Pool Time! My Resort Pass Experience

 Ever heard of Resort Pass? I hadn't until recently. Just as I never knew people were renting their pools out on Airbnb. But that's a subject for another day. While searching for that perfect pool to chill at for the day, on Airbnb, and not finding one beautiful or fun enough, I stumbled across Resortpass.com. Where thousands of hotels around the United States and Mexico offer you the opportunity to utilize their pools, spas, board rooms, fitness centers, and even regular rooms, for a few hours or the entire day. Which is great if you can't afford to stay at these more expensive hotels, but would still like to experience what it's like to be a guest there. Resort passes range from 25 dollars to more than 600 dollars, depending on the hotel (3,4, or 5 star), and whether or not you reserve special services or items in advance. For example, I purchased two pool, day passes for the MdR Marina del Rey hotel, for only 25 dollars each. I had the option to reserve a day use cabana for 300 dollars. 

At first I was nervous about partaking in this experience. I would find hotels with gorgeous views of the city, ocean, or marina, but then read less than favorable reviews: overcrowded pools, no available lounge chairs, poor food and drink service, no towels offered, dirty pool, and too many kids. However, we had a wonderful experience at the MdR hotel. The hotel Manager greeted us warmly, offered us towels, and handed us cookies. That's right!, I said cookies! The MdR is a Double Tree Hotel, famous for their large and delicious chocolate chunk cookies. Funny Story about these cookies actually. A few hours after ordering lunch from the bar, my husband asked the frond desk clerk for two more cookies. Which they gladly handed over. Then!, on the way out he asked (the new person on duty) for two more cookies! Which they happily handed over.

When we arrived at the lovely and spacious pool area it was empty. There were plenty of plush lounge  chairs, large umbrellas, and only one other couple present. The best part? The pool was clean and we had it all to ourselves. It was a warm for Marina del Rey, but because we were near enough to the ocean, a gentle breeze kept us cool all day. The hotel bar / restaurant and lounge (containing a ping pong table with it's own lounge and sliding glass door for privacy) was located right outside the pool area. The food selection was minimal but affordable. What we really enjoyed were the specialty drinks. I loved my spicy Jalapeno margarita with cucumber syrup. My husband's drink, a pomegranate mojito with plenty of mint, was yummy as well. After enjoying some tasty eats (sweet potato fries and buffalo chicken wings) we read by the pool for a long while.  Hubby fell asleep, while I opted for another swim. I had the pool all to myself and it was wonderful.

After my second swim of the day I announced I'd like another drink. The Bartender made me a skinny margarita soda spritzer with blueberry syrup. Once again, I loved my drink. We took our drinks over to the ping pong lounge (yes, a lounge with couches, tables and a glass door that closes for privacy). Many games later, we took our drinks back to the pool. A few couples came and went while we read some more. Followed by a few families with children. It started to get a bit loud, so I decided at 4:45 pm, that it was time to head out. We had plans to eat burgers at a pub, with live entertainment, near the Venice Peer. It was the perfect, lazy day. We felt so comfortable and relaxed at the MdR Double Tree Hotel and will  definitely return in the future. Please see the attached photographs.