Which Local Pool Suits Your Savoir Faire?
For See-and-Be-Seen-sters: Arrow Swim Club
At four and a half feet deep throughout, the brand-new, $1,000-per-season Arrow is strictly a social pool. Members must be 21 and undergo criminal and credit checks in order to float, tan and sip vodka-clubs with co-owner Nicole Cashman and John Bolaris, the club’s first paid member. Grand opening May 1st. 1031 Germantown Avenue, 215-606-7402, arrowswimclub.com.
For Hipsters: Flying W
What? You didn’t know about this retro-cool, airplane-shaped pool with an $89-per-night motel, a tiki bar, an 18-hole golf course—plus a landing strip in case you opt to take your Cessna? Sign up by May 15th and get a membership for $400 per couple or $500-$650 for a family. Or just go for the day for $5-$10. Opens May 31st. 60 Fostertown Road, Medford, 609-261-7880, flyingwairport.com.
For Naturalists: Quarry Swim Club
If doing the breaststroke in a 55-foot-deep fresh spring surrounded by rocky cliffs is your speed, this 83-year-old spot is for you. Quarry used to be open to the public. It’s now members-only. Adult memberships start at $96. 180 Crusher Road, Hopewell, 609-466-0810, quarryswimclub.com.
For Main Liners: Belmont Hills Pool
In Philly, a community pool is free. On the Main Line, you pay. At this nicer of Lower Merion’s two pools (the other’s in Ardmore), seasonal membership for a family of four starts at $366—it’s about $176 more for your nanny. Out-of-towners can join in limited numbers. Belmont’s rules are strict: No swimming with a cold; no “competitive breath-holding.” 122 Mary Waters Ford Road, Bala Cynwyd, lowermerion.org.
For City Stalwarts: Lombard Swim Club
This is the only desirable place downtown to kill a weekend poolside, and the massively long membership waiting list reflects that. So until Ed Rendell relinquishes his card, your best bet is to befriend a member and go as a guest for $20. The 82 1/2-foot-long pool (and 45-foot-long kiddie pool) is a hit with Rittenhouse and Graduate Hospital families. 2040 Lombard Street, 215-735-4144, lombardswimclub.com.
For Spenders of $75,000 and (way) up: Your backyard
That’s how much Bucks County’s Aqua Bello Designs charges to design and install your very own negative-edge, a.k.a. infinity, outdoor pool. Aquabellodesigns.com.
