
Why it's here. The easiest rooftop pool to buy into ahead of time. Non-guests pay $30 per adult through ResortPass, and guests swim too. Daily hours aren't published, so check them before you go.
The DoubleTree at 300 E Ohio St in Streeterville has an outdoor pool deck on its roof. The hotel doesn't publish a floor. The pool is seasonal, and the catch is that opening hours aren't listed.
Best forVisitors without a room who want to book a rooftop day pass online.
Skip it ifYou need published hours or a pool for winter swimming.
80ft rooftop pool at a 40-bedroom members' club hotel
West Loop, rated 4.6 on Google (1,754 reviews)
Sample photo, not Soho House Chicago. Amanda Hawker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Hotel guests only
Day pass
No
Heated
Not published
Season
Rooftop open year round; summer season May to September
Why it's here. Choose Soho House for an 80ft rooftop pool if you plan to sleep in the hotel. It has 40 bedrooms and no published day pass, so a stay is the way in.
Soho House, at 113-125 N Green St in the West Loop, has its pool on the roof of the 1908 Allis Building. It measures 80ft, with panoramic city views. The catch is access: the hotel lists it for guests, with no day pass.
Best forGuests who want an 80ft rooftop pool in a members' club setting.
6th-floor pool deck with tacos, cocktails and downtown skyline views
Wicker Park, 3-star hotel, rated 4.5 on Google (1,357 reviews)
Sample photo, not The Robey. Ted Eytan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Access not published
Day pass
No
Heated
Not published
Season
Seasonal: outdoor terrace May–September; indoor only October–April
Why it's here. Worth a look if you want a rooftop pool away from downtown. The pool and cocktail lounge are on the 6th floor in Wicker Park. Who can swim, and what it costs, aren't published.
The Robey's rooftop pool is in Wicker Park at 2018 W North Ave, with a cocktail lounge on the 6th floor and downtown skyline views. The outdoor terrace is open May to September. The catch is that access rules aren't published.
Best forGuests after a Wicker Park rooftop pool with tacos.
Skip it ifYou need a published day pass or a winter outdoor swim.
One penthouse pool per tower, for apartment residents only
Mid-North District, rated 4.6 on Google (36 reviews)
Sample photo, not Lincoln Common. Ted Eytan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Hotel guests only
Day pass
No
Heated
Not published
Season
Not published
Why it's here. Skip it if you need a room or a pass. Lincoln Common's penthouse-level rooftop pools are for residents of its apartment towers, with skyline and Lake Michigan views.
Lincoln Common, in the Mid-North District at 2345 N Lincoln Ave, has a rooftop pool on the penthouse level of each tower. Views run across the skyline and Lake Michigan. The catch is access: residents only.
Best forPeople considering an apartment lease who want a penthouse-level pool.
Skip it ifYou are a visitor looking for a hotel room or day pass.
Heated rooftop pool with hot tub, daybeds and cabanas
Near North Side, 4-star hotel, rated 3.9 on Google (187 reviews)
Sample photo, not Level Chicago. Blake Patterson from Alexandria, VA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Access not published
Day pass
No
Heated
Heated
Season
Open seasonally, spring and summer
Why it's here. Our pick for a heated roof pool with a hot tub, as long as you visit in spring or early summer. The hotel publishes the season but not the floor or who can swim, so confirm access before you count on it.
The roof at Level has an outdoor heated pool with a hot tub, in River North on the Near North Side. Loungers, daybeds and cabanas sit around it, with fire pits and BBQ grilling stations in the outdoor lounge areas. The hotel doesn't publish the floor or its access rules.
Best forVisitors after a heated rooftop pool and hot tub in spring or early summer.
Skip it ifYou plan a winter trip or need a confirmed day pass.
Sample photo, not 500 Lake Shore. Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Hotel guests only
Day pass
No
Heated
Not published
Season
Not published
Why it's here. Pick this one for the lake view: pool, cabanas and a fire pit on a rooftop sun terrace facing Lake Michigan in Streeterville. No day pass is listed, so plan on it being a guests-only deck.
In Streeterville, 500 Lake Shore puts a pool on its rooftop sun terrace. Cabanas stand beside the pool and a fire pit sits on the terrace, all facing Lake Michigan. The floor, season and hours aren't published.
Best forVisitors who want a lake view from the pool and are happy to stay on site.
Skip it ifYou need a day pass, or a published season and hours.
Residents-only rooftop sundeck with pillow-top beds and skyline views
Near North Side, rated 4.2 on Google (124 reviews)
Sample photo, not Aurelien. Sandra Cohen-Rose and Colin Rose from Montreal, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Hotel guests only
Day pass
No
Heated
Not published
Season
Year-round
Why it's here. Only residents of the community can use Aurelien's rooftop pool, so it suits longer stays rather than a quick swim. If you do get access, the sundeck has cabanas, pillow-top beds and skyline views.
At 833 N Clark St on the Near North Side, Aurelien has an outdoor pool on a rooftop sundeck. Large pillow-top beds ring the pool, private cabanas sit beside it, and the views are panoramic across the Chicago skyline. Access is limited to residents, and the floor isn't published.
Best forLonger-stay residents who want a skyline sundeck and cabanas close to home.
Skip it ifYou're a visitor hoping to swim for a day.
Streeterville rooftop pool deck with cabanas, few details published
Streeterville, rated 4.7 on Google (48 reviews)
Sample photo, not The Saint Grand. PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0, 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. Treat this as a maybe. The Saint Grand lists a rooftop pool deck with cabanas in Streeterville, but access rules, floor, season and hours aren't published. Call before you plan around it.
At 218 E Grand Ave in Streeterville, The Saint Grand lists a rooftop pool among its amenities. Cabanas are available by the rooftop pool deck. The floor, season, hours and access rules aren't published.
Best forPeople already planning to stay in Streeterville who can call ahead about the pool.
Skip it ifYou want a day pass, published hours or a pool you can confirm.
Seasonal outdoor rooftop pool, May to October, with skyline views
Near West Side, 3-star hotel, rated 3.8 on Google (1,672 reviews)
Sample photo, not Holiday Inn Chicago-Downtown. Pjotr Mahhonin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Hotel guests only
Day pass
No
Heated
Not published
Season
Open May to October
Why it's here. A sensible choice for a rooftop pool with skyline views and a published May to October season. No day pass is listed, so it works for guests rather than drop-in swimmers.
At 506 W Harrison St on the Near West Side, Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown has an outdoor pool at rooftop level. It is open May to October, with sweeping skyline views. The floor isn't published, and the hotel's own FAQ says it has no pool.
Best forEarly-autumn visitors who want a skyline view from a seasonal rooftop pool.
Skip it ifYou need a day pass or you're traveling between November and April.
Pool listed, but the hotel publishes almost nothing about it
Near North Side, 3-star hotel, rated 3.9 on Google (2,622 reviews)
Sample photo, not Best Western River North. Jordiferrer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Rooftopfloor not published
Who can swim
Access not published
Day pass
No
Heated
Heated
Season
Open all year
Why it's here. Choose this only if the rest of the stay suits you. No pool floor, access rules or hours are published, and the hotel notes that the pool and fitness room close from August 24, with no reopening date.
At 125 W Ohio St on the Near North Side, Best Western River North Hotel publishes no pool floor, access rules or hours. It describes a rooftop terrace but doesn't say a pool is on it.
Best forTravelers who want a central River North base and see the pool as a bonus.
Skip it ifThe pool is the main reason you're booking.
Plan on June to August for a rooftop swim in Chicago. Holiday Inn Chicago-Downtown publishes a May to October season, and Level Chicago's heated pool is best in spring or early summer. Best Western River North closes its pool and fitness room from August 24 with no reopening date.
Winter is not a rooftop swim season here: average highs are 9.8°C in November, 3.2°C in December and 0.4°C in January. Two hotels on our list are marked heated, Level Chicago and Best Western River North, but neither publishes winter opening. Early September brings events: the Chicago Jazz Festival runs Sep 3 to 6, 2027 at Millennium Park, and the ARC Music Festival at Union Park (Sept 4 to 7 in 2026) points to a 2027 return. Book early if you're traveling then.
Average daily highs: November 50°F (10°C), December 38°F (3°C), January 33°F (0°C). The warmest stretch for swimming is Jun–Aug.
Where to stay: Chicago's rooftop pools by area
West Loop
West Loop sits on the west side of the city and ranks fifth on lists of where first-timers should stay. The Hoxton and Soho House Chicago are both here.
Streeterville
Streeterville is a downtown neighborhood adjacent to The Loop and River North, and is named as a good base for first-timers on short trips. DoubleTree Magnificent Mile, 500 Lake Shore and The Saint Grand are here.
Wicker Park
Wicker Park is on the west side and ranks fourth on lists of where first-timers should stay. The Robey is the listed hotel here, with its pool on the 6th floor.
Cheaper ways to swim in Chicago
Chicago's public pools are the budget option, though adult admission prices aren't published for Harris Park Pool, Douglass Pool or Don Nash Pool. Douglass is the outdoor one; the other two are indoor.
Harris Park Pool. Indoor pool with ADA lift and zero-depth entry/ramp; no adult admission price is stated in the sources.
Douglass Pool. Outdoor pool with an ADA lift; no adult admission price is stated in the sources.
Don Nash Pool. Indoor pool with ADA lift and ADA stairs; no adult admission price is stated in the sources.
Hotels you might expect here, and why they're not
These well-known Chicago hotels have a pool, but not one on the roof, or no pool at all.
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago. The only pool is an indoor 52-foot lap pool in the spa under a glass atrium. The rooftop at Torali is a bar with no pool, and no source places a pool on the roof.
Palmer House a Hilton Hotel. The only pool evidence is an indoor pool listed on ResortPass. No source mentions a rooftop pool, so it is not confirmed as rooftop.
The Chicago Hotel Collection Magnificent Mile Hotel & Suites. None of the four sources mention a swimming pool at this hotel. The hotel's site lists a "Skydeck at Twenty Nine" amenity and "Rooftop Views", but neither is described as a pool.
The Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown. The hotel's own website states it has no swimming pool, so there is no rooftop pool to confirm. The Google Maps listing and the resortpass ranking page do not mention a pool.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. Only an indoor pool is mentioned, with no rooftop or top-floor pool. The 30th-floor terrace is described without any pool, so it is not a rooftop pool.
The Wade. Two sources describe an indoor swimming pool, and no source places a pool on the roof or a top-floor terrace. The sun and summer terraces are not described as having a pool.
Loews Chicago Hotel. The hotel's own FAQ says the pool is an indoor lap pool on the 3rd floor, not on the roof. The only terrace, Streeterville Social, is a third-floor bar with no pool. Pool is also closed for repairs through December 31, year not stated.
The Godfrey Hotel Chicago. The hotel describes I|O as a rooftop bar and lounge on the 4th floor, with no swimming pool mentioned in any source.
Chicago rooftop pools: questions people ask
Which Chicago hotels let non-guests use the rooftop pool?
Two do. The Hoxton opens to the public on Sundays, 12pm to 9pm, for $20 paid at the hotel. DoubleTree Magnificent Mile sells $30 adult passes through ResortPass, and its daily hours aren't published.
Are any Chicago rooftop pools heated?
Yes, two are marked heated: Level Chicago, which has a hot tub and is best in spring or early summer, and Best Western River North. Best Western closes its pool from August 24 with no reopening date, and neither hotel publishes winter opening.
Which Chicago hotel has the highest rooftop pool?
No hotel on our list publishes enough floor detail to name one. The only floor we can give is The Robey's pool deck on the 6th floor in Wicker Park.
How many Chicago rooftop pools are guests only?
Six. They are Viceroy Chicago, Soho House Chicago, Lincoln Common, 500 Lake Shore, Aurelien and Holiday Inn Chicago-Downtown. Lincoln Common and Aurelien are for apartment residents.
How can I swim at a Chicago rooftop pool for the least money?
The Hoxton's Sunday public swim at $20 is the lowest day-pass price on our list. Chicago's public pools may cost less, but their adult prices aren't published.
