Looking for a swimming pool in Chiang Mai? We’ve got you covered!

My favourite swimming pool in Chiang Mai has to be the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel Pool which is located high up on the 7th floor and comes with fantastic views over the city as well as into the Kad Suan Kaew shopping mall interior garden.

Close to both the Nimman area and the North-West corner of Old Town the 7th floor pool is also set back far enough from the main road for you to enjoy a peaceful swim away from the hustle & bustle of the main ‘Huay Kaew’ road.

Great central location, enormous pool & relaxing ambience

I find that the pool never gets too busy thanks to its sheer size meaning there’s always plenty of space around the pool to relax in. Even during the peak season, there are plenty of sunbeds available as the pool doesn’t seem very popular. It’s the kind of pool that quickly becomes your go-to secret Chiang Mai relaxation spot!

Update: Unfortunatley, they decided to replace the, albeit old, solid wood premium sunbeds with cheap white plastic cushion-less ones. Gone is the traditional Lanna vibe, replaced by a little benidormesque.

Another nice touch is that the pool was designed with inbuilt seating around the edges of the pool allowing you to sit half submerged and cool off during the extreme heat of the summer months.

Swimming Pool Size: 50m
Opening Times: 9am to 9pm
Sunbeds: Yes
Refreshments: Basic & Expensive (Better off buying water downstairs in the mall)
Depth: 2m deep end.
Suitable for Children: Yes, large shallow section.
Price: 100 Baht (Includes Towel & Sunbed Use)
Location: Google Maps Location

Location Tip: The Lotus Hotel is actually situated behind Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Mall, but rather than walking through an unattractive car park to reach the entrance (thanks Google maps), you can enter the Kad Suan Kaew Mall from Huaykaew Rd (The main road from Old Town to Maya Shopping Mall) then walk through the mall straight to the hotel entrance. Take the lift straight up to the 7th floor then turn right.

Only a 5 minute ride out of old town will take you to this hidden oasis in the heart of Santitham. Both a hotel with private jacuzzi rooms and a pool/restaurant area (Lychee Restaurant), this is the perfect place to sit back, relax and have a cocktail.

You should check out their Facebook page where they regularly have offers for the pool and restaurant. At the time of writing this article, they have a min spend of 250B per person that allows you access to the pool, cafe and loungers all day. You then get this back in credit to spend on food and drinks.

Treat yourself at the luxury Treevana Pool

Although the pool is suitable for both children and adults, if you’ve got wild little ones, it’s best to leave the screaming & splashing kids at home. Let’s preserve the cosy boutique vibe. The saltwater pool is great for cooling off and sipping drinks and you can even get in a little cardio thanks to the 15m pool.

Swimming Pool Size:  15m
Opening Times: 9am to 9pm
Sunbeds: Yes (Premium Loungers)
Refreshments: Yes (Food, Drinks & Cocktails)
Depth: 1.2m
Suitable for Children: Yes
Price: 250B Baht (Credit to spend)
Parking: Yes
Location: Google Maps Location

If your looking to experience one of Chiang Mai’s 5-star swimming pools, the Le Meridian in Chiang Mai has recently opened up to guests. It’s definitely worth calling or messaging beforehand though, with all the uncertainty of recent times.

Enjoy this Luxurious 5-star Hotel Experience for less

The family offer below is the best value and even saves a few baht if you’re visiting with a friend. You can also sample the menu and drinks a decent 30% off with your pool access ticket.

The swimming pool is surrounded by sunbeds with complimentary towels all facing Doi Suthep mountain for some fantastic views. As it’s situated on the east of TP Gate, it’s one of the best places to see the whole mountain.

I haven’t visited this one myself yet as a friend put me onto it recently. If you’ve been, I’d love to hear your feedback. : )

Swimming Pool Size: Small – Fresh Water
Opening Times: 10am til 7pm
Sunbeds: Yes
Refreshments: Yes, Alcoholic & Soft.
Depth: Unknown
Suitable for Children: Yes
Price: 300 Baht (1 Adult) + Family 500 Baht (2 adults + 2 Children) + Complimentary Water + 30% OFF Food & Beverages
Location: Google Maps Location

If you’re an early riser, you’ll love the Looper swimming pool which opens at 7am and features a hot water onsen. Situated behind Maya Shopping mall in the Jed Yod area of Chiang Mai, this 25m pool is great for a post-workout relax or a splash with the kids.

25m Pool & hot Onsen Behind Maya mall

Watch out for the happy hour as well, where you can bag yourself up to half price during the quiet times of the day. Best to message them beforehand and check on what offers they currently have. The regular price for all-day use is 100baht.

Swimming Pool Size: 25m Pool (Chlorine) + Hot Onsen + Cold Bath
Opening Times: 7am to 9pm
Sunbeds: Yes
Refreshments: Yes (Small Shop)
Depth: 1.2m
Suitable for Children: Yes
Price: 100B Baht
Parking: Yes
Location: Google Maps Location

Update: Rise Rooftop Swimming pool is now only available for Akyra Manor Hotel guests.

On the roof of the Akyra Manor hotel lies an absolutely beautiful infinity pool that looks over Doi Suthep mountains and is a great spot to watch the sunset. If that wasn’t already good enough, next to the swimming pool is the Rise Rooftop Bar which serves up drinks until late.

This is the place to sip cocktails, watch the sunset & party

Situated in the heart of the Nimman area, entry to the pool is free with the purchase of a drink. If you’re looking to save a buck or two, they often have a 2-4-1 happy hour on the cocktails as well.

This isn’t the pool to get in any kind of serious swim, but, it would certainly make an impressive first date if anyone’s looking for ideas. Thanks to Richard, the golfer, for recommending this one to me!

Swimming Pool Size: 5 x 8m Salt Water
Opening Times: 10am til 7pm
Sunbeds: Yes (Limited)
Refreshments: Yes, Alcoholic & Soft.
Depth: 1.2m
Suitable for Children: No.
Price: Free with purchase.
Location: Google Maps Location

Although a short TukTuk or scooter ride out of the centre of Chiang Mai, the 700 Years Stadium Swimming pool is still worth checking out. The sports complex was created in 1995 to host the SE Asian games and also to celebrate Chiang Mai’s long history.

The main swimming pool meets the official 50 meter Olympic standard, is open air and consists of 8 swimming lanes with seating either side. There’s also a separate pool directly adjacent specifically for diving including 10m, 7.5m, 5m, 3m & 1m platforms.

Great for an intense training session or a sports filled afternoon

Don’t expect luxury at the 700 Years Stadium swimming pool as it isn’t as well kept as some of the other pools in Chiang Mai. But on the other hand, if you’re after a decent training session, there are loads of other sporting activities available. You can easily spend the whole afternoon there.

Swimming Pool Size: 50m
Diving: Yes
Opening Times: 8am to 8pm
Sunbeds: No
Refreshments: Yes
Depth: 2m
Suitable for Children: Yes, Supervised.
Other Facilities: Badminton, Tennis, Basketball, Outdoor Exercise Equipment, Running Track.
Price: 60 Baht (Discounted price with membership available)
Location: Google Maps Location

Although not the most private of swimming pools as it’s overlooked by a large condo, Green Hill Place boasts an impressive 25mx20m swimming pool that is open to the public for a small charge.

If you’re new to Chiang Mai and are looking to meet some new people then the Green Hill Pool is a great place to socialise and meet other travellers who are also staying in Chiang Mai on a more long term basis.

Great pool to meet fellow travellers

There is a cafe area next to the swimming pool where you can buy drinks and snacks and there’s also sunbeds available around the sides of the pool. Although you might find it difficult to get one as you’re competing with all of the local residents.

You might think that if you were living at one of the three Green Hill Place apartment blocks you’d have free access to the pool? Well you’re wrong, they have to pay as well so don’t feel like you’re intruding on what would otherwise be the resident’s peaceful private swimming pool.

Swimming Pool Size: 20m x 25m
Opening Times: 8am to 8pm
Sunbeds: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Depth: 1.5m
Suitable for Children: Yes
Price: 50 Baht a day, 1000 Baht a month.
Location: Google Maps Location (Trust me it’s there)

Located in Mae Rim, north Chiang Mai The Imperial Resort and Sports Club. Sporting both an Olympic (50mx25m) main pool and also a children’s pool (10mx8m) as well as Squash, Tennis, Badminton, Table Tennis and Snooker, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.

Not just an Olympic sized swimming pool

While it’s not the most convenient of swimming pools if you’re staying in central Chiang Mai, it’s one of the few Olympic sized options so deserves a place on this list. There is also a fitness gym and sauna available separately to the swimming pool.

Swimming Pool Size: 50m Olympic Pool (Chlorine) + Childrens 10m
Opening Times: 7am-8pm
Sunbeds: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Depth: 110cm-180cm
Suitable for Children: Yes
Price: 80 Baht (Memberships available)
Parking: Yes
Location: Google Maps Location

I haven’t actually visited the swimming pool at the Orchid Hotel in Chiang Mai. I only found out that this pool is open to the public after having already fallen in love with the Lotus hotel pool next door.

It looks to be a decent size and having the faux grass surrounding the pool is a nice touch but, for me, it’s a little close to the main Huay Kaew road.

If you’ve visited here then feel free to comment below with your experience of the Orchid Hotel swimming pool.

For if you’re getting bored of Lotus Hotel, just kidding.

Swimming Pool Size: Unknown, Salt or Fresh.
Opening Times: Unknown
Sunbeds: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Depth: Unknown
Suitable for Children: Yes
Price: Unknown
Location: Google Maps Location

This half-sized Olympic saltwater swimming pool offers both lane and free sessions at set times throughout the day as well as having an open-air restaurant for food and drinks.

The resort is very peaceful with plenty of greenery surrounding the pool to help you sit back, relax and reach your zen place. There are sunbeds and seating available to use around the pool.

A nice secluded pool with an onsite open air restaurant

If you’ve got kids, then you’re in luck as they have a separate shallow kids pool for children who aren’t competent swimmers yet or just want to splash around.

Another benefit to TheRealCentreOfTheUniverse swimming pool is that they have wheelchair access from their car park to the poolside, specially designed toilets and changing facilities to accommodate people with mobility impairment.

Swimming Pool Size: 25m Salt Water,
Opening Times: 7am – 7pm
Sunbeds: Yes
Refreshments: Open air restaurant (last food orders 6:15pm)
Depth: 1m – 1.7m
Suitable for Children: Yes (Separate shallow kids pool)
Price: 100 Baht per hour(Dedicated lane swimming times), 10am – 4:30pm 200 Baht adult, 120 baht child. Membership discount rates available.
Location: Google Maps Location

About a 30 minute drive outside of Chiang Mai, situated in the southern mountains of Doi Suthep lies the Luxury Zen Veranda Resort & Spa.

This isn’t the place to visit if you’re pinching your pennies, but as an indulgent treat, it doesn’t get any more relaxing than looking out from the edge of the infinity pool into the mountains of Doi Suthep national park.

With views that’ll take your breath away, Veranda Pool is pure luxury

If your wallet knows no bounds, unlike mine, then you could also opt to spend the night in one of their Jacuzzi Pavilion suites with a private balcony looking over the beautiful hillside forest.

Swimming Pool Size: Who cares, look at that view!!
Opening Times: 7am to 7pm
Sunbeds: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Depth: 1.2m
Suitable for Children: Yes (Separate kids pool)
Price: 400 baht for visitors (Call before as can be hired out to private functions)
Location: Google Maps Location

Thanks to Harry for recommending the Tweechol Botonica Gardens swimming pool out on the 118, North-east of Chiang Mai in Muang County.

You could spend the whole day Tweechol Botanic Gardens learning about Lanna culture, walking the beautiful grounds, kayaking on the lake or even visiting their mini zoo. But it’s the fitness and swimming pool that we’re interested in.

get out of Chiang Mai and relax at the Tweechol gardens pool

It features a 25m pool that is often completely empty so you can have yourself a private pool for only 139 baht.

While you’re there you can also rent a bicycle to explore the large grounds for only 75 baht (180 minutes). Or you can hire one of the onsite golf carts for 320 baht (90 minutes).

Swimming Pool Size: 25m
Opening Times: 8:30am to 7pm
Sunbeds:
Refreshments: Yes
Depth: unknown
Suitable for Children: Yes
Price: 139 Baht Adult (Fitness & swimming) | Children 75 Baht
Location: Google Maps Location

Affiliated with the Chiang Mai University, the Rujirawong swimming pool boasts a full-sized 50m pool as well as an additional diving pool.

Full sized Olympic swimming pool

You will need a membership to use the pool which is 300baht a year. While not worth it for the short-term traveller, those staying a little longer and living closer to the mountain might be interested as it’s only 50baht a session.

Swimming Pool Size: 50m + Dive Pool
Opening Times: 10:00am to 12:00 (Lunch closed) 13:30 to 5:45pm (Also closed Mondays/Tuesdays)
Sunbeds: No
Refreshments: Yes
Depth: 2m
Suitable for Children: No
Price: 50 Baht Adult (Membership Required 300 Baht for 1 year)
Location: Google Maps Location

This little pool is a hidden gem if you can get there in the morning and steadily gets busier until it peaks in the afternoon. It’s a no frills affair but there are lockers available (bring your own lock), and also a snacks bar.

As the pool is in a built-up area there’s plenty of shade in the mornings and afternoon but watch out with the little ones at midday as the pool isn’t covered. It’s also a fairly strongly chlorinated pool so bring the goggles.

Hidden budget gem in the centre of Santitham

Hidden in the centre of Santitham it’s a little harder to get to but at only 50baht for the whole day, I can’t complain. Another benefit is the pool is surrounded by chairs letting you sit back and relax while the kids play.

Swimming Pool Size: 20m
Opening Times: 11:00am till late
Sunbeds: Chairs
Refreshments: Yes (Snacks & Drinks)
Depth: Shallow to Deep
Suitable for Children: Yes
Price: 50 Baht
Location: Google Maps Location