Everybody, Into the Pool!Turn your business meetings, power lunches, and summer downtime inside out, with hotels flanked by pools that bring the best of Southern California into one lovely spot.By Elyse Glickman
We’re taking a vacation from our usual (single hotel) format to take readers on a well-deserved departure from the everyday with some dips into the city’s coolest pools. The great thing about the city’s most imaginative “waterfronts” is their versatility. In their own unique ways, each provides a great backdrop for meetings and power meals when business has to be attended to. There are many kinds of pool scenes to pick from, ranging from urban and hip to sprawling, fresh, and even family friendly (as some of your colleagues may have spouses and kids in tow). On the flip side, during weekends and days off, they are great local, go-to instant vacation spots—just add water! |
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downtown JW Marriott
900 West Olympic Blvd
CSQ Contacts 213/765.8605 Jose Camara Joey Battaglia |
Vibe Though the rooftop pool enjoyed its close-up on a national cooking show, what makes it ‘local’ is its approach to downtown urban cool. Adjacent to the pool is ION, a mod canvas of white and black with pops of color. The view overlooks L.A. LIVE, the city’s bustling sports and entertainment hub.
Who Goes There Business guests seeking sophisticated R&R, locals who live Downtown and fans in town for sports game, movie premieres, awards shows, and concerts. Crowds tends to be late 20s to early 50s.
Poolside Provisions |
west los angeles Hotel Palomar Westwood
10740 Wilshire Blvd
CSQ Contact
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Vibe This pool is a quiet oasis tailor-made for business and pleasure—an intimate peaceful surrounding rather than a social hub. It is perfect for morning or afternoon swims, lounging poolside to work with the hotel’s free WiFi, or sitting by the fireplace at night with a glass of wine/cocktail from BLVD 16 with colleagues.
Who Goes There A well-educated and sophisticated clientele that enjoys mixing business and pleasure amid arty and modern decor but prefers to do that in a location defined by intimacy and subtlety. In a way, a touch of San Francisco in L.A. pool form.
Poolside Provisions The bar is stocked with spirits from local distilleries, freshly squeezed juices, and house-made herbal concoctions brought together for signature cocktails, as well as a wine list that boasts 125 labels, including organic and biodynamic varieties. |
beverly hills The Peninsula Beverly Hills
9882 South Santa Monica Blvd
CSQ Contact James Little, 310-551-2888
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Vibe The Roof Garden (conceived by Beverly Hills based Cheryl Rowley Design and showcased in Architectural Digest) is a 6,270 square-feet guests-only Eden shielded from the world with palm trees and jasmine plants. The 60-foot swimming pool and Jacuzzi fit for a star are flanked by a dozen spacious guest cabanas furnished with JANUS et Cie’s swanky outdoor furniture, as well as flat-screen TVs, safes, ceiling fans, and curtains for privacy. Wi-Fi, plug-ins, phones, and faxes are available for guests who want to turn their cabana into a private high-tech mini office.
Who Goes There Corporate movers and shakers; international jet-setters and celebrities.
Poolside Provisions By lunchtime, smoke rises from the newly installed state-of-the-art grill, where chefs barbecue fresh fish, chicken, steaks, and the special “Pineland Farms” prime beef burger served with Maui sweet onions, Pinot Noir aïoli, and white cheddar cheese. From May until Labor Day, the Roof Garden serves a special weekend barbecue menu on Saturdays and Sundays, featuring three courses with entrees such as “Ribs on the Roof” for $55 per person. Thursdays from 5 pm to 7 pm, the Roof Garden Cocktail Hour features half-priced wine, beer, and cocktails. |
west hollywood The Andaz West Hollywood |
Vibe The deck, designed by Janson & Goldstien, marries L.A. ‘chill’ and an urban edge that also makes it business-appropriate. Views span the city of Los Angeles, as this hotel boasts the highest commercial roof top pool in the city.
Who Goes There Though it is a destination for savvy out-of-towners, it should be noted local rock musicians and actors have been known to check into the hotel just to spend the day at the guest only pool. It is both a true Hollywood “scene” and a quiet place in which to enjoy your time or (literally) go about your business. Hit sips include the Mr. Plant cocktail, named for legendary rocker Robert Plant, and vodka strawberry lemonade. The most popular bites include the whole grain grilled cheese, bacon, and onion flatbread and portabella mushroom burger. |
west hollywood The Chamberlain Hotel
1000 Westmount Dr
CSQ Contact Monica Hyatt, 310/657.7400
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Vibe If you want Europe in the middle of L.A., this is your place, as it is more pied à terre than boutique hotel. If you want exclusivity, even better—as the pool is only open to guests ensuring you or your associates will enjoy the luxury of privacy.
Who Goes There A pool host has just been hired to cater to the needs of guests at the hidden-away pool. These people include top A-List celebrities and major players in fashion, entertainment, advertising, and sports, as well as CEOs who demand discretion and privacy along with unsurpassed luxury.
Poolside Provisions Look into renting one of the three small cabanas equipped with fully stocked fridges ($350 for the day), or the Grand Cabana for up to 20 guests ($400/day plus an additional food & beverage minimum) that has a full bar and grill. |
santa monica The Viceroy Santa Monica |
Vibe A sexy Santa Monica condo pool area a guest can make his or her own during the stay. The spread includes two refreshing plunge pools punctuating the hotel’s outdoor garden flanked by sleek lounge chairs and lofty cabanas that protect guests from the strong ocean sun, serve as breezy business meeting spaces, and become an intimate cocktail hour destination for sipping cocktails and watching luminaries of L.A.’s entertainment and fashion scenes.
Who Goes There Guests and local devotees of the pool area include movers and shakers in the production, entertainment, and fashion industries as well as the jet-setter/international leisure traveler and urban professionals.
Poolside Provisions The signature cocktail is the Bohemian, with Belvedere Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, and fresh muddled blackberries. The most popular poolside snack is Chef Tony DiSalvo’s meatballs (pork and veal, shaved parmesan, and olive oil). |
marina del rey The Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey
4375 Admiralty Way
CSQ Contact |
Vibe This ritzy pool area is a rarity in that it maintains its chic Ritz-Carlton cache but is designed with everyone in mind, including business groups and professionals traveling with their kids this summer. Its proximity to Marina Del Rey’s upscale beachy culture helps, too!
Who Goes There Clientele of all demographics and backgrounds enjoy the pool, and famous faces relax here to get away from being seen at more scene-y destinations. For $350 per day, a private cabana can be rented providing an HD TV, signature cocktails, smoothies, and fruit presentation. Waves’ signature chili-rubbed fish tacos are ideally paired with a Patron Silver, Blood Orange Margarita. |
Dive Right In: Other Hotels with Real Pool Cool! |
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Four Seasons Westlake Villagefourseasons.com/westlakevillage
The skinny If it’s serenity and solitude your soul craves, this Japanese-attired setting just outside the hotel’s nationally acclaimed spa makes for the perfect getaway. Sunset Marquissunsetmarquis.com
The skinny Think of it as an intimate, boutique hybrid of Beverly Hills Hotel and the Chateau Marmont, with the added bonus of a rock and roll vibe. |
The Thompson Beverly Hillsthompsonhotels.com/beverlyhills
The skinny The sunny, rooftop pool area serves as a quintessential California counterbalance to its dark, modern, and masculine interiors.
The W-Hollywoodwhotels.com/lahollywood
The skinny The sky high WET® Deck is attached to the legendary rethinking of Drai’s and makes for the ultimate L.A. people-watching perch. |
