Best Hotel Pools In San Francisco: You Need A Night In The City, You Might As Well Swim In Style
For many visitors to San Francisco, having a hotel swimming pool is a mandatory amenity for passionate lap swimmers and even families with children. But for lap swimmers, there isn't much fun in swimming in a hotel pool that's only 10 yards long and a few feet wide. And for families with children and adults who prefer water aerobics or some other water activity, a larger pool would definitely be more desirable. Whether you're traveling on business or on vacation, here are five of the best hotel swimming pools in San Francisco.
Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco
757 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 633-3000
www.fourseasons.com
Hotel guests of the Four Seasons San Francisco have complimentary use of a spacious, 25-yard swimming pool at the neighboring Equinox Sports Club. There are eight lanes available at this junior Olympic pool and lanes are separated by lane dividers and complimentary water is available for hotel guests. Only guests 16 years and older are allowed in the club and younger swimmers may ask their parents to inquire with the concierge to receive a complimentary pool pass to another hotel pool nearby. The newest Equinox fitness center in the Bay Area is an enormous 127,000-square-foot facility with state-of-the-art cardio equipment, in addition to a basketball court, group exercise section, free weights and strength machines.
Related: Best Places To Go With Your Family For The Weekend In San Francisco
Hotel Nikko
222 Mason St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 394-1111
www.hotelnikkosf.com
Located in Union Square, Hotel Nikko is one of few San Francisco hotels that charge an additional fee for use of a swimming pool. But the 15-meter (16.4-yard) pool will be worth the $20 per room charge for guests desiring a lap pool or families who simply want to relax by the spacious pool with their children. Located on the fifth floor solarium, the indoor swimming pool area also features an atrium roof, whirlpool, lounge chairs and outdoor patio. The $20 fee also applies to the 24-hour fitness center, with the latest in weights, strength machines and cardio equipment, sauna and steam room.
Palace Hotel
2 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 512-1111
www.sfpalace.com
The landmark Palace Hotel has a gorgeous lap pool with an atrium roof and lounge chairs, as well as a whirlpool, sauna and adjoining fitness center. However, the fitness facility and swimming pool is temporarily closed through February 15, 2015. On the other hand, guests staying past that date will have a firsthand look at what is expected to be a very luxurious remodel. Located on the fourth floor, the pool will be open to all ages and opens at 5 a.m. on weekdays, 6 a.m. on weekends and closes at 10 p.m. daily. Hotel staff kindly asks that all children are supervised by at least one adult. Although there are lane markers on the bottom of the pool, there are no pool dividers yet it is wide enough to comfortably accommodate four lap swimmers.
San Francisco Marriott Marquis
780 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 896-1600
www.marriott.com
The Marriott Marquis has a spacious pool with a capacity of 30 people that's perfect for both lap swimmers and children of all ages. One lane divider is used so that one or two lap swimmers can get in a good workout in one section of the pool. On the other section, a few more laps swimmers could gain entry as long as there aren't children playing or other adults using the pool. The shallow end of the entire pool is just 2.5 feet deep, making it difficult for most lap swimmers to make a flip turn and probably shouldn't be attempted. The pool area is well lit for evening swims and is complemented with fine wood furniture, plants and flowers and the heated whirlpool is just footsteps away.
St. Regis San Francisco
125 Third St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 284-4000
www.starwoodhotels.com
This five star hotel is the only San Francisco luxury hotel featuring an infinity lap pool, with edges of the pool appearing to merge with the cool waters.
The pool, surrounded by large windows for sweeping views of the city, is 50 feet (16.6 yards) in length and appropriate for lap swimming or other recreational use. Children under the age of 16 years old who wish to use the pool must be accompanied by an adult. Also on the property is a spacious fitness center and the award-winning signature spa Remède.
Related: Best Hotels In San Francisco With Spas
Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. In 2012, he was awarded a Media Fellowship from Stanford University. His work can be found on Examiner.com Examiner.com.