Does the current heat wave have you dreaming of dunking yourself in a pool? With a heat index of 100º this week in the city, it seemed like an appropriate time to drop this list of some favorite Upstate hotels with pools a few hours away. Just in case anyone’s looking for a little relief.

Not only do these hotels have refreshing pools with beautiful Upstate views – they also include features like poolside bars, cold plunges, and saunas. (Also worth mentioning: it’s generally ~10º cooler in the Catskills than NYC.)

Spend the rest of summer indulging in pool days and bonfire evenings in the mountains! These ten Upstate hotels with pools are the definition of Upstate oasis.

Photo: Clay Banks

This newbie on the upstate pool list is an old favorite. Arnold House, a boutique hotel, spa and event space that opened in 2014, was an early pioneer in restoring the Catskills back to its rightful place as the resort mecca it’s famous for. The pool addition includes a small pool bar, concrete patio and adult sand box along with yellow and white striped umbrellas and red and white lounge chairs for that vintage upstate vibe. Soak up the sun on a colorful floaty or enjoy a refreshing dip with friends and family.

Of note: Beyond the pool, grab carry out from either the pool bar or the Arnold House Tavern and enjoy in their event barn/greenhouse. Trails on property also make this a great pet-friendly escape.

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.

Of note: 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

Swimming with killer views of Hunter Mountain is beyond epic at the Scribner’s Lodge pool which features full size pool beds for lounging, umbrellas and DJs spinning summer tunes on the weekends. The pool is open seasonally to hotel guests and Scribner’s Social Club members, offering the perfect setting amidst 270 degree views of the Catskill Mountains for warm days of sunbathing and swimming. Head inside to Prospect for dinner afterwards.

Of note: Pool passes are available for locals through Scriber’s Social Club membership, beginning at $500/year.

Photo: Harrison Lubin

Located in the hamlet of Stone Ridge in the Hudson Valley, Hasbrouck House combines historic sensibility with modern, rustic charm. Centered around an 18th century Dutch Colonial stone mansion, the grounds at Hasbrouck House include Butterfield restaurant, bocce courts, an outdoor cafe and movie theater, trails to the private lake, and of course, the pool. At over 100 years old, this landmark swim spot is just far enough away from the mansion to give you that privacy you’re seeking.
Surrounded by evergreens and lined with cozy lounge chairs, the sense of history is hard to avoid at the 1757 property named “Americas’ Most Romantic Retreat” by the World Boutique Hotel Awards. You’ll feel like you’re swimming in great grandma’s backyard in the best way possible.

Of note: Looking too add an extra element of relaxation to your trip? Hasbrouck House offers a variety of wellness services, including deep tissue, Swedish, and prenatal massages, private yoga classes, and a complimentary sauna session in their brand-new barrel sauna.

Photo: C/o The Graham & Co.

Perhaps the most intimate of Catskills pool experiences is at The Graham and Co., another of the region’s boutique hotel originals. When arriving you’re immediately greeted with the smell of burning firewood to transport you into that upstate mood, just outside the hotel’s open air lobby and refreshment bar. Beyond that, the pool area which is surrounded by tall, manicured shrubs for ultimate privacy and full sense of nature. Lounge chairs kiss the pool deck area and biergarten tables give you the option for picnicking while overlooking the backyard, complete with a tipi and outdoor lawn games.

Of note: Before cooling off in the pool, spend your morning on the Tanbark Trail, walkable from The Graham and 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

More geared to the young at heart, Glen Falls House is quintessential Catskills. With adult summer camp vibes, this Round Top compound encompassing both sides of the road has all the bases covered for an endless summer of fun. It all starts at the pool where the vintage trailer bar grounds everything else to come. Lawn games, bonfires, picnic tables, DJs, pool tubes and loungers all come together to create a magical environment you won’t soon forget.

Of note: Glen Falls House hosts some incredible events, including bands, karaoke nights, and parties. Keep an eye out for their next collaboration with The Wild Honey Pie for a night of food, music, and good company.

Photo: c/o Callicoon Hills

Tucked away in the quieter Western Catskills is the majestic Callicoon Hills. Its stately main boarding house sets the stage for the rest of the property which includes a pool house, ridge rooms, A-frames, creekside cabin and more. No warm weather getaway would be complete without a refreshing swim: cool off in the oversized pool, and enjoy a drink or snack from the retrofitted Citroën van. In between swims, lounge in one of the vintage-style basket weaved chaises. Check out the Conover Club for post-pool eats!

Of note: Callicoon Hills is just minutes away from the vibrant town of Livingston Manor. During your stay, be sure to visit the newly opened North Branch Cider Mill to feed adorable farm animals, plus stock up on provisions and beautiful home goods.

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.

Of note: 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: c/o Starlite Motel

Perhaps known best for starring in the 1985 horror flick “The Stuff”, the Starlite Motel is anything but scary. This lovingly restored roadside boutique hotel is perhaps the most colorful and fun place to lay your head upstate. Pool parties are a regular thing here, and the 1960s motor lodge vibes are in full effect with retro loungers and drink tables for yummy cocktails. For those looking to really relax by the pool, indulge in their series of monthly floating sound baths.

Of note: Every Friday night, the Catskills Cocktail Club hosts a food and drink pop-up at the Starlite Motel. If you’re looking for even more weekend happenings, Skate Time in Accord brings retro vibes every Saturday night.

Photo: Max Flatow

Nestled amongst the natural beauty of the great Northern Catskills, Wylder Windham is relatively new on the Upstate hotel scene circa 2022. The soul of this resort dates back to 1880 and all of that charm is captured in this updated and sprawling property which pays homage to those famous grand Catskills hotels we love from the past. The pool is the centerpiece of the summer season: its navy blue lounge chairs and white umbrellas give off serious yacht vibes for those thinking of beach days in the Hamptons, but with mountains in the heart. Oh, and the pool is heated for those adventurous types seeking to dip in chillier weather.

Of note: Wylder has enough on-site activities to last a lifetime; relax in a wood-fired sauna, admire the views of the Catskills from a luxury hammock, roast marshmallows over a fire pit, explore the land on a mountain bike, or spend slow mornings on a walk with mountain and stream views.