The snowbirds have flown the coop, the summer swelter has peaked, and we can picture no better staycation oasis than lapping in luxury at a hotel swimming pool.
Hear us out: We don’t mean renting a room before you soak (although you can). We mean buying a day pass — a flat-fee passport that grants all-day access to swanky hotel pools, spas, hot tubs, beach access, chairs, fitness rooms, even free co*cktails and water in some cases — without splurging on an expensive overnight stay. This summer, such day passes range in price from $25 to $95 for adults, and less for children. (Be sure to call ahead to confirm availability.)
For those craving a relaxing splash in posh surroundings, here are 10 South Florida hotels, boutique resorts and a hotel water park (!) with lush pools you can visit now.
BROWARD COUNTY
Aloft Fort Lauderdale Airport hotel
501 SE 24th St., Fort Lauderdale; 754-285-4848; Marriott.com
On clear days, the 14th-story rooftop deck at this Marriott hoteloffers visions of cruise ships docking at Port Everglades to the east and Fort Lauderdale’s ever-widening skyline to the north. Aloft, which debuted in January, touts a $30 pass for access to a 540-square-foot swimming pool, plus co*cktails from WXYZ Lobby Bar (weekends only), a gaming area, TVs, cabanas, loungers and a fire pit.
Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach, a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
801 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-764-2233; Hilton.com
Offering picturesque views of the Intracoastal Waterway to the west and the tranquil Atlantic Ocean to the east, Bahia Mar’s $35 day pass grants access to its High Tide Lounge and outdoor heated pool, plus a key card for the beach and tennis court. Passholders also receive a complimentary bag with water bottles and towels, and there’s discounted valet parking ($20) or self-parking ($5/hour).
The Atlantic Hotel & Spa
601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-567-8020, AtlanticHotelFL.com
As A1A beachfront pools go, the Atlantic’s day pass is loaded with more amenities than its neighbors. Price tag starts at $40. There’s a fifth-floor, outdoor heated pool, an oceanfront hot tub, free Wi-Fi, and first-come-first-served access to sun loungers, pool umbrellas and towel service.
The Dalmar
299 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 954-945-9500; TheDalmar.com
Retro mod-style furnishings, classic and tiki co*cktails and sweeping skyscraper views distinguish this luxe hotel’s sixth-floor pool perched on the edge of the exploding Flagler Village neighborhood. Yes, you’re in the thick of the downtown with a $35-$45 day pass and swimming in perks obvious and subtle: an outdoor heated saline pool, first-come-first-served lounge chairs and free towel service and Wi-Fi. The pool shares its building with a killer rooftopco*cktail bar, Sparrow — and we hear the hotel even has a Champagne vending machine, which is nice.
B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale Beach
1140 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-564-1000; BOceanResort.com
A day pass here (starting at $35) buys you access to a beachfront infinity-edge pool in the shadow of this ship-shape hotel icon, formerly called the Yankee Clipper. While its Wreck Bar mermaid showsare worth the detour alone, the pass also grants sun-seekers a pair of outdoor heated pools, beach access, first-come-first-served poolside and beach chairs, and free Wi-Fi and towel service.
Sands Harbor Resort & Marina
125 N. Riverside Drive, Pompano Beach; 954-942-9100, SandsHarbor.com
A trout’s throw from seriously scrumptious seaside eats (ahem, Oceanic) and pelican-watching on Pompano Beach’s Fisher Family Pier, this 5-acre Intracoastal hideaway plants you right in megayacht central. The ground-floor pool puts sunbathers eye-level with fleets of passing pleasure boats, and its day pass (starting at $50) comes bundled with a hard-to-beat perk: a free rumrunner co*cktail. The nearly 60-year-old hotel also offers access to a waterfront heated outdoor pool, first-come-first-served lounge chairs, towel service, a poolside shower and free Wi-Fi.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
The Ray
233 NE Second Ave., Delray Beach; 561-739-1700; TheRayHotel.com
What The Ray’s rooftop lacks in height (four stories), it makes up for in tropical splendor: A lush wall of palms, wood accents and white umbrellas frame its 20,000-square-foot pool deck, which is attached to an equally luxe co*cktail haven called Rosewater Rooftop. Sure, that it’s within walking distance to Atlantic Avenue’s restaurant row is also appealing — but why bother escaping this playground? A day pass ($40 Monday-Thursday, $50 Friday-Sunday) includes first-come-first-served lounge chairs, access to its fitness center, free towel service and Wi-Fi.
Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel
2000 NW 19th St., Boca Raton; 561-368-5252; Marriott.com
Sure, you might have a better view of Bowlero or Bloomingdale’sinstead of the beach at this 184-room Marriott resort overlooking the Town Center at Boca Raton Mall. But it’s tough to overlook this $30 day pass, which offers access to a ground-floor, outdoor heated pool and waterfall backdrop, along with free Wi-Fi, towel service and self-parking. There are also first-come-first-served lounge chairs and two complimentary bottles of water per pass.
Hilton Palm Beach PBI Hotel
150 Australian Ave., West Palm Beach; 561-684-9400; Hilton.com
Sunbathers will hardly mind that one of West Palm Beach’s best staycation spots overlooks Palm Beach International Airport after spotting its raft of perks. A day pass (starting at $25) includes access to the outdoor heated pool and hot tub, first-come-first-served lounge chairs, free Wi-Fi and self-parking. There’s also a complimentary swag bag at check-in, a 15% food discount at the tiki bar, and access to outdoor games such as Connect 4, cornhole and billiards.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Tidal Cove at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
19999 W. Country Club Drive, Aventura; 305-932-6200; TidalCoveMiami.com and JWTurnberry.com
Seeking poolside relaxation in blissful solitude? You came to the wrong place. If there’s one drawback to splashing around at Tidal Cove — arguably the crown jewel of day passes — it’s the noise from guests taking the plunge down the park’s seven water slides. If crowd size isn’t a dealbreaker, though, Tidal Cove’s offer ($75 Monday-Friday, $95 Saturday-Sunday, free for age 3 and younger) provides full waterpark privileges, including the lazy river, a cove pool and splash pad, plus a changing room, free Wi-Fi and towels. Our suggestion? Go on a weekday and dodge the self-parking fee by hailing a rideshare.
