HK’s summers can be brutal, with blazing sun and incessant humidity that leave you feeling sticky all over. While there are plenty of ways to cool down, one of the best is to hit the pool, especially if you can find a swanky spot with a view. Here are some of the city’s most beautiful rooftop pools where you can splash around, lounge by the water with a refreshing drink in hand and enjoy sweeping views of the metropolis.
Located near the border with China, this pool overlooks the Tolo Harbour and features an indoor and outdoor swimming pool along with a toddler’s pool. The complex also has a snack bar, lounge chairs and a large lawn. The main attraction, however, are the four waterslides, which include two that stand at nine metres — making them the city’s fastest waterslides.
While public and government-run pools do exist in Hong Kong, they’re not always the most idyllic places to swim, particularly during summer. They can be crowded and ill-maintained, but if you’re willing to splurge, there are plenty of hotel rooftop swimming pools where you can enjoy (semi) private time, top-notch facilities, amazing views and delicious food and drinks.
There’s no better way to start your weekend than with a dip in the rooftop pool at The Conrad Hong Kong. With panoramic views of the city, this beautiful pool is perfect for impressing out-of-town guests or simply enjoying some much-needed downtime. Plus, with a number of packages available on Klook, you can make the most of your visit, from room accommodation to special dining deals.
While the glitz and glamour of some of these hotels’ pools may be tempting, keep in mind that they don’t come cheap. Many are only open to hotel guests, or can cost hundreds of dollars for a day pass – which can quickly deflate any notions of doing laps in the lap of luxury. Luckily, there are a handful of less pricey, but no less stunning, rooftop pools in the 852 that you can enjoy if you know where to look.
The newest and largest municipal pool in Hong Kong is a spaceship-type development designed by Terry Farrell and Partners, which opened in February alongside Victoria Harbour. The massive complex, which cost $671 million HK ($86 million U.S.), replaces an earlier pool that was open to the public for group training only until 1983. It’s a truly impressive example of how to incorporate a huge public pool into a densely populated urban landscape, and is a must-visit for swimmers in the city. During the weekdays, the pool is open for recreational and competitive swimming. On weekends, it’s a place to relax and unwind with family and friends. It’s also a popular venue for locals to host parties and celebrations. During the holidays, the pool is closed for maintenance and cleaning. It reopens to the public in October. The complex also houses a gym and squash courts.