10 Amazing Hotel Pools in Greater Fort Lauderdale

Written for Visit Lauderdale

Shady palms, sea breezes and glistening waters — all within reach of room service.

When you’re just not in the right mood to go sightseeing, sometimes the best part of your vacation is in your own temporary backyard. Hotel pools reinforce the reason why you went on vacation in the first place: for rest and relaxation.

Spending time at the pool takes “chilling out” to a whole other level, giving you a refreshing break from both the tropical temperatures and your busy lifestyle. With one splash, hotel pools wash away your worries and welcome good vibes to the surface.

So, pull up a (lounge) chair and sit back as we take you through 10 of our best hotel pools in no particular order. As a premier travel destination, Greater Fort Lauderdale has more than enough to choose from. They even have pools with day-pass access for non-guests. We have a good feeling that, with the help of our list, your vacation planning will go swimmingly.

1. Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort

Imagine Jimmy Buffet’s vibrant, island-inspired lyrics leaping out of your earphones and brought to life right in front of your eyes. That’s what the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort is like: a lively, lush paradise that offers an entertaining escape from reality. The energy in the air here is infectious (and with good reason!). The bottom pool deck is one of the main attractions on the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk.

A restaurant (where it’s always 5 o’clock) overlooks the pool area complete with tropical foliage, a rocky waterfall and a waterslide that kids can only dream of. Even though the main pool area is steps away from the beach, the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort gives you the chance to catch a wave before you even hit the sand. Better add the words “cowabunga” and “dude” to your vocabulary– surfing on the FlowRider® Double simulator at the edge of the broadwalk is a can’t-miss opportunity, for guests and non-guests, you can only find at Margaritaville.

2. Ocean Sky Hotel & Resort

One of our top Fort Lauderdale hotels includes the Ocean Sky Hotel & Resort, which brings a whole new meaning to poolside fun. Let’s just say...its large hotel pool has its fair share of perks--and quirks. On one side, the pool is so close to the shore that you can almost taste the salt in the air. The lounge chairs face the horizon line as the sun sparkles in the water. Look up to gaze where the sky meets the surface as you sit and read a book or sip a cocktail from the tiki bar.

On the other side, there is a mini golf course. Yes, you read that right. A mini golf course. That means you can go for a swim, grab your towel, dry off, dart over to the course, play some mini golf, win some mini golf and then dive right back in. The course is a unique feature that makes the Ocean Sky Hotel & Resort a standout contender in our list.

3. Costa Hollywood Resort

When we say the pool at the Costa Hollywood Beach Resort is above all others, we aren’t exaggerating. This European-influenced hotel really has a pool that is above all others. Its 25,000 square-foot rooftop pool deck offers a bird’s-eye view of the Atlantic Ocean. Floors away from the hustle and bustle of the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, you can go for a swim in the clouds while the direct sunlight works on your tan. (No, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for wearing sunscreen.)

If all that fun in the sun makes you work up an appetite, the sky’s the limit at the Cielo Rooftop Bar & Bites. Indulge in their homemade artisanal bites and distinct selection of handcrafted signature cocktails, fine wine and craft beer. The Costa Hollywood Beach Resort takes poolside dining to a whole new level.

4. Pelican Grand Beach Resort

Remember when we said your vacation is supposed to be a time for rest and relaxation? Well, the Pelican Grand Beach Resort definitely takes that into consideration. It is one of the few Greater Fort Lauderdale hotels that has a pool area solely designed with your laziness in mind. We’re talking about the Pelican Grand Beach Resort’s lazy river, of course.

Winding around an island of palm trees, this lazy river is your key to having the ultimate lazy day. Sit in a tube and let the pool water do the work for once. The gentle current will push you peacefully down the river as you leave all your qualms behind. Float the day away and return back to your hotel room refreshed, rejuvenated and, most importantly, relaxed.

5. The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton

The pools at The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood are worth more than just a glance. A long, curvy infinity pool stretches across the deck surrounded by lounge chairs as another pool lies perpendicular directly above it. The unique layout isn’t even the best part-- the center of the upper pool has a see-through porthole glass bottom. Swim under the waterfall bridge, and look up to see the into the infinity pool’s clear blue water up top.

While the porthole is always a huge hit, especially with kids, it’s not the only cool feature. The lower pool provides plenty of other entertainment, including two waterslides, water cannons and a dump bucket. The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood is truly a spot for the whole family.

6. Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

The Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa has everything you need for the perfect pool day. Sitting right along a quarter-mile of private beach, the hotel has an immense tropical lagoon pool that spans the back of the property. We recommend you reserve a cushioned cabana bed in advance for optimal comfort and convenience.

Swim with your family, wander through the rocks and waterfall area, take a dip in the whirlpool and challenge another guest to a game of poolside ping pong. Don’t forget to book a session at The Spa at Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, where you can revel in some “me time” in its private pool.

7. Sands Harbor Resort & Marina

So far, we’ve covered a few places where you have the ability to see the beach from the pool. At this Pompano Beach resort, it’s a little different. The Sands Harbor Resort & Marina provides dockage in the Intracoastal for 50 boats that can be up to 100 feet long, and the resort pool has a front row seat to all the action. Trust us-- there’s nothing more Floridian than splashing around in the pool under the sun and watching mega-yachts going by.

Luckily, if you are a Florida resident in need of a staycation or merely aren’t staying at this hotel, the waterfront pool is open to the public. It is also accompanied by live music and a friendly staff at a poolside patio bar. Dig into the delicious seafood options on the menu, and you’ll be smooth sailing.

8. Embassy Suites by Hilton: Fort Lauderdale 17th Street

Not to be shallow (pun intended), but this hotel pool is truly beautiful. It makes sense; if the Embassy Suites are famous for their charming lobbies, why shouldn’t they have a good-looking hotel pool area, too?

The picturesque waterfall at the Embassy Suites by Hilton: Fort Lauderdale pool sets a tranquil scene that is just what you want for a vacation. Comfortable lounge chairs, umbrella tables and a koi pond complement the serene setting. The pool itself is spacious, providing more than enough room for all guests to swim and enjoy. Children will jump for joy when they see the playground that faces the ocean. They can brush up on their back stroke, head over to the playground and zip down the slide into the soft sand.

9. The Dalmar

Some Fort Lauderdale hotels do their best to always stay one step ahead. One of those hotels, The Dalmar , describes itself as “an edgy, first-of-its-kind retreat for trendsetters and traditionalists.” By the looks of its pool, we can confidently agree with that classification. A true trendsetter, The Dalmar chose a saline pool for its sixth floor deck. That means instead of getting those itchy, chlorine eyes, you can swim around in a saltwater wonderland.

And don’t worry, this saline pool is not nearly as salty as the ocean is. Besides, the ocean doesn’t have a super hip Sip ‘N Dip lounge with tropical cocktails in close proximity, now does it? We respect The Dalmar’s decision to go left of center and are excited to see what’s to come upon its opening in late 2018.

10. The Guitar Hotel at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

Last but not least, we saved the hotel that turns a nice pool day into a full-fledged pool party (it also happens to be the only guitar-shaped hotel in the world). The party starts at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood’s 4.5-acre lagoon-style heated pool retreat. Live the rockstar lifestyle as you take a dip in the pool, sip on signature cocktails at the Beach Club and dance to a live DJ spin sick tracks on the weekend at DAER Dayclub.

The best way to get the VIP experience at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is by booking a private chickee cabana. Inspired by the traditional frond-covered Seminole chickees, these exclusive hotspots are decked out with cable televisions, fully stocked mini bars, telephones, ceiling fans, aluminum furniture and a covered seating room. You, along with up to 10 of your groupies, can lounge in luxury and savor every moment. We’re pretty sure once you lay down, you’ll never want to leave.

Whether they have a lazy river or a mini golf course, the best hotel pools act as a true oasis, granting you an enjoyable escape from reality. You’ll find that no matter what extravagant pool you choose as your oasis, Greater Fort Lauderdale’s blue skies and warm sunshine will be there by your side. They are even closer than you think — dive into the destination’s Vacation Planner tool now to see your dream South Florida vacation come to life.