By Denise Ortuno Neil
There’s nothing quite like the refreshing feeling of jumping into azure water, immersing your body in absolute coolness, and revealing yourself to the now temperate air that was once scorching as you pop up from the depths of the pool. It’s what summer is all about in the Coachella Valley. With the absence of a natural water source to relish in, locals and visitor’s rely on the man-made kind. But if you don’t have a pool of your own to save you from the summer heat, don’t sweat it, there are plenty of places to pool it this summer.
It goes hand in hand, summer=hot=needs to cool down=let’s go to the pool! But what if you don’t have one just sitting in your backyard waiting for you to jump in at any time? Well, there are plenty of us who are pool-ess, but it doesn’t mean we have to take it. Thankfully, there is a plethora of pools in the desert to enjoy. Now I don’t mean the vacant house down the street, I mean the multitude of resorts that allow the public to use their pools for a nominal fee…and sometimes for FREE!
It’s quite fun actually, these day passes let you use the pool, and in some cases other amenities, and gives you the feeling of being on vacation. It’s better than being at home in some ways too, because you can have someone bring you refreshing beverages while you soak up the sun…and most provide towels, so you don’t have to launder your own later. It’s the little things that count.
Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs seem to have the most options for day pool use. In choosing your day pool experience, you will have to determine your price range and level of pool comfort you’re looking for as desert pool passes range in price and swankiness.
The Ace Hotel & Swim Club is an obvious choice for day pooling as they say it right on their name, they land in mid-range of swank. For only $30 per person they offer full pool, sauna, steam room and gym use from noon to 6pm. The swim club has a cool mid-century spring break vibe and tends to pull a younger crowd. Visitors can enjoy the pool by day, and then chill out in the Amigo Room for a well-deserved after pool libation (www.acehotel.com/palmsprings ).
The newly opened Hard Rock Hotel in downtown Palm Springs has open arms for anyone desiring to use their pools this summer. They are in the rock-n-roll range of swank and offer free…yes I said FREE use during the week from 8am to 8pm. They tend to have pool parties on the weekends which usually command a charge. The pools at the Hard Rock are stream lined and offer pool service with drinks and food for purchase…and they even provide towels for FREE…loving the Hard Rock(www.hrhpalmsprings.com)!!
If you’re looking for a secluded place to enjoy a pool day, consider The Viceroy Palm Springs. This historical hotel once was the Estrella Inn and boasts beautiful gardens set in a ritzy mid-century modern style…definitely high swank. The hotel charges interested day poolers $30 per person to use their pool, steam rooms, Jacuzzi and lockers from 9am-6pm excluding weekends. It is a serene setting with hip style, perfect for a bit of poolside romance (www.viceroyhotelandresorts.com/en/palmsprings).
North on Indian Canyon sits the grand Riviera Palm Springs. The hotel originally opened in 1958 and has been a gem in the Palm Springs resort crown ever since. Vastly remodeled years back, the resort is stunning in every way and has an amazing pool area which hosts many major high profile events during the year. But despite their high swank rank, they invite the public to use their iconic pool for free…yes I said FREE, from 8am to 11pm Monday through Thursday, towels included. Poolers can lounge poolside and sip fancy pants drinks and channel the Palm Springs from the past…or just enjoy the present (www.psriviera.com).
For those who wish to experience hot mineral springs, just head up to Desert Hot Springs and enjoy one of their many day pool opportunities.
The city actually has the swankiest day pools in the valley, Two Bunch Palms. Al Capone’s old haunt will charge day poolers a whopping $70 per person to use their facilities from 9am to 6pm. The rate includes use of their pools, grottos, classes, robes and of course towels. They strive to keep a quiet environment for their guests which most of the time include many celebrities. This day pool excursion would be best suited for those looking to relax and who don’t mind not speaking over a whisper (www.twobunchpalms.com).
One place that voice levels have no limits is the Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel. This place is just plain fun, and although it’s swank rank is at the shallow end…who care’s, it’s a pool for goodness sake! The hotel has been soaking guests in hot mineral waters since 1963, and has yet to dry up. They charge a modest fee of $5 to $7 depending on the day of the week (it’s only $3 on Tuesdays) and is opened from 8am to 10pm. Poolers may utilize all 8 pools until their fingers prune up. Although there are no pool servers, the bar is in drip dry distance and the drinks are priced as modestly as the entrance fee. There is a fee for the towels…only a $1, unless you stay at the hotel, in which case they are free. The great thing at this property is that you can rent a room for just the day…from 9am to 4pm poolers can take a nap in doors between swims. The hotel also offers a wide range of spa services at great prices (www.dhsspa.com).
So if you’re huffing and puffing about the fact that you’re pool-ess this summer, just remember that you have options. There’s a whole lot of water just waiting to cool you off out there. Just slip on your suit and dive in!
For more Desert Hot Springs Day Spas visit www.deserthotsprings.com
