Hong Kong Pools
In a city where the mercury often soars, Hong Kong is blessed with a clutch of fabulous swimming pools. There are public swimming pools, pool complexes in residential developments and private member’s clubs (and of course, the ultimate hk pool – the ocean).
The Kennedy Town Swimming Pool, designed by Terry Farrell, is one of the city’s most famous. It was the first municipal pool built on a trapezoidal/triangular piece of land without blocking views of the residential buildings behind it – a challenging design in a city as densely packed as Hong Kong.
It’s a very popular pool for swimming laps and recreational use, with a central pool, leisure pools and diving pools. There are also two kids’ pools where children can splash and frolic with friends, and the whole pool complex is wheelchair-accessible.
Many of the city’s older swimming complexes were funded, either in part or in whole, by the Jockey Club. The Tsuen Wan Swimming Pool, opened in 1975, is an example. It’s a standardised design with a main pool, leisure pools and diving pools separated by a central walkway and surrounded by changing rooms.
Another newer pool is the Wan Chai Swimming Pool, which replaces an earlier pool that will be demolished to make way for a station on the Sha Tin to Central Link. It’s a very large pool with an indoor and outdoor pool, and is used for group training, which makes it especially popular with swimming coaches and swimmers.
If you’re looking for a more glamorous pool experience, try the rooftop pool at W Hong Kong, which is arguably one of the best rooftop pools in the world. Located on the 76th floor and known as Wet, it offers mesmerising views of the city, making it ideal for impressing out-of-town guests, or simply getting away from it all for a day.
Entry is free for hotel guests, but if you’re a non-guest, the price is a little steep at HK$17 on weekdays and HK$19 on weekends/public holidays. There’s a cheaper option with the public pool monthly ticket, which is HK$150 for adults and HK$90 for students and persons aged 60 or above. For the most value, opt for a package deal that includes both entrance and a meal. Klook’s Weekend By The Pool package is a good choice, as it comes with a buffet breakfast and a 4-course lunch or dinner at the hotel. It’s available from July to September.