Seeking an urban oasis in the nation’s capital? While Washington, DC is known for its monuments and museums, there’s a lesser-known luxury that sets certain hotels apart: the year-round indoor pool. As a travel advisor who’s personally vetted these properties, I’m pulling back the curtain on the capital’s indoor pools – where the water’s always warm, even when the Potomac freezes. Let’s explore these year-round swimming sanctuaries that make DC winters a little more bearable and summer heat waves thoroughly enjoyable. If you want to book a staycation at any of these properties or just talk about your next vacation or trip idea, you can reach out to me by email, on Instagram and visit my new website. From the historic West End to the vibrant Waterfront, we’ve dived deep into DC’s hotel scene to surface the properties that offer more than just a place to rest your head.
Salamander DC (formerly Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC)
- Temperature-controlled indoor lap pool
- Floor-to-ceiling windows with city views
- Adults-only hours available
- Poolside food service
- Heated indoor pool
- Sky-lit pool area
- Adults-only time slots
- Spa services available poolside
- Three-lane indoor lap pool
- Pool attendant service
- Children’s swim times
- Adjacent to fitness center
Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City (technically Arlington but metro-accessible)
- Indoor pool with city views
- Year-round swimming
- Family-friendly hours
- Fitness center access
Gaylord National Harbor (technically Maryland but part of DC area)
- Junior Olympic-sized indoor pool
- Year-round swimming
- Family-friendly environment
- Pool attendants on duty
- Junior Olympic-sized, 15-meter indoor pool
- Salt water filtration system
- Pool passes available for non-hotel guests
Important Notes:
- Pool hours and access policies can vary seasonally
- Some hotels require room key for pool access
- Many hotels also offer day passes for non-guests
- Pool maintenance schedules may affect availability
- Some pools require advance reservations during peak times