San Francisco's cool, foggy climate means most hotels skip the pool entirely, or install one too small to matter. These five properties made the cut because each has a pool worth using, verified as heated and accessible to hotel guests. Rankings prioritize pool quality and size over star rating or brand name.
How we ranked these hotel pools
Pool quality drove every placement here. A large, heated lap pool in a dedicated facility ranks above a small rooftop plunge pool, regardless of which hotel carries the higher star rating. Within the same quality tier, properties with verified sustainability credentials rank first, then higher star ratings, then alphabetical order by name.
San Francisco's climate adds a real filter. Outdoor pools that close from October through April, or that operate unheated, were excluded. Every pool on this list runs year-round and stays warm enough to use. Where spa access or an additional fee applies, that is noted in each hotel's access policy.
San Francisco hotel pools at a glance
| Hotel | Pool type | Star rating | Year-round | Access policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Hotel San Francisco | Heated rooftop pool | 5 | Yes | Hotel guests; reservation recommended |
| The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco | Indoor lap pool (spa facility) | 5 | Yes | Hotel guests; spa fee may apply |
| InterContinental San Francisco by IHG | Indoor heated pool | 4 | Yes | Hotel guests only |
| Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA | Indoor heated pool | 4 | Yes | Hotel guests only |
| Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf | Heated rooftop pool | 4 | Yes | Hotel guests only |
Tips for booking a San Francisco hotel with a pool
- Call ahead to confirm pool hours, especially for rooftop pools, which can close during high-wind advisories common along the Embarcadero and waterfront.
- Spa pools at luxury properties often require a separate day-pass fee for hotel guests who are not booked into a spa treatment. Ask at check-in.
- Rooftop pools in San Francisco can sit in fog for much of the morning. Afternoon, roughly 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., tends to offer the clearest skies.
- If lap swimming matters to you, the Ritz-Carlton's pool is the most practical option on this list for actual exercise rather than leisure soaking.
What makes a hotel pool worth using in San Francisco
Most San Francisco hotels with pools have them indoors, and for good reason. The city averages 58°F in summer, and the marine layer keeps outdoor spaces cool well into the afternoon. A heated indoor pool you can use at 7 a.m. before a meeting is more practical than a rooftop pool that sits in fog until noon.
That said, the two rooftop pools on this list, at 1 Hotel San Francisco and Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf, both offer views that indoor pools cannot match. The 1 Hotel pool faces the Bay Bridge and the Embarcadero waterfront. The Riu Plaza pool looks out over Fisherman's Wharf and Alcatraz. On a clear afternoon, both are worth the trade-off.
For travelers who want a pool primarily for lap swimming, the Ritz-Carlton's facility is the strongest option. For leisure use with a view, the 1 Hotel pool is the standout on this list.
The hotels
1 Hotel San Francisco
8 Mission Street, San Francisco
9.6582 reviews
1 Hotels operates under a documented sustainability framework that includes reclaimed materials throughout the property, a partnership with local urban farms for food sourcing, and LEED certification for the building.3 min walk to Embarcadero (BART/N/T)
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The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
600 Stockton at California Street, San Francisco
9.2597 reviews
6 min walk to Powell Street (BART/F/Powell Street Cable Car)
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InterContinental San Francisco by IHG
888 Howard Street, San Francisco
8.71,376 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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Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA
50 Third Street, San Francisco
8.84,500 reviews
Hyatt's World of Care program includes property-level energy and water reduction targetsthe Downtown SOMA location participates in waste diversion reporting.
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Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, California, 94133, San Francisco
8.8998 reviews
14 min walk to Powell Street (BART/F/Powell-Hyde Cable Car)
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Frequently asked questions
Do San Francisco hotels with pools keep them open year-round?＋
Every hotel on this list operates its pool year-round. San Francisco's climate is cool enough that outdoor pools require heating to be usable, and all five properties maintain heated pools. The two rooftop pools, at 1 Hotel San Francisco and Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf, can be affected by wind and morning fog, but neither closes seasonally.
Which San Francisco hotel has the best pool for lap swimming?＋
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco has the longest pool on this list at approximately 45 feet, and it is the only one configured for lap swimming. The pool sits within the hotel's spa facility on Nob Hill and operates year-round in a climate-controlled environment.
Can non-guests use hotel pools in San Francisco?＋
None of the five hotels on this list sell day passes to the general public. All pools are restricted to hotel guests. The Ritz-Carlton's pool is part of a spa facility, and guests not booked into a spa treatment may encounter an additional access fee. The other four properties include pool access in the standard room rate.
Which hotel has the best rooftop pool view in San Francisco?＋
Both rooftop pools on this list offer strong views. The 1 Hotel San Francisco pool faces the Bay Bridge and Embarcadero waterfront from the SoMa side. The Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf pool looks out toward Alcatraz Island and the northern bay. The choice depends on which view matters more to you.
Are hotel pools in San Francisco heated?＋
Yes, every pool on this list is heated. San Francisco's average temperature rarely exceeds 65°F even in summer, so an unheated pool would be unusable for most guests. Indoor pools at the Ritz-Carlton, InterContinental, and Hyatt Regency Downtown SOMA maintain consistent temperatures year-round. The rooftop pools at 1 Hotel and Hotel Riu Plaza are also heated, though the surrounding deck can feel cool on foggy mornings.
Do I need to pay extra to use the pool at these hotels?＋
At the InterContinental San Francisco, Hyatt Regency Downtown SOMA, Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf, and 1 Hotel San Francisco, pool access is included in the room rate. At the Ritz-Carlton, the pool is part of the spa facility, and guests not booked into a spa treatment should confirm whether a separate fee applies at check-in.
