Finding the best hotels with pools in London takes more checking than you might expect. Some hotels have full-length indoor swimming pools, others offer compact spa pools, and a few have spectacular rooftop or sky-high pools. Access rules also vary widely, especially for children and non-guests.
This guide focuses on London hotels whose swimming facilities can be confirmed from current official information. It also explains which pools suit families, lap swimmers, spa breaks, skyline views, and travelers who want swimming to be a major part of their stay.
Quick Answer
London’s strongest hotel-pool choices include Shangri-La The Shard for skyline views, The Berkeley and art’otel Battersea for rooftop swimming, and Bvlgari for serious laps. Families should also consider Pan Pacific, The Langham, London Marriott County Hall, and One Aldwych because their official sites publish clear children’s swim times.
Last checked: October 1, 2026. Dates and figures were verified against official sources.
Key Takeaways
- Shangri-La The Shard has one of London’s most memorable pools, with its Infinity Sky Pool on level 52.
- The Berkeley and art’otel London Battersea Power Station are strong choices if you specifically want an outdoor rooftop swim.
- Bvlgari Hotel London and London Marriott Hotel County Hall both offer 25-meter indoor pools suited to lap swimming.
- Families should always check children’s swimming hours because several luxury hotels restrict younger swimmers to set periods.
Best Hotels With Pools in London at a Glance
The right hotel depends on how you plan to use the pool. A rooftop pool is ideal for views and relaxing, while a longer indoor pool makes more sense if you want to swim laps every morning.
| Hotel | Pool | Family access | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shangri-La The Shard | Infinity Sky Pool, level 52 | Children: 9–11am and 3–5pm | Skyline views |
| The Berkeley | Heated outdoor rooftop pool | Family-friendly | Summer rooftop stays |
| art’otel London Battersea Power Station | Heated 16th-floor rooftop infinity pool | Under 16: 6am–12 noon | Year-round rooftop swimming |
| Bvlgari Hotel London | 25-meter indoor pool | Ages 8+: 8–10am and 4–6pm | Luxury lap swimming |
| Pan Pacific London | 18.5-meter heated infinity pool | Dedicated child swimming sessions | Families and wellness stays |
| The Langham, London | 16-meter indoor pool | Under 16: 8am–12pm and 4–6pm | Central London families |
| London Marriott Hotel County Hall | 25-meter indoor pool | Children: 8am–8pm | Families and lap swimmers |
| One Aldwych | 18-meter mineral-cleaned lap pool | Long child swimming windows | Covent Garden stays |
| Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park | 17-meter twin-lane indoor pool | Check age restrictions before booking | Knightsbridge wellness |
| The Connaught | Indoor Aman Spa pool | Access rules vary | Quiet spa stays |
Best London Hotel Pools for Views and Rooftop Swimming
London has only a small number of genuinely memorable elevated hotel pools. If scenery matters as much as swimming, Shangri-La The Shard, The Berkeley, and art’otel Battersea stand apart because the pool is part of the experience rather than simply another spa facility.
Shangri-La The Shard: Best for a Sky-High Swim
Shangri-La The Shard places its Infinity Sky Pool on level 52. The hotel describes it as the highest hotel pool in Western Europe, with wide views across London.
Hotel guests receive complimentary access but must reserve a time slot. The current adult pool schedule is 6am to 6pm, while children’s swimming periods are 9am to 11am and 3pm to 5pm. This makes advance planning worthwhile if the pool is one of the main reasons for your stay.
The Berkeley: Best for a Classic Knightsbridge Rooftop Pool
The Berkeley’s heated outdoor rooftop pool overlooks Knightsbridge, Belgravia, and Hyde Park. It is particularly suited to travelers who want to combine a central luxury hotel with time outside by the water.
The rooftop is strongly seasonal in character, with the hotel emphasizing spring and summer swimming. That makes it a different experience from London’s year-round indoor spa pools. If you are booking outside the warmer months, confirm that the rooftop pool will be operating during your stay.
art’otel London Battersea Power Station: Best Year-Round Rooftop Option
art’otel Battersea has a heated outdoor infinity pool on the 16th floor facing Battersea Power Station. Unlike many seasonal rooftop pools, the hotel states that this pool is available throughout the year.
Access is exclusive to hotel guests from 6am to 11pm. Children under 16 can use the pool from 6am until noon each day. The combination of long opening hours, heating, and a dramatic view makes it a practical choice for travelers who specifically want outdoor swimming.
Best Indoor Hotel Pools for Lap Swimming and Spa Time
Indoor hotel pools are usually the safer choice if swimming matters regardless of London’s weather. Several hotels provide pools long enough for proper laps while still offering the atmosphere of a luxury spa.
Bvlgari Hotel London: 25 Meters in Knightsbridge
Bvlgari Hotel London has a 25-meter colonnaded indoor swimming pool within its spa complex. The design uses Vicenza stone, with loungers and cabanas around the main pool and a separate vitality pool with massage jets.
The current main-pool hours are 7:30am to 8pm daily. Children aged eight and older are permitted between 8am and 10am and again between 4pm and 6pm. That makes the Bvlgari better suited to adults and older children than families traveling with toddlers.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park: A 17-Meter Twin-Lane Pool
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has a 17-meter, twin-lane stainless-steel indoor swimming pool in its fitness area. The published swimming hours are 6:30am to 9:30pm.
It is a strong fit for travelers who want to maintain a regular exercise routine in Knightsbridge. However, the hotel’s spa information includes age restrictions for its wellness areas, so families should confirm which facilities their children can use before booking around the pool.
The Connaught: A Quiet Pool Inside Aman Spa
The Connaught takes a more spa-focused approach. Its Aman Spa includes an indoor pool, steam room, treatment rooms, relaxation space, and a private gym.
This is better suited to a quiet wellness break than a lively family pool day. Hotel stays include access to the Aman Spa swimming pool, while the spa also offers membership and selected visitor access.
Best Family-Friendly Hotels With Pools in London
Families should look beyond the simple phrase “hotel with a pool.” Many London spas restrict children to specific periods, so the published child-swimming schedule can matter more than the pool’s design or size.
London Marriott Hotel County Hall: Long Family Swimming Hours
London Marriott Hotel County Hall has a 25-meter indoor pool with designated swimming lanes. Its location beside the South Bank also places families close to the London Eye and several major central London attractions.
Children can currently swim from 8am to 8pm daily. Guests under 16 and weak or non-swimmers must be supervised, with stricter adult-to-child ratios applying to younger children.
Pan Pacific London: Dedicated Family Sessions
Pan Pacific London has an 18.5-meter heated infinity pool within SENSORY Spa & Wellbeing. The hotel publishes separate family swimming sessions rather than allowing unrestricted child access all day.
For children up to age 16, weekday sessions currently run from 9am to 11am and 3pm to 5pm. Weekend sessions are 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Langham, London: Central Location With Clear Child Hours
The Langham’s 16-meter indoor pool was built in a space that was once a bank vault. It is open from 7am to 9pm and forms part of the hotel’s Chuan Body + Soul wellness facilities.
Guests under 16 can use the pool from 8am to noon and from 4pm to 6pm when accompanied by an adult. Children cannot use the steam rooms or saunas.
One Aldwych: Long Weekend Swimming Windows
One Aldwych has an 18-meter lap pool beneath the hotel in Covent Garden. Instead of conventional chlorine treatment, the hotel describes a mineral cleaning system designed to provide a chlorine-free swimming experience.
Children can swim from 9am to 11:30am and 2pm to 5:30pm on weekdays. On Saturdays, Sundays, and bank holidays, the children’s swimming period extends from 9am to 5:30pm, making it one of the more flexible central options for families.
How to Choose the Right London Hotel Pool
The best pool for your trip depends on whether you want exercise, relaxation, family time, or views. Start with the pool rules, then compare location and room type rather than choosing from photographs alone.
- For skyline views: Shangri-La The Shard offers an indoor pool high above the city, while The Berkeley and art’otel Battersea provide outdoor rooftop swimming.
- For lap swimming: Bvlgari Hotel London and London Marriott Hotel County Hall both have 25-meter pools.
- For families: Marriott County Hall, Pan Pacific, The Langham, and One Aldwych publish clear children’s swimming periods.
- For year-round outdoor swimming: art’otel Battersea explicitly describes its rooftop pool as heated and available throughout the year.
- For a quieter spa atmosphere: The Connaught and Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park put more emphasis on wellness and controlled spa environments.
Pro Tip: If swimming is essential to your stay, compare children’s hours, seasonal closures, reservation requirements, and guest-only restrictions before comparing room prices. A beautiful pool is little use if your family cannot access it when you need it.
Can You Use a London Hotel Pool Without Staying Overnight?
Sometimes, but access depends on the hotel. Many luxury pools are reserved for hotel guests or members, while selected spas sell treatments, day experiences, or limited pool access to non-residents.
For example, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge has a 15-meter indoor pool and currently operates a booking system because capacity is limited. Its spa also offers access options for external guests, subject to availability.
Shangri-La’s Sky Pool and art’otel Battersea’s rooftop pool are much more restrictive: both are positioned primarily as facilities for staying guests. If day access is important, check the hotel’s official spa terms rather than assuming a treatment automatically includes swimming.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the best hotels with pools in London?
Strong options include Shangri-La The Shard for high-level views, The Berkeley and art’otel Battersea for rooftop swimming, Bvlgari for its 25-meter pool, and London Marriott Hotel County Hall for families and lap swimming. Pan Pacific, The Langham, One Aldwych, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, and The Connaught are also verified choices.
Do all hotels in London have swimming pools?
No. Swimming pools are relatively uncommon in central London hotels because space is limited, and even some luxury properties have spas without full swimming pools. Confirm the facility on the hotel’s current website before booking if swimming is important to your trip.
Can children use hotel pools in London?
Yes, many London hotel pools allow children, but age limits and swimming windows are common. Bvlgari currently admits children aged eight and older during set periods, while Pan Pacific, The Langham, Marriott County Hall, art’otel Battersea, and One Aldwych publish their own family swimming schedules.
Are London hotel pools open to the public?
Some are, but many are restricted to hotel guests or members. Selected spas offer day experiences or treatment packages that include pool access, while pools such as Shangri-La’s Sky Pool and art’otel Battersea’s rooftop pool are primarily reserved for staying guests.
Which London hotels have rooftop pools?
The Berkeley has a heated outdoor rooftop pool overlooking Knightsbridge and Hyde Park, while art’otel London Battersea Power Station has a heated rooftop infinity pool on the 16th floor. Shangri-La The Shard offers a different elevated experience with an indoor Infinity Sky Pool on level 52.
Which London hotel pools are best for swimming laps?
Bvlgari Hotel London and London Marriott Hotel County Hall both have 25-meter indoor pools, making them practical for longer lap sessions. Pan Pacific London has an 18.5-meter pool, One Aldwych has an 18-meter pool, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has a 17-meter twin-lane pool, and The Langham has a 16-meter pool.
If you’re looking for more London travel content, you can also explore Tagline Today.
Sources
- Shangri-La The Shard: Sky Pool location, access, opening hours, and children’s swimming times.
- The Berkeley: rooftop pool, heating, setting, and seasonal information.
- art’otel London Battersea Power Station: rooftop pool location, heating, opening hours, guest access, and children’s hours.
- Bvlgari Hotel London: 25-meter pool, opening hours, vitality pool, and child access.
- Pan Pacific London: 18.5-meter heated pool and family swimming sessions.
- The Langham, London: 16-meter pool, opening hours, and child-access periods.
- London Marriott Hotel County Hall: 25-meter pool, children’s hours, and supervision rules.
- One Aldwych: 18-meter pool, mineral cleaning system, opening hours, and children’s swimming times.
- Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park: 17-meter twin-lane indoor pool and current opening hours.
- The Connaught: Aman Spa swimming pool and wellness facilities.
- Park Plaza Westminster Bridge: 15-meter pool, booking system, and current swimming information.
