The city of Hong Kong has plenty of options for cooling off, from junk trips to afternoons at the beach. But when the mercury rises, nothing beats a relaxing swim in one of its many luxurious hotel pools. With sweeping views of the city, these poolside retreats are ideal for soaking up the sun and sipping on cocktails. Whether you’re looking to practise your backstroke or just relax by the water, Hong Kong has a swimming pool for everyone.
The latest development in the HK Pools story is that some of the 22 public pools have now fully reopened after undergoing disinfection and risk assessment, allowing visitors to swim at leisure once again. However, visitors are still encouraged to bring along a public swimming pool monthly ticket or a valid concession card, which offers discounts on the entrance fee. Children between 3 and 13 years of age, full-time students and seniors aged 60 and above are eligible to enjoy the reduced rate of HK$19 on weekdays and HK$9 on weekends.
Despite the ongoing concerns over coronavirus, there has been a steady increase in the number of visitors to Hong Kong’s famous public swimming pools. Since the end of March, the number of daily visitors has been more than double that in the same period last year. During the peak period, some of the most popular pools can become crowded quickly, with long waiting lists at certain times.
In order to cope with the increasing demand, a series of measures have been put in place to promote the use of public swimming pools and reduce the reliance on private facilities. This includes the promotion of a public swimming season, encouraging people to swim at different pools throughout the city, and providing a range of activities, including water polo and aqua aerobics, which are suitable for a variety of abilities.
Several new pools have also opened this year, and more are planned, including a new Wan Chai swimming pool that will replace an older pool, as well as the expansion of the Tin Shui Wai North pool, which is expected to be completed by June this year. The Kennedy Town pool complex, designed by Terry Farrell and Partners, took eight years to come to fruition, but was finally inaugurated in February this year along Victoria Harbour. It was the first pool in China to use a translucent insulated tensile membrane roof (Tensotherm), which is manufactured by Birdair.
If you’re ready to soak up some rays, head over to the 118th floor of the International Commerce Center (ICC) to check out the Ritz-Carlton’s pool. This infinity pool is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, giving you stunning views of the skyline below. You can even lounge poolside with drinks from the nearby Asaya Kitchen for an unforgettable experience. If you’re feeling indulgent, book a night at the 5-star hotel on Klook for a truly special stay.