For a city break with a hotel pool or spa, pack one pair of quick-dry swim trunks with a drawstring as your main piece, plus a lighter second pair so you always have a dry one ready. Square-leg trunks are the safest all-rounder for rooftop pools, indoor pools and spa areas, while swim briefs suit you if you want minimal bulk in your bag and plan to swim laps.
Why a city break needs different swimwear than a beach week
On a beach holiday you live in your swimwear. On a city trip it is a side act: an early swim before museums, a spa hour after a long walk, a drink on the rooftop terrace at sunset. That changes what matters.
- Space in the bag: you are probably travelling with hand luggage, so swimwear has to roll small.
- Drying time: wet trunks go back into a hotel room, not onto a sunny balcony. Fast-drying fabric saves you from packing something damp.
- Mixed company: hotel pools are shared with families, business travellers and couples, so a neat, well-fitting cut feels more relaxed than anything loose or see-through.
- House rules: many hotel pools and spa areas ask for proper swimwear rather than shorts or underwear.
Square-leg trunks: the all-round hotel pool choice
A square-leg trunk covers a little more of the thigh than a brief and sits close to the body, so it looks tidy whether you are swimming, sitting at the pool bar or walking through the lobby in a robe. It is also the cut most people expect to see at an indoor pool.
Our square leg swim trunks are made from 82% polyamide and 18% spandex with an adjustable drawstring, a lined 3D contour pouch and a quick-dry, chlorine-resistant ice silk fabric, which is handy when the hotel pool is chlorinated. They come in navy, green, black and sky blue. If you want something with a bit more design, the colour block swim trunks use the same fabric blend with contrast panels on the waistband and thighs.
Swim briefs: when you want to pack light or swim laps
Swim briefs take up almost no space and dry faster than longer cuts simply because there is less fabric. They are a good pick if your hotel has a proper lap pool and you plan to actually swim, or if you are a confident brief wearer anyway. For a deeper comparison of cuts, see our guide to swim trunks vs swim briefs vs board shorts.
The mesh swim briefs are made from a fine, breathable mesh with a double-layer contoured pouch, a drawstring and a tag-free finish. They come in 8 colours in sizes S to XL, so you can choose a calm black or grey for a quiet spa or something bright for a rooftop pool party.
The detail that matters most in a hotel: a pocket
Hotel pools come with a small practical problem: where do you put the room key card? Lockers are not always available on a rooftop deck. Our quick-dry swim trunks with zip pocket solve that with a zippered pocket for keys, a card or other small items, plus an elastic waistband with an adjustable drawstring. They come in green, black, red, navy blue and light blue in sizes S to XXL.
Spa etiquette: what to wear in the pool, sauna and relaxation room
Spa rules vary a lot between countries and between hotels, so check the spa page or ask at reception before you go. A few general patterns help you plan:
| Area | What usually works | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel pool | Swim trunks or swim briefs | Shorts and underwear are often not allowed in the water |
| Rooftop pool and terrace | Square-leg trunks plus a tank top or shirt for the bar | Cover up when you leave the loungers |
| Sauna | Depends on the country: in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands saunas are often textile-free; elsewhere swimwear is common | Bring a large towel to sit on either way |
| Relaxation room | Robe over dry swimwear | This is where the second dry pair earns its place |
If you are curious about heat sessions in more detail, our guide on what to wear to hot yoga and the sauna covers fabrics and etiquette.
A simple packing plan for 2 to 4 nights
- Main pair: square-leg trunks in a dark colour that works at any pool.
- Backup pair: swim briefs or a second trunk, rolled into a corner of the bag.
- Cover-up: a tank top or light shirt for the walk from the lift to the loungers. Our tank tops fold flat.
- Something for the room: a pair of cotton sweat shorts for lounging after the spa.
- A zip bag: for the wet pair on check-out day.
After each swim, rinse your swimwear in cool tap water, press it in a towel and hang it over the shower rail or a hanger. Avoid the radiator or heated towel rail, as direct heat is hard on stretch fabric. Quick-dry fabrics are usually ready again by the next morning.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear board shorts at a hotel pool?
Often yes, but some indoor pools and spa areas prefer fitted swimwear for hygiene reasons. Close-fitting square-leg trunks are accepted almost everywhere, so they are the safer choice if you only pack one pair.
How many swimsuits should I pack for a city break?
Two is the sweet spot. One can dry while you wear the other, and both together take up less space than a pair of jeans.
What colour swimwear looks best at an indoor pool?
Dark colours like black, navy and deep blue look smart under indoor lighting. Save brighter colours and prints for outdoor and rooftop pools.
Will my swimwear dry overnight in a hotel room?
Quick-dry fabrics usually will if you squeeze out the water with a towel first and hang them with space around them.
Find your city break swimwear
Browse the full men's swimwear collection for square-leg trunks, swim briefs and prints, or see what just landed in new arrivals. For more ideas on pool styles, read beach vs pool swimwear. Every order ships in discreet packaging.
