Typically, when people think of renting fun, they think of a building. But did you know that you can actually rent someone’s pool? Jeffery Shaw first heard about Swimply, an app that allows homeowners to rent their swimming pools, hot tubs, and tennis courts by the hour, when it was featured on The Today Show. He was intrigued. Although he didn’t immediately look into the process, Jeffery says, “Eventually, I realized I had this beautiful pool and outdoor space that took a lot of work to maintain, and Swimply offered a way to share it with other families while also helping offset the cost of keeping everything up.”
Now in his third year of using Swimply, Jeffery says the process has been smooth and the feedback very positive. His five-star rating often comes from repeat renters, but that may be because he has gone above and beyond as a host. “I’ve tried to make the space feel like more than just a pool rental,” he says. “There are quite a few amenities — the biggest ones are the kitchen and bathroom in the pool house, the covered outdoor space, fireplace, grill, outdoor TV, indoor TV, speaker, some pool toys, and even yard games. I think those extras make it feel more comfortable and give people a place where they can really settle in and enjoy themselves.”
Kristen Martin saw an advertisement for Swimply on Facebook and found a pool just down the road from her when she checked out the listings. She has now rented several times from the same host and says it is well worth the money. “Typically I rent the pool and five to 10 of my work friends join me!” she says. “We use the pool as a place to float, get some sun, and relax. Last summer, we rented the pool a couple times a month for usually four hours each time.”
Dana Slusher has been renting private pools for several years and says she really enjoys the convenience that comes with it. Rather than having to get to a public pool early in the day to ensure a seat, she and her friends (five or six couples plus children) can choose the time that works best for their schedules. “Instead of going to an overcrowded pool somewhere, it allows us to have private fun [with] not so many people around,” she says.
By Carrie Vittitoe
P.S. Also in this series you may want to explore outside the area: Have You Thought Of The Perfect Trip In An RV?
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