5 of New York City’s most enticing rooftop pools

New York City boasts one of the world’s most recognisable skylines, with the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan rising up from the East River, framed by landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. And while most of the best views of the Big Apple’s glittering cityscape are from above, lots of the top vantage points also feature outdoor swimming pools – perfect for cooling down and relaxing when the city heats up. Head up to any one of these rooftop pools and see for yourself.

Sporting a futuristic, glass facade, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is an eco-conscious hotel straddling the banks of NYC’s East River. Just a stone’s throw from Brooklyn Bridge, it’s privy to one of the city’s most sought-after vistas, best enjoyed from the tenth floor where a slim plunge pool overlooks the river towards the soaring skyscrapers of Manhattan. The arresting views are worth enjoying from the The Brooklyn Heights Social Club bar adjacent to the pool, with a signature cocktail in hand and maybe a lobster roll in the other. Keep an eye out for Lady Liberty, too, cutting a regal figure on the horizon.

Tucked in the gritty but glamorous Lower East Side, Sixty LES is an arty hideout complete with a rooftop pool. Head up to the roof where you’ll find a strip of blue water with a stark picture of Andy Warhol painted on the bottom of the pool. Metallic accents grace the rooftop area, a continuation of the hotel’s stylish interior. If you’re stopping by with a few friends, consider renting the poolside cabana, a relaxed space that houses a wet bar, booming sound system and fully stocked refreshment area. Order a selection of small plates from the on-site Japanese restaurant to fortify yourself to celebrate long into the night – there’ll be plenty of sun loungers to recover on come morning.

There’s an effortless cool to The Williamsburg Hotel. The brainchild of the architects behind Soho House Berlin, it’s a modern hotel with innate class. And the pool is no different – a long and slender stretch of aquamarine spanning the roof, it’s surrounded by a collection of pinstriped sunbeds and pot plants. Linger here over some of New York’s most prized views, of stately Manhattan and the red-brick architecture that Williamsburg is known for. The terrace has a rooftop café for when you’re done with swimming. You should try to hang around until sundown to head up to the hotel’s water tower, which is home to the dark arts of mixology and late-night dancing.

What was once the Gansevoort Park Rooftop has now been rebranded as the Royalton Park Avenue, but the roof continues to magnetise trendy New Yorkers. This Park Avenue pool can be found high up on the hotel’s 20th floor. Up here, it’s a veritable oasis – a 40-foot plunge pool is overlooked by a wall cloaked in ivy, with sunbeds dotting its perimeter. The pool is at its most magical at night though, when tangles of festoon lights criss-cross overhead, lonely candles are scattered on the tables and – in the distance – you can see the illuminated Empire State Building. It’s the quintessential view of the NYC skyline, unforgettable when paired with the pool bar’s delicious cocktails.

Unsurprisingly, Brooklyn is home to one of the most chic pools in New York City. The William Vale is a new addition to the Williamsburg neighbourhood and is a vision of the future. This hotel’s pool sets the precedent for game-changing design – at 60 feet in length, it’s the largest hotel pool in the city. A sweep of blue and dove grey, the pool looks out over the East River with a view that captures New York at its most majestic. It’s a welcoming spot for all, including families who will appreciate the lifeguard service. But the biggest draw has to be the poolside bar – Westlight. Artisanal cocktails like frozen mai tais and cucumber margaritas are the speciality here. Snag yourself a spot at this 22nd-floor drinking den and raise a toast to the boundless panorama. And don’t forget to eat – the hotel restaurant is award-winning, with a focus on coastal Italian cuisine using wood-fired cooking techniques.