Cool L.A. Hotel Pools
Altitude Pool Deck at SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills
The pool is almost beside the point at this Philippe Starck–designed rooftop deck. A glittering crowd of jet-setters comes to survey the city views, nibble on light fare by José Andrés, soak up DJ sets, and chill out in private cabanas equipped with mini-bars, MP3 docs, and DVD players.
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Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Pool and Tropicana Bar
This legendary pool boasting art by David Hockney was once the province of stars like Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe. Today, bikini-clad starlets-in-training sun themselves on mod loungers by day, while by night a sexy crowd of scenesters sips cocktails from the Tropicana Bar poolside. Don’t miss the raucous pool parties.
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The Pool at Mondrian Los Angeles
A teak deck, blooming vines, comfy wicker furniture, underwater music, and stunning city views make this pool area a rather exceptional “outdoor living room.” After dark, glowing lanterns hung from the trees create a romantic scene, and the poolside lounge Skybar heats up with a hot Hollywood throng.
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The Rooftop at The Standard, Downtown
Floating amid downtown skyscrapers, this trendy pool deck (covered in red Astroturf, no less) hosts an impossibly hip crowd. Never mind the pool: most of the cool kids seem more interested in the dance floor with nightly DJs, the biergarten, and the fireplace (while others retreat to the waterbed pods for some privacy).
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WET Deck at W Hollywood
On Sundays from noon to 6 p.m., this Hollywood rooftop deck hosts an all-out Vegas-style pool party. The tunes are loud, the vibe is “see and be seen,” the patrons are perfectly tanned, and “upscale” swimwear is de rigueur. Get there early to nab a lounger, or reserve one of the elite cabanas.