photos courtesy The Clarendon Hotel

THE CLARENDON HOTEL

401 W. Clarendon Ave., Phoenix,
602-252-7363, goclarendon.com

The views of Downtown Phoenix from The Clarendon’s rooftop pool may not rival those of Sedona’s famed red rocks, but the hotel claims its Oasis pool will transport you to the gurgling, pristine waters of Oak Creek anyway. Features of the newly renovated pool include underwater speakers, massaging water jets, trickling fountains and 1,000 glowing stars on the pool’s surface. Add to that a 50-person Jacuzzi, a water wall stretching two stories high, Italian sun beds, free Wi-Fi access and plenty of cocktails within reach, and you’ll never have to take advantage of your neighbor’s pool again.

photos courtesy Hotel Valley Ho;

HOTEL VALLEY HO

6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale,
480-248-2000, hotelvalleyho.com

Hipsters of all ages have been flocking to the Ho since it reopened in late 2005, and its super cool Oh Pool Bar + Cabanas is one of its main draws. Playing up its laidback vibe, the martini olive-shaped pool offers a summer full of fun, including “dive-in” movies every Friday night (think Rat Pack and James Bond), sexy tunes spun by DJ Peabody every Saturday night, and “Relax Sophistication Days” each Sunday with island-themed music and Mai Tais from nearby Trader Vic’s. If that’s not enough to lure you, one of eight private cabanas, where you can receive a poolside massage, surely will.

photos courtesy Mondrian Scottsdale

MONDRIAN SCOTTSDALE

7353 E. Indian School Road,
Scottsdale
480-308-1100,
mondrianscottsdale.com

While it’s sometimes more of a scene than anything (as in, “Have you seen that guy’s man-kini?!”), the pool at Mondrian Scottsdale is one of the best places to spend a summer afternoon soaking up the sun and sipping a sweet cocktail. If you’re crazy enough to ditch your private cabana (they fit six people and are available to both hotel and non hotel guests), enjoy some underwater tunes in the infinity-edge pool, or enjoy a tasty snack from Blue Pool Bar & Grill. If it’s peace and quiet you desire, try the hotel’s Serenity pool instead.