The Best Hotels With Pools to Book in Tampa, Florida

Courtyard by Marriott puts you within a doggie-paddle of the best Tampa events at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. You’ll likely hear the commotion of a food festival or music performance as you swim laps in the outdoor pool. Dry off in your guest room, taking in the sights of the city and hopping around the Tampa Museum of Art, Glazer Children’s Museum and the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts surrounding the park.

However you want to go with the flow, let the Current keep you in calm waters. Jutting out of Tampa’s mainland, you’re good to float in their outdoor pool or paddle your way over to the narrow Ben T. Davis Beach. Before the sun sets, breaststroke as fast as possible back to the hotel so you can watch the sunset on Tampa Bay’s tallest rooftop lounge, Rox Rooftop Bar, alongside the fresh catch of the day.

You won’t miss your flight when you stay at Grand Hyatt even if you try. Their complimentary shuttle will get you there before the boarding gate opens. You’re welcome to push the envelope as much as you want, though; hang out at the pool until the tan lines disappear, scoot your way over to the sands of Clearwater Beach, or simply let time slip by as you sip coffee in your waterview room. You’ll still hit the terminal before the ink is dry on your boarding pass.

Saddlebrook Resort knows that you’re not going to spend all of your time at the pool, though they’ll gladly take you if you do. From the tennis court to the golf course, you’ll be quite busy soaking up the Florida sunshine in as many ways as possible. The links give you two opportunities to work on your game, both Arnold Palmer Signature Courses. Prefer to make love, not par? The tennis program is available for aspiring adults and prodigy juniors.

Hang out in Tampa, but spend your nights spoiled in St. Pete Beach at the Don CeSar. “Poolside concierge service” are the magic words that’ll keep you relaxed from early morning swims to late-night dips. The SandDollar pool bar will help keep you pruny. A beach house suite may be a half-mile (0.8km) from the actual hotel, but it’s well-worth the walk for anyone who wants to discover the dreamy lifestyle that is living on the Florida Gulf.

Visiting Tampa to see the Bolts bring the thunder to the ice? The Westin Tampa Waterside is within icing distance. When you’re not watching the Lightning go for yet another Stanley Cup, you’re free to bum around their pool or admire the city, harbor or bay views from your room. You can lounge about in your two-piece in both places, but we do suggest wearing shoes if you want to catch a late dinner at the Blue Harbour restaurant.

Clearwater Beach is regularly ranked as one of the best beaches in the country, so you can stop reading now and confidently book a stay at the beachfront Sheraton Sand Key Resort. Need further convincing? This Tampa hotel with a pool has hiking trails, beachfront location, a children’s pool, fishing piers, kayak launches and white sand shores right outside your suite. Go ahead, book the room, and then think it all over while you’re staring at the Gulf from the fire pit.

While 3mi (4.8km) may not be far, the distance between the Tahitian Inn and the Tampa Riverfront will give you the freedom you need to break away from the bustle of the city. It’s island time around the clock here, especially at the poolside Torch Bar where they’re slinging mai tais like there’s no tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow, don’t spend it all in the cabana king suite no matter how tempting the California king bed may be.

Surrounded by water so soothing you’ll just want to dive right in, the Godfrey Hotel & Cabanas makes living in a pair of swim trunks effortless. The only time you’ll climb out of their two outdoor heated pools is to grab another Cigar City beer. The WTR Pool & Grill is a great place to eat a basket of fish and chips while the sun sets, but you might find us appreciating the crimson skies from a quiet spot on the private dock.