Where’s the best place to chill in a busy city, enjoy birds-eye views and soak up some late summer sun? A rooftop pool can transform a hotel stay by adding an extra dimension to a city break. Here are five sky-high favourites from luxury hotels in Europe.
NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderón
Once visitors have seen Barcelona’s sights from street level, it’s time to take a second look from the rooftop terrace of NH Collection Barcelona Calderon. This 11th-floor pool is surrounded by glass walls for a birds-eye viewing point of the city’s famous Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas, the elegant Passeig de Gràcia, home to Gaudi’s architectural masterpiece Casa Batlló. The five-star views are complemented by five-star services, with a chic bar, comfy seating and a small gym sharing the rooftop.
NH Firenze
After a day of sightseeing in the renaissance city of Florence, the rooftop pool at NH Firenze is particularly welcoming. Outdoor swimming is located seven floors up, on a terrace that boasts stunning views, including Brunelleschi’s remarkable dome at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, a masterpiece of gothic art.
This top floor oasis also features a cocktail bar, with a restaurant opening once the pool has closed so diners can watch the city light up as the sun falls. The hotel is next to Cascine Park, the city’s biggest green space, and guests can walk 20 minutes along the Arno River to reach Florence’s historic centre.
NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade
Lisbon is famous for its hilltop ´miradouros´ viewpoints, but for a more exclusive view the NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade has an 11th floor rooftop pool that overlooks the city, St Jorge’s Castle and the Tagus River. The pool stays open to midnight, allowing bathers to watch the city change from sun-kissed to brightly lit. The rooftop terrace is free for hotel guests and has loungers and a cocktail bar serving light meals, drinks and snacks to accompany the exclusive views.
NH Collection Madrid Colón
NH Collection Madrid Colón in Madrid is ideal for travellers who love the high life. Located next door to Platea, a gourmet food complex managed by some of the city’s Michelin-starred chefs, and within walking distance of Madrid’s Golden Mile of luxury stores including Gucci, Rolex, and Louis Vuitton, it boasts a fourth-floor sun terrace that is the perfect place to relax after a day of retail therapy. The open-air pool is surrounded by chic loungers and a bar offering cooling drinks and snacks.
About NH Hotel Group
NH Hotel Group (www.nhhotelgroup.com) is a consolidated multinational player and a leading urban hotel operator in Europe and America, where it operates over 350 hotels. Since 2019, the Company works with Minor Hotels in the integration of their hotel brands under a single corporate umbrella with presence in over 50 countries worldwide.
Together, both Groups have a portfolio of over 500 hotels articulated around eight brands: NH Hotels, NH Collection, nhow, Tivoli, Anantara, Avani, Elewana and Oaks – that comprise a broad and diverse range of hotel propositions connected to the needs and desires of today’s global travelers.