Can you use a hotel pool without staying there? Day passes explained

Day passes, spa days and leisure club memberships: how non-residents can swim at a UK hotel pool, and what to ask first.

By the Pool-Hotels.com editorial teamPublished 29 September 2026Updated 1 October 2026

Often, yes. Many UK hotels with a pool let non-residents swim, usually through a day pass, a spa day or a leisure club membership. Not every hotel does, and the rules differ by hotel, so check before you travel.

Around 500 public swimming pools have closed in England since 2010, according to Swim England and ukactive (2025). For many people a hotel pool has become the nearest place to swim.

Three ways to swim as a non-resident

  • Day pass. One visit, sometimes with the gym and spa included. Some hotels limit day passes to quiet days or set hours.
  • Spa day. Pool access bundled with treatments or lunch. Usually booked ahead and priced as a treat, not a swim.
  • Leisure club membership. Monthly or yearly access. The best value if you swim every week.

What to ask before you pay

  1. Which hours can non-residents use the pool? Many hotels give guests priority at busy times.
  2. Can children come, and at what times?
  3. Is a towel included, and is there a locker?
  4. Do you need to book, and is there a limit on day passes at weekends?
  5. How long is the pool? If you want to swim lengths, ask for the length in metres.

Checked day passes on Pool-Hotels.com

We show a day pass only once we have confirmed it with the hotel, with the price and the month we checked it. Prices older than six months are hidden until we check them again.

We are adding checked day passes as we go.

Where to start

Cities have the most hotels with a pool. Numbers show hotels with a pool we list:

Find hotels with a pool near you

Questions

Can you use a hotel pool if you are not staying there?

Often, yes, through a day pass, spa day or leisure club membership. Rules differ by hotel, so check the hours and whether children are allowed before you go.

Do hotel day passes include towels?

It depends on the hotel. Ask when you book, and bring your own if you are not sure.

Figures come from our UK listing data, updated 29 September 2026. How we check pools