Photo courtesy of Swimply
The Happy Tree House & Pool in Alexandria has 59 reviews.
We've all heard of Airbnb and similar companies, where you can rent a room, apartment or house. But what about renting a private pool, by the hour?
Although there are plenty of City pools and private club pools around Alexandria, there's another way to chill out in the heat: Renting a private pool. Called the "Airbnb of swimming pools," Swimply lists local private pools that you can rent by the hour. Here's how it works:
Swimply, an online marketplace, allows individuals to rent private swimming pools, sport courts, hot tubs, backyards, and even entire houses by the hour. It operates on a peer-to-peer sharing economy model, similar to Airbnb, but focuses on hourly rentals of recreational spaces.
A quick check of the site showed there are several (beautiful!) Alexandria pools for rent.
Here's more about how it works:
For Hosts (Owners of spaces)
- Owners can list their underutilized pools, courts or other spaces on the Swimply platform for free. They set their own hourly rates, availability, and specific rules for their space (e.g., whether pets or large groups are allowed, if a restroom is available, amenities like BBQ grills, Wi-Fi, pool toys).Hosts can choose to accept instant bookings or review each request before confirming.
- Swimply handles payment processing and charges a commission fee on each booking (historically around 15% from hosts). Swimply provides a "Host Guarantee" of up to $1 million for liability and $10,000 for property protection in the United States, which is self-funded. Hosts are generally advised to check with their homeowner's insurance regarding commercial use of their property. Many hosts have found it to be a lucrative "side hustle," with some top earners making significant income.
For Guests (Renters of spaces)
- They can book by the hour, and prices typically range from $20 to $200 per hour, depending on the location, size, and amenities. Once a booking is confirmed, guests receive detailed check-in information, including the address and entry instructions. Swimply charges a service fee to guests (historically around 10%).
- Guests can enjoy private, uncrowded spaces for various activities like family swims, parties, workouts, photoshoots, or just relaxation. Guests can browse listings on the Swimply website or mobile app, filtering by location, date, time, number of guests, and amenities.
Considerations and Reviews
- Safety and Liability: While Swimply offers a Host Guarantee, it's crucial for both hosts and guests to understand the terms and consider their own insurance coverage. There have been discussions and concerns regarding liability in case of accidents or injuries.
- Host Responsibilities: Hosting on Swimply requires diligence in maintaining the property, setting clear rules, and managing bookings.
- User Experience: Reviews sometimes mention the need for better filters or communication options within the app, but many users have positive experiences with responsive hosts and enjoyable spaces.
- Pricing and Fees: Commissions for both hosts and guests are part of the business model.
Overall, Swimply provides a unique solution for those looking to enjoy private recreational spaces and for property owners to generate income from their underutilized assets.
