You’re scrolling through vacation rental options and land on the perfect Airbnb — great neighborhood, ideal location, close to everything. There’s just one problem: no pool. Meanwhile, your teens have already spotted the Marriott next door with the lazy river and the swim-up bar (for the adults, anyway).
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to stay at that resort to use it.
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ResortPass lets families book day passes to top-tier hotel pools, beaches, spas, and resort amenities — without paying for an overnight room. It’s one of the most practical travel hacks I’ve found for families, especially when you’re traveling with teenagers who need space, stimulation, and ideally a waterslide.
Whether you’re doing a staycation, staying in a vacation rental, roadtripping in an RV, or just looking to upgrade your trip without blowing the budget, ResortPass delivers the resort experience at a fraction of the cost.
👉 Book your ResortPass day pass here
What Is ResortPass?
ResortPass is a booking platform that partners with top-tier hotels and resorts to offer day passes to non-overnight guests. Think of it as a day membership to the resort of your choice. You show up, check in at the front desk, and enjoy everything the pass includes for the day.
The platform works with hundreds of properties across the U.S. and growing international destinations, including brands like:
- Marriott
- Hyatt
- Hilton
- IHG
- Four Seasons
- Omni
- Fairmont
- Loews
- and many independent luxury resorts
Day pass types vary by property but typically include pool access, beach access, spa passes, poolside daybed or cabana rentals, and even work passes for those long travel days when you need solid WiFi and a quiet corner.
Why ResortPass Is a Game-Changer for Families with Teens
Let me be honest about something: a generic hotel pool doesn’t cut it with teenagers. A 10×20 rectangle of lukewarm water surrounded by plastic lounge chairs? Hard pass. Teens need room to roam like lazy rivers, waterslides, beach access, places where they can float away from their parents and feel like they’re actually on vacation.
ResortPass opens up the properties that deliver exactly that, without requiring you to pay resort room rates.
Here’s the math that might surprise you. A family of four, two adults and two teens, at a mid-tier hotel often runs $200–$350/night, and that doesn’t include pool-adjacent amenities. A day pass at a comparable luxury resort through ResortPass might run $30–$75 per adult and $20–$30 per child, putting a full family day at a top-tier resort in the $100–$200 range. You get the experience without the overnight price tag.
Beyond the economics, ResortPass is particularly useful when:
- You’re staying in a vacation rental that doesn’t have a pool (or has a small one)
- You’re on a road trip or RV trip and want a proper resort day in a destination city
- You’re doing a staycation and want to feel like you’ve actually gone somewhere
- You want to resort-hop — book two different properties across a trip for variety
- You’re in a beach or lake destination but your hotel doesn’t have beach access
- Your teens are bored and need a full-day activity that doesn’t involve a theme park price tag
What’s Included in a ResortPass Day Pass?
Every property is different, but here’s what you can typically expect:
Pool Day Pass — Access to the resort’s main pool area, sometimes including lazy rivers, splash zones, hot tubs, and lounge chairs. This is the most common and affordable pass type.
Beach Pass — Access to a resort’s private beach, often with chair and umbrella rentals available. Found at coastal and lake resort properties.
Cabana or Daybed Rental — Upgrade your pool day with a reserved shaded space. Most cabanas include extras like bottled water, a snack basket, or a pitcher of a non-alcoholic beverage. Great for families who want a home base during a long pool day.
Spa Pass — Day access to a resort’s spa facilities including pool, sauna, steam room, and fitness areas. More adult-focused, but a great option for a parents’ day out or when you’re traveling without the kids.
Work Pass — Access to a quiet, WiFi-equipped area of the resort — a good option for remote work on travel days.
When booking, read the pass details carefully. Most passes note: what’s included, age restrictions (some properties have minimum ages or require adult accompaniment for teens), parking information, and check-in instructions.
ResortPass Properties That Are Great for Families with Teens
Here’s a snapshot of family-friendly properties available through ResortPass across popular destinations. Prices vary by date and season — always check ResortPass.com for current availability.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort — Orlando, Florida One of the most strategically brilliant uses of ResortPass for Disney families. Stay off-property in a vacation rental or budget hotel, then book a day pass here to access the resort’s pools — including the grotto pool at the Swan — while you’re in the parks. It scratches the luxury resort itch without the Disney resort price tag.
Hyatt Regency Austin — Austin, Texas One of the most affordable entry points on ResortPass, with passes starting around $25. A rooftop pool experience in the heart of Austin — great add-on to a city trip.
Loews Coronado Bay Resort — San Diego, California A stunning bayfront location with a beautiful pool complex. San Diego is one of the strongest markets for ResortPass with a wide range of properties from rooftop pools to beachfront resorts.
Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia — Scottsdale, Arizona A gorgeous desert resort with a resort pool complex that rivals anything in the state. Perfect for families doing a Southwest road trip or visiting Phoenix/Scottsdale.
JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa — Aventura, Florida Multiple pools including a lazy river, waterslides, and a water park area. One of the most teen-friendly ResortPass properties in Florida. Book early — this one fills up.
Marriott’s Grand Chateau — Las Vegas, Nevada For families visiting Vegas (yes, families go to Vegas), this offers a proper resort pool experience away from the Strip’s adult-only vibe.
Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown — Nashville, Tennessee Rooftop pool with incredible city views. A great add-on to a Nashville trip — let the teens swim while you enjoy the view.
Omni Amelia Island Resort — Amelia Island, Florida Multiple pools, beach access, and room to spread out. A genuinely family-forward resort with enough to keep teens busy for a full day.
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar — Nassau, Bahamas ResortPass has been expanding internationally, and Baha Mar is one of the crown jewels. If you’re staying in Nassau on a cruise stop or budget accommodation, this is a spectacular upgrade day.
Browse all properties and book at ResortPass →
How to Book a ResortPass Day Pass (Step by Step)
Booking is genuinely easy — one of the things I appreciate about the platform.
- Go to ResortPass.com or download the free app (iOS and Android).
- Search by city — enter your destination and browse available properties.
- Filter by pass type — pool, beach, cabana, spa, etc.
- Select your property and date — availability is shown in real time. Some popular properties book out, especially on holiday weekends.
- Choose your pass type and number of guests — price is typically per person.
- Complete payment — you’ll receive a confirmation email with check-in instructions.
- On the day of your visit — check in at the hotel’s front desk or concierge (your confirmation will specify). They’ll direct you to the pool or beach area.
A few tips from experience: bring your confirmation on your phone, arrive at check-in with ID, and tip your pool attendant if they’re bringing you towels or helping with setup.
My Experience: San Diego Mission Bay Resort
Earlier this year, I used ResortPass during a San Diego trip and chose the San Diego Mission Bay Resort for a full day pass. The resort sits right on Mission Bay with a large outdoor pool, private beach access, watercraft rentals, and an on-site restaurant.
The check-in process was seamless and it took less than five minutes at the front desk. The pool area was beautiful and spacious, the beach gave you real room to spread out, and the fish tacos from the on-site restaurant were genuinely excellent (not just convenient, actually good).
The overall experience reminded me immediately of what ResortPass does best for families: it gives you the feeling of a luxury resort day without the $400+ nightly room rate. The teen version of this trip would have loved the watercraft rentals alone.
If you’re in San Diego, the options through ResortPass are extensive from rooftop pools, beachfront properties, and everything in between. I’d recommend checking the Loews properties in particular for a family day.
ResortPass FAQ
Can kids and teens use ResortPass? Yes, most properties welcome families with children. Day passes are typically priced per person with reduced rates for children (often ages 13 and under). Some properties have age-specific policies, which are listed in the pass details before you book.
Do you have to be a hotel guest to use ResortPass? No, that’s the entire point. ResortPass is specifically designed for non-overnight guests to access resort amenities on a day-use basis.
How far in advance do I need to book? It depends on the property and season. Popular resort pools, particularly in summer and around holidays, can sell out days or even weeks in advance. I recommend booking as soon as you know your dates, especially for family-favorite properties.
Is there a cancellation policy? Most properties offer cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit for a full refund. Check the specific policy on your booking confirmation.
Can I book a ResortPass for the same day? Often yes, if availability remains. The app makes last-minute bookings easy. But don’t count on it for popular properties on weekends.
Is ResortPass worth it for families? For most families traveling with teens? Absolutely. The value is strongest when you compare it to the alternative of booking an overnight room at a comparable property. You get the same pool, the same beach, the same lounge chairs, and all for a fraction of the cost.
Are there age minimums for teens? Some adult-oriented spa passes have age restrictions (typically 18+). Pool and beach day passes are almost always family-friendly. Check the pass details for any specific restrictions.
What should I bring? Swimsuits, sunscreen, towels (some passes include resort towels, check yours), water shoes if you’re at a beach property, and your confirmation on your phone.
The Bottom Line
ResortPass is one of those travel tools that, once you discover it, you wonder how you traveled without it. For families with teens especially, it solves a real problem: teenagers want the good pool, and the good pool is at the fancy resort you’re not staying at.
With day passes starting as low as $25 per person, the math works. The booking experience is simple. The check-in is easy. And the upgrade to your trip is real.
Whether you’re doing a summer staycation in your own city, a road trip with vacation rental stops, or you just want to splurge on a resort experience without the hotel bill, ResortPass delivers.
Book your ResortPass day pass and start planning your resort day →
Have you used ResortPass with your family? I’d love to hear which property you chose and what you thought. Drop a comment below.
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