Gone are the days of sneaking past the front desk to use a hotel’s pool for the day, but we’re here to tell you, you’ve got options.
Tampa Bay was recently ranked among the best areas for “pool lovers,” and for good reason, we have a ton of places to cannonball! But not all pools are equal, and not all resorts and hotels allow non-guests to splash around for the day.
So, what follows are some of the best local hotels and resorts pools that are completely open to the public, no room key required.
Tampa Mariott Water Street
505 Water St., Tampa, 813- 221-4900
$20-$799
Spend your “daycation” wisely at Tampa Street’s Marriott rooftop pool, complete with food and drinks, cornhole, paddle board and kayak rentals (for the nearby Hillsborough River). Plus, there’s free Wi-Fi and discounted valet for $14. Day passes for adults start at $20 for adults and $10 for kids, but other options include luxury daybeds ($75), daytime luxury cabanas ($150) and $799 to keep the cabana into the night with $300 food and drink credits as well as a reservation at the hotel’s waterfront restaurant, Anchor & Brine.
Photo via Tampa Marriott Water Street/GoogleHotel Alba
5303 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, 813-289-1950
$10-$750
Hillsborough residents looking for a stylish resort experience can save a trip across the Howard Franklin and go to Hotel Alba. Starting at $10 for children and $30 for adults, a day pass gives you a day on a lounger or in the hotel’s heated pool from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. For an upgraded experience, tiki cabanas for two ($50) and meeting rooms for seven ($750) are also available. All experiences include poolside food and drink service, and complimentary Wi-Fi and parking.
Photo via Hotel Alba/GooglePostcard Inn On The Beach
6300 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, 727-367-2711
$21-$350
Spend some time at the pool and the beach with a retro-chic twist at the Postcard Inn. Day passes start at $21 and include beach and pool access, food and cocktail service and complimentary Wi-Fi and parking. The kid-friendly hosts the largest heated pool in St. Pete and a wide variety of games like beach volleyball, ping pong and life-sized board games. Daybeds with a complimentary six-pack go for $250 and bottle-service cabanas are $350, both host up to four from 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. and include day passes and a complimentary fruit plate.
Photo via Post Card Inn On The Beach/GoogleEmbassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center
513 S Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-769-8300
$12
Enjoy a refreshing cocktail and views from the rooftop pool with a day pass at the Convention Center’s Embassy Suites. For $12, day passes grant both children and adults all-day heated pool access from 6 a.m.-10 p.m., sun loungers, discounted food and drinks and complimentary Wi-Fi. Infants get in for free and valet parking is $20.
Photo via Downtown Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Convention Center/GoogleThe Saint Hotel
7201 Sunset Way, St. Pete Beach, 727-360-0120
$50-$200
With it’s hot pink umbrellas, flamingo floaties and retro allure, you can’t miss The Saint Hotel. Day passes for a reserved lounge chair, games (such as cornhole, Connect Four, and giant Jenga), and access to the hotel’s pool and hot tub from dusk to dawn are $50. For $200, guests can upgrade to a shaded daybed. Parking and Wi-Fi are included in the cost of passes. And while you’re there, head to the neighboring 82 Degrees for an indulgent dinner after a day in the sun.
Photo via thesainthotel.comCompass Hotel Anna Maria Sound by Margaritaville
12324 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton, 941-741-9700
$20-$120
Compass offers a marina-front pool, views of the Anna Maria Sound, shaded poolside seating, outdoor games and potential for hammock naps starting at $20. From 11 a.m.-8 p.m., enjoy poolside food and Margaritaville craft cocktails under the palm trees.Private shaded cabanas for four are also available for $120. Parking and Wi-Fi are complementary, bikes are available to rent on the property.
Photo via Compass Hotel Anna Maria/FacebookFenway Hotel
453 Edgewater Dr., Dunedin, 844-569-9879
$10-$45
Need an alternative to the Clearwater Beach chaos? Dunedin’s historic Fenway Hotel has got you covered. Pool passes, which include complimentary parking, lounge chair reservations, Wi-Fi and access to the hotel’s heated pool, restaurant and rooftop bar, start at $10 for children and $20 for adults — for complimentary lunch and a drink, children and adults can upgrade to the $40 lunch and pool pass. The hotel also offers a bottomless brunch and pool pass, which includes mimosas and a fruit plate for two hours, or a day drinking pass for $45, which allows five complimentary drinks per ticket.
Photo via Fenway Hotel/GoogleWaterline Villas & Marina
5325 Marina Dr, Holmes Beach, 844-863-9443
$20
The beach is great and all, but sometimes a trip to the pool is worth not having your backseat covered in sand for the next month. On your next trip to Anna Maria, save the mess by taking the kids to the pool at Waterline Villas & Marina. For $20, get access to Waterline’s pool from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., dining at the Chateau Anna Maria and games like ping-pong, jenga and chess. Parking, Wi-Fi, and bottled water are included in the ticket price.
Photo via Waterline Resort/FacebookHilton Tampa Downtown
211 N Tampa St., Tampa, 813-204-3000
$12
For $12, get access to Hilton Tampa Downtown’s rooftop pool, fitness center and whirlpool hot tub with amenities like discounted poolside food and drink service and free Wi-Fi. Entry is free for infants. Park at the hotel using valet for $25 or use hourly self-parking at the nearby Fort Brooke parking garage.
Photo via Hilton Tampa Downtown/FacebookHyatt Regency Sarasota
1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, 941-953-1234
$15-$30
With its lush greenery, waterfalls and whirlpool hot tub, Sarasota’s Hyatt Regency might be the closest you can get to a tropical getaway without a plane ticket. Starting at $15 for children and $30 for adults, day passes get you access to the hotel’s pool, hot tub, sun deck, food and drink services, Wi-Fi and watercraft rentals for its private marina until 8 p.m. Self-parking is $10 and valet is $20.
Photo via Hyatt Regency Sarasota/websiteGodfrey Hotel & Cabanas
7700 W Courtney Campbell Cswy, Tampa, 813-281-8900
$75-$100
Starting at $75, up to 8 people 21 and over can enjoy a lavish poolside cabana experience with pool access, shaded seating, food and drink service from the nearby WTR Grill, and complimentary parking and Wi-Fi at the Godfrey Hotel. For $25 more, guests can upgrade to a waterfront cabana with a TV and two reserved poolside lounge chairs.
Photo via Godfrey Tampa/FacebookEpicurean Hotel
1207 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 855-829-2536
$20
Before your night out in SoHo, unwind on a lounger or take a dip for $20 at the Epicurean Hotel. Day passes come with amenities like access to the outdoor heated pool, one reserved lounge chair per ticket, available food and drinks at the Lobby Bar and complimentary Wi-Fi and self-parking. Craving a sweet treat? The popular Tampa ice cream chain Chill Bros. is a minute-walk from the pool.
Photo via Epicurean Hotel/GoogleThe Sarasota Modern
1290 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, 941-906-1290
$12-$150
Day passes at the Modern—$12 for children and $30 for adults—gives patrons access to its outdoor pool, hot tub, sun deck, games, poolside food and drinks and, if you’re feeling bold, the cold plunge pool. Private cabanas are available for up to six guests at $125 with additional upgrades optional at check out. The Modern also offers individual ($125) and family ($150) memberships, which grants day passes Sunday through Saturday for the month. Wi-Fi is complementary and valet is $10.
Photo via Sarasota Modern/FacebookArt Ovation
1255 N Palm Ave., Sarasota, 941-316-0808
$20-$35
Yes, this one is a bit of a hike from the Bay Area — but Art Ovation’s creativity-forward ambience paired with a heated pool may be worth your while. Just minutes from the white sands of Lido Key Beach, Art Ovation offers scenic views of the gulf, a heated outdoor pool and food and drinks from the rooftop bar starting at $20 for kids and $35 for adults. Parking and Wi-Fi are free.
Photo via Art Ovation/GoogleHyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
301 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach, 727-373-1234
$12-$350
Whether you’re team pool or team beach, Hyatt Regency on Clearwater beach has all of the bases covered without needing to book a room. Day passes start at $12 and include access to gulf views plus amenities like a heated pool, Wi-Fi, drink service and discounts. Cabanas and poolside suites cost more, but come with more perks like a TV with streaming capabilities and a private server. All passes include $25 self-parking or $29 valet.
Photo via Hyatt Regency Clearwater/FacebookThe Don CeSar
3400 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, 727-360-1881
$20-$75
Day passes at the iconic “Pink Palace” start at $20 for kids and $75 for adults, and include access to the beach, the hotel’s two heated pools, indoor jacuzzi, poolside food and drink service and free Wi-Fi. Parking in the hotel’s lot is $24 and $31 for valet service.
Photo via Don Cesar/GoogleSeminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
5223 Orient Rd, Tampa, 866-388-4263
$25-$500
For $25 on weekdays and $40 on weekends, guests can make the most of the Seminole Hard Rock’s three diverse pools, its 500 lounge chairs and daybeds, DJ booths and food and drink service. Standard cabanas for 8 are $350, or you can ball out in true Hard Rock style with a $500 VIP cabana. Self-parking is $20 for 12 hours.
Photo via Seminole Hard Rock & Casino/GoogleSun Outdoors Sarasota
7125 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota, 941-371-2505
$15
Sun Outdoors Sarasota is not only the best value on this list—$15 for adults and free for children five and under—it’s also the only spot with a “mega waterslide” and splash pad. The RV resort’s day passes allow access to its heated swimming pool from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and water park from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Other activities like laser tag, mini golf, zip lining and ropes courses are also offered onsite.
Photo via Sun Outdoors Sarasota/Facebook
