Hong Kong Hotels Have Got You Covered With Pool Staycations
The tell-tale signs of a Hong Kong summer are in full swing: crowded beaches, dripping air-con units and almost unbearable humidity. Luckily, the city’s hotels have got you covered with pool staycations to beat the heat. From infinity pools overlooking Victoria Harbour to mega water zones for the kids, here are our top picks for swimming in style this summer.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing break or a splash-tastic adventure, these hotel pools are sure to satisfy your cravings for cool-off action. From swanky resorts to glitzy business hotels, these spots offer stunning views and some serious swim-up bars. Plus, you can earn bonus Asia Miles on many of these stays with Cathay.
With temperatures rising, public swimming pools are reopening across the city. From Morrison Hill Swimming Pool to Tseung Kwan O, we’ve rounded up the best watering holes in town.
In a city as densely packed and vertical as Hong Kong, it’s no surprise that some of the most spectacular pools are found in hotels. The latest addition to the list is the Terry Farrell-designed Kennedy Town Pool, a spaceship-shaped complex that opened in February along Victoria Harbor. The glassy structure, which cost $671 million to build, was designed to seamlessly blend with the residential buildings around it.
Swimming pools in the region also have an interesting history, with some of the city’s most iconic venues once serving as wartime bunkers during World War II. The HK Pools in Kowloon, located near the former HKPD headquarters, were used as bunkers during the Japanese occupation of the city and later reopened as a public pool after the war. The pool also hosted the first synchronized swimming competition in Asia back in the 1940s.
The HK Pools are managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and a monthly public swimming pool ticket costs HK$300. Children under three years old, students and persons aged 60 and above pay half price. A daily ticket costs HK$19.
As the reopening of HK Pools gets underway, a shortage of lifeguards has already emerged. The department said it would hire additional staff to meet demand, and had improved pay for temporary lifeguards and waived exam fees in a bid to attract more recruits. However, a trade union warned that salaries were still significantly lower than private swimming pools in residential buildings and hotels, which paid up to HK$24,000 per month for full-time and seasonal lifeguards.
With a number of exciting new additions, the Hong Kong Pools will be even more fun for swimmers and sun-seekers this year. The poolside bar is sure to be a hit with locals and visitors alike, while the refurbished gym will allow guests to get some exercise without missing out on the view. The HK Pools will be open from 7am-10pm until the end of October. For more information, visit the LCSD website.