When it comes to relaxation and leisure, one of my favorite pastimes is unwinding at the pool and enjoying a rejuvenating spa day. Naturally, like most travel enthusiasts, I love getting out of town to go on vacation, but due to my busy work schedule, that happens less often than I’d like. So, to keep me feeling my best, in between trips, I squeeze in little daycations at nearby hotels and spas.
How To Book Dream Daycations at Luxury Hotel Pools & Spas
What’s great about a daycation is that you don’t have to pack a suitcase, but you can still enjoy the wellness-enhancing benefits of being on a vacation. Technically, the concept of a daycation can encompass a variety of enjoyable activities – from adventurous outings and family-friendly activities to tranquil experiences, like spa treatments.
As a busy entrepreneur, executive, and dog mom, since I’m usually productive or am on the go, making time to slow down and unwind is often what I feel called to do (especially when I feel stressed). This not only helps balance out my high-energy, cortisol-induced moments throughout the workweek, but it also just gives me time to go offline (which I find beneficial, especially from a mental health perspective). That’s why a relaxing daycation at a hotel or spa is, from my perspective, one of the best leisure activities to do throughout the month.
From hitting the hot tub and doing laps in the swimming pool to getting a massage treatment and using spa facilities (like a beauty-boosting steam room and revitalizing sauna that help purge toxins from the body), daycations at hotel pools and spas have started growing in popularity, thanks to apps like ResortPass. I recently was invited to try this service, as I’m passionate about creating travel and leisure content, so naturally, when the invitation came through, let’s just say they had me at “hotel pool and spa”.
What is ResortPass?
As seen in Condé Nast Traveler, Popsugar, and Forbes, ResortPass is an easy-to-use online platform and app that enables you to search, find, and book daycation experiences at 1600+ hotels, resorts, and spas around the country. From luxury hotels like Alila Ventana Big Sur to The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles and Rosewood Miramar Beach, you can book daycations at all types of incredible properties.
The system makes it easy to search for hotels and spas that offer everything from day passes and pool cabanas to spa treatments and fitness passes. You simply search for the city and dates you want to book a daycation, and the search results show you all the partner properties available, which you can book through the system. Each hotel offers a different rate for varying options as well as a variety of passes available.
For example, a $245 Day Pass at the 5-star Bernardus Lodge & Spa in Carmel Valley, California includes the following amenities:
- Outdoor heated pool
- Hot tub
- Silent warm soaking pool
- Eucalyptus steam room
- Dry sauna
- Lounge chairs (first come, first serve)
- Towel service
- One lunch entrée and non-alcoholic beverage included
- Dining is available poolside or at Lucia Restaurant & Bar
- Additional food and drinks available for purchase
- Locker rooms with showers
- Spa robe, slippers, and locker for the day
- Fitness center
- Fireside Lounge
- Croquet and bocce lawns
- Cozy outdoor seating and fire pits
- Chef’s garden & rose garden
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Complimentary valet parking
Since Bernardus Resort & Spa happens to be one of my favorite local hotels to visit for a glass of wine or to dine at Lucia Restaurant & Bar, I’ve always been curious about what it’s like to stay on the gorgeous property. From lush green vineyards that welcome you into the expansive property to a relaxed, yet sophisticated, rustic-glam atmosphere within the hotel itself, the moment you step onto this exquisite, sun-drenched resort you feel like you’ve been whisked away to the verdant Tuscan countryside (even though you’re in the heart of Carmel Valley, California).
When ResortPass offered me the opportunity to try a daycation at any hotel of my choice, naturally, I chose Bernadus, as it’s a quick 20-minute drive from home, but it always makes me feel like I’m truly on vacation whenever I’m there.
During my daycation, I relaxed by the picturesque swimming pool, took a dip in the soothing hot tub, had a delicious lunch al fresco, and enjoyed peaceful moments within the spa itself. From the sauna and steam room to the calming atmosphere of the spa lounge, a few leisurely hours spent at the hotel pool and spa melted away all my tension. It was a heavenly afternoon, to say the least.
While I’m fortunate to have access to a variety of great hotels and spas in my area (since I’m based in Carmel, California), using ResortPass is a convenient way to experience different properties around the area, and while traveling. It’s also beneficial when using Airbnb or house rentals, as you can easily book a daycation at a resort, even when you’re staying in a private home.
The best part is – many of the properties they work with offer daycation passes starting at under $50, so there’s something available for virtually every budget. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a little R&R at a nearby locale or want to experience the best of resort living at a luxury hotel away from home, ResortPass is an easy way to book daycations anywhere in the USA.
To discover more inspiring vacation ideas, check out the Travel section on Inspirations & Celebrations.
[A complimentary day pass was provided by ResortPass. All opinions are my own.]
