Have you ever longed to spend an afternoon at a hotel’s rooftop pool, searched for hotels with pools near me or wanted to check out a resort’s beach area without having to pay for an overnight stay?
Thanks to ResortPass, you can now do exactly that. This young online booking platform, which just secured a round of financing, is becoming a popular method for securing day passes to enjoy hotel and resort pools, spas, and other amenities without requiring the user to be a hotel guest.
Here’s everything you need to know about ResortPass including its pros and cons, and how to use it.
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Why Resortpass Was Founded
ResortPass was launched in 2016 by Amanda Szabo, a former wedding photographer, and co-founder of a travel booking site. Szabo was inspired to develop the platform after noticing that many local hotels and resorts had pools, spas, cabanas, and other amenities that weren’t being fully used.
She wanted to create a site that would introduce people searching for hotels with pools near me to amazing properties for a fraction of the cost of staying there while helping hotels attract more business and revenue.
ResortPass gives people the opportunity to enjoy a “daycation” at a participating hotel or resort and enjoy some pampering and recreation with their family, friends, or by themselves without having to book a room.
What You Can Book Using Resortpass
Exactly what you can book using ResortPass depends upon the specific hotel or resort property and what they include in their pass offerings. Generally, you can book a day pass, spa pass, or private cabana. ResortPass includes details on what is included with each pass whether it’s poolside food and drink service, complimentary wi-fi, and other perks.
How to Use Resortpass
The ResortPass site is very user-friendly. You begin by searching for a hotel or resort by city, state, or property name. ResortPass will present a list of hotels with a brief description of what their specific day pass includes along with the starting price.
Click on view for a specific hotel listing to learn exactly what is included in your day pass, and the cost.
You can also read reviews for the property from other ResortPass users. Select the date you wish to visit and the number of people in your party who need a pass (select one if it’s just yourself.)
Proceed to your cart to check out and pay for your pass. You’ll receive an email confirmation with further details and any specific instructions. On the day of your visit, bring a valid photo ID to the hotel and check-in at the specified area.
And that’s all there is to it! You’re ready to enjoy your hotel pool visit.
The Pros of Using Resortpass
The advantages of using ResortPass far outweigh its drawbacks. Here’s a list of the benefits of using the site to purchase a day pass.
It’s a Great Way to Sample Luxurious Hotels and Resorts
ResortPass users can check out participating luxurious hotels and resorts that may have felt off-limits to them unless they were willing to stay there for a high room rate.
It’s Great for Families
ResortPass users have taken their kids to hotel and resort water parks and other recreational areas using the platform.
It’s great for those who don’t have a swimming pool at home and are looking for a nearby hotel pool to take the kids to.
No Additional/Hidden Fees
The price at check-out is the price you pay for the day pass; there are no additional fees. Keep in mind that some states may charge tax, however.
Late Cancellations Are Allowed
ResortPass will allow you to cancel or change your day or spa pass date at any time up until 10 a.m. on the day of your booking. You can either receive a full credit card refund back or ResortPass credit to use for another day. You’re also allowed to change or cancel your date if there’s inclement weather.
For cabana passes, the site recommends canceling the day before your booked date if possible as some hotels won’t refund same-day cabana cancellations.
Up until the evening before your booked date, you may cancel the pass yourself through your account. If it’s the same day of the booked date, you must contact ResortPass customer service by 10 a.m. and have them cancel or change your date for a refund.
Hotels Use It, Too
If you need to book a hotel cabana, many properties will now direct you straight to their ResortPass pages.
Increasing Number of Participating Hotels
ResortPass is adding new partner hotels to its platform every month, and all 50 states now have hotels and resorts to choose from.
There are hundreds of participating San Diego hotels (our favorite San Diego hotel pools) and Los Angeles hotels and resorts using ResortPass. To give you an idea, here are a few favorites in each nearby county (there are many more than are listed here).
Participating San Diego Hotels with Pools
- Omni La Costa Resort and Spa
- Park Hyatt Aviara
- Rancho Bernardo Inn
- The Lafayette Hotel
- San Diego Mission Bay Resort
- Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina
Browse ResortPass in San Diego.
Participating orange county hotels with pools
- The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
- Monarch Beach Resort
- Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
Browse ResortPass in Orange County.
Participating losAngeleshotels with pools
- W Hollywood Hotel
- Andaz West Hollywood
- Mr. C Beverly Hills
- Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel
Browse ResortPass in Los Angeles.
The Cons of Using Resortpass
ResortPass does have some limitations. You should always read the fine print and understand exactly what is included when booking a pass through the site. Your pass will not cover expenses such as hotel parking, food, drinks, and tips—these will cost you extra during your visit.
If you plan on bringing your children, you’ll need to only look at kid-friendly hotels like these family-friendly hotels in San Diego. The ResortPass details will tell you the age requirements for a particular pass. There may also be a minimum or maximum amount of people allowed to book certain passes.
Hotels give priority to their staying guests, so some dates may not be available or you may find yourself placed on a waitlist.
Most hotels and resorts won’t allow you to bring your own food and drink when you visit. My advice is to read everything in the description carefully so you know what’s included and expected.
Why Hotels Love It
ResortPass gives hotels and resorts an additional revenue stream and allows them to introduce under-utilized pools and other features to day guests. ResortPass users get a taste of what their property has to offer, and may convert into paying hotel guests in the future as a result. Or a day guest may spend money in a hotel’s restaurant or gift shop.
The ResortPass platform also gives its partners control over how many day passes they wish to offer and allows them to set the price so their amenities won’t get overwhelmed with too many visitors at once. ResortPass takes care of most of the marketing work involved, driving guests to the property with photos and descriptions on their website and handling the email confirmations.
There aren’t many risks involved for a hotel or resort to partner with ResortPass. They are not stuck in a long-term contract nor are they charged a monthly fee, and they can opt-out at any time. This high level of flexibility allows partners to test the platform to see if it drives more business and revenue.
Is Resortpass Worth It?
ResortPass is a wonderful way for you and your family to experience the best amenities resorts or hotels with pools near you have to offer for a fraction of the cost.
The platform is sure to grow in popularity, especially as it continues to add more partners.
Katie Dillon
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