Oases in the Urban Desert, for the Cost of a Drink

It’s hot, you’re feeling decadent and pale, and the beach seems like too big a deal. All you want to do is lie by the pool. Problem is, you don’t have one. It’s time for that little-known pastime of the clued-in but pool-less: pool poaching.

Los Angeles, after all, has more hotels than it knows what to do with, and most of them boast beautiful outdoor pools, some with breathtaking rooftop views, and most with alfresco bars and restaurants. Yes, yes, they are there for guests. But do you really think tourists and businesspeople come to Los Angeles to lie by the pool all day? No way. There’s Hollywood & Highland to visit. There’s the Grove to view. On any given Saturday there are more vacant hotel poolside chairs than parking spots at the Beverly Center. Order a drink and then all you need is a bathing suit, a book and attitude. Don’t bring a towel, because most pools provide them and, besides, part of the thrill of pool poaching is pretending you’re a guest for the afternoon. Dress in as little street clothing as possible, and carry only the essentials.

As for the best pools, well, really, any will do. The Sunset Marquis, a favorite with the music industry, is always nice for pretending you’re a visiting rock star. Only trouble is, there are lots of pale British guests who actually do log hours poolside to prove to their friends and co-workers that they’ve been to L.A., so it can get a bit crowded.

If you want to swan into the Mondrian’s SkyBar without worrying about a pesky guest list, daytime visits to the pool are your best shot. As impenetrable as the door can be at night, it’s a breeze when the sun is out. The Standard, just down the street, offers a hipper and less intimidating vibe, only without the sarong-clad poolside cocktail waitresses.

The pool at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel was made famous by David Hockney’s watercolors, and there’s no reason residents shouldn’t experience that bit of history just like the tourists. Smack in the middle of sightseeing central, it’s quite serene and worth the trip for the walk through the impressive Art Deco lobby alone. The disappointment is that in 1995 they repainted the pool, owing to a city ordinance prohibiting black-bottomed pools, so you really have to strain your eyes to see any reminders of Hockney’s famous swooshes.

Finally, the Hotel Figueroa works when you’re stuck downtown but you want to feel like you’ve left the city. With its impressive Mexican-meets-Moroccan style and largely undiscovered status, it’s the perfect place for downtown workers to nip out for an hour of lunchtime sunbathing.

The one hotel where a drink or even a full meal won’t rent you space by the pool is the rooftop oasis at Le Montrose Suite Hotel in West Hollywood. To tap into the serenity and magnificent city views here, convince your next out-of-town guest to check in. Without a guest, you’ll need guts, dark glasses and the air of one who belongs, but you’ll also risk trespassing charges. Besides, there’s still no such thing as a free lunch ... or a free pool chair.