Pool day passes in New Orleans
Compare 5 hotel pool day passes in New Orleans, from a $25 rooftop pass at Virgin Hotels to the swim-up bar at Garden District Hotel. Prices and direct booking links.
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New Orleans keeps most of its pool day passes close to the French Quarter and Garden District, in courtyard pools and rooftop decks rather than sprawling resort lagoons. The Garden District Hotel runs the city's only swim-up bar, while The Chloe and The Blackbird Hotel are 21-plus boutique courtyard pools a few blocks apart. Virgin Hotels New Orleans has a rooftop pool with skyline views over the CBD, and The Royal Sonesta New Orleans puts a big outdoor pool right off Bourbon Street.
Day passes run from $25 on a weekday at Virgin Hotels or Royal Sonesta up to $55 for a weekend session at The Chloe or The Blackbird. Most passes cover pool access for a set window of hours, and boutique properties add a pool bar or Turkish linen towels. Weekend prices climb across the board, and several pools carry a 21-plus age policy.
Booking style varies by hotel. The Garden District Hotel and Virgin Hotels take online reservations, while The Chloe and The Blackbird are walk-in only at the pool entrance or front desk. Book ahead where reservations are offered, especially for weekends and festival weeks like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.
- The Garden District Hotel — $45/adult, only swim-up bar in New Orleans
- The Chloe — $45 weekday / $55 weekend, 21-plus courtyard pool
- The Blackbird Hotel — $45 weekday / $55 weekend, saltwater pool and bar
- Virgin Hotels New Orleans — $25 weekday / $35 weekend, rooftop pool over the CBD
- The Royal Sonesta New Orleans — $25 weekday / $40 weekend, big pool off Bourbon Street
Planning a trip to New Orleans? Here are the tools I use and recommend:
How much does a pool day pass in New Orleans cost?
Pool day passes in New Orleans run about $25 to $55, with weekend prices consistently higher than weekday rates. Boutique courtyard pools with a pool bar tend to sit at the top of that range, while rooftop passes at the bigger hotels start cheaper on weekdays.
| Hotel | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin Hotels New Orleans | $25 weekday / $35 weekend | Cheapest ticket, rooftop skyline views |
| Royal Sonesta New Orleans | $25 weekday / $40 weekend | Big pool right off Bourbon Street |
| The Garden District Hotel | $45/adult | Only swim-up bar in the city |
| The Chloe | $45 weekday / $55 weekend | 21-plus courtyard pool bar |
| The Blackbird Hotel | $45 weekday / $55 weekend | Saltwater pool, walk-in only |
Can non-guests use hotel pools in New Orleans?
Yes. All five hotels on this list sell day passes to non-guests, either through their own online booking system or as a walk-in purchase at the pool. The Garden District Hotel and Virgin Hotels New Orleans take reservations online in advance. The Chloe and The Blackbird Hotel sell passes on a first-come, first-served basis at the pool entrance or front desk, so there's no guarantee of a spot on a busy day. The Royal Sonesta New Orleans welcomes all ages, unlike the 21-plus boutique pools nearby.
Do I need to book a pool day pass in advance?
It depends on the hotel. The Garden District Hotel requires an advance online reservation, and Virgin Hotels New Orleans works the same way through its own booking page. The Chloe and The Blackbird Hotel don't take reservations at all, they sell passes to walk-ins at the pool, so arriving earlier in the day improves your odds during peak season. Book ahead wherever possible during Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, or any major convention week, when hotel pools fill up fast.
Where to stay in New Orleans
The Garden District is the calmest base for a pool day pass trip: tree-lined streets, historic mansions, and Magazine Street's shops and restaurants a short walk away. The Pontchartrain Hotel is the pick if you want old New Orleans glamour with a modern edge, and it's close enough to walk to The Chloe or The Blackbird for your pool day.
If you'd rather be in the thick of it, the French Quarter puts you within stumbling distance of Bourbon Street and the jazz clubs on Frenchmen Street just across Esplanade. Hotel Mazarin sits on a quieter block but still gets you to Royal Sonesta's pool in minutes, with a courtyard and included breakfast that make mornings easier after a late night out.
The Garden District Hotel
The Garden District Hotel sits a few blocks off St. Charles Avenue, in the neighborhood that gives it its name. The pool deck runs from 11am to 9pm and is built around the city's only swim-up bar, with a shaded lounge area for anyone who'd rather sit than swim.
Day Pass ($45/adult) covers pool access for the full 11am to 9pm window and use of the swim-up pool bar for food and drinks. There's no age restriction, making it one of the few options in the city open to families.
Passes book online in advance and reservations are required, since the pool deck has limited capacity. Weekends fill up first, so booking a few days ahead is worth it during Mardi Gras or festival weekends.
Book direct: gdhnola.com/pool — or call (504) 383-9500
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>> Click here for info and current pricing <<The Chloe
The Chloe occupies a restored Victorian mansion on Magazine Street, on the edge of the Garden District. Its courtyard pool is small and intimate compared to the rooftop decks downtown, backed by a pool bar and a shaded backyard seating area.
Pool Access Day Pass ($45 Monday to Thursday, $55 Friday through Sunday and holidays) includes pool access from 11am to 8pm, a Turkish linen towel, and backyard access. The pool is 21 and up only.
There's no online booking. Passes sell first-come, first-served through the Pool Greeter stationed at the pool entrance, so weekday mornings are the safest bet for a guaranteed spot.
Book direct: thechloenola.com/pool — or call (504) 541-5500
The Blackbird Hotel
The Blackbird Hotel sits near Lee Circle at the edge of the Garden District, a short walk from the Warehouse District's museums. The saltwater pool is set in a quiet courtyard away from the street, with a bar serving the deck directly.
Day Pass ($45 Monday through Friday, $55 Saturday and Sunday) covers saltwater pool access and the poolside bar from 11am to 9pm. It's a 21-plus pool, so this one's for adults only.
Like The Chloe, there's no reservation system. Passes are sold walk-in at the front desk on a first-come, first-served basis, and weekend afternoons are the busiest window.
Book direct: theblackbirdnola.com/explore/pool — or call (504) 383-7500
Virgin Hotels New Orleans
Virgin Hotels New Orleans sits in the Central Business District, close to the Warehouse Arts District and a short streetcar ride from the French Quarter. The Pool Club is on the rooftop, with open city views instead of a street-level courtyard.
Rooftop Pool Day Pass ($25 weekday, $35 Friday through weekends and holidays) includes rooftop pool access with food and drinks available to purchase poolside. Louisiana residents get a $10 rate every Monday.
Reservations go through the hotel's own online booking page rather than a walk-in system, so it's worth locking in a slot ahead of a weekend visit.
Book direct: virginhotels.com/new-orleans/eat-drink/the-pool-club
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans sits right on Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter, putting the pool a few steps from the city's busiest nightlife strip. The outdoor freshwater pool is large by French Quarter standards, backed by the Oasis Pool Bar.
Day Pass ($25/$15 child Monday through Thursday, $40/$25 child Friday and Saturday) covers pool access and use of the Oasis Pool Bar. All ages are welcome, unlike the 21-plus boutique pools elsewhere on this list.
Non-guest passes book through the hotel, and the pool tends to draw a mixed crowd of guests and locals given the Bourbon Street location. Weekends get busy fast, so arrive early for a lounge chair.
Book direct: neworleansroyal.sonesta.com/our-hotel — or call (504) 586-0300
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my kids to a pool day pass in New Orleans?
It depends on the hotel. The Garden District Hotel and The Royal Sonesta New Orleans welcome all ages, with reduced pricing for children at the Royal Sonesta. The Chloe, The Blackbird Hotel, and Virgin Hotels New Orleans are 21-plus, so families should stick to the first two.
What should I bring to a New Orleans hotel pool day pass?
Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a photo ID, since some pools check age at the entrance. Most boutique pools like The Chloe provide a towel as part of the pass, but it's worth checking each hotel's page since not every property does.
Is Hotel Monteleone's rooftop pool open to day guests?
Hotel Monteleone advertises a ResortPass access page for its rooftop pool, but pricing isn't published directly on the hotel's own site and terms can change. Call the hotel directly at (504) 523-3341 to confirm current day pass availability before planning around it.
More pool day passes near New Orleans
New Orleans pairs well with other Gulf and Southern city breaks. Fort Lauderdale trades courtyard pools for beachfront resort decks, Orlando has the widest selection of resort-style pools in the state, and Nashville offers a similar mix of boutique rooftop pools with a music-city backdrop. Check the USA hub for the full list of cities with pool day passes.