THE SUMMER ESCAPE POOL EXPERIENCE AT ANA INTERCONTINENTAL TOKYO
ANA InterContinental Tokyo’s Garden Pool was reborn this season as the perfect Summer Escape. Announced back in June, the transformation has carried the property’s reputation for refined hospitality into a new, effortlessly glamorous dimension.
It’s a warm end-of-July morning in Tokyo, and the city’s humid summer air has that familiar buzz — the mingling of cicadas in nearby parks and the distant hum of trains winding through the metropolis. Yet, just a few steps from the lively streets of Akasaka, a very different Tokyo awaits. At the Garden pool of ANA InterContinental Tokyo parasols fluttering in a soft breeze, crystal-clear water shimmering under the sunlight, and the unmistakable sparkle of Moët & Chandon bubbles catching the sight of the Tokyo Tower.
And now, in the full heat of August, this urban oasis feels less like a seasonal amenity and more like the city’s best-kept secret for a stylish refresh.
A Private Oasis in the Heart of the City
Nestled within the leafy enclave of Ark Hills, the Garden Pool has long been a beloved retreat for hotel guests and a coveted ticket for in-the-know Tokyoites. But 2025’s refresh — a collaboration with the legendary French Champagne maison Moët & Chandon — has given the space a chic Côte d’Azur energy. The theme is pure elegance: sleek white furnishings, crisp loungers, and the quiet sophistication of well-considered design.
By day, the 20m x 13m main pool sparkles in the midday sun, while the 6m children’s pool offers a family-friendly splash of fun. By night, the transformation is cinematic. As Tokyo Tower flickers to life in the distance, ambient lighting dances across the water, creating an atmosphere somewhere between a rooftop soirée and a Mediterranean yacht deck.
A Taste of Indulgence
The Poolside Snack bar delivers far more than its modest name suggests. Yes, you’ll find the pool classics — club sandwiches stacked with just the right crunch, hand-stretched pizzas, and golden fish & chips — but there’s also a summer menu designed for long, languid afternoons.
The star of the drink list is the Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial, served over ice in wide goblets, an ideal companion to the heat of a Tokyo summer. For those seeking a cooler kind of refreshment, the shaved ice is a playful nod to Japanese summer traditions, while fresh smoothies in jewel tones of mango, berry, and matcha bring both style and substance to your lounger.
In early June, when the season first opened, these touches felt like a promise of summer to come. Now, in late August, they’ve become rituals — the chilled champagne glass against warm fingertips, the first bite of icy kakigōri, the soft glow of the pool as the sun slips behind the skyline.
The Luxury of Time
Part of the charm of Summer Escape is how it structures your day. The pool operates in three sessions — late morning (10:00–13:55), afternoon (14:00–17:55), and evening (18:00–21:55) — with full-day passes available. For guests of the hotel, entry is complimentary; for visitors, the pricing varies between June/September and the peak of July/August. In August, weekday sessions run at 4,000 yen for a half-day, or 8,000 yen for a full day, with weekends and holidays commanding a little more — a price that ensures the atmosphere remains exclusive and uncrowded.
That exclusivity is key. The pool is large enough for a proper swim, but small enough to feel like a private club. With only 24 seats at the Pool Side Snack and a layout that prioritizes comfort over capacity, Summer Escape feels intimate, even at its busiest.
As Summer Winds Down
Come September 30th, the white loungers will be stored away, the Moët will retreat to the bar, and the Garden Pool will wait quietly for another season. For now, though, Summer Escape is in its high season, and there’s still time to slip into its rhythm — morning swims, golden-hour cocktails, and the soft clink of ice in the Tokyo night.
In a city that moves at high speed, the ANA InterContinental Tokyo has created a space that encourages you to slow down. Whether you’re visiting from across the world or just across the Sumida River, this pool is a reminder that luxury isn’t always about grandeur — sometimes, it’s about a quiet corner, a glass of champagne, and the shimmering reflection of Tokyo Tower in the water.
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