Cool Off in Houston-Area Pools

By Jenna Talisman, Contributing writer | July 4, 2019

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Eliza Lawrence and Kate Riley, incoming seniors at The Kinkaid School, celebrated Eliza’s 16th birthday at the Post Oak Hotel by the pool last summer. They enjoyed sushi and a day of relaxing by the pool.

The summer heat is strong. Grab your sunscreen, sunglasses and splash around and cool down in these pools. Here’s a list of pools around Houston and Galveston:

Evergreen & Elaine Wood Therapy Pool
4500 Evergreen St.
Hours: Vary. See their website.
Cost for non-residents: Age 2 and under: free; Ages 3-59: $10; Ages 60 and up: $8
Cost for residents: 2 and under: free; Ages 3-59: $5; ages 60 and up: $4

Bellaire Town Square Family Aquatic Center
7001 Fifth St.
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Sun: 1-8 p.m.
Cost for non-residents: Vary. See the website.
Cost for residents: Vary. See the website.

Colonial Park
4130 Byron St.
Hours: Vary. See the website.
Cost for non-residents: $12
Cost for residents: $6

West University Recreation Center
5210 Bellaire St.
Hours: Vary. See the website.
Cost for non-residents (walk-in rate): $12
Cost for residents (walk-in rate): $6
Rule: All non-residents must be accompanied by a resident when purchasing a guest pass.

Quillian Center
10570 Westpark Dr.
Hours: Vary. See their website.
Cost: Ages under one are free; Daily Admission: $8; Active military and those age 65+: $5; Tues. and Thurs. evening swim: $6.50

Weekley Family YMCA
7101 Stella Link Rd.
Hours: Vary. See their website.
Cost for non-members: Free
Cost for members: $25/day pass

Trotter Family YMCA
1331 Augusta Dr.
Hours: Vary. See their website.
Cost for non-members: $20 day pass
Cost for members: Free

Tellepsen Family YMCA
808 Pease St.
Hours: Vary. See their website.
Cost for non-members: $25/day pass
Members: Free

Marriott Marquis Downtown
1777 Walker St.
This famous Texas-shaped pool has many different options regarding visitor admissions. If you aren’t staying at the hotel, you can either purchase the day pass or the spa pass to gain access to the pool. The day pass includes access to the pool, towel service, the fitness center, the bar, and poolside food. The spa pass provides all of the amenities that the day pass includes with the addition of the spa, men’s and women’s showers, and the steam room. Only adults, ages 21 and over, are allowed admission to the pool via the two passes. See the website for more information.

The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown
1600 West Loop S.
The pool is reserved for all hotel guests. You can rent a cabana for $500 in the day and $300 in the evening. If you get a spa treatment, pool access is complimentary.

Hotel ZaZa in the Museum District
5701 S Main St.
The pool is free for guests. If you aren’t a guest, then you can access the pool with spa services priced $150+.

Four Seasons Hotel Houston
1300 Lamar St.
If you are not a guest, there is a day pass that can be purchased through the spa in order to obtain pool access. The pool is included in the hotel’s spa package along with other amenities. The pool is open to the public from 7-10 p.m. on Friday.

St. Regis Houston
1919 Briar Oaks Ln.
The pool is open to all guests at the hotel only.

The Houstonian Hotel, Club, and Spa
111 N Post Oak Ln.
Hotel guests and members of the club can get free access to the pools available on the property. Houstonian members are allowed to bring one guest.

Hotel Alessandra
1070 Dallas St.
Hotel Alessandra provides all-day pool and fitness center access on the same day to those who have paid for spa services, which is located on the pool level. Additionally, spa guests can also enjoy complimentary valet.

The San Luis Resort in Galveston
5222 Seawall Blvd.
Guests are allowed free access to the pool.

Hotel Galvez and Spa
2024 Seawall Blvd.
Hotel guests can gain free admission to the pool. However, if you spend $300+ of spa services, you can gain access to the pool, but the pool is primarily reserved for hotel guests. Sister properties of the Hotel Galvez are The Tremont and Harbor House, so if you stay at one of these hotels, you can use the pool facilities at Hotel Galvez.

Moody Gardens Hotel
7 Hope Blvd.
Hotel pool is solely for hotel guests. The Moody Gardens Hotel includes its own private area with a lazy river and a wave pool that are open to the public, also called Palm Beach. Adult admissions prices, ages 13 and up, are $25, and kids under 13 along with senior citizens 65 and older can gain access to Palm Beach for $20.

Editor's Note: See this Buzz Baby article by Annie Blaylock McQueen for a list of local splash pads and pools perfect for little ones.