Finding a hotel with a pool in San Francisco is harder than you'd expect. The city's cool climate means many properties have no pool at all, and some well-known hotels that get listed as having one don't. These five all have a heated pool on site, four indoors and one outdoors at the Riu.
How we ranked these hotel pools
Indoor pools rank first, because they work in any weather and San Francisco mornings are often foggy and cool. Within each group, hotels with a third-party sustainability certification rank first, then higher star ratings, then alphabetical order by name.
We left out hotels where guests only get access to a gym or club next door, and hotels whose pool claims we couldn't confirm. Where a fee applies, it is noted in the access column.
San Francisco hotel pools at a glance
| Hotel | Pool type | Star rating | Year-round | Access policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Nikko San Francisco | Glass-enclosed indoor pool | 5 | Yes | Hotel guests; daily amenity fee covers pool access |
| Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco | Indoor pool under a glass skylight | 5 | Yes | Hotel guests |
| The St. Regis San Francisco | Indoor infinity lap pool, 50 ft | 5 | Yes | Hotel guests and residents |
| InterContinental San Francisco by IHG | Indoor heated pool with hot tub | 4 | Yes | Hotel guests |
| Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf | Heated outdoor pool | 4 | Heated, but outdoors | Hotel guests |
Tips for booking a San Francisco hotel with a pool
- Call ahead to confirm pool hours. Hotel pools in San Francisco often close for cleaning or private events, and hours change more often than websites do.
- Hotel Nikko charges a daily amenity fee that covers the pool and gym. Check the current amount when you book so it doesn't surprise you at checkout.
- The Riu's pool is the only outdoor one on this list. San Francisco mornings are often foggy, so plan a swim for the afternoon when the sun is more likely to be out.
- If lap swimming matters to you, the St. Regis has the best pool here for it: a 50-foot heated lap pool inside its private fitness center.
What makes a hotel pool worth using in San Francisco
Most San Francisco hotels with pools have them indoors, and for good reason. The marine layer keeps outdoor spaces cool well into the afternoon, even in summer. A heated indoor pool you can use at 7 a.m. before a meeting is more practical than an outdoor one that is in fog until noon.
The indoor pools on this list each have their own character. The Palace Hotel's pool is under a restored glass skylight on the fourth floor, so you get daylight without the wind. Hotel Nikko's pool is glass-enclosed, with a deck, hot tub and sauna next to it. The St. Regis pool is built for laps.
If you want to swim outdoors, the Riu Plaza near Fisherman's Wharf has a heated pool with fire pits beside it.
The hotels
Hotel Nikko San Francisco
222 Mason Street, San Francisco
8.85,092 reviews
Glass-enclosed heated indoor pool3 min walk to Powell Street (BART/Muni Metro)
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Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco
2 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco
8.91,063 reviews
Indoor pool under a glass skylight1 min walk to Montgomery Street (BART/Muni Metro)
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The St. Regis San Francisco
125 Third Street, San Francisco
9.1228 reviews
50-ft heated indoor lap pool4 min walk to Montgomery Street (BART/Muni Metro)
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InterContinental San Francisco by IHG
888 Howard Street, San Francisco
8.71,383 reviews
IHG operates a Green Engage program across its portfolioThe InterContinental San Francisco participates in energy and water monitoring under that framework.
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Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, California, 94133, San Francisco
8.8998 reviews
Heated outdoor pool1.3 mi to Embarcadero BART
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Where to start in each neighborhood, and what’s on there this weekend.
All 68 San Francisco hotel guides →
Frequently asked questions
Do San Francisco hotels with pools keep them open year-round?＋
The four indoor pools on this list, at the St. Regis, InterContinental, Hotel Nikko and Palace Hotel, are heated and unaffected by weather. The Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf pool is heated but outdoors, so it can feel cold on foggy days. Hours vary, so check with the hotel before you go.
Which San Francisco hotel has the best pool for lap swimming?＋
The St. Regis San Francisco. Its 50-foot heated indoor lap pool is inside a private fitness center open to hotel guests and St. Regis residents. The Palace Hotel's pool is larger, at about 60 by 20 feet.
Can non-guests use hotel pools in San Francisco?＋
The pools on this list are for hotel guests. The St. Regis pool is also open to owners of St. Regis Residences. If you aren't staying at the hotel, call ahead and ask.
Which San Francisco hotel pool has the best setting?＋
The Palace Hotel's pool is under a restored glass skylight, so you swim in daylight without the wind. Hotel Nikko's pool is glass-enclosed. If you'd rather be outside, the Riu Plaza's heated pool is the only outdoor one on this list.
Are hotel pools in San Francisco heated?＋
Yes, every pool on this list is heated. Indoor pools at the St. Regis, InterContinental, Hotel Nikko and Palace Hotel stay at a steady temperature. The Riu Plaza's outdoor pool is heated too, though the deck can feel cool on foggy mornings.
Do I need to pay extra to use the pool at these hotels?＋
At Hotel Nikko, pool access is part of the hotel's daily amenity fee. At the St. Regis, InterContinental, Palace Hotel and Riu Plaza, we found no separate pool fee, but confirm when you book.
