While some Americans are taking advantage of the summer months to take long-planned vacations, others are stuck at home due to work and the rising costs of travel. But don’t despair: more and more of you are opting for “daycations” – a much more affordable and hassle-free way to rejuvenate closer to home. Why work from home when you can do it by your rooftop pool?
That’s the idea of Resort Pass, which sells day passes to hotels and spas. The service allows travelers and locals alike to take advantage of the many amenities and perks at a range of properties, from Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton to more affordable brands like Hilton and Hyatt. Passes on the platform start at $25 and go up to several hundred dollars, a fraction of the price of a single night’s stay.
Services offered vary: some offer lounge chairs on the hotel’s private beach or, for a higher fee, poolside cabanas, spas with cold pools and saunas, activities like yoga, business amenities like meeting rooms, and even the ability to reserve day rooms.
Resort Pass CEO Michael Wolf says the pass is a boon for hotels looking to make up for lost time during the pandemic. The company offers access to more than 1,600 hotels in 250 cities around the world, mostly in the U.S. and the Caribbean. The concept is especially useful in destinations where guests are likely to spend the majority of their stay elsewhere, such as leisure tourists or business travelers attending a conference, allowing hotels to open up spaces that may not be used much during the day. Besides Resort Pass, the overwhelming leader in the field, there are other options, such as day passes, day use and resorts for a day, depending on the location.
“They have apartments in New York City that are too expensive for them, so they don’t need rooms, but if they can enjoy a spa or a pool, they’d be great customers,” Wolf says of the appeal. “Historically, hotels have been thought of as for tourists, and why?”
Employees are already starting to notice the trend: So-called “silent vacations,” in which employees take time off without telling their bosses, are becoming increasingly popular, as first reported by CNBC Make It. Resorts Pass has seen roughly 50% growth each year over the past two years in both bookings and new hotels on its platform, the company said.
The day vacation I’ve always wanted
That said, day passes are also a money-saving option for travelers looking for a good deal. For example, say you book an Airbnb to save money, but you can’t use the pool. You can get the same luxury by booking a day trip at a luxury resort in your destination. Another traveler might need to check out of a hotel by 11 a.m. or leave a cruise ship in the morning, but have a late flight. A day pass lets you be economical with your time, Wolf says. 70% of day passes on the platform are under $65.
Day trippers can search for resorts by vibe: family-friendly properties, trendy hotels, tranquil spas, luxury experiences, and more.
Of course, some users are bound to run into issues. Tamara Palmer, a freelance writer for SFGate.com, reported some issues using the app, including large holds on credit cards and hotel staff not being familiar with the app. She recommends calling ahead (and asking how much will be charged to your credit card) to make sure things go smoothly.
Asked about the possibility of overcrowding and a less enjoyable experience, Wolf said each facility has its own set limit on the number of daily passes they can have.
“You don’t necessarily need a five-day vacation. That’s not a bad thing, but realistically you can’t always take that kind of vacation,” Wolf says. “But if you have a free day during the week and you can spend time by the pool in a relaxing environment, there’s something magical about that.”
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