Cool summer heat with nighttime swimming

The Oasis, Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul’s outdoor pool, opens until 9 p.m., along with the private pool Cabanas. / Courtesy of Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul

It’s hot. Seoul had “tropical nights,” when the temperature didn’t go down under 35 degrees Celsius, for over 10 days. Other cities are suffering similar scorching weather.

In such heat, cooling off in a pool during daytime will not be enough, and it will be great if you can dabble in an outdoor pool even after the sun sets. Hotels are offering the perfect solution with nighttime swimming.

Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul recently expanded the opening hours of its outdoor swimming pool, the Oasis, to 9 p.m.

Along with nighttime dip in the pool, it offers Cabana Dinner at its signature facility Cabanas, a private pool with a bed and a table.

The facility is open to not only club members and hotel guests but also the public who come for dinner. They can use the Oasis pool as well.

Between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., three courses are on offer for dinner ― Cabana vodka set including a barbeque set and a bottle of vodka for two to four people (price starts from 350,000 won), Cabana champagne set featuring a bottle of champagne, fruit and cheese for two to four (from 290,000 won), and a Cabana dinner set (120,000-150,000 won per person).

For more information, call (02) 2250-8080.

At Hyatt Regency Jeju, nighttime swimming is more than just a dip but a combination of fun.

The hotel’s outdoor pool located near the Jungmoon Beach cliff not only offers picturesque views of the beach but also features the Grotto Bar, a unique hangout where guests can enjoy tropical summer drinks and snacks with their bodies still in the cool water. Cocktails, cool beverages and grilled skewered foods are available, and the price of the menus starts from 19,000 won.

Hyatt Regency Jeju also opened a new resting area at the Cliff Garden next to the pool, especially designed for family guests, to make the outdoor experience more comfortable.

Nighttime DJ sessions, “Starry Night,” are held at the bar every night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Aug. 26, offering an energetic yet romantic summer setting. The sessions include bingo games and various giveaway events.

For more information, call (064) 733-1234.

Imperial Palace Seoul also runs its outdoor pool until the end of the month.

Guests can swim until 11 p.m., and various drinks and snacks are available at the poolside bar, including grilled king prawns, scallops, beef sirloin and lamb ribs, hamburgers, sandwiches and ice flakes.

The entrance fee is 32,500 won for adults and 16,500 won for children. The price of the snack menus start from 16,500 won and that of drinks, from 6,000 won, and last orders are taken before 9 p.m.

For more information, call (02) 3440-8000. <The Korea Times/Kim Rahn>

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