With a cool sniff of autumn in the air the municipal lanes of Hong Kong’s swimming pools again become inviting environments for exercise. However, even on a tranquil morning just after sunrise one can detect the ubiquitous heavy hand of regulation that dominates these hk pools.
The LCSD’s recent stance of only opening certain pools during the summer season has been met with criticism from union representatives, who warned that this could lead to class cancellations due to a lack of lifeguards. However, the department has said that 24 of the city’s pools have fully reopened and 17 have partially reopened.
Nevertheless, private pools have come under scrutiny recently, with the Consumer Council finding that some were not transparent when it came to hygiene, water temperature and depth, as well as prices. The council also noted that more than half of the tested facilities added an exemption clause to the customer’s consent form in order to evade liability claims from incidents.
With floor-to-ceiling windows offering a spectacular panorama of Victoria Harbour, this stunning pool at the Ritz-Carlton is a must-visit for anyone seeking a relaxing dip with a touch of luxury. The pool is located on the 118th floor of the IFC tower and has a retractable roof to protect guests from harsh sun exposure.
Another dazzling pool is this one at the InterContinental Hong Kong, which features a retractable roof and an infinity-edged swimming pool overlooking the skyline. Guests can relax on the deck chairs or in the cabanas surrounding the pool, and can even dine in a restaurant that opens right into the pool.
Located at Wong Chuk Hang, this huge public pool complex boasts a main pool along with teaching and training pools as well as leisure pools and a toddler pool. This is one of the most popular pools in the city for families, and kids will love their four waterslides, two of which are 9m high and claimed to be Hong Kong’s fastest. They also have a pirate ship with water cannons and whimsical fountains like mushroom and tree-shaped ones.
On weekdays adult admission is HK$17 and on weekends and public holidays HK$19, while children under 13 and people over 60 can enter at a concession rate. Some pools are closed for maintenance for three weeks during the year.