Hong Kong is blessed with a beautiful backyard, composed of miles of subtropical jungle and stretches of sandy beaches that are a pleasure to explore. But sometimes it’s much easier to just grab a towel and sit in a cabana rather than deal with the sand and getting to the beach. Luckily, Hong Kong has some of the best pools in the world. Take a dip at some of our favorites.
Right in the heart of Admiralty sits the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Island Shangri-La’s eighth-floor, 91-foot-long outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. Sun seekers head straight for the loungers lining the pool. Adjacent to the leafy pool area is the hotel’s Waterside Terrace, where you can enjoy refreshing housemade sorbets or marinated king prawns with Thai green mango salad. The best part of the pool, however, is the stunning panoramic views of the city’s iconic silver skyscrapers that surround it.
In the middle of Wan Chai’s hectic motorways is an island oasis of calm — the Four-Star Grand Hyatt Hong Kong’s enormous 164-foot heated swimming pool. This 11th-floor pool and patio looks like a lush, tropical paradise you can enjoy from sunrise to sunset. Take a post-swim walk along the 1,312-foot jogging path and relax to the soothing sound of the waterfall. Or head inside the hotel, where you’ll find a top-notch gym, the Four-Star Plateau Spa and some of Hong Kong’s best dining options, from the Grand Hyatt Steakhouse with a delicious selection of beef cuts (and an oyster and seafood bar) to One Harbour Road’s Cantonese cuisine.
Located on the 76th floor, the W hotel’s pool is perched a cool 692 feet above Victoria Harbour. Of course, that comes with some of the most heart-stopping views in the city.
If you’re keen on partying, the W runs the Get Wet summer series from May to September, sponsored by Veuve Clicquot. Once a month (the last two events are August 10 and September 14), the hotel invites international DJs to spin while patrons swim and sip champagne. For HK$300 (about US$39), gain access to the pool and the after-party at Woobar, plus receive two complimentary drinks (one at the pool and one at Woobar). For HK$850 (about US$110), you’ll have the same perks, plus flowing drinks and Veuve Clicquot from 8 p.m. to midnight.
For a more sedate pool scene, the W offers Wet Sunday Sessions at Wet Deck from 3 to 8 p.m. featuring a DJ playing tunes while you swim or take in the rays. For HK$280 (US$36), you’ll get entry into the pool as well as a complimentary drink.
The Five-Star hotel handles everything with elegance, and its outdoor pool complex is no exception. There are actually three at the luxury hotel — a 65-foot-long lap pool, a cool plunge pool and a nearly 80-foot infinity pool with stunning views of the turquoise harbor and Kowloon’s silver skyline. After you swim, check out the hotel’s decadent Five-Star spa and several fantastic restaurants — our pick is the French eatery Caprice, which features a cheese cellar and a vast variety of wines.
InterContinental Hong Kong boasts one of the most striking pools in the city, and arguably, the world. Technically, the Five-Star hotel impresses with not just one but three jaw-dropping infinity pools, each calibrated to a unique temperature. The view is nearly a sheer drop into Victoria Harbor, with no visible barrier between pool and sea. Not only do hotel guests get to enjoy a dip here, full-day spa clients have access to this stunning pool as well.
Photos Courtesy of W Hotel, Grand Hyatt and Four Seasons
