Pool day passes in San Antonio
Book a hotel pool day pass in San Antonio, from the JW Marriott Hill Country lazy river to rooftop pools on the Riverwalk. Prices, hours, and how to book.
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San Antonio splits into two pool scenes. Downtown along the Riverwalk, hotels like Kimpton Santo and Thompson San Antonio put pools on rooftops with skyline views. Out toward the Hill Country, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa and Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa run full water parks with lazy rivers and slides.
Day pass prices run from $35 at the no-frills Ranch Motel & Leisure Club to $100 at Hotel Emma. Most passes include pool access, loungers, and towels, with F&B credit or cabana add-ons at the larger resorts. The water parks at JW Marriott and La Cantera are the priciest but also the most family-friendly, with waterslides and splash pads on top of the pool itself.
Book most San Antonio day passes directly through the hotel's own site, though several rooftop and boutique properties still route bookings through ResortPass. Summer weekends sell out fastest at the water park resorts, so book a few days ahead if you're set on a specific date. Some pools, including the Menger's, are only heated in the cooler months, so check hours before you drive across town.
- Kimpton Santo San Antonio – Riverwalk — from $55, 10th-floor rooftop pool over the Riverwalk
- Hotel Emma — $100, historic Pearl District pool with poolside food service
- Omni La Mansión del Rio — from $50, heated courtyard pool in a Spanish Colonial hotel
- Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk — $80, 4th-floor rooftop deck with cabanas and daybeds
- Menger Hotel — from $50, San Antonio's largest outdoor hotel pool, steps from the Alamo
- Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa — from $40, oak-shaded pool on a historic 4.5-acre property
- JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa — from $75, 1,100-ft lazy river and four waterslides
- Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa — from $65, five pools plus waterslides and a splash pad
- Eilan Hotel & Spa — from $40, Euro-style Blu Pool with palm trees and a hot tub
- Ranch Motel & Leisure Club — from $35, half-day pool block at a budget-friendly motel
Planning a trip to San Antonio? Here are the tools I use and recommend:
How much does a pool day pass in San Antonio cost?
San Antonio day passes range from $35 for a half-day block to $100 for a full day at a boutique property. Rooftop and Riverwalk pools generally run $40 to $80, while the two Hill Country water park resorts start higher but include waterslides and lazy rivers on top of standard pool access.
| Hotel | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ranch Motel & Leisure Club | From $35 | Budget half-day swim |
| Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa | From $40 | Historic garden setting |
| Eilan Hotel & Spa | From $40 | Euro-style resort pool |
| Omni La Mansión del Rio | From $50 | Heated year-round courtyard pool |
| Menger Hotel | From $50 | Largest outdoor hotel pool, next to the Alamo |
| Kimpton Santo San Antonio – Riverwalk | From $55 | Rooftop views over downtown |
| Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa | From $65 | Five pools and waterslides |
| JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa | From $75 | Lazy river and family water park |
| Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk | From $80 | Cabanas and a rooftop pool bar |
| Hotel Emma | $100 | Quiet, historic Pearl District pool |
Do I need to book a San Antonio pool day pass in advance?
Book at least a few days ahead for weekend visits in summer, especially at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country and Signia by Hilton La Cantera, where the water park pools cap daily day-pass numbers alongside hotel guests. Rooftop pools like Kimpton Santo and Thompson San Antonio also fill up on weekends since deck space is limited. Weekday visits are easier to book same-day, and Ranch Motel takes walk-ins for its half-day blocks when space allows.
Are San Antonio hotel pools open year-round?
Most San Antonio hotel pools stay open year-round, though hours and heating vary by season. The Menger Hotel's courtyard pool is only heated from December through February and runs unheated the rest of the year. Outdoor pools at JW Marriott Hill Country and La Cantera operate daily but trim hours in winter, while the waterslides and lazy river typically run seasonally rather than in the cooler months.
Riverwalk & Downtown
Where to stay in San Antonio
The Riverwalk is the obvious base for a first visit: it puts you within walking distance of the Alamo, river barges, and most of the hotels on this list. Mokara Hotel & Spa is the splurge pick here, a Forbes Four-Star property with a rooftop pool that still feels like a private retreat despite sitting steps from the river. For something more straightforward, Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk is a reliable mid-range option a few minutes from the water, with free breakfast and evening drinks thrown in.
If you'd rather trade Riverwalk crowds for a quieter, more residential feel, the Pearl District is a short streetcar ride north and built around a converted brewery packed with good restaurants. Heading north to La Cantera or the Hill Country makes sense if you're chasing the water park resorts, since JW Marriott and Signia by Hilton La Cantera both put you closer to Six Flags Fiesta Texas and golf than to downtown's bars and mariachi patios.
Kimpton Santo San Antonio – Riverwalk
Kimpton Santo San Antonio – Riverwalk sits on South Alamo Street, a short walk from the Riverwalk's museum reach. Its pool is on the 10th floor, open to the sky with downtown skyline views in most directions.
Pool & Spa Day Pass (from $55 adult, $25 child) covers the rooftop pool from 11am to 9pm daily, with loungers included. Private cabanas start around $100 and hold up to six guests.
The pool deck gets busy on weekend afternoons, so arrive early for a lounger without a cabana booking. Book ahead online and check current availability before driving downtown.
Book direct: santohotelsanantonioriverwalk.com/hotel-amenities/rooftop-pool — or call (210) 222-1000
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>> Click here for info and current pricing <<Hotel Emma
Hotel Emma occupies a converted 1894 brewhouse in the Pearl District, a few minutes north of downtown along the Riverwalk's northern extension. The pool sits in a quiet courtyard that feels more like a historic health resort than a hotel amenity.
A day pass runs $100 and covers the pool from 7am to 10pm, with loungers and towels included. The Poolside Provisions bar serves food and drinks lounge-side from 11am to 7pm, so budget extra for lunch.
This is the priciest pass in San Antonio, aimed at guests who want a calmer scene over a water park. It's a good fit for a quiet afternoon rather than a family outing.
Book direct: thehotelemma.com/pool — or call (210) 448-8300
Omni La Mansión del Rio
Omni La Mansión del Rio sits directly on the Riverwalk in a Spanish Colonial-style building with wrought-iron balconies and courtyards. The pool is heated and open year-round, tucked into a courtyard away from street noise.
Day passes run $50 to $55 and include pool access with loungers. The courtyard setting keeps the pool shaded through part of the afternoon, a plus during Texas summers.
Because the pool heats through winter, this is one of the few San Antonio options with reliable year-round access. Book ahead on weekends when Riverwalk foot traffic is heaviest.
Book direct: omnihotels.com/hotels/san-antonio-la-mansion-del-rio/wellness/pool — or call (210) 518-1000
Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk
Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk puts its pool deck on the 4th floor, overlooking the river below. The Cenote Pool Bar anchors the deck, with cabanas and daybeds called Cenote Nests scattered around the water.
A day pass costs $80 and includes pool access plus complimentary sunscreen. Cabanas and daybeds book separately and add up quickly if you want shade over a lounger.
This is one of the pricier Riverwalk passes, but it's also one of the more design-forward pool decks in the area. Weekend afternoons are the busiest time to visit.
Book direct: hyatt.com/thompson-hotels/en-US/satth-thompson-san-antonio/spa — or call (210) 876-1234
Menger Hotel
Menger Hotel sits directly beside the Alamo, making it the most historic address on this list. Its outdoor pool is widely cited as the largest hotel pool in San Antonio, with a deck big enough for lawn games alongside the loungers.
Day passes run $50 to $55 and cover the pool from 9am to 10pm daily. The pool is heated seasonally, from December through February, and runs unheated the rest of the year.
Families do well here thanks to the open deck space, though shade is limited at midday. Check ahead in winter since the seasonal heating schedule can shift.
Book direct: mengerhotel.com/pool — or call (210) 223-4361
Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa
Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection occupies a 4.5-acre historic property a short walk from the Riverwalk, with three 19th-century buildings and mature oak trees shading the grounds. The pool sits in a garden setting with a bar alongside it.
Day passes start at $40 and cover the pool from 11am to 5pm. It's the most affordable Riverwalk-area option after Ranch Motel, with a quieter, garden-like atmosphere compared to the rooftop pools nearby.
The limited afternoon hours mean this works best as a midday stop rather than an all-day plan. Spa access can be added separately for guests who want more than the pool.
Book direct: marriott.com/en-us/hotels/satkd-plaza-san-antonio-hotel-and-spa-autograph-collection/overview — or call (800) 466-7430
La Cantera & Hill Country
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa sits northwest of downtown in the Hill Country, built around a 9-acre water experience rather than a single pool. The centerpiece is a 1,100-foot lazy river winding through the property.
Day passes start at $75 and include the lazy river, four waterslides, the main pool, and an adults-only infinity pool with Hill Country views. Cabana upgrades are available for an added fee, and passes book through the hotel's own ipoolside platform.
This is the biggest water park option in San Antonio and the best fit for families with kids of any age. Slides and the lazy river run 11am to 6pm, while the main pool area stays open later.
Book direct: jwsanantonio.ipoolside.com
Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa
Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa is the other major Hill Country water park, set on a hillside with views over the surrounding area. The resort runs five separate pools, including waterslides and a splash pad for younger kids.
Day passes start at $65 and include access to all five pools and the water features. An adults-only infinity pool offers a quieter counterpoint to the family pools elsewhere on the property.
With five pools spread across the grounds, this resort suits groups with mixed ages better than a single-pool hotel. Loma de Vida Spa day passes are available separately for those who want spa access too.
Book direct: hilton.com/en/hotels/satcnsa-signia-la-cantera-resort-and-spa — or call (210) 558-6500
Eilan Hotel & Spa
Eilan Hotel & Spa, part of Hilton's vacation club portfolio, sits near La Cantera with a European resort feel. The outdoor Blu Pool is lined with palm trees and a hot tub, while an indoor pool with arched windows offers a shaded alternative.
Day passes cost $40 for both adults and children, one of the more family-friendly rates on this list. The seasonal Blu Pool Bar serves food and drinks poolside when open.
This is a smaller-scale alternative to the JW Marriott and La Cantera water parks nearby, better suited to a relaxed afternoon than a full day of slides.
Book direct: eilanhotel.com/amenities.php — or call (210) 598-2900
West Side
Ranch Motel & Leisure Club
Ranch Motel & Leisure Club is a no-frills motel on the west side, built around a heated in-ground pool rather than a resort-style deck. It's the cheapest day pass in San Antonio by a wide margin.
The Half-Day Pool Pass costs $35 and covers one of two blocks, 11am to 3pm or 3pm to 7pm, with loungers included. Annual Leisure Club memberships are also available for pool-only, pickleball-only, or combined access.
This is a straightforward option for a quick swim without resort pricing or crowds. Book through the "Swim W/ Us" link on the hotel's site, and expect a simpler setup than the downtown or Hill Country properties.
Book direct: ranchmotel.com/amenities
Frequently asked questions
Can kids use hotel pool day passes in San Antonio?
Yes, most properties on this list welcome kids, and several price passes accordingly. Eilan Hotel & Spa charges the same $40 rate for adults and children, while Kimpton Santo San Antonio offers a discounted child rate around $25. The JW Marriott and Signia La Cantera water parks are the best fit for families thanks to slides and splash pads.
What should I bring to a San Antonio hotel pool day?
Bring sunscreen, a swimsuit, and a photo ID, since most hotels check in day-pass guests at the front desk or pool entrance. Towels are included at every hotel on this list, but bring your own if you prefer extra. Cash or a card for incidentals like food and drinks is worth having, since F&B credit isn't included in most base passes.
Is there a free alternative to a hotel pool day pass in San Antonio?
San Pedro Springs Park operates the oldest public pool in Texas and is free to use, a budget alternative to hotel day passes. It's a public facility rather than a resort pool, so don't expect cabanas, F&B service, or the amenities that come with a hotel day pass. It's a reasonable option if you just want a swim without booking anything.
More pool day passes near San Antonio
For more Texas and Sun Belt options, check pool day passes in Phoenix, New Orleans, and Orlando. South of the border, Cancun offers a similar mix of resort water parks and beachfront pools for travelers heading further afield. Browse the full USA guide for more cities.