Temperatures are rising and so is the excitement of summer vacation. Many are eager to make up for lost travel time, but with high gas and flight prices, maybe a vacation doesn’t seem too bad. Don’t worry, there’s a way to freshen up without losing a few paychecks.

LA is full of phenomenal hotel pools, and you don’t have to spend $500 a night to swim. Instead, buy a day pass – one of the closest things to a vacation you can find without actually traveling anywhere.

For as little as $15, you have access to the pools and other hotel amenities. Some cheaper day passes include Hotel MdR Marina del Rey, while day pass prices can soar to $75 at hotels such as The Park Suite Hotel in West Hollywood.

Spend a day lounging by a swanky pool, drinking margaritas and munching on fish tacos while the palm trees sway overhead, then come home, all without paying a resort fee. bedroom.

Some of the most popular day pass deals are at the rooftop pools that overlook Los Angeles, with spectacular views from the Hollywood Hills to the Pacific Ocean. You can grab a lounge chair and spend the day alone, or visit friends and splurge in a cabana, which can cost you $300.

You can access deals through sites like ResortPass and Daycation, but other companies also offer day passes. While some hotels handle their own day pass reservations, many use third-party services. Resort Pass, which is located in Los Angeles, tends to have more local options than Daycation.

Day pass programs are a relatively new market, with several hotels in their early years. Shalesha Kennedy, front desk manager at Hyatt Centric the Pike in Long Beach, said locals were constantly coming in and asking to visit the pool before the day pass schedule.

“It was so painful to have to turn them down, but at the same time, we want to make sure our customers can enjoy them too,” Kennedy said, adding that having a limited number of day passes provides crowd control while improving accessibility. “We get people almost every day for the pool, whether the weather is nice or not, so it’s great for the hotel, and then it’s great for people who just want to hang out.”

As the hospitality industry rebounds from pandemic-related travel restrictions, some day pass programs have incorporated special events. The Marina Del Rey hotel has kicked off its annual summer pool parties, attracting around 150-200 people each Sunday, most of whom are day pass users.

“It’s so nice to be able to do things like this again. It’s amazing to be able to host an event,” said Jessica McLin, Head of Marketing.

And day pass users can do more than just splash around. “People can enjoy the beautiful pool, have lunch, and add a massage or facial,” said Sam Jagger, general manager of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, a Santa Monica oasis with golden gates, an incredible 140. fig tree in the entrance courtyard and a garden pool you won’t want to leave.

How it works? When you arrive at the hotel, “we have someone escort you to a chair or table by the pool and introduce you to the staff,” he said.

North Hollywood resident Elena Richardson, who spent time last summer at the W Hollywood pool with friends, loved her experience. “The hotel took my breath away. I felt like I was relaxing in elegance,” she said.

“When you walk through the doors, you know you’re in a special place. I live in North Hollywood, so to just be able to go there – it was so close – and have a day off was amazing. My daughters and I had the chance to do something luxurious without spending a lot of money.

We’ve taken a quick look at some hotels to let you know what kind of deals you can find in the Los Angeles area. Starting prices are shown below, which may only be available when the hotel is not crowded. For the price breakdown, $ indicates less than $30, $$ means less than $50, and $$$ is for all other prices.