Honestly, most people treat the hotel search like a chore. You filter by price, check the star rating, and maybe glance at the breakfast situation. But then there’s that one specific filter that feels like a luxury even when you're on a budget: the indoor pool. You’ve probably seen the photos. Those glassy, turquoise rectangles reflecting soft overhead lighting, promising a sanctuary from the gray slush of a Chicago winter or the humidity of a London afternoon. An indoor pool in hotel settings isn't just about swimming laps; it's about the psychological shift that happens when you realize you can be in a bathing suit while it’s snowing outside.
It changes the vibe. Completely.
I’ve spent years tracking hospitality trends, and the data from the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) consistently shows that "amenity creep" is real. Guests want more for their money. But while high-speed Wi-Fi is now a baseline expectation, a climate-controlled swimming environment remains a distinct "win" for travelers. It’s the difference between a place to sleep and a place to actually be.
Why we still care about the indoor pool in hotel properties
Let’s be real. Most outdoor hotel pools are seasonal gambles. If you’re booking a trip to Denver in October, that outdoor deck is basically a very expensive piece of industrial sculpture. The indoor pool, however, is a 365-day guarantee. It’s the insurance policy for your vacation. When the weather turns sour or the kids are bouncing off the walls of a 300-square-foot room, that pool is your escape hatch.
There’s also the hygiene factor. People often assume outdoor pools are cleaner because of the sun, but UV rays actually break down chlorine faster. Indoor facilities, while they can sometimes have that "pool smell" (which is actually nitrogen-rich chloramines, not the chlorine itself), are much easier for staff to regulate in terms of pH and temperature. It’s a controlled environment.
The humidity and "The Smell"
You know the smell I’m talking about. You walk off the elevator on the third floor and—bam—it hits you. That thick, damp air that smells like a mix of bleach and nostalgia. A common misconception is that a strong smell means the pool is super clean. It’s actually the opposite. According to the Water Quality & Health Council, a well-managed indoor pool shouldn't actually have a strong chemical odor. When you smell "chlorine," you're actually smelling the byproduct of chlorine working against contaminants like sweat or oils.
If you walk into a hotel pool area and your eyes start stinging immediately, the ventilation is likely poor. High-end brands like Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton invest millions in sophisticated HVAC systems specifically to move that humid air out and keep the atmosphere crisp. It’s a hidden cost of luxury that most guests never think about until they’re standing in a budget motel’s pool room that feels like a literal sauna.
What makes a pool actually good?
Size isn't everything. I’ve seen Olympic-sized pools in basements that felt like dungeons. Then you have the boutique spots, like the TWA Hotel at JFK, which technically features a rooftop pool that is heated to "celsius levels of "hot tub" heat in the winter, effectively making it an outdoor-indoor hybrid. But for a true indoor experience, it’s all about the lighting and the "deck furniture" situation.
- Natural Light: If the pool is in a windowless basement, it’s a depressant. You want floor-to-ceiling glass. Even if the view is a parking lot, the natural light keeps your circadian rhythm in check.
- The "Saltwater" Myth: Many hotels now advertise "saltwater" pools. It’s a great marketing term. People think it’s like the ocean. It’s not. It’s still a chlorine pool; it just uses a salt chlorine generator to create the chemical on-site. It’s gentler on your skin and eyes, though, which is a massive plus for kids.
- Accessibility: The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requires hotel pools to have lifts or sloped entries. A quality hotel doesn't just bolt a chair to the side; they integrate accessibility so it feels like part of the design.
The business side of keeping the water warm
Ever wonder why some hotels keep their pools at a chilly 78 degrees while others feel like bathwater? It’s a massive expense. Heating a 30,000-gallon pool costs a fortune in utility bills. According to the Department of Energy, evaporation is the single largest source of energy loss for swimming pools. Indoor pools have it a bit easier because they aren't fighting the wind, but they are fighting the air conditioner.
Hotel managers have to balance the comfort of the swimmers with the structural integrity of the building. Too much humidity and you get mold in the drywall. Too little, and the guests complain the water is freezing. It’s a delicate dance of engineering.
The rise of the "Experience" Pool
We are moving past the era of the basic blue rectangle. Take the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, for example. It’s built into a decommissioned quarry, and the pool area feels like a subterranean grotto. Or look at the Aman Tokyo, where the indoor pool is surrounded by dark stone and overlooks the city skyline from the 33rd floor. These aren't just places to get wet. They are "Instagrammable" assets that drive bookings.
For the average traveler, though, you don't need a quarry. You just need a place where the towels are fluffy and there aren't too many screaming toddlers. (Pro tip: go at 6:00 AM or 9:00 PM if you want the place to yourself).
Common mistakes guests make
The biggest one? Not checking the maintenance schedule. Hotels usually deep-clean or resurface their pools during the off-season. There is nothing worse than arriving at your hotel with your swimsuit packed only to find a "Closed for Maintenance" sign taped to the glass.
Another one? Thinking the hot tub is a "baby pool." Please don't do this. Hot tubs are kept at much higher temperatures (usually around 102-104 degrees Fahrenheit), which can be dangerous for small children whose bodies can't regulate heat as well as adults. Plus, the chemical balance in a hot tub is much more volatile than in the main pool.
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The health angle (it’s not just cardio)
Swimming is one of the few low-impact exercises that works every major muscle group. But the real benefit of an indoor pool in hotel stays is the mental reset. Travel is stressful. Flights are delayed. Meetings run late. Stepping into a quiet, warm pool room acts as a sensory deprivation chamber. The acoustic dampening in modern pool halls—often achieved through specialized ceiling tiles—creates a hush that you can't find in the lobby or the bar.
Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, author of Blue Mind, spent years researching the "surprising science that shows how being near, in, on, or under water can make you happier, healthier, more connected, and better at what you do." Even just looking at the water in a hotel pool can lower your cortisol levels.
How to spot a bad pool before you book
Don't trust the professional gallery photos. They use wide-angle lenses that make a bathtub look like a lake. Instead:
- Look at traveler photos on TripAdvisor or Google Maps. Look for "grime" in the corners of the tiles.
- Check the "recent" reviews. Search for the word "pool" and "cold." If ten people in the last month said the heater was broken, it’s probably still broken.
- Call and ask about the depth. Some "pools" are actually just "plunge pools" that are 3 feet deep. Great for standing, terrible for swimming.
Moving forward with your search
When you're looking for your next stay, don't just check the box for "pool." Dig a little deeper. Is it a lap pool? Is it heated? Does it have a dedicated lifeguard (rare in the US, common in international luxury)?
The presence of a well-maintained indoor pool is often a bellwether for the overall quality of hotel management. If they care enough to keep the water chemistry perfect and the deck tiles scrubbed, they probably care about the cleanliness of your sheets and the quality of the service, too.
Actionable steps for your next trip:
- Pack a dedicated "wet bag" for your swimsuit so you don't have to put damp clothes in your suitcase on check-out day.
- Verify the hours. Many hotel pools close at 10 PM, but some luxury spots offer 24-hour access for adults.
- Ask about the "Resort Fee." Some hotels charge a daily fee that covers the pool, even if you never use it. It's worth knowing if you're paying $40 extra a night for water you won't touch.
- Check for "Adult Only" hours. If you're traveling for business and want to avoid the 4 PM splash-fest, many hotels carve out early morning or late evening hours for adults only.
The indoor pool in hotel environments is a weird, wonderful relic of 20th-century luxury that has survived into the modern era for a simple reason: we all just want a place to float for a while. It’s a small, chlorinated slice of peace in an otherwise chaotic world. Check the reviews, pack your goggles, and don't forget to rinse off before you get in. It's just polite.