By Zachary Franklin, Matthew Schrader and Blake Stone-Banks

★★★★★

Splash Recreation Club

Fitness Factor:9 Hygiene: 9
Family Friendly: 10 Cost: ¥40-130

With natural hot springs, a beach volleyball court, Jacuzzis, a gym, a solarium and the capital’s only indoor-outdoor pool, the Sino-Swiss Hotel’s Splash Recreation Club impresses both families and couples. Drop off the kids at the children’s playground and swim laps, or sip a piña colada at the Pagoda Bar. ¥130 grants you access to all of Splash Recreation Club’s facilities, including the Sino-Swiss Hotel gym. Weekdays are just ¥80. Kids are just half price. To ease the cost, shuttle buses run to and from the city several times a day.

Splash Recreation Club at Sino-Swiss Hotel, 9 Xiao Tianzhu Nanlu, Shunyi District, 顺义区小天竺南路9号国都大饭店, Tel: 6456-5588 ext. 1217/1428, Web: www.sinoswisshotel.com

★★★★★

Sino-Japanese Center

Fitness Factor: 10 Hygiene: 9
Family Friendly: 5 Cost: ¥88

This squeaky-clean swimming center has some of the best facilities in the city—small wonder considering it was an Olympics training center. Although it’s not long on family friendly amenities (nary a water slide or a wave pool in sight), the clear cool water, oversized wave-dampening lane lines, and a distinct lack of the overcrowding that plagues other Beijing swim spots all make the Sino-Japanese Center a godsend for lap swimmers, casual or otherwise. Masseuses, a modest-sized sauna and a well-equipped gym round out an excellent fitness-focused package.

Sino-Japanese Youth Center, 40 Liangmaqiao Road (next to Century Theater), 亮马桥路40号, Tel: 6468-3311 ext. 3185

★★✩✩✩

Magic Water World

Fitness Factor: 2 Hygiene: 5
Family Friendly: 7 Cost: ¥60 / day

This charming water playground is set up inside Ditan Park each year during summer. Though the facilities are all temporary (read: inflatable), families looking for a convenient, fun way to cool down on a scorching hot summer day will love the variety of wet and wild games on hand. Kids clamber through a watery playground, careen off each other on a hose-drenched moonbounce or try their hand (or foot) at five-a-side water soccer. Come on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds. Fitness buffs and adults without children should look elsewhere though, this is really just for the little ones.

Magic Water World, Northeast corner of Ditan Park, 200m north of Yonghegong subway stop, 地坛公园, Tel: 8262-4677

★★★★✩

City Seaview

Fitness Factor: 6 Hygiene: 7
Family Friendly: 9 Cost: ¥40-60

Located inside the Crab Island Resort out past Lido, the 60,000 sq. meter City Seaview stuns water park fans with the largest man-made beach and wave pool in all of China. After a few beers, you might even be able to convince yourself you’ve arrived at the ocean. Stake out a spot under a coconut tree with a book, build sand castles or dive into the humongous waves. Get your fill of the water slides before heading over to the bar for cocktails and barbecue. You can let the little ones frolic in the children’s area. On weekends, there’s even a live band.

City Seaview, 1 Xiedao Lu, 10 minutes from Lido Hotel, 蟹岛路1号, Tel: 8433-9689, 8433-0885, www.cityseaview.net

★★★★★

Caribbean Lagoon

Fitness Factor: 5 Hygiene: 6
Family Friendly: 9 Cost: ¥75

With more than 100,000 sq. meters of slip-and-slide magic, Caribbean Lagoon Waterpark is one of China’s biggest and best water parks. Whether you’re looking for the adrenaline rush of a supersonic slide or a lazy inner tube sojourn, you’ll find it here. The only catch is the commute: it’s located in Huairou, 50 km north of the city. Designed by the same company behind Disney Water Adventures, Caribbean Lagoon includes wave pools, gargantuan slides, water rides, picnic areas and restaurants for an entire day of summer fun.

Caribbean Lagoon Waterpark, 118 Quanshuitou, Yanxi Town, Huairou, 雁栖镇泉水头118号, Tel: 8528-8966 / 8077, Web: www.caribbeanlagoon.com.cn

★★★★✩

Merry Water World

Fitness Factor: 8 Hygiene: 6
Family Friendly: 7 Cost: ¥138

Located inside an entrance hall resembling a three-star Chinese hotel, this water park might intimidate less intrepid funseekers. Push through, though, and be rewarded by an impressive array of aquatic activities. Wee ones frolic in one of two heated kiddie pools, while bigger kids can cut loose in an expansive wave pool or on any one of six water slides—including a 30-foot high half-pipe that’s better experienced than described. Buzzkill parents can get their laps out of the way in a 25-meter pool tucked into a corner.

Merry Water World, Weigou exit off the Airport Expressway, follow the signs, 东苇路金盏, Tel: 8433-7403

★★★✩✩

Tuanjiehu Water Park

Fitness Factor: 4 Hygiene: 6
Family Friendly: 8 Cost: ¥30

Located in Tuanjiehu Park, just a stone’s throw from the Hujialou subway stop, this summer classic has a mini-beach beckoning those looking to work on their tans in the heart of the city. Here you’ll find locals building sand castles and even playing a little volleyball. Stake out your territory with a large beach towel, close your eyes and pretend you’ve escaped Beijing. Then, take a break from basking in the sun with a dip in the massive wave pool or by speeding down one of three water slides. If hunger bites, nibble some chuan’r from one of the nearby snack stands.

Tuanjiehu Water Park, 16 Tuanjiehu Nanli (just outside Hujialou subway exit B), 团结南里16号, Tel: 8597-3603

Hot Hotel Pools

The Westin Chaoyang With high, vaulted ceilings and giant windows overlooking east Beijing, this 25-meter, penthouse infinity pool puts you on top of the world. ¥250/weekend day pass includes pool, sauna and Jacuzzi.
No. 1 Xinyuan Nan Road, 新源南路1号, Tel: 5922-8888, www.westin.com/chaoyang

Park Hyatt This pristine, 25-meter, naturally lit newcomer has already won a reputation as one of the capital’s finest. ¥13,500-20,000/year membership includes gym and classes.
2 Jianguomen Wai, Yintai Center, 建国门外大街2号, Tel: 8567-1234, www.beijing.park.hyatt.com

Ritz-Carlton Financial Street This gorgeous, indoor lap pool impresses with its soft lighting and serene atmosphere. ¥220/visit includes access to pool, jacuzzis, steam rooms, whirlpools and gym.
1 Jin Cheng Fang Street East, 金城坊东街1号, Tel: 6601-6666, www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/beijing_financial

Doubletree by Hilton Glass walls and ceilings allow the sun to shine down on the Doubletree’s gorgeous lap pool. The best part? There’s a BBQ pool party every Sunday with free flow of wine and beer. ¥150/visit.
168 Guang'anmen Waidajie,广安门外大街168号, Tel: 6338-1888, www.beijing.doubletree.com

Shangri-La Beijing A membership to the Shangri-La’s Esteem Club includes access to its large pool. Enjoy state-of-the art fitness equipment, Jacuzzis, a yoga room and other first-class amenities. ¥16,000/six months.
29 Zizhuyuan Lu, 紫竹院路29号, Tel: 6841-2211, www.shangri-la.com

Grand Millennium This hotel’s multi-story, world-class Oxygen Club fitness center includes cutting-edge equipment, sauna and an oversized whirlpool. ¥6,000-8,000/six months.
7 DongSanHuan Middle Road, 东三环中路7号, Tel: 8587 6888, www.millenniumhotels.com/cn/grandmillenniumbeijing