Whether it’s a quiet afternoon beneath striped umbrellas, a social pool scene with cocktails and DJs, or a mountain-view swim after a long hike, Upstate New York does pool season exceptionally well. From restored roadside motels to sprawling wellness retreats, these hotels pair standout pools with thoughtful design, strong food programs, and the kind of summer atmosphere that makes it hard to head back to the city. All are within a few hours of NYC — and generally a little cooler, too.

This list includes a mix of longtime Escape Brooklyn favorites, newer design-forward stays, and classic Catskills escapes that continue to define summer Upstate. Alongside each hotel overview, we’ve included an “Of note” section with extra details to help plan the rest of the trip — from restaurants and wellness offerings to nearby hikes, public transit access, and standout seasonal programming.

Photo: Adrian Gaut

The perfect blend of modern meets rustic is what you’ll find at Inness, a sophisticated 28 cabin and 12 room farmhouse. Its campus includes a restaurant, store and reimagined golf course, located in the heart of the Hudson Valley.

Open to hotel guests and Inness members, the two saltwater pools are the perfect place to spend long, warm days that sometimes stretch into fall. The large pool near the Events Barn, with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a seasonal pool bar, provides ample space for gatherings with family and friends. Stone walls and wooden fences merge with the natural landscape–so you can admire the far reaching views while relaxing in the water.

Summer Details of Note: Golf, Tennis + Poolside Drinks at Inness

Start your day by booking a tee-time at the incredible inland-links style golf course on the grounds. Inness also has tennis courts for those who prefer a quicker game before they spend the rest of their day floating in the pool.

Photo: Lawrence Braun

From the owners of Rivertown Lodge in Hudson comes Camptown, a throwback to the bungalow culture of Catskills yesteryear. With over 26 cabins and 24 hotel rooms, you can bet on funs vibes around the pool which includes waterbed cabanas, loungers and adult swim hours for those much needed moments away from the kiddos. It’s a natural place to spend your days. A true upstate swim oasis. Don’t forget dinner at the James Beard Award nominee Casa Susanna, an upscale take on Mexican cuisine or drinks and ceviche at pool bar Piscina.

Summer Details of Note: Adult Swim Hours + Poolside Dining at Camptown

Camptown’s outside campus also includes a sauna, pool bar, and restaurant. Check out their great list of Things To Do, including a nearby drive-in movie theater, plus loads of arts and outdoor attractions.

Photo: Moriah Wolfe

Set against sweeping views of Hunter Mountain, the pool at Scribner’s Catskill Lodge has become one of the more recognizable summer swim spots in the Catskills. Full-size daybeds, poolside loungers, mountain air, and weekend DJs give the space a more social atmosphere than many Upstate hotel pools, while Prospect restaurant and the hotel’s sprawling outdoor spaces make it easy to spend most of the day on property.

Summer Details of Note: Mountain Views + DJ Weekends at Scribner’s Catskill Lodge

During summer weekends, DJs regularly spin by the pool, adding to the hotel’s livelier atmosphere. Local memberships through Scribner’s Pool Club also include seasonal pool access and begin around $500 annually.

Photo: Liz Clayman

Unlike many seasonal Upstate swim spots, Beaverkill Valley Inn’s heated indoor pool stays open year-round — making it one of the more reliable Catskills pool weekends regardless of weather. Beyond the pool, the western Catskills property combines expansive grounds, mountain views, fly fishing access, and one of the stronger food programs in the region, led by Chef Tommy Finch. Guests can spend the afternoon poolside before heading to dinner featuring ingredients sourced from the inn’s organic garden and nearby farms.

Summer Details of Note: Heated Year-Round Pool, Farm-to-Table Fare + Complimentary Ice Cream Bar at Beaverkill Valley Inn

The inn’s restaurant serves seasonal breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus centered around local ingredients, house-baked pastries, and produce from the property’s own garden. During summer weekends, the complimentary self-serve ice cream parlor beside the pool has also become a guest favorite.

Photo: c/o The Graham & Co.

One of the Catskills’ original boutique hotels, The Graham & Co., continues to define the laid-back Phoenicia weekend. The pool area is tucked behind tall hedges and surrounded by lounge chairs, biergarten tables, lawn games, and fire pits that encourage long afternoons spent mostly outdoors.

Summer Details of Note: Hiking + Public Transit Access

Before cooling off in the pool, spend your morning on the Tanbark Trail, walkable from The Graham & Co. It’s also notable that Phoenicia is a stop on the Adirondack Trailways bus, making this a public transit friendly getaway.

Photo: Dawn Point Studios

In Round Top, Glen Falls House combines classic Catskills resort energy with one of the more active summer pool scenes Upstate. The property’s large outdoor pool sits at the center of the campus, surrounded by mountain views, lounge chairs, walking trails, and access to nearby waterfalls and swimming holes. Accommodations range from motel-style rooms to cabins and suites, making it an easy option for groups, couples, and long summer weekends with friends.

Summer Details of Note: Swim Club Weekends + Waterfall Swimming

Throughout the summer, Glen Falls House hosts “Swim Club” weekends featuring DJs, music programming, and poolside events with groups like Soul Summit, Shelter Records, and Disco Summer Camp. Beyond the pool, guests can also explore hiking trails and several waterfalls located directly on the property.

Photo: c/o Callicoon Hills

Spread across a sprawling campus in the western Catskills, Callicoon Hills combines classic summer camp energy with a more polished boutique hotel atmosphere. Accommodations range from the historic boarding house and A-frames to creekside cabins and ridge rooms, while the oversized outdoor pool acts as a central gathering point throughout the warmer months. Poolside drinks and snacks are served from a retrofitted Citroën van, with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and mountain surroundings encouraging long afternoons spent almost entirely outdoors.

Summer Details of Note: Poolside Drinks + Nearby Livingston Manor

The hotel’s Conover Club restaurant serves bigger meals, while on-the-go and light options are available from its coffee counter, Rise & Shine – both menus here –  making it easy to stay on property for most of the day. Callicoon Hills is also located a short drive from Livingston Manor, where nearby stops include the North Branch Cider Mill, local shops, and several popular western Catskills swimming holes.

Photo: Loren Daye

Straddling the New York–Massachusetts border, the alpine-inspired Little Cat Lodge is a design-forward oasis at the base of Catamount Mountain. The seasonal outdoor pool is framed by forest and mountain views, with striped umbrellas, comfy loungers, and one of the most peaceful vibes around. Whether you’re cooling off after a hike or spending the whole day poolside, it’s a serene and stylish way to beat the heat.

Details of Note: Alpine Tavern + Four-Season Appeal

After your swim, head inside for Alpine-inspired fare and cozy interiors at the Little Cat Tavern. In cooler months, the on-site pond becomes a casual skating rink — making this a four-season destination worth bookmarking.

Photo: c/o Troutbeck

Set on a historic 250-acre estate in the Hudson Valley, Troutbeck blends country-house elegance with a modern wellness retreat atmosphere. The hotel’s outdoor pool sits just beyond the main house, surrounded by rolling lawns, mature trees, and quiet mountain views that make it feel worlds away from the city. Spend the afternoon swimming laps, reading poolside beneath an umbrella, or wandering the property’s gardens and woodland trails before settling in for dinner at the hotel’s acclaimed farm-driven restaurant led by executive chef Vincent Gilberti.

Summer Details of Note: Wellness Programming, Estate Grounds with Tennis Courts + Expansive Gardens

Troutbeck’s programming extends far beyond the pool, with a spa, tennis courts, wellness classes, seasonal events, and one of the most thoughtfully curated food and beverage programs in Upstate New York. It’s also an especially strong fall destination, when the surrounding landscape turns vibrant with foliage.

Photo: c/o Hotel Lilien

Located at the base of Hunter Mountain in Tannersville, Hotel Lilien combines boutique mountain lodge design with one of the more visually striking pool settings in the northern Catskills. The heated outdoor pool is framed by forested mountain views, striped loungers, and the hotel’s signature black-and-white palette, creating a pool atmosphere that feels equally suited to slow afternoons and post-hike swims. The hotel’s restaurant and cocktail bar also make it easy to settle in for the evening without leaving the property.

Summer Details of Note: Heated Pool + Mountain Views

Beyond the pool, Hotel Lilien offers easy access to hiking throughout the northern Catskills, plus close proximity to Tannersville’s restaurants, shops, and art galleries. The hotel’s on-site restaurant serves dinner and cocktails throughout the week.

Photo: Max Flatow

Set on a restored 19th century property in Windham, Wylder blends classic Catskills resort architecture with a more contemporary mountain hotel atmosphere. During summer, the heated outdoor pool becomes the center of the campus, surrounded by mountain views, navy loungers, umbrellas, and plenty of space to spend an entire afternoon outdoors. The sprawling property also includes tennis courts, fire pits, walking paths, and several communal gathering spaces that make it especially well-suited for group weekends and longer stays.

Summer Details of Note: Heated Pool + Outdoor Activities

Beyond the pool, Wylder offers wood-fired saunas, mountain bikes, lawn games, hammocks, and easy access to hiking throughout the Northern Catskills. The hotel’s restaurant, Babblers, also serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails throughout the week — making it easy to stay on property for most of the day.

Photo: c/o Wildflower Farms, Auberge Collection

Beneath the Shawangunk Ridge in Gardiner, Wildflower Farms combines freestanding cabins, wellness programming, and expansive landscape design into one of the Hudson Valley’s more polished resort experiences. The outdoor pool is surrounded by native plantings, mountain views, and lounge areas that encourage long afternoons spent moving between the water, spa, and surrounding grounds. Throughout the property, walking trails, gardens, and curated outdoor spaces reinforce the hotel’s slower, wellness-oriented atmosphere.

Summer Details of Note: Spa Access + Mountain Views

Beyond the pool, Wildflower Farms is home to the Thistle Spa, seasonal wellness programming, and Clay restaurant, where menus focus heavily on ingredients sourced from nearby farms and the surrounding Hudson Valley. The property also offers easy access to hiking, orchards, and the nearby town of New Paltz.