Growing up in Singapore’s tropical climate meant year-round access to pools, many of which are public and open-air. Now that I live in Beijing, I have learned to contend with indoor pools, however, I’m still figuring out so many of the rules – from mandatory swim caps to purchasing an annual membership. So if you just want to swim with your kids for a couple of hours in a heated pool, here are the places you can go without having to buy classes or commit to an annual membership!
Ritz Carlton Hotel Gym & Pool (SKP) 北京丽思卡尔顿酒店 REBALANCE 游泳健身中心（SKP店）
Located centrally in the Ritz Carlton Hotel near SKP mall, this 25m swimming pool is touted on Dianping for its cleanliness. It is also one of the few hotel swimming pools that offer on-site coaches for one-on-one adult and toddler swim classes (trial price RMB 258 for either, 60 minutes). But for noncommital swim fun, it costs RMB 258 for an unlimited swim pass for one adult or RMB 358 for one adult and one child. Some users have said the pool feels a little on the cooler side, though official reports claim that the water is heated to 28 degrees Celsius, which seems to be pretty standard for Beijing’s indoor pools.
通盛会议中心游泳馆
Located along the fifth ring road southeast of downtown Beijing, this is as close to a public pool as you’re gonna get in the capital. A dedicated swimming center with an Olympic-sized pool, it will cost you just RMB 28 to swim all day, which even includes three hours of free parking! For two people, it will cost RMB 55. The only setback – which sort of comes with the unfettered public pool territory – is that it’s not going to be nearly as clean as what you’d find at a hotel, though 40 out of 50 Dianping users do say it’s clean enough. It’s your call, but we certainly feel it’s worth a shot for that price! Note that children under 18 have to be accompanied by an adult.
Rosewood Hotel Pool 瑰丽酒店泳池
This may be the hidden gem among our findings! The 30m long pool is tucked away in the prestigious Rosewood Hotel and well-lit with plenty of natural sunlight streaming in through the glass ceiling. The pool area is also decorated with lush greenery so you almost feel like you’re out in nature, while being tucked within four walls of warmth. Users have said this pool tends to be pretty quiet, but you’ll pay a price for the privacy as it costs RMB 680 to use the pool!
China World Hotel Pool 中国大饭店 游泳健身中心
The spacious pool setting at China World certainly helps you forget that it’s in the basement by conjuring an “under the sea” vibe with its blue lighting fixtures. It’s also very reasonably priced at RMB 270 for all-day swimming per person, though you have to call ahead and pre-book your slot. You can also top up a bit more for a gym + pool pass at RMB 350. You can save a little if you get a 10-pass card for RMB 1,500 or a 20-pass for RMB 4,500. If all four lanes of the 25m long pool are occupied, you may have to wait before you get your turn as they limit the capacity to 12.
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Images: Unsplash, Dianping
