Guangzhou Hotels with a Pool
8 Stays, from Sky Pools with Canton Tower Views to an Outdoor Pool by the Pearl River

We open the pool list with the most spectacular city view of any pool in Guangzhou — Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou scores 9.5/10 from around 3,000 real guest reviews. This luxury hotel floats on floors 69–100 of the Guangzhou IFC West Tower, about 437m, one of the tallest buildings in the city. What makes its pool the highlight of this category is that the indoor pool sits high up the tower, so you swim and look out at the Canton Tower, the Pearl River and the CBD skyline below, plus Canton-Tower-view rooms where you open the curtains to the tower filling the window, and Tian bar on floor 99 and Catch on floor 100 where you dine with the city under your feet. Guests say over and over that the views from up high are the thing you come to see, and the Four Seasons service is attentive. The honest catch: it's top-tier luxury pricing, a Canton-Tower-view room is worth specifying (a standard city view is lighter), and the lobby is high up so you connect via the lift · details compiled from real reviews on Trip.com.

In second place is the highest pool in Guangzhou — Rosewood Guangzhou scores 9.4/10 from around 1,200 real guest reviews. This ultra-luxury hotel sits in the upper floors of the CTF Finance Centre, 530m, making it the tallest hotel in China. What works for the pool category is that the Asaya wellness centre, spanning floors 93–94, has a 25m indoor pool with a spa and a yoga studio, so you swim almost a hundred floors up, plus Rosewood service that remembers your name and looks after you personally, rooms from 55 sqm dressed with art, and the Too High bar on floor 107 with 360° views. Guests praise the warm, attentive service and a luxury that feels more like a home than a hotel. The honest catch: it's the top price on the list, the pool is indoor (not an outdoor infinity pool), and the lobby is on floor 95 so you connect via the lift · details compiled from real reviews on Trip.com.

In third place is the hotel with the top review score on the list, paired with a legendary Guangzhou scene — White Swan Hotel scores 9.6/10 from around 8,547 real guest reviews, the most on the list. This five-star riverside hotel sits on colonial Shamian Island in Liwan. What works for the pool category is that beyond the indoor pool, fitness and spa, the atrium holds the 故乡水 (Water from the Homeland) waterfall garden — a real multi-tier rock waterfall flowing into a pool, with a Chinese pavilion, an arched bridge and greenery, a legendary photo spot recognised the world over, plus river-view rooms where you open the curtains to boats passing all day, and the celebrated Cantonese dim sum. Guests praise the riverside setting, the legendary waterfall scene, and the walkable old-town location. The honest catch: it's a long-established hotel (well kept but classic in style), a river-view room costs more than a city view, and Shamian Island is a ~10-minute walk to the metro (not right at a station) · details compiled from real reviews on Trip.com.

For travellers who want a design-led pool you can swim in any season — W Guangzhou scores 9.3/10 from around 6,035 real guest reviews. This design / lifestyle hotel is in Pearl River New Town, Tianhe, by the Pearl River, in a building shaped like a W that glows at night. What works for the pool category is that the WET pool is a heated indoor design pool you can swim in year-round, whatever the weather, and many guests say it's loveliest in the evening, plus the first AWAY Spa in China, the WOOBAR and the SWEAT fitness centre. Guests praise the eye-catching design, the WET pool, the friendly service and the lifestyle mood. The honest catch: it's a design hotel that leans into fun (not as quiet and classic as the traditional luxury names), the WET pool is indoor (not an outdoor sky pool), and it's walkable to the metro but not right at a station · details compiled from real reviews on Trip.com.

For travellers who want a big outdoor pool to swim in or get the kids into — Shangri-La Hotel Guangzhou scores 9.3/10 from around 3,680 real guest reviews. This large riverside hotel is in Pazhou, by the Canton Fair complex, on the Pearl River. What works for the pool category is that the big outdoor pool is set in gardens, and in summer it often runs slides and foam parties, fun for families, plus Pearl River and Canton Tower views from many rooms, a varied, well-liked breakfast, and a location opposite Pazhou station Line 8, a 3-minute walk to the Canton Fair complex. Guests praise the fun family outdoor pool, the river views, and the warm, well-organised service. The honest catch: Pazhou is an exhibition district, a way from the old town and the nightlife, rates spike and rooms fill fast during the fair, and the outdoor pool is at its best in summer (winter may cut back the service) · details compiled from real reviews on Trip.com.

The option with a large indoor pool at the lightest starting price on the list — The Westin Pazhou scores 9.6/10 from around 2,447 real guest reviews. This 5-star Marriott business hotel is in Pazhou, by the Canton Fair complex. What works for the pool category is that the large indoor pool, sauna, spa and big fitness centre are ones guests call large and well-equipped, ideal for travellers on a long work stay who want to swim off the tiredness, plus spacious 50 sqm rooms with separate bath and shower, Pearl River views from high floors, three restaurants and a praised buffet breakfast. Guests praise the spacious rooms, the full facilities, and the well-kitted pool and gym. The honest catch: Pazhou is an exhibition district, a way from the old town and the shopping, rates spike and rooms fill fast during the fair, and it leans business hotel (not a scenic resort) · details compiled from real reviews on Trip.com.

The Canton-Fair option with a full pool set-up and a Michelin name attached — Langham Place, Guangzhou scores 9.5/10 from around 3,162 real guest reviews. This five-star is on the Pearl River in Pazhou, by the Canton Fair complex, a few minutes' walk to the halls. What works for the pool category is that the swimming pool, spa and fitness are full for a five-star, ideal for unwinding after a day on the fair floor, plus modern-design rooms with a delivery robot to your door (kids and gadget fans love it), the Michelin-starred Cantonese Ming Court, and an international group that takes foreign-passport check-in easily. Guests praise the modern design, the food, and the location by the complex. The honest catch: Pazhou is an exhibition district, a way from the old town and the nightlife, rates spike and rooms fill fast during the fair, and the pool is a standard hotel pool (not a sky pool with a city view) · details compiled from real reviews on Trip.com.

We close the list with the option that pairs a large indoor pool with a rooftop sky garden — InterContinental Guangzhou Exhibition Center scores 9.5/10 from around 3,427 real guest reviews. This five-star is on the Pearl River in Pazhou, by the Canton Fair complex, in a Silk-Road-inspired Poly Group tower. What works for the pool category is that the large indoor pool, spa and fitness come with a rooftop sky garden to sit out in the breeze, plus 350 Pearl-River-view rooms with floor-to-ceiling glass and lovely sunsets, a lounge, and a breakfast with a Cantonese dim-sum corner. Guests praise the river-view rooms, the large indoor pool, and the location by the complex, a few minutes' walk to the halls. The honest catch: Pazhou is an exhibition district, a way from the old town and the shopping, rates spike and rooms fill fast during the fair, and it's a ~8-minute walk to the metro (not right at a station) · details compiled from real reviews on Trip.com.