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Original poster

Unbelievably I’ve never been to a UK hotel where there’s a pool - what’s the etiquette?

17 replies

Wetbehindtheear · 05/08/2023 07:26

In my longish (35) life I’ve unbelievably never had a UK hotel stay where I’ve used a pool or Spa.
DH has booked us an overnight stay tonight and we can arrive early and use the hotel pool / Spa before we check in.

Any tips? Wear swimsuits under clothes? Where do we leave our stuff? I guess you get given towels?

We can’t check in till 3 so will have our overnight bags, sorry but can someone help me out a bit, I don’t want to look like the clampets walking through this very naice hotel, it’s just not something we’ve ever done before. 🫣

OP posts:
rookiemere · 05/08/2023 07:29

It depends on the hotel. Some will leave robes in your room and ask you to wear them down with your costume under them, others not. You're absolutely fine to ask at reception if you get a robe or if there are lockers poolside, as they are all different.

Enjoy- I do like a nice hotel pool.

DarkForces · 05/08/2023 07:30

They should give you towels and here will be changing rooms so you can get changed. I usually pop a costume under loose clothes but no reason why you can't get fully changed. You can bring towel to the poolside if you like. I usually leave it with my glasses out the f so flash zone! It's just like any other pool really except you can use a dressing gown from/to room if you prefer

AgnesX · 05/08/2023 07:30

Hopefully they'll have supplied robes and slippers especially if it's a spa hotel. In that regard it's usually ok to wear them from your room to the pool.

If it's a city hotel you might feel uncomfortable doing that though.

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rookiemere · 05/08/2023 07:30

Oh sorry I see it's before check in.
In that case I'd bring a small bag with the swim stuff. If you're allowed to use facilities before check in, again they will have a process for it.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 05/08/2023 07:31

If there are robes in the room I wear that over swimmers and flip flops. Otherwise clothes over swimmers and flip flops. Don’t worry about it - whatever you do will be fine,

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 05/08/2023 07:31

Sorry, I missed the obvious bit where you’re arriving early.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 05/08/2023 07:33

I’d take a small bag for everything I need in the spa, probably leave suitcase in the car until check in.

BrookNoRivals · 05/08/2023 07:33

They will give you towels.

Put together a little bag inside your big bag with everything you need for the pool (costume, sun cream, book etc). When you arrive ask the staff to look after your main bag until you can access the room. Just take the little bag to the pool with you. You will probably find that your big bag is automatically taken to your room without you, or it may be given back to you when you come back to reception.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 05/08/2023 07:35

I think you can either turn up with swimsuit under clothes and take off or change poolside. They should definitely provide a robe and footwear (towelling slippers) though.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 05/08/2023 07:37

BrookNoRivals · 05/08/2023 07:33

They will give you towels.

Put together a little bag inside your big bag with everything you need for the pool (costume, sun cream, book etc). When you arrive ask the staff to look after your main bag until you can access the room. Just take the little bag to the pool with you. You will probably find that your big bag is automatically taken to your room without you, or it may be given back to you when you come back to reception.

Agreed with this bag protocol.

Whenever I’ve gone somewhere like this all they wanted me to do was relax, enjoy the pool/spa whilst they sorted out the room to be checked into etc.

StarlightLady · 05/08/2023 07:38

Most hotels have changing rooms and provide towels but as people have said up thread, hotels vary. But there is no reason why you should not phone in advance to check, it also double checks they have your booking.

And on arrival do ask if there is any chance of an early check in, politely and with a smile. I was once checked in early and a rude person with the second receptionist was refused. I’m almost sure it was because of his attitude.

Enjoy your break.

boocurl · 05/08/2023 08:05

BrookNoRivals · 05/08/2023 07:33

They will give you towels.

Put together a little bag inside your big bag with everything you need for the pool (costume, sun cream, book etc). When you arrive ask the staff to look after your main bag until you can access the room. Just take the little bag to the pool with you. You will probably find that your big bag is automatically taken to your room without you, or it may be given back to you when you come back to reception.

Exactly this for every spa hotel I’ve stayed in.

I annoyingly once left my main bag in the car and you could take your robes to the room through a special entrance - I had to get dressed to go retrieve it so I’d definitely ask above them checking you in when the rooms ready and arranging your bag to be taken too!

Enjoy!

Original poster
Wetbehindtheear · 05/08/2023 08:06

Thank you all so much, I’ll definitely pack a smaller bag to use until check in.

OP posts:
CrapBucket · 05/08/2023 08:11

What I would do is

arrive and go to hotel reception and say that you know the room won’t be available yet but you would like to leave your luggage.

go to pool with a smaller bag- they are usually run like a club within the hotel so a different member of staff will ask you to sign in there and give you a towel. There will be a door to their ladies changing rooms and lockers and there will be a door from there to the pool.

have a great time

Original poster
Wetbehindtheear · 05/08/2023 15:35

Just an update, thanks all. I was worried we’d look like clueless folk but it was all really relaxed and easy. They gave us a towel each, there were lockers that didn’t need cash 😂 and even a swimsuit drier!! Hardly anyone in the pool and I had my first sauna and enjoyed a swim. It’s absolutely lovely and we’re now in our room enjoying the view and the treat of a hotel stay 🥰

Unbelievably I’ve never been to a UK hotel where there’s a pool - what’s the etiquette?
OP posts:
StarlightLady · 05/08/2023 15:49

OP, enjoy!

CrapBucket · 06/08/2023 14:22

Lovely update, have a great time!

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