Gym, Swimming Pool, Sauna, Laundry and Playroom of Ascott Raffles City Chongqing

Gym, Swimming Pool, Sauna, Laundry and Playroom of Ascott Raffles City Chongqing

To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t expecting much from Ascott Raffles City Chongqing’s shared amenities even though it marketed itself as offering luxury serviced apartments. I’ve gone to plenty of premium hotels and was disappointed to see how meager their amenities were. Thankfully, Ascott Raffles City Chongqing was the opposite of those hotels.

Ascott Raffles City Chongqing Hotel Booking

👉 Booking.com: https://booking.tpx.lv/pOEkQVjZ

👉 Agoda: https://agoda.tpx.lv/A3mmRZQa

👉 Trip.com: https://trip.tpx.lv/W4ty33oU

👉 Expedia.com: https://expedia.tpx.lv/UlV9JZqJ

Amenities at Ascott Raffles City Chongqing: My Tour of the Gym, Swimming Pool, Sauna, Laundry and Playroom

Gym

non-descript entrance

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One of the reasons why I say this can be seen in the serviced apartments’ gym area. At first glance you’d think this is just your run-of-the-mill hotel gym thanks to its non-descript entrance. In actuality, run-of-the-mill is the last description you’d use once you see the gym’s interiors.

water dispenser

Before we get to the gym equipment, we’ll first check out this water dispenser. I honestly thought this was a time clock or punch clock and that I was back at some office. Thankfully, this was only used for dispensing hot and cold water and nothing more. In fact, you’ll see there are cups on the lower right side of this image.

trash bin that has a smart sensor

If you’re ready to dispose of your plastic cups then just use this trash bin that has a smart sensor for opening and closing. I usually bring my own tumbler so I didn’t have to worry about disposing of any used plastic cups.

Chongqing Hotel Recommendations Based on My Own Stay


🔹 Ascott Raffles City Chongqing 


Booking.com

Agoda

Trip.com

Expedia.com


🔹 Westin Chongqing Liberation Square 


Booking.com

Agoda

Trip.com

Expedia.com


Top Activities in Chongqing


Wulong Tiansheng Three Bridges

Chongqing 1949 performance

Banquet in Ba Kingdom Royal Feast


plastic cups as well as some glasses

Speaking of plastic cups, here’s a clearer look at them as well as some glasses. As I said earlier, I didn’t have much use for either as I typically bring my own tumbler when I go to gyms. I do appreciate Ascott for providing both options though.

gym's wide variety of exercise equipment

Just opposite the water dispenser, you’ll find the first of the gym’s wide variety of exercise equipment. On the right is a regular upright exercise bike while to its left is a recumbent one. Then to the left of both is a cross trainer. From what I can tell, all of these are made by Precor which is a trusted brand when it comes to fitness equipment.

cardio equipment

Here are the rest of the cardio equipment here in the gym. As you can see, there are two cross trainers (aside from the two exercise bikes) and four treadmills. Opposite the cardio equipment, you’ll find some of the gym’s strength training machines.

weighing scale

Of course, no gym would be complete without a weighing scale. This one is pretty bog standard scale with a digital readout. Interestingly enough, the scale in my room seems much more advanced than this one since that provides readings for weight as well as body fat and total water percentages.

strength training machines

This is one of the strength training machines that you can use here. It’s called a multi press machine and it’s pretty great at building up your chest, parts of your shoulders, and your triceps. It’s also relatively easy to use which makes it a great machine for both beginners and advanced users.

orange pin

See that orange pin that’s sticking out? You pretty much just place that lever on the weight you’re comfortable working with and you should be good to go with your chest presses. This weight stack system is pretty safe and I think (at least for me) is more preferable than bench pressing with a barbell.

some diagrams for the chest press, incline press, and shoulder press exercises

If you’re unsure what to do, you can always check out the instructions for exercises on the machine itself. Here are some diagrams for the chest press, incline press, and shoulder press exercises that you can do on the multi-press machine that I talked about in the previous images.

multi-press machine

Aside from the multi-press machine, there’s also a seated leg curl machine here. Much like the rest of the equipment in this gym, this one is made by Precor. It’s pretty similar to the multi-press but instead of the chest, shoulders, and arms, its target muscles are the legs.

seated leg curl machine

The seated leg curl machine also makes use of a weight stack system making it a relatively safe exercise machine for people still starting out. On another note, the weights do go up to 109kg which makes it also great for guests who want some serious gains (or at least want to maintain their current leg strength).

another diagram showing exercises

Similar to the multi-press machine, this has a diagram showing the exercises that you’re able to do with it. For push days, you can use this for leg extensions. In case it’s a pull day then you’re going to want to use the machine for leg curls.

pec fly machine and lat pulldown machine

A little further into the gym and you’re going to come across these machines. On the left is a pec fly machine which you can use to work out your pecs/chest. To its right are a lat pulldown machine and a functional trainer.

pec fly machine

Here’s a closer look at the pec fly machine. While I seldom use this, I’ve read that it’s great for enhancing the definition of the chest muscles and is actually safer than if you were using free weights. Much like the gym equipment prior, this one makes use of a weight stack system to allow for quick weight/resistance adjustments.

diagram shows the exercises you can do on the machine

This diagram shows the exercises you can do on the machine as well as the muscles they target. Depending on the position and movement, you can target your rear delts as well as the pectoral/chest muscles.

lat pulldown machine and functional trainer

A better view of the lat pulldown machine and functional trainer. Much like the pec fly machine, these target muscles in the upper body. Personally, I think the lat pulldown machine is one of the best machines for beginners as it’s relatively easy to use.

lat pulldown machine has a weight stack system

Again, the lat pulldown machine has a weight stack system much like the other equipment we’ve seen so far. Additionally, you can also use this for seated rows thanks to the part seen above.

diagram showing the exercises you can perform

If you’re still not sure how to use this, you can refer to this diagram showing the exercises you can perform. As I said earlier, this is exclusively used for lat pulldowns (and its variations) as well as seated rows. If you squint, you might also see the section that shows tips for performing the exercises the right way.

functional trainer

And we’re now finally at the functional trainer. This is quite possibly one of the most versatile exercise equipment here as there’s a multitude of exercises you can do on it. Whereas the previous machines were focused on muscles on either the upper or lower body, this one allows you to target both.

closeup of the triceps

Here’s a closeup of the triceps of some of the components of this functional trainer. From the right is a Triceps Rope Attachment followed by a V-Bar Handle and the leftmost is a Single Handle. You’ll also notice that these components are flanked by diagrams of the exercises you can do on this piece of equipment.

diagram features about 10 exercises

The left diagram features about 10 exercises targeting the chest, back, shoulders, and arms. Now, unlike the other equipment that I’ve showcased thus far, I think this one is a little more complicated so it’s something that I wouldn’t necessarily suggest for beginners.

diagram on the right which features 8 more exercises

Here’s the diagram on the right which features 8 more exercises. Unlike the left diagram, these exercises mainly target the legs, abdominals (core muscles), and hamstrings. Now if the instructions aren’t that clear for you, there’s a QR code that you can scan which would then lead you to a series of instructional videos.

clock that's a mix of analog and digital

Just above the functional trainer is this clock that’s a mix of analog and digital. It basically has hands for hours, minutes, and seconds but also features a digital screen cutaway that shows the data.

multi-adjustable weightlifting bench

Opposite the functional trainer are these multi-adjustable weightlifting benches and behind them near the walls, the gym’s free weights. Now if you’re not really used to using strength training machines then these free weights are going to be your best friends.

dumbbells

The weight of these dumbbells start out at 2 kilograms and progressively go up to 20. While not as complex as the specialized gym equipment, these are still very versatile and there are plenty of exercises that you can do with these that are relatively safe. I will say though, don’t go too hard on these (or even the rest of the equipment) as you might end up being too sore to go outside and explore the city.

closer look at the treadmills

So this is a closer look at the treadmills. If there’s a piece of gym equipment I’d recommend for people who don’t have much time to spend in the gym, this would be it. Around an hour and a half on this and you’d have met the daily recommended number of steps for your health and fitness.

bin where you can dispose of the complimentary towels

This is a bin where you can dispose of the complimentary towels provided by the gym. If you brought your own though then you might want to keep it instead of chucking it here as the serviced apartments housekeeping won’t have a way of identifying your towel and returning it to you.

right of the bin is the table where you can get the complimentary towels

To the right of the bin is the table where you can get the complimentary towels. If you’re wondering where in the gym this is located, it’s in the area between the stationary bikes and the treadmills. I don’t know if this was just me, but the placement did seem odd as it’s very easy to miss.

headphones

Anyway, once you do find it make sure to check out the other stuff they have on here. Aside from the towels, they also offer headphones that you can use while you’re working out. Take note though that you’re not allowed to bring this with you.

wet wipes

Here are some wet wipes on the same table as the head phones and towels. I initially thought that this was for guests’ personal use. Turns out, my assumption was wrong as you’ll see in the next picture.

wet wipes being here started to make sense

After reading this, the wet wipes being here started to make sense. It wasn’t that long ago that the world was held hostage by a pandemic so it’s understandable why the gym would encourage guests to wipe down the equipment they used with disinfectant wet wipes to prevent any possible spread of bacteria or harmful pathogens.

Blueair Air Purifier

Off to the side of the table with the towels was this Blueair Air Purifier that was surprisingly silent. There were only a handful of people when I visited the gym and I didn’t even realize that this was turned on until I drew closer to take the picture.

stationary bikes

Again, another look at the stationary bikes in this area. You might also notice the glass windows having an almost reflective surface allowing you to see your own reflection as you’re using the equipment here. I wouldn’t say I’m a big fan of this but I do know people who get more motivated when they see themselves as they’re working out.

remote control for the gym's entertainment system

Remember the sign earlier that directed guests to use disinfectant wipes on the equipment? Well, right next to that was a remote control for the gym’s entertainment system. I typically work out without music but I do understand how some people might get pumped up with certain songs and beats.

yoga room

Now a yoga room is something that you don’t normally see in even some higher end hotels. Even though I personally don’t do yoga, Ascott Raffles City Chongqing still scores points in my book just for the fact that they decided to have a dedicated yoga room here. Most hotels that I’ve been to either don’t have one or their area for yoga is usually shared with the rest of their gym area.

gym rules

Kinda late but you can actually read up on the gym rules before you step foot in the gym area. The plaque here lays down the do’s and don’ts for guests who plan to make use of the gym’s equipment and facilities.

look at the Yoga Room

Here’s a look at the Yoga Room which is rather bare to make it more conducive for doing yoga (I think). Moreover, you actually get to see the lights of Chongqing’s skyline here making it all the more relaxing.

the only mirrors here in the gym

This is directly opposite the previous image. I might be wrong but I think these are the only mirrors here in the gym. Considering how yoga is all about proper form, it’s understandable why there’d be a mirror here.

cute shelf that has yoga blocks

In the corner of the room you’ll find this cute shelf that has yoga blocks in it. I wasn’t quite sure what they were for initially but after looking these up, I found out that they are mostly used as props to help newer yoga practitioners modify their poses, improve their alignment, and make certain poses more accessible.

yoga mats and some very large exercise balls

Other than the yoga blocks, there are also yoga mats and some very large exercise balls in this corner of the room. These are on a larger rack as the mats and balls themselves are rather large.

closer and clearer look at the yoga/exercise balls and the yoga mats

This is a closer and clearer look at the yoga/exercise balls and the yoga mats. Much like the yoga blocks, yoga balls also provide variety to the poses and more importantly helps train your balance. I’m not sure if the gym had other balls in storage though as it seems very peculiar to only have two on display.

yoga straps

I actually didn’t notice these yoga straps at first since they just seemed like they were part of the rack. Upon closer inspection though, they truly are yoga straps and if I’m not mistaken they’re primarily used for improving flexibility as well as for aid in achieving challenging poses.

Laundry

Launderette

After taking pictures and then getting a light work out at the gym, I then decided to check out the other amenities here at Ascott Raffles City Chongqing. I started with the Launderette or Laundry Room which was relatively close by. The room was open so I went ahead and made myself welcome.

laundry care guide

Once inside this infographic featuring a laundry care guide was the first thing I noticed. It contains pretty much everything you need to know about the symbols that you might find on your shirts and clothing so that you can then wash and dry them adequately. Like a lot of the signs here, it has English translations for non-English speaking guests.

washing powder, disinfectant, and even laundry capsules

Here you’ll find the washing powder, disinfectant, and even laundry capsules you’ll need for washing and cleaning your clothes. These are actually free though I’d only recommend getting enough for your particular load and nothing more.

sets of washers and dryers

Opposite the desk where you’ll find the powders and disinfectants are these sets of washers and dryers. In total there were 3 washers and 2 dryers when I visited. From what I was told, these are all made by Speed Queen and are modified for commercial use.

coin operated

Initially I was kind of confused with what commercial use meant. When I had a closer look at the machines though it finally made sense. So while the powders and disinfectants were provided for free, use of these machines were not. It’s coin operated (similar to the ones I saw at Orchard Hotel in Singapore) so you’ll need to bring some change with you if you plan to wash some of your clothes here.

coin slot

Once you do have your change, you’ll just need to put those in the coin slot after loading up the machine with your clothes, detergent, and then selecting the wash cycle, temperature, and other settings. Personally, I think if you got the same serviced apartment as I did then this is kind of redundant. My room already had a washing machine and dryer so I really didn’t have much use out of these.

dryers

Speaking of dryers, here are the two in this room. Much like the washing machines, these are also coin operated. Again, I didn’t have much use for these during my stay as my apartment unit pretty much had everything I needed.

Playroom

playroom

Aside from the Launderette, Ascott Raffles City Chongqing also has a playroom. Guests who bring along their children will definitely love this area of the serviced apartment complex. The picture above shows you the entrance to the room.

plaque showing the rules

Once inside, you’ll get to see this plaque showing the rules that you and your kids will need to follow to be able to use the Children’s Playroom. The most important of these is probably the first one stipulating that the use of the room is reserved only for residents and their kids.

sink with a cute looking tap

Just right under the plaque highlighting the playroom’s rules is this sink with a cute looking tap. I actually found this particularly innovative and it really reinforces that this is a room where kids are supposed to have fun.

liquid soap is just below the plaque

You might have noticed that there were labels for liquid soap and paper towels on the mirror in the image earlier. Well, here you can clearly see the liquid soap is just below the plaque with the paper towels nowhere to be found. There was double-sided tape where the dispenser for the paper towels might have been stuck to though. I’m not quite sure but it was probably taken off for one reason or another.

waiting area for parents and guardians

This is the waiting area for parents and guardians. From here, parents or guardians can comfortably wait for their kids to finish playing. Additionally, they’ll also have a good view of the kids as this area is separated from the playroom proper by glass.

shoe rack for the kids and a smart trash bin

In front of the waiting area and just before the entrance to the playroom proper is this shoe rack for the kids and a smart trash bin. The shoe rack really reminded me of my younger days as I distinctly remember having my pre-school classrooms having something similar.

books in these shelves

Waiting for kids to finish playing so Ascott decided to provide books in these shelves for parents and/or guardians to comb through. I didn’t really check what the books were about though as some of them were completely in Chinese. That said, I did see a World of Ascott book but I didn’t stick around to read through it.

view of the playroom area from the waiting area

So here’s the view of the playroom area from the waiting area. As I said earlier, parents and guardians will have an easy time checking in on their kids from here. You might also notice that the playroom has a slide and climbing wall which we’ll of course check out later.

entrance of the play area

Before we get to the slide and climbing wall though, let’s first check out the entrance of the play area. Here you can see some of the toys available for the kids. Moreover, you’ll notice how cute the walls are here with the wallpaper featuring cartoon depictions of under sea animals.

climbing wall and the slide which both connect to a ball pit

We finally get to the climbing wall and the slide which both connect to a ball pit. The climbing wall isn’t very steep so kids shouldn’t have any issues going up. As for the slide, it has the same angle as the climbing wall with a slight curve nearing the ground level. Parents and guardians need not worry about falls though as the ball pit is rather deep allowing the balls to better cushion against falls.

toys and table set

Now here’s a better look at the toys and table set that we saw earlier. If your little ones enjoy riding cars then they’re sure to spend a lot of time on these plastic coupe ride-on toys. There are also swings here along with table sets for those that like to play pretend tea parties or cooking.

television set

Of course, you’ll also find a television set here which I unfortunately wasn’t able to turn on when I was there. I would assume though that the programming here is kids friendly considering this is a kids playroom and all.

plastic ride on toys

This is a closer look at the plastic ride on toys. I will say that these look like they’re still in pristine condition which could only mean that there aren’t that many kids playing here or that Ascott Raffles City regularly has these replaced. Either way, it’s good to know the condition that these toys are in.

nook for kids to store their toys or belongings

I wasn’t quite sure what this was but considering the room that I was in, it probably is used as a nook for kids to store their toys or belongings. As you’ll see in the next image, it’s not the only nook that you’ll find in this room.

two swings

Here are the two swings that we saw earlier with the second nook that I was talking about earlier behind them. The swings are rather small and likely for kids who are no older than 6. Similar to the plastic ride-on toys, these still looked very pristine.

table sets

Now unlike the toys, these table sets look like they’ve seen a lot of use. In particular, the set on the left has a little dirt on one corner of the table as well as on the back of one chair. That said, I don’t think this is a problem as these naturally just get dirty thanks to how kids play and use them.

little swing

You probably didn’t notice this earlier (I know I didn’t) but there’s actually a little swing set just under the second level of the play structure. I think my only problem with this is that it’s a little low. Considering it’s for younger kids though, it’s probably for the better as you really don’t want them falling from a taller height.

ball pit

Moving on to the ball pit, I think this does a really good job of cushioning thanks to its depth and the number of balls here. Perhaps the only real concern with this is hygiene as I’m not sure how often it gets cleaned by Ascott Raffles City’s housekeeping.

closer look at the climbing wall and the slide

Here’s a much closer look at the climbing wall and the slide. I think the angle that they’re at isn’t that steep though still giving kids a little challenge if they decided to climb up. Overall, I think these are pretty safe and certainly much tamer than the ones I’ve seen in some malls and fast food joints.

second level of the play structure

This is the second level of the play structure and I’m not going to lie, it kinda looks underwhelming. It’s quite understandable though since making it more complex might be a little too much for the kids. Additionally, this design does make it easier for adults to get up and reach the kids in case of emergencies.

side of the play structure also has windows

The side of the play structure also has windows like this to discourage kids from going through here and possibly falling down. What I like most about this though is the donut designs which actually made me a little hungry.

some shelves containing a number of children's books

Now here are some shelves containing a number of children’s books. Understandably, not all kids might want to play so these books are a great way to entertain them. I’m not sure though if there are books in English here as I ended up not opening any of them as I was in a bit of a hurry.

Swimming Pool & Sauna

female locker room

If you’re wondering why I was in a hurry, it’s because I really wanted to check out the Ascott Raffles City Chongqing’s sauna and pool area. I’d already managed to get inside and was heading to the female locker room before I took this picture of its entrance.

shoe rack replete with sterilized slippers

I also came across this shoe rack replete with sterilized slippers that I recommend you to always use before going inside. The sauna area is going to be a little slippery and these provide a little traction to allow you to not slip. Additionally, these are sterilized so you need not worry about getting any fungal and/or bacterial infections.

towels that you can use inside the sauna

Here you can get towels that you can use inside the sauna. You probably also notice the huge mirror on the left which is part of the dressing/locker room. Here you can remove your makeup (for the ladies) as the sauna could mess it once you’re inside.

On the countertop are these toiletries that include combs and some lotion

On the countertop are these toiletries that include combs and some lotion that you can use after your time in the sauna. There are also wet wipes here that you can use to remove your makeup or just for general cleaning.

lockers

If you’re facing the mirror you’re going to see these lockers behind your reflection. There’s also a bench here which conveniently allows you to sit down while you’re changing. Initially I thought the area was going to be cramped but it was surprisingly spacious enough to allow for, I think around 4-5 people to change simultaneously.

digital locks

As for the lockers themselves, these use digital locks. Now I personally think this is a good thing as it seems more convenient. That said, it’s always good practice to make sure your lock is secured before leaving the room to go to the sauna.

control panel for the sauna

Now this is the control panel for the sauna itself. Unfortunately the instructions here on the sign underneath it are in Chinese so you might want to pull out your smartphone and use Google Lens or something similar to translate. Conversely, you could get in touch with Guest Services (use the phone in the dressing/locker room) to request for assistance.

sauna

I’m now inside the sauna and it does look very comfortable here. What I really liked about this room is the use of wood (from the walls to the bench) making it feel like you’re actually in a traditional sauna.

rocks

If you’re wondering, no the sauna wasn’t turned on when I went inside. You can see the rocks here aren’t glowing which indicates that they haven’t been subjected to heat when I took the picture.

sauna hourglass, thermometer and hygrometer

Another indication that the sauna isn’t on would be the readings on the sauna hourglass as well as the thermometer and hygrometer. The hourglass is oriented horizontally which indicates that it’s not in use. As for the thermometer, it just shows the room temperature isn’t elevated. If the sauna was on, the hygrometer readings should also fall below the 20% humidity reading (as the heat will not only increase the temperature but also lessen the room’s humidity).

rules for its sauna and steam room

Similar to the other rooms we’ve been talking about, Ascott Raffles City Chongqing also has a set of rules for its sauna and steam room (more on this later). Here’s the plaque that details these rules as well as the operating hours of these rooms. The most important rule to note here is that you have to set a reservation at least 30 minutes in advance if you plan on using the sauna and/or steam room.

steam room

So you’re probably wondering what I meant about the steam room. Isn’t it just the same as the sauna? Actually, they’re both quite different. This is what the steam room here looks like. Instead of wood it makes use of tiles for both the walls and its bench. Moreover, the steam room functions differently from a sauna in that it’s more humid (thanks to the steam).

tiled bench

The steam room’s humidity means that using wood here isn’t feasible due to the moisture and heat. Not to worry though as I think sitting on the tiled bench isn’t that much different from the wooden bench of the sauna. Really the only concern I have here is the floor getting slippery which is alleviated by just wearing those sanitized/sterilized slippers earlier.

shower rooms

Now after spending time in the sauna/steam room you’re naturally going to want to take a shower. These shower rooms are conveniently close by and are perfect for cooling down. Some older sauna facilities usually have a shared shower area so I was quite happy to see that I could enjoy a bit of privacy here. Aside from using these after a sauna, you’re also going to want to shower here before you go and use the swimming pool.

inside of one of the shower rooms

This is a view of the inside of one of the shower rooms. It’s very similar to the one found in my service apartment just minus the bathtub. The tiles and fixtures give off premium vibes which I think most guests are going to appreciate.

body wash, shampoo, and conditioner

Also like with my serviced apartment’s shower area, you’ll also find body wash, shampoo, and conditioner that you can use for free here. These were actually quite nice and I’d definitely use these just because I’m kind of forgetful and I might lose my own toiletries if I brought them here.

pool area entrance

Now that we’ve finished checking out the sauna area, it’s time to go to quite possibly one of the areas in the serviced apartment complex that I’m most excited about. Yes, I’m talking about the pool! Now, I’ve heard a lot of good things about Ascott Raffles City Chongqing’s pool so I naturally had quite high expectations of it.

narrow hallway

As I was getting there, I came across this narrow hallway that seemed to have something in the middle of it. From this point, I could actually see one end of the pool though not yet its entirety.

clean feet before entering swimming pool

So this was the “something” that I saw earlier. It’s basically a shallow pool where you can clean your feet before you get to the swimming pool area proper. Doing so ensures that your feet are clean of any contaminants that you might have picked up while on your way here.

view of the pool from the entrance area

This is the view of the pool from the entrance area. It wasn’t as large as I hoped it would be but it was still a good size. What was really important for me was that it was clean and from this angle it sure looked like it. The lane ropes were also quite interesting as I didn’t think the pool was a standard size for competitions.

pool's rules and regulations

Anyway, I read up on the pool’s rules and regulations first before thoroughly exploring the area. Like the other amenities we just visited, this one is open from 7 in the morning to as late as 10 in the evening. The rules are what you’d typically find in other pools with restrictions on attire, the use of sun tan lotion, and the requirement to shower before swimming (among others).

reminder to observe pool etiquette

Here’s a reminder to observe pool etiquette as well as to not let children swim without the supervision of their parents or guardians. I didn’t see a lifeguard when I got here so parents/guardians will really have to make sure that they’re watching over their kids if they happen to be swimming.

pool area

So one thing I really appreciated about the pool area was the view. It was quite nice seeing the top of the trees from here as well as the other buildings in the Raffles City complex. As for the lane ropes I talked about earlier, these are probably just for decorative purposes in addition to minimizing turbulence and waves.

pool from another angle

Here’s the pool from another angle. You’ll notice that there’s a smaller pool off in the distance which we’ll eventually get to later on. As for this pool in particular, I initially thought that this was going to be deep but as you’ll find out in a few images from now, it’s relatively shallow (at least for adults).

lounge chairs

Facing the pool are these lounge chairs that look very comfortable. I’d been walking around for a while at this point that I actually wanted to lay down on one of these to rest for a bit. I decided against it of course as I still needed to take a number of pictures of the area.

daily stats of the pool

So here are the daily stats of the pool that you’re going to want to check out before taking a swim. When I took the picture, residual chlorine was just within the acceptable 0.4mg/L – 1.0mg/L levels. What I was really worried about was the cold though as the pool temperature that day was at a relatively cool 28 degrees Celsius.

health and safety certifications

I honestly can’t think of another pool off the top of my head that has this many health and safety certifications. Aside from a sanitation license, it also features a Health Credibility Rating (set at B), reports for pool testing, and even health certificates of the employees who are looking after the pool and adjacent facilities.

closer look at the chaise lounges

And here we have a closer look at the chaise lounges or lounge chairs. I’ll say this again, these look really comfortable to lay in. The foam is actually quite thick and the chairs themselves looked to be quite sturdy. You might also notice the lighting here (from the columns and the ceiling) makes it seem like you’re getting some sun even though the weather outside is a little overcast.

signs on the opposite wall

From the chaise lounge you’re going to see these signs on the opposite wall. Using Google Lens, I found that these translated to warnings against playing in the water and diving. Considering the depth of the pool is just 4 meters (according to another sign above the warnings), it’s understandable why diving would be a restricted activity.

another set of warnings

Here’s another set of warnings as well as a sign disclosing the dimensions (6m x 20m x 1.2m) of the pool. The sign beneath the pool’s dimensions warns those swimming to always wear their swimming caps. Underneath that is another sign warning against diving.

hot and cold water dispenser

Swimming is one of those activities that can easily make anyone thirsty. Thankfully, there is a hot and cold water dispenser here along with some disposable cups just in case you ever need to hydrate after a couple of laps in the pool.

another set of lounge chairs

Here you’ll find another set of lounge chairs that look like they’re made from some type of organic material (most likely rattan). While I’m not sure if they’re as comfortable as the ones earlier, I do think they look more stylish. Maybe you could ask for some foam or towels if the texture isn’t to your liking.

safety equipment

Just above the lounge chairs in the previous image are these safety equipment. I think the most important of these is the portable oxygen bag and inhaler in the middle as it’s one of the first things you’re going to want to have if you become a party to a drowning incident (knock on wood, hopefully it doesn’t actually happen to you).

plunge pool

Finally, I’m at the plunge pool which is directly in front of the rattan lounge chairs. It looks larger than a jacuzzi and is, compared to the main pool, actually shallower. That said, if you’re just after a dip then it might be better to do it here.

And with that I’ve now completed my tour of the Gym, Swimming Pool and Sauna, as well as the Laundry Room of the Ascott Raffles City in Chongqing. These facilities and amenities were quite honestly some of the best that I’ve come across over the course of my travels (and definitely better than the amenities at The Westin Liberation Square Hotel in Chongqing!). Were these the best? Well, I could think of others that were better but overall, I think my experience with these was still great. If you happen to stay in Ascott Raffles City then I’ll say to give these amenities and facilities a try (and before I forget they also have a great breakfast buffet here, you can read my article about it here).

Want to add something? If you’ve been to these facilities in Ascott Raffles City then make sure you share your experiences with us down in the comments section!

Author

  • Junpei

    Hi, I am Junpei, the owner of JourneyRambler.com! In this blog, I will share my personalized travel experience. This blog will record and share every moment in my journey. Hope you find this blog useful for your travel guidance.

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