A Snapshot on Resort Memberships: Pool, Spa, & Gym Access for Locals
Do you wish you could visit your favorite resort all the time? TPG Content and Community Manager Ryan Gaines explains how you can, by joining a resort that offers a pool and spa membership.
Many resorts across the country have started to offer resort memberships for locals who want to live the resort lifestyle year round. This means members have full access to the resort every day of the year for use of the resort's swimming pools, gyms, spas and tennis courts. Some memberships even provide club lounge access and the ability to earn hotel points for membership dues. Here's a rundown of resorts that offer memberships:
The Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia in Paradise Valley, Arizona offers a resort lifestyle membership. Some of the membership benefits include:
- Signing privileges resort-wide with monthly billing
- Access to main pools and resort-wide venues
- 24-hour fitness and workout area - approximately 2,242 square feet (with views of Camelback Mountain)
- Access to Joya locker rooms and spa facilities (which include the steam room, sauna, whirlpool, cold deluge, social lounges and quiet rooms, refreshments and amenities)
- One 50-minute Custom Massage or signature Facial at Joya spa for your birthday
Membership options at Montelucia include single and couple memberships, as well as a seasonal membership. A single membership is $1,500 to join with monthly dues of $149, while a couple membership is $2,000 to join with monthly dues of $200. They also offer a 6 month single seasonal membership that costs $750 to join and $189 a month. For couples, this option is $1,000 to join and $250 a month.
The St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, California offers a Resort Membership Club that includes the following access:
- Pools: main pool, adults-only lap pool, family lagoon pool
- Fitness: gym facilities and daily fitness calendar, including pilates and yoga
- Salon & Spa: The Salon and the five-star Spa Gaucin
- 20% discount toward personal training, massage & facials, salon treatments and boutique purchases
- 20% discount toward all dining at St Regis Monarch Beach
The St. Regis offers single memberships and family memberships with either a one-year or two-year commitment. A one-year single membership has an initiation fee of $600 with annual dues of $1,800 and a $300 per month minimum spend requirement. A one year family membership has an initiation fee of $1,000 with annual dues of $3,000 and a $500 per month minimum spend requirement. For their two-year commitment single membership, it's $1,000 to join with annual dues of $3,000, and the two-year family option is $2,000 to join with annual dues of $5,000. With the two-year memberships, the initiation fee is 50% refundable upon resignation.
The Club at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Scottsdale, Arizona offers a variety of membership offerings such as their popular Sports Membership, which includes the following:
- Access to 8 Tennis Courts, 5 heated pools (including lazy river & water slide), and 2 fitness facilities and complimentary group classes
- Access to all resort amenities, designated VIP parking and social programming, including facilities at other Marriott locations
- Tennis lessons, training classes, restaurants, events (and other top facilities) either included with your member dues or at a discount
- Resort-wide discounts
- Marriott Rewards points with every dollar spent
The Sports Membership at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge is $5,000 to join and $286 per month. The resort also offers more expensive golf and spa memberships that include unlimited golf or eight spa treatments per month. Some memberships also allow access to the hotel's club lounge, the Griffin Club.
The Club at La Costa in Carlsbad, California offers golf and sports memberships. The sports membership includes the following:
- Access to the 8,000 square foot Athletic Club
- Access to the resort's 8 swimming pools
- More than 42 group fitness classes weekly
- 17 courts tennis courts (including 6 lighted ones for night play)
- Discounted golf options twice a month
The Sports Membership at The Club at La Costa costs $6,000 to join with $311 monthly dues, plus $300 in required quarterly spend. They also offer a non-resident membership rate that has the same initiation fee, but only $159 in monthly dues and $150 in quarterly spend if you live more than 50 miles from the property.
The Standard Miami in Miami Beach, Florida offers Spa Memberships and Day Passes which include:
- Unlimited use of the pool, hamam,and gym
- Discount on valet parking
- 10% off of spa services, food and drink and personal training
- Discounts on hotel rooms and day passes
- Special invitations to events at The Standard Spa, Miami Beach
- Locker, robe and slippers upon availability
Monthly membership fees are around $200 per month, but to find out the current pricing of the Standard Club Membership you can contact the spa membership department. They property also offers day passes which includes use of our indoor and outdoor baths, gardens, pools and gym; Friday - Sunday $125, Monday - Thursday $75.
These are just a few resorts that offer memberships. There are many others, including the Peninsula Chicago, Langham Pasadena, Arizona Biltmore, and Sea Island to name a few. I think the best value on this list is the Montelucia membership option for $149 a month, as many gyms can cost that much alone. Considering that you get access to the hotel grounds, swimming pools, spa areas and tennis courts as well, the price seems reasonable.
Earning Points at Resorts
Even if you choose not to join a pool and spa membership, you can still earn points for when you dine at the restaurants by providing your hotel loyalty member when you pay. Starwood has launched their SPG Triple Crave promotion, where SPG members can earn triple Starpoints Mondays through Thursdays on purchases of $50 or more at participating Starwood restaurants through December 30, 2014.
With Starwood, you can earn two Starpoints for every eligible U.S. dollar spent including restaurants. Gold and Platinum members would earn three Starpoints per dollar spent on dining if the charges are greater than $10 USD. At Hyatt, in order for a Hyatt Gold Passport member to receive Hyatt Gold Passport points, the member must provide their Gold Passport number and pay for the charges. A maximum of one member may earn points for dining or spa charges, regardless of the number of members present at the time charges are incurred.
Have you ever considered a resort membership or are you currently a member? Do you feel like you got your money's worth? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
[card card-name='The Platinum Card® from American Express' card-id='22504813' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.