Love lounging poolside at a luxury hotel but not keen on the price tag of booking an overnight stay? Whether you’re craving a mini solo staycation, planning an outing with friends or looking for somewhere to swim with your kids, you’re in luck. Because, turns out, there are a few ways to do just that.
If you’re not already familiar, websites and platforms like ResortPass allow you to browse and book day passes to hotels and resorts, giving you access to amenities like pools, hot tubs and fitness centers.
“You pay to be a guest of the hotel for the day without access to a room,” travel content creator Jen Ruiz, author of “12 Trips in 12 Months,” told HuffPost. “This is usually for a fraction of the price of an overnight stay.”
Other companies offering similar services include DayAxe, DayPass and Daycation. But you can also call the hotel directly and inquire about their day pass options.
Keep in mind that a day pass at one hotel may include access to different amenities and for different lengths of time than at another. So be sure to read the details carefully and ask questions so you select one that satisfies your criteria.
And “while some resorts offer a one-size-fits-all day pass, others have tiered packages, with the lowest price point typically granting pool access only and the more expensive packages offering cabanas, food credits and even a room,” travel writer Jessica Poitevien wrote for Fodor’s Travel.
Also, some day pass packages include hotel parking at a reduced rate, so look into that to save a few bucks as well.
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Reserving a cabana can be more pricey, but you get the benefit of shade and more seating, which may come in handy if you’re bringing your kids or planning to go with a group.
Ruiz also mentioned the app Dayuse, which allows you to book hotel rooms for a few hours during the day. In some cases, you may be able to also get access to the pool — a perk you can easily filter for on their site.
“You can book for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., for instance, before the typical check-in time,” she said.
Another option is to purchase a spa day pass or book a massage, facial or other treatment at the hotel. In some cases, the hotel will allow spa guests to enjoy their pool facilities for the day or for a set number of hours. (It’s a good idea to check with the hotel to confirm their policy when booking your treatment.)
“For example, when I was planning my recent trip to London, I realized that the chicest five-star hotels with pools cost over $500 a night,” travel writer and content creator La Carmina told HuffPost. However, for about $120, she was able to book a spa day, which ended up including private access to one of their pools for an hour, as well as use of the sauna and steam room, she said.
Another tip from La Carmina: If you’re staying at a hotel that doesn’t have its own pool but you’d like to spend some time poolside, you can ask the concierge to recommend their favorite public pool in the area.
“Chances are that they’ll open your eyes to a local option that turns out to be spectacular,” she said.
Now, who’s ready for a dip?