Hotels with pools
In July and August the pool outweighs the decor: many downtown hotels have a shrunken plan or a shadeless rooftop. Reading guest photos before booking is the rule.
A pool you can use
Ask for dimensions and hours: there are rooftops with bathtubs and serious pools with real loungers. For families, the pool after a museum morning rescues the whole afternoon.
Rooftop versus garden
The rooftop one has views and a cocktail vibe; the courtyard or garden one has shade and children. Waterfront and Montjuïc hotels usually carry the most generous version of both.
The municipal alternative
Neighborhood public pools open all summer at modest rates with wide hours: the local way to survive August without paying five-star prices for a swim.