Make a Splash at the Best Hotels in Madrid with Rooftop Pools

From the rooftop plunge pool and terrace at Bless Hotel, you look over Salamanca, one of the wealthiest and most elegant neighbourhoods in Spain. Most of the refined, classical rooms and suites also have city views, and some have terraces with private hot tubs. Although you’re ideally placed for exploring – the Prado Museum, Retiro Park and Gran Vía are all easily walkable – there’s plenty to do on site, such as relaxing in the spa, hitting the treadmills or sampling Basque cuisine at the Etxeko restaurant.

The Madrid operation of Axel Hotels is an LGBTQ-oriented boutique in the alternative Barrio de las Letras area. The showpiece rooms take inspiration from the socio-cultural movements that swept through the neighbourhood in the 1980s, swinging from retro-chic to old-world opulence. The in-house Wellness Club consists of a rooftop terrace with a rectangular pool – only open during summer – a gym and a massage and treatment cabin. Atocha, the main train station in Madrid, is a three-minute metro ride or 15-minute walk away.

Madrid hotels don’t come much more centrally located than Iberostar Las Letras, a literary-themed four-star accommodation on Gran Vía, one of the busiest streets in the Spanish capital. Look out over this never-resting thoroughfare from the decked terrace on the sixth-floor, where you can cool off in a long, thin pool and drink cocktails at the neighbouring bar. Also on site are a library, a 24-hour gym, a wine bar, a tapas joint and a restaurant specialising in sustainably sourced seafood.

The rooftop pool and jacuzzi here have views of two of the most iconic Madrid structures – the 3,400-room Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral. Accommodations base their style and colour schemes on the works of Spanish painter Diego Velazquez, and are housed in an 1800s palace surrounded by historic gardens. Relax in a spa full of Chinese antiques and Tibetan art, and dine at Dos Cielos restaurant – where the Torres brothers (founders of the two-Michelin-starred Cocina Hermanos Torres in Barcelona) reimagine traditional Castilian dishes.

This art-deco-themed five-star hotel is located just down the road from the central Puerta del Sol, and provides a stylish oasis in the heart of Madrid. It’s decorated with artworks from around the world, and even has a museum dedicated to art from Papua New Guinea. The rooftop pool area is a relaxing haven where you can enjoy a cocktail from the rooftop bar, or cool off after a long day of pounding the pavements.

This hip hotel in the LGBTQ-friendly Chueca neighbourhood of Madrid has a stunning rooftop pool, the ideal place to cool off during the sweltering summer months. The pool is surrounded by comfy, white sun loungers and chilled lounge music is piped out of the speakers. Non-guests can visit for either a half or full day – tickets are available for a half day at weekends or on weekdays, and visits come with a complimentary glass of cava.

Located just off the buzzing Gran Vía, Hotel Santo Domingo is a good deal for visitors who are looking for a central location, decent price and rooftop pool. The rooftop terrace cocktail bar transforms into a pool area from June to September. It’s for the exclusive use of guests staying at the hotel, which means it tends to stay quieter than some other pools that allow outside guests.

This four-star hotel is on shop-friendly Gran Vía and right by some of the best nightlife in the city. The rooftop pool here, open from May to September, is one of the biggest in Madrid, and it’s surrounded by an urban garden that makes it seem miles from the urban capital. Non-guests can use the pool for a fee – tickets include a complimentary glass of cava or Aperol spritz.

This design boutique hotel is right on Gran Vía, with views over the leafy Plaza de España opposite. It has a rooftop with a restaurant, Nice to Meet You, plus a lounge and pool. From the waters, you get great views over the city rooftops. Rooms are minimalist with beautiful design touches.

Hotel Indigo, set just off the Gran Vía, is a smart, four-star option in the heart of Madrid. Relax with a cocktail at the Sky Lounge and Bar or take a refreshing dip in the hotel infinity pool. While the pool is definitely on the small side – designed more for a dip than a swim – it’s a great place to cool. Even better, it faces west so you can soak up a beautiful sunset.

If you’re in town on business or want to stay out of the city centre, Hotel Exe Moncloa is a good pick. The four-star hotel is located in Moncloa, close to the main Madrid universities, and features a gym and an expansive terrace. The rooftop features a great bar, a small pool and a sundeck. This is a sublime spot to watch the sunset, with a refreshing cocktail and selection of nibbles to hand.