Rooftop Pools near me

Okay, I’ll be real with you – after living in Miami for over five years and visiting countless rooftop pools (tough job, I know!), I’ve had my fair share of amazing and not-so-amazing experiences. But there are some spots that just hit different, you know what I mean? These are the pools where I’ve spent countless Sunday afternoons, recovered from rough Mondays, and even celebrated my last birthday. Let me spill the tea on my absolute favorite spots to take a dip above the Magic City.

1. East Hotel Miami: My Go-To Sunset Spot

Listen, I discovered this gem totally by accident when my best friend was visiting from New York. We were actually heading somewhere else in Brickell City Centre when we stumbled upon this insane rooftop setup. Real talk – this place is stupid gorgeous, especially around 6 PM when the sun starts doing its thing.

There are four different pools (yeah, you read that right), and each one has its own vibe. My personal fave is the one facing west – I’ve legit dozed off in there more times than I care to admit. The water’s always perfect, not too warm, not too cold. Plus, they’ve got these comfy loungers that’ll make you forget about those “urgent” work emails real quick.

Fun story: I once saw a guy propose here during sunset. She said yes (I mean, how could you not in that setting?), and the staff brought them champagne. It was pretty magical, ngl.

2. 1 Hotel South Beach: Worth Every Penny

Gonna be straight up here – this place isn’t cheap. But damn, is it worth splurging on for a special occasion. I treated myself to a day pass here after landing a big client (freelance life, am I right?), and I’m still thinking about it months later.

The pool itself is huge, but what really got me was the view. You’ve got the ocean on one side and the city on the other. It’s like being in a movie, except you’re in your swimsuit and there’s someone bringing you fancy drinks with those little paper umbrellas.

BTW, if you’re into people-watching, come on a Saturday around 2 PM. Trust me on this one – the crowd is chef’s kiss. I’ve spotted a few celebs here, but we’re too cool to name-drop in Miami. 😉

3. SLS Brickell: The Ultimate Weekend Mood

Y’all, this pool has seen me through some times. It’s my go-to spot when I need to shake off a rough week or kick off a good one. The design is totally Instagram-worthy (guilty as charged – half my feed is probably from here), but it’s actually way cooler in person.

Here’s a pro tip that nobody talks about: come on a Thursday afternoon. It’s way less crowded than weekends, but they still have the good music playing, and sometimes they test out new cocktails on the regulars (you’re welcome).

I once spent six hours here writing my blog posts – the Wi-Fi is solid, and nobody judges you for mixing work and pool time. That’s peak Miami living right there.

4. Kimpton EPIC: My Hidden Productivity Paradise

Can we talk about how underrated this place is? Everyone’s always going on about the newer spots, but EPIC has been quietly killing it for years. The two-pool situation is genius – one for the social butterflies and one for people like me who sometimes need to escape humanity.

Last summer, I had this deadline I was struggling with, so I posted up in one of their cabanas with my laptop. Ended up having the most productive day ever, probably because the view of the boats on the bay is somehow both distracting and focusing at the same time. Make it make sense!

The staff here knows their regulars by name, which gives it this neighborhood spot feel, even though it’s fancy AF. Maria at the towel station always hooks me up with extra sunscreen – she’s the real MVP.

5. W Miami: The Flex

Not gonna lie, I saved the most dramatic for last. This pool is basically Miami showing off – it’s like the city said “hold my cortadito” and built a pool in the sky. I remember the first time I went up there, I literally gasped. No shame in my game, the view is THAT good.

The thing about the W pool is that it’s actually massive – like football-field massive. Which means even when it’s busy, you can always find your own little corner to do your thing. I’ve written some of my best articles up here, usually with a mojito in hand (don’t tell my editor).

Real Talk About Visiting

Look, I could give you all the usual tips about calling ahead and checking prices, but here’s what you actually need to know:

• Most of these spots get packed after 11 AM on weekends. Like, good luck finding a chair packed.
• If you’re not staying at the hotel, slide into their DMs (okay, fine, call them) a day before to check about day passes. Sometimes they hook you up with better deals than what’s advertised.
• The sun up here hits different – I learned this the hard way. Bring the strong sunscreen, not the cute-packaging weak stuff.
• Make friends with the staff. They’re cool people who can make your day even better.

I’ve spent countless days testing these pools (rough life, I know), and each one has its own personality. Whether you’re looking to see and be seen, actually get some work done (Miami remote work life), or just need a day to reset, there’s a rooftop pool here with your name on it.

And hey, if you see someone typing away on their laptop while trying not to get their kindle wet – that’s probably me. Come say hi, I’m always down to share more Miami secrets!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a sunset pool session calling my name… 🌴✨