Hong Kong's 7 Best Swimming Pools
Luckily for all of us, Hong Kong’s got a pool for you: rooftop or water-level, outdoor or indoor, lap-ready or party perfect.
It’s too hot. Too hot to spend more than the minimal amount of time footing it from A and B, too dangerously hot to hike, too sweaty and humid to exercise (and any kind of moving is kind of exercise). In fact, it’s getting too hot to think about wanting to be anywhere that isn’t an air conditioned room or submersed in sweet, sweet chlorinated water. Luckily for all of us, Hong Kong’s got a pool for you: rooftop or water-level, outdoor or indoor, lap-ready or party perfect. “Guh’bye, sweat! See you never!” you’ll think to yourself, leisurely backstroking up and down the lane. “It’s hot… but I’m cool!” You’ll muse, sipping on a caipirinha as you recline, swan-like, on a beach lounger with your toes dipped in water. Man. Wouldn’t it be great to be in a pool right now? Here’s are our top seven choices:
Wellness Pool, Cordis, Hong Kong
Whether your definition of “wellness” means marathon-lapping an 18-meter pool first thing in the morning, or lounging, cabana-style with a cocktail in hand watching the sunset, Cordis Hong Kong has all your needs in mind. Their heated rooftop pool on the 42nd floor offers stunning views, a relaxing jacuzzi, an underwater speaker system and fiber optic lights (primed, of course, for a party), cabanas, and a splash bar offering drinks and snacks.
Cordis Hong Kong, 555 Shanghai St., Mong Kok. 3552-3388. Daypass: Weekdays, $350, Weekends, $450.
W Hotel Wet Pool
At this altitude, you don’t even need to be in a pool to enjoy the thrilling landscape around you—but just for extra measure, sure, here’s a pool. At a whopping 692 feet above ground, this ultra hip swimspot is definitely the coolest place to take a swim, gaze out at the expansive landscape from your throne in the jacuzzi or worship the sun. And, yes, there’s a poolside bar, but that poolside bar offers lounge chair service so you don’t even need to interrupt your chill to get a drink.
W Hotel, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon. 3717-2222. Weekend daypass: $398+10% includes two standard drinks
Grand Hyatt
Looking for a poolside oasis but too lazy to step off the island? Grand Hyatt’s outdoor pool has you covered. Floating 11 floors above the Central Harbour, this 50-meter pool offers al fresco dining, lush gardens and a waterfall. And when your fingers start to prune, just slip on your runners and take a jog around the Hyatt’s 400m jogging path.
Grand Hyatt, 1 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai. 2588-1234. $550 for daypass.
Ritz-Carlton Pool
The acrophobic might want to sit this one out, but for those who seek a swim in the clouds, the Ritz Carlton’s 118 floor indoor infinity pool has wall-to-ceiling windows looking over Victoria Harbour and a back wall and ceilings paneled with 144 LED screens projecting coral reefs, the city skyline and clear blue skies. But at that height, don’t look up—look out.
Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, West Kowloon. 2263-2270. $700 for a daypass.
Kowloon Park Swimming Pool
Kowloon Park Swimming Pool has every kind of pool you need for a decent workout, and a sprawling leisurely lagoon-like pool outdoors. Indoors, there’s the Olympic-sized main pool, two training pools and a diving pool, while the casual splashers can relax in the sunbathing area, or hang out in their three outdoor pools—even kids can get in on the fun in their paddle pool.
Kowloon Park Swimming Pool, 22 Austin Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. Weekdays, $8; weekends and public holidays $19. Monthly ticket $300.
Sai Kung Public Swimming Pool
More than kid-friendly, this colorful New Territories splash spot offers a 50m pool with a lap lane as well as a play pool with waterslides and kiddie waterfalls and sweeping views of the sea and mountains.
Sai Kung Public Swimming Pool, Wai Man Rd., Sai Kung. Weekdays, $8; weekends and public holidays $19. Monthly ticket $300.
Chinese YMCA Pool
People in Hong Kong have loved the indoor pool at the Chinese YMCA for as long as people in Hong Kong have loved indoor pools in general—the first of its kind in the city was built in 1918 and remains a neighborhood favorite. It’s less crowded than your average public pool, much easier on the wallet than a hotel and housed in the handsome and historic complex on Bridge St.
Chinese YMCA, 1/F, 51 Bridges Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. $30 for a yearly registration fee, $40 per visit.
