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    McMenamins Kennedy School Soaking Pool

    3.5 (84 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Bring a drink abs stay for a soak!
    Red M.

    Depending on the time of day this pool can be fabulous or it can be packed and not so great. I've stayed at the hotel multiple times, and I think the best way to go is coming later in the evening during the week. I've been there when only one other person was in the pool and it was divine. It's fabulous in the rain and fabulous in the sun. The changing rooms suck. The bathrooms are across the way and not easily accessible. Makes you wonder how many people don't make the trip there. I try not to think about that while I'm soaking in the pool. Definitely not as nice as Edgefield, but I keep wanting to go back.

    Shayna R.

    I came on a Saturday and it was very busy. There was an hour and a half wait time to use the soaking pool. Wasn't really a problem since there is so much more to do at mcmenamins Kennedy school. We ate and went to the different bars while we were waiting for our turn. When it's your turn they will send you a text message. You are limited to an hour to use the pool. You are able to take drinks to the pool with you just make sure they are in a plastic cup when you get it at the bar. The pool is all ages though. It is $6 a person and they give you a keycard. Make sure to return the keycard after so you can get your ID's back. Also bring your own towel. They have changing stalls and lockers to put your stuff in just make sure to bring a lock. I would recommend coming on a weekday if you can because weekends are always busy according to the staff.

    Went there yesterday and the food wasn't good, the place looked very dirty, the carpet hadn't been vacuumed in days and the table was sticky!

    Pool! Aug 2017
    Brittnie P.

    How can you give this place low reviews? (Edit: saw the not so great stories about kids so I can relate now but just not here in my experience!) They cap it so it isn't too crowded in the actual pool even on the busy nights when you have to wait to get in. The most I've waited is a half hour. It is usually pretty dead on weekdays. It's warm water, you can bring drinks in plastic cups out there from the bar, it's romantic and it's fun! Perfect for talking, soaking, groups and couples. I've been here every time I'm in Portland! And unlike other McMenamins pools, this one is open for public use for a very fair price. I've mostly been here in the day and evenings during "off season," but I've also been during the day in August on a weekday, perhaps Portland schools were in session the first week of August? Not sure! It was completely all adults. I've, myself, never seen children, not even teenagers. Perhaps that was just good luck! As others stated, you can get your drink at the numerous cute and cool bars. This was formerly a school and it looks still like one. There's also a movie theater which is very nice too! A movie and then soak or vice versa is a great night too! :) Anyway, you get a key card to get into the changing room which then leads to the outdoor soaking pool. It's not designed for swimming, it doesn't go deep or anything. It's designed to be a restful and relaxing experience in a very pretty courtyard. You're supposed to limit your time to so long in there, (hour or two? I can't remember right now) and you definitely should to be polite, particularly when it's crowded. They also have fire pits in front of the main entrance of the hotel, it's another great spot for drinks to be enjoyed! Bathrooms are located outside of the pool and dressing area so keep that in mind, don't forget the key card. Oh and try to bring your own towel! Sometimes I've seen towels and other times I haven't, so bring one! Lastly, they also have water and cups usually in the changing room to hydrate which is nice.

    The skinny on soaking
    Lilibet M.

    Soaking Pool FAQs: The last adult soak starts at 7:30 PM, last kids soak at 5:30 PM. You get half an hour soak then since you have to be out of the water by 8:00 adults/6:00 minors. The people still in after that are staying at the hotel's 52 rooms. Hours are: 10:00 AM-8:00PM for adults 11:00AM-6:00PM for adults w/ minors Closed the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month for deep cleaning; 1st & 3rd Wednesdays = crystal clear water, especially before the kids get there at 11. $5 for an hour soak, kids 6 and under are free. You'll definitely know that kids hours start at 11:00 AM because of the parents with rugrats lined up at 10:30 AM! Bring your own towels. They rented them out years ago ago but don't anymore. You need a photo ID to leave at the little podium in the hall (or if it is not set up, at the front desk) while you soak. Bring your own combination lock if you want to lock up your wallet, phone, keys, etc in a cuby in the co-ed changing room. Portland is generally trustworthy, but it's better to be safe than sorry in your wet swimsuit. If you want to bring a drink in you go to the bar with your ID FIRST, order one in a plastic cup, then go pay and leave your ID at the podium or front desk. No more water bottles- just get a plastic cup of ice water from the bar. People were sneaking in booze in their water bottles (!) so they are nixed. There is an outdoor shower to rinse off and full showers in the restrooms across the halls. If you have a legible, valid ID with your Concordia neighborhood address you can soak free. (Here are the boundaries: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/oni/article/58366 ) Check out the map, especially the southeast corner where Concordia goes up by two blocks at 33rd. Don't try to bring an old ID or mail. There can be a MASSIVE WAIT LIST on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and holidays. If the pool is at capacity you sign up on the waitlist in person and give them your cell phone number. You'll get a text when a spot opens up, then you go pay and give them your ID. When it is busy there can be 40+ people ahead of you. Expect to wait around an hour, sometimes longer. You can call ahead and ask if there IS a list, but you can't get on the list until you are there in person. Environment: I love this place but honestly, it can be too much when the preschool set invades at 11 and it goes from soaking pool to kiddie swimming pool. The evenings can have a frat party/hookup/drinking feel, which is not my favorite vibe. If you want something more peaceful, go right when the soaking pool opens at 10 am. The only kids then are staying at the hotel. Another factor is that it is a very popular pool and the water is only changed every 2 weeks, so it is not always at its cleanest. If you want a more serene experience (and are comfortable with co-ed nudity) make a reservation at Common Grounds Wellness Center down 33rd. It is more expensive but it is quiet, there is a sauna, the water is clean, they rent towels and there is no alcohol and rarely children. It is a very respectful environment and you can wear a swimsuit if you want. And frankly, if you want a sexy date night just go to Portland Tub and Tan for private tubs. Portland has options for you to find the right fit for whatever kind of soak you want!

    so slimm shady
    Maxene H.

    $5 dollars to take a dip in a large heated, partially jetted tub with an adult beverage in hand -count me in for the fun! Birthday Stop #4 Soaking Pools what I have learned: -get your adult beverages first, upon checking in and paying for the soaking pool, they will hold your ID and in return you will get a card key to enter in, so again, get your drinks in hand first. -change in the bathrooms and store your stuff in the soaking pool room. the door to the soaking pool is co-ed, rather small and the changing rooms tend to be wet all day, skip this place, change in the bathrooms where there is often an unused shower that you can shimmy out of your clothes with ample room. -don't expect to get a tan, the soaking pool is outside but it is flanked on all sides with greenery and palm trees. the only time to get prime sun is during the high sun. -there are no servers, so if you would like another beverage it is up to you to get out, grab your id and head back to the bar. one thing I really like is they will not let the pool get overrun with too many, they will hold down a wait list when the pool his max occupancy, so why not have an other drink while you wait?

    Courtney D.

    Soaking pool is absolute best Imagine swimming in a pool, which feels more like a big hot tub, and soaking in it for hours, as you gaze up at the stars on a clear night. I found this soaking pool purely by accident, taking a wrong turn for the bathroom. I thought that I was tipsy and was imagining people swimming in the middle of this maze outside. After all, why would there be people swimming outside, just around the corner from the restaurant/bar? I know it's also a little hotel, but come on, who would have expected to see a soaking pool right there? It's free if you live in the neighborhood or are staying there and only a few bucks to use it that night. I know it might sound a bit strange to do this on a night out, but not for me since I'm such a water girl. Warning, though, once you get in, it's awfully hard to get out between the glorious relaxation and gazing up at the stars. Tip: Don't bring any valuables with you since you have to change and leave your stuff in a locker room.

    Just relaxed in a soaking pool, before the movie

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    Excellent service for large party or small. So many choices, so little time!! Must come back and explore all the possibilities!!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - McMenamins Kennedy School Soaking Pool

    Can we bring our 17-year old granddaughter to eat? Would be about 3 pm on a weekday. I ask because it appears this place serves alcohol and I am not sure about the rules regarding minors in a bar/pub setting.

    There is a full restaurant (The Courtyard), in addition to the three pubs: Detention, Honors and the Boiler Room. Although I think they may frown upon eating in the Soaking Pool. ;)

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - McMenamins Kennedy School Soaking Pool

    his. ps: If you're feeling hungry after your soak, happy hour at the Boiler Room is your best and cheapest b

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    McMenamins Kennedy School Soaking Pool - swimmingpools - Updated June 2026

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