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Where to Picnic Poolside in New Orleans

The best thing to do in August in New Orleans is munch and cocktail by the pool

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Lounging by — and in — a pool is one of the greatest survival techniques during the long, swampy New Orleans summer. Since we don’t all have friends with pools, the next best thing is diving into one of the resort settings that welcome locals — for a fee of course. Being able to drink frosty cocktails and munch on elevated snacks just sweetens the deal. Some hotels work with Resort Pass for advance reservations, so start your staycation there.

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The Chloe

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The Chloe’s backyard pool is a sweet spot, surrounded by a back deck and pool bar. The hotel offers locals two four-hour options, with tickets offered at 8 a.m. for same-day reservations only. Swim from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for $40, which includes a drink. Or reserve a table for up to four for $80. Snacks like pimento cheese with fried saltines and fries are available.

NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans

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A Resort Pass for the rooftop pool at the NOPSI Hotel starts at $60, with cabana’s for up to four people offered for $250.The Above the Grid bar offers all kinds of cocktails along with snacks like pulled pork sliders, wings, and truffle fries. The pool is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and cabana hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and include water and a bottle of Prosecco on the weekends. Poolside service is only offered Friday and Saturday.

The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

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The Roosevelt’s pool is a serene rooftop oasis and for $200 on weekdays and $375 on weekends, you and up to seven of your pals can rent a cabana and take a dip. Water and fresh fruit is included in the deal, but why not order a signature Frozevelt — vodka, citrus, and grenadine and snack on the likes of hummus mezze or shrimp remoulade salad. The 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. hours are a bonus.

Alto at the Ace Hotel

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The rooftop pool at Ace Hotel draws crowds of sun worshipers who pony up $20 Monday to Thursday and $30 to swim weekends. Alto serves all kinds of yummy dishes, from fish tacos to prosciutto and mozzarella on ciabatta and pizza. Try a frozen Eastbank, a bracing blend of vodka, mint, and lime.

Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans

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Expect a lively pool scene at this hotel on the corner of Iberville and Bourbon. Day passes are a steal at $10 on Resort Pass. There’s a coffee shop, Batch Bar serving tasty pub fare — gumbo, wings, Cajun charcuterie — and a pool bar open Thursday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Windsor Court Hotel

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The Windsor Court’s Waterman pool is a 65-foot escape that ups the game by being saltwater. A day pass runs $45, with the poolside bar dishing the likes of salads, sandwiches, wraps, and pizzas, along with a kid’s menu for the kiddos. There are four large screen TVs and fans to move the air around. Frozen cocktails help, too.

W New Orleans - French Quarter

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The lovely W French Quarter courtyard pool is usually offered on Resort Pass for $45, with drinks and food available at SoBou — there’s no pool service, guests order drinks and eats at the bar. Hours can vary, with the bar open from noon to 3 p.m. early in the week and later as the week progresses — best to double check. The chef-driven menu includes the likes of tuna “cones” with basil avocado ice cream and cracklin’ crusted housemade boudin.

The Country Club

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This swell Bywater bar and restaurant has a lushly landscaped outdoor pool area with plenty of room for lounging for the 21 and older set. The Country Club charges $20 for the day (or pay $499 for the year). Chef Chris Barbato does a super job with everything from crab beignets to fried green tomatoes, sandwiches and salads. Happy hour is from 4 to 7 p.m.; the pool is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Chloe

The Chloe’s backyard pool is a sweet spot, surrounded by a back deck and pool bar. The hotel offers locals two four-hour options, with tickets offered at 8 a.m. for same-day reservations only. Swim from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for $40, which includes a drink. Or reserve a table for up to four for $80. Snacks like pimento cheese with fried saltines and fries are available.

NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans

A Resort Pass for the rooftop pool at the NOPSI Hotel starts at $60, with cabana’s for up to four people offered for $250.The Above the Grid bar offers all kinds of cocktails along with snacks like pulled pork sliders, wings, and truffle fries. The pool is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and cabana hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and include water and a bottle of Prosecco on the weekends. Poolside service is only offered Friday and Saturday.

The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

The Roosevelt’s pool is a serene rooftop oasis and for $200 on weekdays and $375 on weekends, you and up to seven of your pals can rent a cabana and take a dip. Water and fresh fruit is included in the deal, but why not order a signature Frozevelt — vodka, citrus, and grenadine and snack on the likes of hummus mezze or shrimp remoulade salad. The 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. hours are a bonus.

Alto at the Ace Hotel

The rooftop pool at Ace Hotel draws crowds of sun worshipers who pony up $20 Monday to Thursday and $30 to swim weekends. Alto serves all kinds of yummy dishes, from fish tacos to prosciutto and mozzarella on ciabatta and pizza. Try a frozen Eastbank, a bracing blend of vodka, mint, and lime.

Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans

Expect a lively pool scene at this hotel on the corner of Iberville and Bourbon. Day passes are a steal at $10 on Resort Pass. There’s a coffee shop, Batch Bar serving tasty pub fare — gumbo, wings, Cajun charcuterie — and a pool bar open Thursday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Windsor Court Hotel

The Windsor Court’s Waterman pool is a 65-foot escape that ups the game by being saltwater. A day pass runs $45, with the poolside bar dishing the likes of salads, sandwiches, wraps, and pizzas, along with a kid’s menu for the kiddos. There are four large screen TVs and fans to move the air around. Frozen cocktails help, too.

W New Orleans - French Quarter

The lovely W French Quarter courtyard pool is usually offered on Resort Pass for $45, with drinks and food available at SoBou — there’s no pool service, guests order drinks and eats at the bar. Hours can vary, with the bar open from noon to 3 p.m. early in the week and later as the week progresses — best to double check. The chef-driven menu includes the likes of tuna “cones” with basil avocado ice cream and cracklin’ crusted housemade boudin.

The Country Club

This swell Bywater bar and restaurant has a lushly landscaped outdoor pool area with plenty of room for lounging for the 21 and older set. The Country Club charges $20 for the day (or pay $499 for the year). Chef Chris Barbato does a super job with everything from crab beignets to fried green tomatoes, sandwiches and salads. Happy hour is from 4 to 7 p.m.; the pool is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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