Rooftop pool and Layover bar: rules, hours and what to expect
InterContinental San Diego’s rooftop pool (fourth floor) is open daily with Layover, the poolside bar beside it. Pool and Layover hours are listed as 8:00 AM–8:00 PM; the pool area welcomes guests of all ages and includes lounge seating, reservable cabanas and fire pits.
In this guide
- Where the rooftop pool and Layover sit in the hotel
- Hours, who may use the pool, and basic rules
- Layover (poolside bar): hours, service and atmosphere
- Cabanas, seating and reservations at the pool
- Safety, facilities and practical tips
- Who should expect extra rules or charges
- Best times to visit the pool and nearby timing tips
Where the rooftop pool and Layover sit in the hotel
The outdoor heated rooftop pool and Layover pool bar are on the hotel’s fourth-floor rooftop, overlooking San Diego Bay and close to the property’s bay-view terraces.
InterContinental San Diego sits at 901 Bayfront Court in downtown San Diego’s BRIC district, a short walk from the Embarcadero, USS Midway Museum and the cruise terminal.
- Address: 901 Bayfront Court, San Diego, CA 92101
- Nearest landmarks: Embarcadero, USS Midway Museum, cruise terminal (all within a short walk)
- Hotel room types that commonly see bay or city views: Classic Room, Premium Room, Club Room, and multiple Suites
| On-site venue | Floor / area |
|---|---|
| Rooftop pool | 4th-floor rooftop (bay views) |
| Layover (pool bar) | 4th-floor rooftop, beside pool |
| Vistal Bar + Restaurant | 3rd floor, bay-facing dining |
Hours, who may use the pool, and basic rules
The hotel lists rooftop pool and Layover hours as 8:00 AM–8:00 PM. Multiple third-party listings show slight variations (some list 8:00 AM–9:00 PM), so check with the front desk if your visit is near opening or closing time.
The pool area is open to guests of all ages; separate day-pass listings note that children under 3 are free. Only registered hotel guests may access guestrooms, and usual pool rules apply.
- Standard posted hours (hotel): 8:00 AM–8:00 PM
- Pool access: open to all ages (children under 3 free according to day-pass listings)
- Only registered guests may access guestrooms; pool-access listings may be available for visitors via third-party programs
| Rule | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Outside food and coolers | Generally prohibited in pool area |
| Smoking and pets | Smoking not allowed; pets are not permitted at pool |
| Speakers | Loud personal speakers are typically prohibited |
Layover (poolside bar): hours, service and atmosphere
Layover is the hotel’s fourth-floor poolside bar located directly beside the rooftop pool. The venue is described as serving cocktails and light bites during its operating hours.
Official hours for Layover match the rooftop pool on IHG’s amenities page: 8:00 AM–8:00 PM. The bar is seasonal and hours can vary; reservations are not required for Layover, and it is described as walk-in friendly.
- Serves: cocktails and light bites (poolside beverage and snack service during posted hours)
- Hours listed: 8:00 AM–8:00 PM (seasonal; can vary)
- Reservations: not required; walk-ins are accepted (restaurants like Garibaldi and Seneca Trattoria recommend reservations)
| Service note | If poolside service is closed |
|---|---|
| Poolside food & drink | Available during Layover hours |
| Outside hours | Vistal Bar + Restaurant and other hotel outlets provide food and drink |
| Reservations | Not needed for Layover; recommended for Garibaldi and Seneca Trattoria |
Cabanas, seating and reservations at the pool
The rooftop pool area includes lounge chairs, fire pits, Adirondack seating and reservable cabanas. The hotel describes cabanas as available; some listings call them free while others note reservable status—confirm with the concierge on arrival.
If you need a private cabana, or are visiting with a larger group, contact the hotel’s concierge or front desk ahead of time to confirm availability and policies for your dates.
- Seating types: lounge chairs, reservable cabanas, Adirondack chairs, fire pits
- How to reserve: contact concierge or front desk (24-hour front desk service available)
- When to reserve: busy summer and holiday weekends can be busier—ask ahead
| Seat type | Typical notes |
|---|---|
| Cabanas | Reservable; check with concierge for availability |
| Lounge chairs | First-come, varied placement around the pool |
| Fire pits / Adirondack seating | Shared seating areas near the pool |
Safety, facilities and practical tips
The rooftop pool is heated and on the fourth floor; there is no on-property spa consistently confirmed in all sources. The hotel does have a 24-hour fitness center and an outdoor yoga terrace if you need other wellness options.
The property is smoke-free and provides accessible parking and wheelchair-accessible public areas. Lifeguard staffing is not listed in the hotel facts provided, so assume there may be no lifeguard and supervise children accordingly.
- Pool is heated (listed by hotel/third-party sources)
- Fitness center: 24-hour access with bay views and outdoor yoga terrace
- Accessibility: wheelchair-accessible parking and public areas; check with hotel for accessible-room pool access specifics
- Safety tip: confirm lifeguard presence with front desk; always supervise non-swimmers
| Facility | What to check |
|---|---|
| Lifeguard | Not stated in provided facts — ask front desk |
| Towels | Provided at pool area (typical for hotel pools; confirm at check-in) |
| Pool depth | Not specified in the dossier — check signage at the pool |
Who should expect extra rules or charges
Club InterContinental guests (Club Room, Club Lounge Access) have separate lounge privileges and should confirm whether any club benefits interact with pool or cabana access. The hotel also charges parking and other fees that vary by booking channel and date.
The hotel posts on-site self-parking and valet parking rates on IHG’s site; check current rates at booking or on arrival. A mandatory resort/destination fee is often charged; its amount varies by source and date, so reconfirm during booking.
- Club Room / Club Lounge Access: club lounge hours and privileges are separate — Club lounge hours are listed as 6:30 AM–7:00 PM on IHG’s site
- Parking: self-parking and valet are available (IHG lists self-park and valet daily rates; confirm current price at booking)
- Resort/destination fee: listed by some channels; amounts vary — reconfirm when you reserve
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Parking rates | Confirm current daily self-park/valet rates with hotel |
| Resort fee | Verify amount and included amenities when booking |
| Pet policy | Dogs allowed with fee and refundable deposit; service animals exempt |
Best times to visit the pool and nearby timing tips
San Diego’s warm season runs roughly July–early October, with more reliable warm weather in that period; shoulder seasons (spring and fall) give mild temperatures with fewer crowds. Morning visits typically have fewer people and calmer winds on the bay.
If you’re at the hotel before or after a cruise, the property’s proximity to the cruise terminal and Broadway/B Street piers makes the rooftop a convenient spot to relax between travel steps. Check pool and Layover hours if your arrival or departure is early or late in the day.
- Morning: quieter, good for laps or early sun
- Late afternoon / sunset: can get busier — arrive early if you want a cabana or preferred seating
- Weather note: coastal mornings can have 'June Gloom' overcast in late spring; afternoons often clear
| When | Why |
|---|---|
| Early morning | Fewer people; good for exercise and calmer conditions |
| Late afternoon / early evening | Better light and views for sunset; Layover operating hours cover this period |
| Peak summer | Busiest; consider reserving cabana or arriving early |
