Take the plunge

Whether it's a weekday or weekend, if you’re looking to escape the noise of the city and experience something on the luxurious side, spending some time at a hotel swimming pool is an option that’s well worth considering. Even if you’re unable to take enough time off for a proper summer holiday, you can still pull up a deck chair by the pool, soak in some summer sunshine and relax in style. Below are our picks of hotel pools that can be enjoyed by all – even by visitors who aren’t booked to stay overnight.

Hotel New Otani Tokyo

Hotel New Otani Tokyo’s The Pool Mai Tai is located directly adjacent to a traditional Japanese garden and could easily be mistaken for a tropical oasis. Around this large hotel pool are various additional facilities, including a luxury poolside cottage, Cabana that can be reserved for the exclusive use of up to two people and comes complete with a bed, a sofa and internet access. However, if all you’re after is a comfortable place to sit and relax in your own space (rather than a whole cottage) then you might like to try a Kamehameha Seat to experience some first class service – limited to ten customers per day. Another poolside facility well worth a mention is an American-style restaurant named Trader Vic’s Outrigger that, in addition to offering a selection of foods including authentic west-coast-style juicy hamburgers, serve a range of drinks including Mai Tai (said to mean ‘out of this world’ in Tahitian) cocktails. From Thursdays to Saturdays, until Saturday August 28, and also on Sunday August 8 through to Wednesday August 11, closing time will be extended until 10pm. Along with the later closing time will be poolside background music (played by popular DJs) and poolside lighting – creating an ideal atmosphere in which to enjoy an evening by the pool.

Period: Until Sun Sept 5
Open: Mon-Wed, Sun 10am-7pm; Thur-Sat 10am-10pm (Sun Aug 8-Wed Aug 11 until 10pm)
Price: Mon-Fri ¥12,000 (children ¥8,000); Sat-Sun and Mon Aug 9-Fri Aug 13 ¥20,000 (children ¥16,000; Night time (6pm-10pm) ¥4,000
Bath towels, bathrobes, deck chairs and locker fee includes tax
Cabana fee ¥60,000; Kamehameha Seat ¥10,000 per person

Hotel New Otani Tokyo (Full details & map)

Tokyo Prince Hotel

Measuring 25m by 11m, located within the grounds of Prince Hotel Tokyo, a mere two minute walk from Tokyo Tower, the pool here looks up to Tokyo Tower and across to the beautiful green foliage of Shiba Park. In addition to the main pool, there is also a smaller pool for children and a grassy area – making this a great place to bring the family. Plus, after a day spent frolicking around by the pool, there is also a beer garden within the grounds, named Mori no Naka no Beer Garden, that offers a selection of barbequed food and an ideal evening atmosphere in which to unwind with a drink.

Period: Until Sun Sept 5
Open: 10am-6pm
Price: Mon-Fri ¥3,000 (children ¥1,500); Sat-Sun and nat. holidays ¥4,000 (children ¥2,000)

Tokyo Prince Hotel
Address: 3-3-1 Shibakoen, Minato, Tokyo
Telephone: (03)3432 1111
Website: www.princehotels.com/en/tokyo/

Park Hyatt Tokyo

Park Hyatt Tokyo’s pool, which sits at 180m above ground level, is usually only open to guests staying at the hotel and members; however, until Friday December 14, visitors can use the pool without having to also book a room for an overnight stay through a special offer that is currently running, called ‘The Perfect Day Off’, that entitles guests to day-use of a Park Deluxe Room from 10am (check-in) to 5pm (check-out), lunch or breakfast at the restaurant Girandole on the 41st floor, one of four different 90-minute spa treatments, use of the hotel’s fitness facilities – including the pool – and one cocktail at the New York Bar on the 52nd floor.

Period: Until Fri Dec 17
Open: 10am-5pm
Price: 1 room/1 person from ¥54,285; 1room/2 people from ¥77,883

Park Hyatt Tokyo (Full details & map)

ANA InterContinental Tokyo

ANA InterContinental Tokyo’s Garden Pool is located on the hotel’s 4th floor and whilst only 20m by 13m in size, it’s plenty big enough to escape the city and chill out in. Plus, there is also a variety of food on offer poolside, including hamburgers, fish & chips, and chashu-miso-ramen (pork and miso ramen). After 3pm the admission fee is reduced to half-price – making it somewhere well worth considering if you’re looking for a pool at which to stop off at on the way home from work, for example.

Period: Until Sun Sept 5
Open: 7am-8pm
Price: Mon-Fri ¥6,000 (children ¥3,000); from 3pm ¥3,000 (children ¥1,500); Sat-Sun, nat. holidays and Sat Aug 7-Sun Aug 15 ¥8,000 (children ¥4,000)
Bath towels, shampoo, rinse, body soap, brushes, hair dryer, skin milk, hair liquid, face lotion, cotton, tissues and beach sandals available for use

ANA InterContinental Tokyo (Full details & map)

Hotel East21 Tokyo

Hotel East21 Tokyo’s Garden Pool is located on south side of the hotel building, and unfortunately, the Tokyo Sky Tree can only be seen from the north side. However, making up for the lack of what would have been an impressive view are the facilities, which include a long, narrow pool measuring 48m by 3m, a shorter but wider main pool that measures 30m by 11m, and a Jacuzzi to help you unwind after your swim. Another interesting point about this particular hotel pool is its poolside, which, like the hotel itself, is designed to be reminiscent of 19th century Europe. In addition to the outside pools, the hotel also houses a pool for the exclusive use of guests booked on an overnight stay.

Period: Until Tue Aug 31
Open: 9am-6pm
Price: Mon-Fri ¥5,250; Sat-Sun, nat. holidays, Aug 12-Aug 13 ¥15,000
Towels and beach sandals available for use

Hotel East21 Tokyo (Full details & map)

Keio Plaza Hotel

Positioned on the 7th floor of the Keio Plaza Hotel, in the heart Shinjuku’s business area, the Sky Pool boasts an impressive city view, blue skies (on clear days) and its own collection of poolside foliage. For the hungry swimmer, the hotel offers two special plans that include pool admission and a meal: the ‘Asagao’ plan, which includes pool admission and lunch for ¥5,500 (Sat, Sun & nat. holidays: ¥7,000) and the ‘Yugao’ plan, which includes pool admission and dinner for ¥8,000 (Sat, Sun & nat. holidays: ¥9,500). Visitors on either of these two popular plans can choose to eat at one of four different restaurants (Japanese, Chinese, Korea or Italian) and can even choose to eat and swim on different days.

Period: Until Sun Sept 5
Open: 9am-8pm
Price: Mon-Fri ¥4,000 (children ¥2,000), Sat-Sun and nat. holidays ¥6,000 (children ¥3,000)
Changing room, shampoo, body soap, hair dryer, lockers, bath towel, deck chairs, swim rings, kickboards, play equipment and beach sandals available for use.

Keio Plaza Hotel (Full details & map)