Hotel AXA

It's an old-school pool but very clean. The water temperature is perfect but there are no lane dividers, and it's near impossible to swim continuous laps of freestyle when there are more than seven or eight people in the pool. There are no backstroke flags, so don't expect to practise backstroke here when it's crowded. A lot of people don't wear caps (they're not mandatory) and are breaststroke swimmers.

This was perhaps the most chaotic public pool (not counting hotel pools) I've swum in. I'm doing freestyle back and forth in a straight line in a lane near the center at a good clip. Large ladies decide the ideal spot to float is right in my path. Slow breast-strokers also decide my path is the perfect lane. Complete chaos. Also, note that one should bring one's own soap/shampoo/etc. as none are provided.

I felt like I deserved combat pay after my swim. I got intentionally kicked, smashed into and clawed in the land of a thousand over-sized, humorless breaststrokers. No lanes, unfriendly, and downright rude. Water was OK.

Well kept, clean, and less busy at 7AM than 8AM.

People are really friendly.… Breast stroking ladies gladly stood out of our way while we swam a workout.

Perfect water temperature. I'd go back in a flash.

Crowded from noon to 1PM, empty after.