TRAVELERS looking for a staycation or faced with a long gap between their check-out time and flight can now take advantage of a hotel pass for a surprisingly low price.
I recently went on a trip with my parents and two younger sisters to Orlando, Florida—a place we New Yorkers have visited dozens of times before.
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We initially went for a no-thrills visit to my aunt’s home in the Villages; however, I was determined to try something new this time around.
Orlando hotels for a family of five in the summer can cost several hundreds of dollars, a price way out of my budget.
Luckily, I found a pass that allowed me to take full advantage of hotel amenities for a quarter of the price.
ResortPass grants travelers looking for a vacation, staycation, or simply to fill the time before a flight the ability to lounge around certain hotels for a discounted price.
The pass offers deals to over 400 cities in 35 states, as well as passes to some resorts in the Bahamas and Mexico.
When I visited the ResortPass website to search for deals in Orlando, I was surprised by the variety of passes offered.
From a cabana at the Four Seasons to a spa pass to one of the Disney resorts, there was a never-ending list of options.
When searching for a pass, you can specify whether you want a pool pass, spa pass, or to rent out a day room.
I ended up choosing two different passes: one for manicures and pedicures for my two sisters and me at Margaritaville, and another for a cabana at the Hilton.
Of course I couldn’t leave my mom out of the spa day, so I bought her a 50-minute massage.
The spa treatments at Margaritaville cost around $110 each and include access to the pink Himalayan salt rooms, sauna, pool, and bar.
I was also able to roam freely around the Margaritaville property and set up my remote-work setup for a bit in the business room.
The best part of the spa day was our ability to stroll between the sauna and the pool while still being able to keep our stuff in the spa lockers once our treatments were over.
A little tip: make sure you know exactly what your package includes, as not all of the employees were familiar with what the pass encompassed.
What is ResortPass?
ResortPass grants exclusive day passes to travelers at some of the country’s top hotels.
To book a pass, you need to:
- Visit the ResortPass website
- Search for the city you want to visit
- Select the type of pass you’re looking for
- Browse the options and book
If you’re booking a spa pass, you may need to call the spa after you buy the pass to schedule a treatment.
The Resort Pass kept going the next day when my whole family went to the Hilton for our cabana.
For $250, we were given access to a private cabana from 9 am to 7 pm, if we wanted to stay that long.
The cabana, which seats six, may seem expensive at first, but those visiting with a group of friends can split the cost and spend less than $50 per person.
Once we arrived at the cabana, we found a mini fridge stocked with complimentary soft drinks and a fruit platter.
Checking in for the pass was also a breeze.
When we first arrived, we were directed to a line specifically for Resort Pass users, where all we needed to show them was our confirmation and ID.
After checking in, we were escorted to the cabana and immediately greeted by a personal waiter.
We munched on some appetizers from the FastBreak Sports Bar before floating around in the 892-foot lazy river.
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Later on, we ordered a bucket of High Noons and played a game of volleyball on the volleyball court.
We would have stayed the whole day; however, in typical Florida fashion, a massive thunderstorm passed by, ruining the otherwise perfect pool day we planned.
While a Resort Pass may not be worth it if you’re already staying in a five-star hotel, it is 100% worth it if you want to change things up on your next trip or entertain your family for the day.
Living just one hour away from New York City, I plan to use a Resort Pass when out-of-state friends visit or when I’m relaxing on a weekend.
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