YMCA of Hong Kong & The Salisbury Hotel

Rating: 7 on a scale of 10. Pools in Hong King are crowded. This one can be - really crowded. It can also be lightly used, almost empty, just before it shuts twice a day for an hour of cleaning, or in the evening. You never know until you get there. There's an element of chance. Plus there might be a slow breaststroker at any time. But it's a great option and a good place for a solid swim in an otherwise difficult city.

Stay in the Y's hotel, the Salisbury, for the full benefit of an inexpensive hotel (for Hong Kong), great views, and good athletic facilities.

I visited on a Monday at about 12:30 (which is when the pool opened for the afternoon). The facility itself is very nice, with spotless locker rooms and very helpful staff. The cost was HKD 100 for a day pass, if not staying at the hotel or a YMCA member.

When I visited, of the six lanes, two were having lessons, two were for open swimming, one was for circular lap swimming, and one was for "fast circular lap swimming". The pool was very crowded, with about six people per lane, and people seemed to largely ignore the lane designations. Both lap lanes had very slow swimmers, and some that ignored the circular swim rule and inexplicably would switch to the wrong side of the lane, so I had to constantly be on alert to avoid running into someone. I managed a decent workout but it wasn't very pleasant. This would be a great pool if it weren't so busy or if the rules were enforced.

While visiting the property, I noticed a strong chlorine odor that permeated the block surrounding the property as well as the lobby and restaurant.

There's one fast lane and sometimes they close three lanes for aqua courses. Non-members need a day pass for gym+pool.

Anybody can stay at the Y's hotel, and it is well-recognised as the best hotel deal in Hong Kong. Next to the Peninsula Hotel at the bottom on Kowloon. Bay view rooms (one should get no other) afford a spectacular view of Hong Kong - and one can use the pool - crowded and a bit warm – as well. While previously terribly busy - I swam during the hour before closing time in the evening, and had a whole lane to myself.