Let’s be real: Block Island isn’t exactly known for its pool scene. This is a place where you’ve got some of the most gorgeous beaches in New England, so most people just head straight for the sand. But sometimes you want a pool. Maybe you’ve got little kids who aren’t ready for ocean waves. Maybe you want to float around with a drink without worrying about the tide. Or maybe you just like having the option.
Here’s the thing though. Block Island is a tiny island 13 miles off the Rhode Island coast. It’s not Cancun. Your hotel-with-pool options are limited, and you should know exactly what you’re working with before you book. So let’s break down every option on the island.
Champlin’s Resort: The Only Pool With Water Views
If you want a pool on Block Island, Champlin’s Resort is the gold standard. Their heated pool sits right on Great Salt Pond with views of the marina, and there’s a pool bar where you can grab a frozen banana mudslide without even drying off. It’s the kind of setup that makes you forget you’re on a little island in Rhode Island.
Champlin’s is a full resort with 44 rooms, a 140+ slip deep-water marina, three dockside restaurants, and live music all summer. It’s a scene, in the best way. Families love it because there’s always something happening. Kids are running around the docks fishing and crabbing while the adults are poolside pretending they don’t hear them.
Pool details: Heated, with towel service and a full pool bar. Starting July 1st, it’s guests only (wristbands required). Before July? Open to the public. No lifeguard on duty.
The catch: Champlin’s is on Great Salt Pond, which means it’s about a 30 minute walk (or a quick 5 minute drive) from downtown Old Harbor, the ferry terminal, and the nearest beach. They run a shuttle, but it’s not super frequent. Bringing a car on the ferry is worth considering if you’re staying here. That said, some great restaurants like The Oar and Dead Eye Dick’s are a short walk away.
Bonus: Champlin’s is pet friendly. Dogs and cats welcome with a dog park on site. So if you’re looking for dog-friendly options on Block Island, this checks both boxes.
Block Island Beach House: Pool, Beach, and Downtown in One Shot
The Block Island Beach House is actually two properties: The Surf and The Gables. The Surf sits right on Crescent Beach, and it’s the only beachfront hotel on the entire island. The Gables is a short 3 minute walk away, and that’s where you’ll find the heated in-ground pool.
Stay at either property and you get access to both the pool and the beach. It’s a pretty sweet deal, especially since both buildings are smack in the middle of downtown Old Harbor. You’re steps from the ferry, shops, restaurants, and bars. If you don’t want to deal with getting a car onto Block Island (and honestly, you probably don’t), this is your spot.
Pool details: Heated, but don’t expect hot tub temperatures. It’s more “takes the edge off the ocean cold” than “tropical lagoon.” Towel service included. No pool bar and no alcohol allowed in the pool area, so you’ll need to walk down to the surfside Beach Bar for your drink. Guests only, no lifeguard.
The catch: Rooms are on the smaller side and walls are thin. You’re right in the action downtown, which is great for walkability but means more noise. If you want something quieter, book at The Gables over The Surf.
Pro tip: Leave the car at home. Seriously. The ferry terminal is a 5 minute walk, everything downtown is right there, and you can grab a cab for anything farther out. Check out our transportation guide for all your options.
And here’s the real perk of staying downtown: Ballard’s Beach Resort is right there. Ballard’s doesn’t have a pool, but honestly? Grab a mudslide, plant yourself on their beach with live music playing, and tell me you’re missing a pool. Between the Beach House pool, Crescent Beach, and Ballard’s scene, you’ve got the ultimate Block Island trifecta without ever needing a car.
Neptune House: The Under-the-Radar Option
Neptune House has a heated outdoor pool, fire pits, tennis and pickleball courts, and a game room. Sounds perfect, right? Here’s the thing: it’s technically a timeshare resort, not a traditional hotel. Some owners rent out their units during certain weeks, and you might get lucky finding availability.
The units are large with full kitchens, which is a huge plus if you’re staying for a week and don’t want to eat out every meal. And it’s within walking distance of Old Harbor, so location is solid.
The catch: Prime summer availability (mid-June through September) is extremely hard to come by because that’s when the owners use their own units. You’ll have better luck booking shoulder season: May, early June, or late September into October. If those dates work for you, Neptune House is genuinely one of the nicest places to stay on the island.
Quick Comparison: Block Island Hotels With a Pool
Here’s the quick rundown so you can decide what matters most:
Champlin’s Resort is best for families and boaters who want an all-in-one resort experience. You get the pool bar, marina views, restaurants, and plenty of activities. Trade-off is distance from downtown and the beach.
Block Island Beach House is best for people who want to walk everywhere. You get both a pool and direct beach access, plus you’re right downtown. Trade-off is smaller rooms and more noise.
Neptune House is best for longer stays and shoulder season visitors. Full kitchen, spacious units, great amenities. Trade-off is extremely limited availability in peak summer.
What If You Don’t Need a Hotel Pool?
Honestly? Most people who visit Block Island never miss having a pool. The beaches here are that good. Our ranked list of the best beaches covers everything from the popular stretches of Crescent Beach to the dramatic cliffs at Mohegan Bluffs. The water’s clean, the sand is soft, and on a July afternoon there’s no pool in the world that competes.
If you’re flexible on the pool requirement, you’ll open up a lot more places to stay on Block Island, from historic inns like the Spring House Hotel and the 1661 Inn to charming B&Bs and vacation rentals. Some of the best lodging on the island doesn’t have a pool, and that’s totally fine. You’re surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll manage.
Book Early (We Mean It)
Block Island is 10 square miles with a limited number of hotel rooms. The pool options? Even more limited. If a pool is a must-have for your trip, book as early as you can. Summer weekends at Champlin’s and the Beach House fill up fast, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Plan your trip, grab your room, and we’ll see you poolside. Or beachside. Or both. That’s the beauty of this place.
