Dubbed the Airbnb of swimming pools, Swimply is entering the fifth year of existence. The app allows users to access private pools for hours at a time, sometimes with extra amenities like outdoor kitchens, ideal for al fresco dining. It’s all the fun of pool ownership—if only briefly—without the maintenance.
Think ResortPass, but for individual households as opposed to hotels and spas. It’s not exactly inexpensive, but it is a convenience that’s all the more attractive during the summer. And even in the offseason, there are plenty of indoor pools and hot tubs, and saunas to choose from as well.
The pros
Using Swimply is a lot like using Airbnb, which is to say it’s pretty intuitive and full of an ever-growing database of homes with pools. Pictures reveal the most about what you’re getting involved with, but I found the reviews to be most telling. Much like a strong Airbnb host, it’s good to find a pool owner with a lot of positive feedback. That way, you’ll almost certainly get everything that’s advertised, whether that’s cabana-like pool furniture or a pool that’s been freshly skimmed.
The privacy of the owner is kept until you officially book, at which point you get the location details. We suggest seeking out Top Swimply picks, as they’ve been somewhat vetted already and reflect high marks from users. The pool my group used in Portland was outstanding, with an adjacent hot tub, bar area, a shower for rinsing, and a sprawling yard with plenty of shade.
Some of the subcategories are pretty helpful, especially if you’re looking to throw a party or swim in the evening. They’re split into features like BBQ, family, nightlights, plunge, privacy, budget, and more. Clicking on a specific property reveals other useful traits like the depth and dimensions of the pool, how it’s treated (chlorine, saltwater, etc.), whether it’s heated, indoor or outdoor, how many guests are allowed, if there’s a bathroom on site, if there’s wifi and speakers for music, and the parking situation.
What’s available is pretty amazing. You can keep things modest if you’re just looking to wet your toes or go all out and get your own backyard lagoon with a zip-line for $500 an hour.
Where the app could improve
Swimply seems to have ironed out a lot of potential issues over the arc of its short tenure. While expensive, that’s an issue that has nothing to do with the app. Certain logistics could be improved. For example, it’s possible to submit a request for a pool and not hear back for quite some time. That, or the host could decide that it simply doesn’t work and cancel on you, even if the time slot is listed as available. It’s a privileged complaint, for certain, as it’s key to remember you’re borrowing somebody else’s pool.
The sheer volume of pools is impressive, even in a place like Portland, where you would not expect as many. One thing worth paying attention to (and could be improved) is the cancellation protocol for each pool. It’s different across the board and can range from just a couple of hours to several days in terms of backing out for a full refund.
We also noticed that the app could be a little buggy. Availability seemed wonky on some searches, with a number of options showing up upon first query, only to vanish when you actually try to book. Perhaps they got gobbled up last-minute as we were searching sort of last-minute on a hot day. But chatting with others, this seems like a theme, albeit pretty minor in the overall scheme of things.
The verdict
Swimply has broadened its reach quite a bit, not including homes with amenities like pickleball courts, basketball courts, and even pet parks. Swimming remains the main draw, and with heated options and things like hot tubs and saunas, the aquatic side can be a year-round draw.
If I were a pool owner, I would very much consider going the Swimply route as a side hustle. And as a guest looking for the occasional dip, I find the app useful as well. It’s especially attractive for smaller groups, as the more people you add, the more incrementally expensive it gets. But considering the cost of putting in a pool and maintaining the thing, we’ll go with Swimply.
I can also imagine Swimply being fantastic for large-scale gatherings. My group was a mere eight, but a lot of the properties listed allow for dozens of folks and are set up for large dinners and soirees. It could be a really fun way to spend a birthday or take in an outdoor movie like Jaws with your friends as you cool off in a pool.
If you do go the Swimply route, and you should, just remember that you’re a guest, so be neighborly.
Check out some of The Manual’s related content, like our features on top hotel pools and the best resort drinks. Summer is still here, so make the best of it.
