These hotel and resort day passes just might be the ultimate travel hack.
At the end of a vacation, few things add more insult to injury than an 11 a.m. checkout time when your transportation back home is scheduled for an evening departure—let alone late evening. Sure you could book an extra night and enjoy your hotel’s amenities for the day, but who wants to put that decently sized dent in their overall trip budget?
That’s where services like ResortPass, Daycation, DayPass, and Resort for a Day come in handy. Although these services differ slightly from one another, they each offer the option to book a day pass at select hotels and resorts, granting you access to those properties for less than the price of a full night’s stay.
But day passes aren’t only for travelers at the end of their joy ride. They’re also perfect for locals in need of a staycation or cruisers looking for a convenient pool or beach day while in port. Some savvy travelers will even book more affordable accommodations and then use day passes to enjoy the waterparks, pools, and other amenities at fancier resorts nearby.
Whatever your motive may be, here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about making the most of these day pass services.
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How Does It Work?
Consider each of these websites/phone apps a sort of search engine for finding hotels and resorts that offer day passes. You add in the date and destination you want to visit, plus any other important factors like budget or must-have amenities, then the search is on. Filter through the results, find the best option for price vs. inclusions, then make your reservation through the website. Each day pass will come with specific instructions about what’s included, the hours that you’re allowed to enjoy the property, and where to go to check in for your daytime stay.
Et voilà! You’re soaking up the sun, getting a massage, and enjoying poolside drinks for the day. It really is that simple, but the offerings vary widely from one resort to the next, so double-check all the fine print about what your pass includes to avoid any disappointing surprises. It’s also worth noting that some day passes come with an additional service charge that will be applied upon arrival at the property. This is also something that would be included in the details of your day pass booking.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of your day pass depends on several factors, but expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $75 on average—or hundreds of dollars for the more elaborate bookings. The resort you choose will play the biggest role in determining the price, but you’ll be surprised to find some budget-friendly options even at five-star properties. 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. Be sure to check the details of each day pass to find the amenities that best fit your needs. Also be sure to choose the exact date you plan on visiting when buying your pass as this also impacts the price. As with regular hotel stays, weekdays tend to be less expensive.
Which Service Should I Use?
All of the websites/phone apps mentioned here provide more or less the same service, but they each have their own strengths and weaknesses worth considering. ResortPass is arguably the most popular day pass vendor, and it also has the most robust catalog, with over 1,000 properties in more than two dozen countries and 35+ states across the U.S.
Although ResortPass offerings reach far and wide, most of its properties are concentrated in the U.S., so this is the service you’ll want to use while stateside. Pools are definitely the biggest draw for day-pass seekers, but you can book so much more through ResortPass. That includes access to spas, gyms, bars, restaurants, and waterparks, as well as meeting spaces, hotel rooms, and activities like bike rentals and guided meditation.
Daycation has a smaller but still impressive number of listings, with 40+ hotels and resorts across 11 countries, including some not covered by ResortPass like Greece, Indonesia, and the British Virgin Islands. Resort For a Day is exclusively for cruise passengers so it’s no surprise that its listings are all located in popular cruise ship destinations across the Caribbean, plus Mexico and the Bahamas. The fact that most properties are all-inclusive resorts and many offer transportation to and from the cruise terminal is another way this service caters to cruisers.
Meanwhile with DayPass, you’ll find that listings are more limited, but the company does operate in regions not widely covered by its competitors, including several destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. DayPass is also focused on luxury hotels, so expect a higher price tag, but also some jaw-dropping properties.
Our Pick
ResortPass is our favorite thanks to its ample offerings that go beyond just the usual day pass, but you really can’t go wrong with booking through any of these vendors. As long as you read the stipulations of the day pass you’re interested in, you’re sure to have a good time — whether that’s to extend your vacation or to indulge in a well-deserved staycation.