It’s hot! 9 pools and resorts to swim in around Tampa Bay

The sweltering, sticky days of Florida summer are here, and it’s about time that you jump into some refreshing water.

We aren’t all blessed with a backyard pool or friends who live in swanky apartment complexes with rooftop amenities. But you don’t have to be a tourist to take a dip at resorts and hotels across the Tampa Bay region.

We rounded up some of our favorite ways to indulge in a pool day, including spots with great amenities and places to eat onsite. Be sure to book in advance, especially ahead of busy weekends.

For foodies: Epicurean Hotel

Hyde Park’s Epicurean Hotel is known for cooking classes, whisky tastings and proximity to swanky South Tampa restaurants. It also has a lovely pool. A day pass, which costs $20 per person, includes access to the Epicurean’s heated outdoor pool, a reserved lounge chair and complimentary valet parking. Free Wi-Fi is available, and snacks can be purchased from the lobby bar. For views of South Tampa, head up to the Edge rooftop bar for a cocktail.

1207 S. Howard Ave., Tampa; 855-829-2536.

For when you need somewhere to work: Moxy St. Petersburg Downtown

The new Moxy hotel on St. Pete’s Central Avenue is inviting to non-guests, with an open-air lobby bar and the swanky rooftop restaurant Sparrow. There are also lots of little areas from which you can work; is there a reason that can’t include the pool? With a $35 day pass, you can access the hotel’s rooftop pool deck, a vibrant space with a heated pool, lounge chairs, poolside service, towel service and, crucially, free Wi-Fi.

1234 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-677-2000.

For people who wish they were in Greece: Safety Harbor Resort and Spa

Local legend says when explorer Hernando de Soto reached Old Tampa Bay in 1539, he believed he’d found the “fountain of youth” that Ponce de Leon had been searching for. The Safety Harbor Resort and Spa was built on top of the mineral-rich spring waters of his Espiritu Santo Springs, and the historic landmark still uses spring water in its pools and hot tubs today.

A $50 day pass grants access to indoor and outdoor swimming pools, plus use of the sauna, steam room, fitness center and exercise classes. Note that day passes can’t be used on holidays. Grab a mimosa at the outdoor tiki bar, which offers views of the bay, or head inside for Mediterranean meals at the Fountain Grille Restaurant.

105 N. Bayshore Drive, Safety Harbor; 727-726-1161.

For when you want to party like an influencer: The Edition

If you’ve wondered what it’s like to lounge atop the five-star Edition hotel and overlook Tampa’s swanky Water Street development, wonder no more: For $75, you can buy your way up to the ninth floor. A day pass at this posh pool includes access to lounge chairs, poolside service with food and drinks available for purchase, outdoor showers, free sunscreen and water and Wi-Fi. Day passes are only available for those 18 and older.

This feels like a special occasion spot, with can’t-beat views of Tampa and some luxe drinking/dining options on your way in and out of the hotel. Pose for a photo in front of one of the many colorful flower backdrops, and you’ll fit right in with the Instagram set.

500 Channelside Drive, Tampa; 813-221-4600.

For the north Pinellas crowd: Fenway Hotel

The vibes are decidedly chill at this quaint hotel pool just minutes from downtown Dunedin. There are minimal amenities, but the price is right: $20 for adults, $10 for kids. You can order drinks from the lobby bar right inside then make your way to one of the lounge chairs. The Jazz Age-era hotel oozes charm, and the pool is no exception. Catch a sunset from the Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar on your way out.

453 Edgewater Drive, Dunedin; 844-569-9879.

For music lovers: Hotel Haya

If you haven’t been to this hotel in the heart of Ybor City, it’s worth a visit. The spot’s Swim Club, hosted on select weekend afternoons, features tropical house music from a local DJ, complimentary bites and a lavender cooling towel. Craft cocktails and additional food are available for purchase from the hotel’s restaurant Flor Fina, which serves an Ybor-inspired fusion of Spanish, Italian and Cuban fare. Day passes or Swim Club entry cost $20, while day beds are available to rent for $100.

1412 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa; 813-462-9515.

For something unexpected: SkyBeach Resort

This boutique hotel located on the southern tip of St. Pete before the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a hidden gem, quaint-looking from the outside but boasting a charming new coffee shop (hello, Paradeco!) and genuinely cool pool space. There’s not one but two family-friendly pools and a hot tub in a waterfront space that includes a private beach. The hotel offers day passes to access its pools, beach services and lounge chairs. It’s $35 for adults, $20 for children and free for infants.

6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane S., St. Petersburg. 727-867-1151.

For LGBTQ+ friendly partying: The Wet Spot Pool Bar and Day Club

This adult-only pool bar is nestled next to gay nightclub Cocktail and the Mari Jean Hotel in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District. Admission is free, even for folks who aren’t staying at the hotel. Cabanas are available for rent. The pool is heated, the drinks and snacks have raunchy names and the event calendar is bursting with DJ sets, tea dances, karaoke and RuPaul watch parties. Weekends can get crowded, but there’s always great people-watching.

2355 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-592-1914.

For a pool party: Rent a private pool with Swimply

Mark Cuban may have rejected this concept when it appeared on “Shark Tank,” but Swimply now has tens of thousands of pools available for rent across the country. Described as “Airbnb, but for pools,” the platform allows homeowners to put their backyard oasis up for rent. Prices range from $15 to several hundred dollars an hour. Columnist Stephanie Hayes used Swimply to plunge into a Seminole Heights pool and offered her approval, especially if you can split the cost among a group of friends.