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.

Of note: Golf, Tennis + Poolside Drinks. 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.

Of note: Adult Swim Hours + Poolside Dining. 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: Mountain Views + DJ Weekends. 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: Massage Treatments + Barrel Sauna. 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: Hiking + Public Transit Access. 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: Summer Camp Energy + Live Events. 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: Poolside Drinks + Livingston Manor Nearby. 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: 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.

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.

Of note: Wellness Programming + Estate Grounds. Troutbeck’s programming extends far beyond the pool, with 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: 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: Heated Pool + Endless Outdoor Activities. 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.