This article is part of the FT Globetrotter’s Miami Guide
You can almost hear the familiar, haunting narration from the world’s most famous nature documentarian. We observe a fragile environment where creatures of various stripes and sizes congregate near sparkling bodies of water. Young children seek attention and try to tug on their parents to play. Some people seek rest with a drink in hand and a book on the beach. Uniformed crew members do their best to observe, advise and provide to ensure everyone’s harmony and satisfaction. Someone pulls out a phone. Then the side eye starts twitching.
This is a hotel pool, an ecosystem governed by the practice of unspoken codes of conduct. Rapidly growing as a center for luxury goods, capital, and influence (i.e., influencers), Miami has an ever-increasing presence of technology and pool etiquette has evolved, especially in the Sunshine State. This is more important than ever during the winter months, when tourism is at its peak. peak. Each hotel has its own pool policies and recommended protocols (often multiple pools, each with different rules). Some are more lenient, others more strict, but there are commonalities. Here’s a guide to the new rules for hotel pools, with advice from Miami’s waterfront maestro.
photography and videography
With smartphones and cameras attached to the end of every guest’s arm, photography has become a particularly challenging subject, especially when it comes to collecting time- and space-consuming social media content. “Technology is taking over,” says Rodrigo Falcon, director of guest experience at the luxurious Four Seasons at the Surf Club. Tall and bronzed in a polo shirt and shorts uniform, he has led the pool crew here for five years.
“If you take too many photos, sometimes you have to ask them to stop,” he says. “Guests want privacy, so we have zero tolerance for people taking photos of other guests.” He advises those who want to take photos to be aware of others. We’re happy to help camera-loving influencer types get things done faster. “Usually I’m the photographer,” he says. “I show them where to take the best photos.”
The Setai, a scenic luxury hotel in South Beach, takes a more assertive approach. “We advise guests not to take photos,” says Vitaly Andrianov, head of pool and beach staff. He moved to Miami from his home in Siberia, where he worked as a petroleum and mining engineer, after winning the green card lottery in 2017. He noted that the hotel attracts VIP and celebrity guests who may be nervous in front of the cameras (Drake is also said to be a regular). “But it’s OK to take selfies in the pool cabana,” he added. Discretion is the rule. Don’t even think about bringing a drone.
Other new school considerations
Portable speakers are another modern concern increasingly encountered by hotel guests and pool attendants. Portable speakers are strictly not allowed, so bring headphones (Andrianov says poolside staff will provide headphones to anyone who needs them). And while smoking etiquette has historically been a drawback (it’s banned in most pools and, as of last year, was banned on Miami beaches), e-cigarettes and e-cig use have now come to the fore. It’s out.
“E-cigarettes are a sensitive issue,” Andrianov says. Choose your e-cig wisely and be prepared to put it away. “If there’s no smoke, it’s allowed, but if there’s too much (vapor), it’s not allowed. So no one has to inhale it.” Mr. Falcon told guests to e-mail them without bothering anyone. He said people may be asked to move to an area away from the pool and other people so they can smoke.
Solving age-old questions about etiquette can still be a minefield for travelers. Can I reserve a chair? Do you tip the pool attendants? What about the kids? What are the rules regarding drinking?
chair reservation
Both Mr. Falcon and Mr. Andrianov say there is no need to reserve your own chair. We recommend letting the staff know you plan to go to the pool (and your seating preference) around breakfast time so they can set you up with a spot. If you can’t make it in time, expect to be held there for 30-45 minutes. “Then we release the chair,” Falcon says.
chip
And should you tip them for their service? In short, yes. “It’s a lot of work,” says Andrianov, decked out in a navy blue suit, the uniform for the pool deck. “The sun spares no one.” Automatic service charges for poolside food and beverages are often charged to servers rather than pool attendants, so recognition is always appreciated. “It’s a win-win. People feel better when they leave or receive a tip,” Andrianov says. As for how much to leave, “it’s what people feel is appropriate.” (Tipping of 20% for any service is common in Miami.)
Falcon said luxury hotels like the Four Seasons are some of the most expensive stays in the city, and the level of service they provide is reflected in the price, but tips are certainly appreciated. “Guests may tip each day at the end or beginning of their stay,” he says. Tips typically range from $20 to $100 per day, but $20 is common.
family friendly
As for children, family hotels usually have separate pools for children, and the general rule is to be mindful of noise levels and safety, so don’t run around. Poolside games and toys are often available, but “large toys such as water guns are prohibited,” says Andrianov.
Our consideration for our families extends to our dogs as well. Post-pandemic, dogs have become a more regular presence as more people travel with their pets. Dogs are allowed in the pool area, but on a leash or in the bed (or bag in Miami). “We keep them in the shade and give them water and treats,” Falcon says. “But we have to realize that not everyone likes dogs, so we need to control where they sit.”
I ask about PDA (public displays of affection). I recently witnessed a couple swimmers curl around each other like octopuses, clinging to their mouths and drifting off, trying to avoid them without realizing it. Falcon says it’s important to remember that “you’re not in a house, you’re sharing a space with other people.” He sometimes has to step in if he feels the couple’s PDA is disturbing other guests, and may move them to a quieter pool or offer them a complimentary cabana. “I’m not shy to tell couples, but it’s the right word to find the right time and explain (the situation).” (I suggest going to the pool.)
What about drinking? Please proceed immediately. However, be aware of your environment. “I’m from Russia, but I don’t care,” Andrianov says with a laugh. “I don’t have a problem[with drinking]. It’s not a party scene, but you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere.”
pool party etiquette
Another aspect of Miami’s hotel and pool culture is the party scene, a unique ecosystem of day drinking, DJing, dancing, poolside posing, peacocking, and wading. Are the etiquette different? Are the rules just as strict in an environment that is supposed to be lax? To find out, I stepped into the legendary Fontainebleau Hotel. Since opening 70 years ago, the hotel has welcomed every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower and served as a home base for notable visitors such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Liberace.
Fontainebleau’s pool deck is expansive and vibrant, with a total of 11 pools, one of which is designated for parties. Arcadia Day Club is open Friday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. with a cheerful and fun atmosphere. Hotel guests and the paying public ($500 to $3,000 for a chair, daybed, or cabana, depending on the season) have access to live DJs (on New Year’s Eve, Calvin Harris will host them), bachelor and bachelorette parties, You can expect bottle service. The party reaches its peak during Art Basel, Miami Grand Prix, and Miami Swim Week.
“It’s designed to be a lush, adults-only tropical playground,” says Cole Boucher, founder of Essential Hospitality, the management company that oversees Fontainebleau’s pool operations. However, there are some rules to keep in mind. Drinks should be consumed “safely and responsibly” and that “when taking photos or videos at the pool, be aware of those around you and do not interfere with others taking photos.” “I recommend taking pictures of your memories,” he says.
“Other people may not be as excited about being photographed as you are, so limit yourself to friends and family in photos,” he added. And, “If you want to smoke or vape, please be aware of the pool-goers around you. Especially if there is food or drink nearby, keep a respectful distance and dispose of used cigarettes.” Please dispose of the cartridges properly.
What should I wear? Swimsuits, of course, but “resort attire, including shoes, tops, bottoms, and cover-ups, must be worn at all times” when leaving the pool deck to go to the bathroom or other areas of the hotel.
Later that afternoon, in search of a decidedly more low-key environment, I grabbed my laptop and headed to the hotel’s quietest pool. There are also five adults, two school-age children, a Chihuahua, and a giant fluffy Alsatian. The dogs are relaxing on leashes in the shade, intermittently sipping from water bowls and nuzzling and petting humans. Parents remind children to be careful about splashing and to “use your inner voice.” Two men are drinking beer and having a lively conversation at a moderate volume, while I’m quietly tapping away at my keyboard, without the need for earphones. Everyone seems satisfied. The system works.
Share your Miami poolside etiquette tips in the comments below. Follow FT Globetrotter (@FTGlobetrotter) on Instagram.
Cities with FT
FT Globetrotter is an insider’s guide to the world’s greatest cities, offering expert advice on food, drink, exercise, art, culture and more.
Find us in Miami, Copenhagen, Paris, Rome, London, Tokyo, New York, Frankfurt, Singapore, Hong Kong, Toronto, Madrid, Melbourne, Zurich, Milan, Vancouver, Edinburgh and Venice.
