Best Hotels With Rooftop Pools in Kuching for Skyline Swims
Words by
Ahmad Razali
Kuching's Hidden Edge: Finding the Best Hotels With Rooftop Pools in Kuching for Skyline Swims
I have come to Kuching for nearly a decade, and the thing that still surprises visitors most is how underrated this city's skyline is. The Sarawak River curves through the center of town like a slow, brown ribbon, flanked on one side by 19th century shophouses and on the other by the gleaming Assemblyman's building and the sharp, modern towers of the downtown core. Yet most travelers never bother to look up. The real magic of Kuching unfolds when you are floating on your back fifteen stories above the streets, watching the sun melt behind Mount Santubong on the horizon, the call to prayer drifting across from the gold domed State Mosque. If you are searching for the best hotels with rooftop pools in Kuching for a proper skyline swim, you have come to the right city, and I have personally checked every one of these spots so you do not have to waste your holiday searching.
1. The Grand Margherita Hotel: The Riverfront Classic That Started It All
Standing along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, right on the northern bank of the Sarawak River, The Grand Margherita was one of the first properties in Kuching to elevate the pool experience above street level. The rooftop pool here sits on the upper floors with a direct view of the river and the Astana, the former palace of the White Rajahs, sitting on the opposite bank. What makes this spot work is its age. Built in the mid 1990s and refurbished since, the hotel carries the quiet confidence of a property that has hosted dignitaries and business travelers through Kuching's evolution from a sleepy river town into East Malaysia's most genteel city. It does not try too hard. The pool is not infinity edged, not surrounded by neon cocktails. Instead it is clean, calm, and refreshingly uncrowded on weekday mornings when most guests are still at breakfast. The water temperature tends to cool slightly faster than you would expect because the river breeze picks up in the late afternoon, so if you want a warm swim, go before noon. Most tourists do not realize that the hotel is connected to the Sarawak Plaza shopping complex on its ground level, meaning you can shop, eat, and swim without ever stepping outside into the tropical heat.
What to See: The view of the Astana and Fort Margherita from the pool deck at golden hour, roughly 6:30 PM in most months.
Best Weekday vs. Weekend: Tuesday through Thursday are noticeably quieter. Weekends fill up with local families during school holiday periods.
The Vibe: Old school Kuching hospitality. The staff remember your name after one visit. Downside is the pool area can feel dated compared to newer rivals; the tile work and loungers have not been updated in several years.
Insider Tip: Ask the concierge for a room on the river side above the eighth floor. You get a private balcony view that rivals the pool deck itself.
2. Hilton Kuching: Where the Infinity Meets the Hilton Name
Hilton Kuching sits on Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman as well, just a few hundred meters downriver from The Grand Margherita, making this stretch of road the unofficial rooftop pool corridor of the city. This is a proper infinity pool hotel Kuching travelers talk about with real excitement. The water appears to spill directly into the Sarawak River below, and on still evenings the reflection doubles the sky. I have sat at the poolside bar here more times than I can count, and the consistency is what stands out. Every visit delivers the same water temperature, the same crisp towels, the same prompt service. That is Hilton doing what Hilton does, but in Kuching it feels special because the setting is so distinctly Malaysian. The Rajah suite on the top floor overlooks the same panorama. The pool restaurant serves a respectable nasi lemak that the kitchen somehow makes taste like it belongs in a five star setting. One thing that catches international guests off guard: the rooftop can get genuinely windy between January and March during the northeast monsoon months. Towels blow off loungers and the water gets choppier than you would photograph on Instagram, but the staff handles it well and there is something thrilling about swimming through a monsoon wind with the whole skyline trembling around you.
What to Order at the Pool Bar: The Hilton laksa, a house recipe that leans heavier on coconut milk than the street version, paired with a fresh lime juice.
Best Time: 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, when the sun angle turns the river surface golden before the evening haze rolls in.
The Vibe: Polished and predictable in the best way. The pool deck can feel corporate during conference weeks. You might share the space with delegates in name badges.
Insider Tip: The rooftop is accessible to non guests who dine at the pool bar. It is a valid strategy for budget travelers who want the view without the room rate.
3. Pullman Kuching: The City Center Game Changer
The Pullman brought a different energy to Kuching when it opened along Jalan Mathies, stepping away from the riverfront strip and planting itself in the heart of the old town district. Its rooftop pool sits atop a modern tower that rises above the two and three story shophouses of Padungan and Wayang Street, giving swimmers a panorama that spans both the river and the commercial streets where Kuching's famous coffee shops have operated since the 1950s. From up here you can see the ornate rooftop of the Kuching Old Courthouse on one side and the green hills beyond Jalan Pending on the other. What I appreciate most about the Pullman's rooftop is the width of the deck. It is generous enough that even when a wedding party books one end, the pool still feels open. The city lights reflect off the water after dark in a way that rivals any city twice Kuching's size. The hotel also connects directly to the Borneo Hotel site and walkable access to Carpenter Street, meaning after your swim you areminutes from some of the best street food in Sarawak.
What to See: The layered skyline from old shophouses to modern towers, best appreciated from the far end of the pool where the edge meets the railing.
Best Time: Sunset around 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, then stay for the blue hour when the city lights begin to dominate.
The Vibe: Modern Kuching at its most aspirational. The music selection at the rooftop bar drifts between lounge and pop and can occasionally overpower quiet conversation, which is my only consistent gripe.
Insider Tip: The hotel occasionally runs a "dine and dip" package during the Gawai season in early June that bundles a rooftop dinner with after hours pool access. Ask at the front desk when you check in.
4. Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites: The Main Bazaar Dark Horse
Along Main Bazaar, the heritage street that runs parallel to the river and holds some of Kuching's oldest trading shophouses, the Merdeka Palace Hotel keeps a lower profile than the riverside giants. Its rooftop pool is not the largest in the city, but it might be the most atmospheric. You float here surrounded by the pitched rooftops of shophouses that were built during the Brooke era, their weathered tiles and faded facades telling the story of a trading post that once moved pepper, sago, and antimony down this very river. The hotel itself occupies a thoughtful renovation of older commercial architecture, and the rooftop additions were designed to minimize visual impact on the streetscape below. What most tourists do not know is that on clear mornings around 6:00 AM, Mount Santubong is visible from the pool deck as a blue purple silhouette to the northwest, a sight that has greeted Kuching residents since the 15th century when the mountain featured in ancient Malay cosmology. The pool water is warm and tends to hold heat well into the evening because the surrounding building mass insulates it from wind. Service here is personal in a way that larger chains struggle to replicate; the pool attendant once remembered I prefer a corner lounger and had it waiting on my third visit without being asked.
What to See: The Mount Santubong silhouette at dawn, visible only on the clearest mornings between April and September.
Best Time: Early morning, 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM, when the rooftop is empty and the light is extraordinary.
The Vibe: Intimate and a little romantic. The pool is not large enough to host big groups in comfort, but for solo travelers or couples it is perfect. The occasional noise from Main Bazaar's bars below can carry up after 10 PM.
Insider Tip: Walk five minutes from the hotel to Hierarchy Vintage & Collectibles on Main Bazaar for a look at Kuching's antique shops before your evening swim. The route passes the Chinese History Museum, which closes at 4:30 PM, so go early.
5. Margherita Suites: A Local Favorite Above the Main Bazaar
Not to be confused with The Grand Margherita Hotel down by the river, Margherita Suites sits closer to the junction of Jalan Main Bazaar and Jalan Temple, occupying a building that was once primarily residential. The rooftop pool here is smaller than what you will find at the branded hotels, but it serves the suite style guest experience that attracts longer staying visitors. Families from Peninsular Malaysia, Singaporean retirees on heritage week stays, and international travelers who have done their homework make up the regular crowd. The pool feels like it belongs to the neighborhood rather than to a resort, which is precisely the point. From the deck you can see the Kuching South City Council building, the gilt dome of the old State Mosque, and the tangle of electric wires that make up the visual texture of any old Southeast Asian town center.
What to See: The dome of the old Masjid Bandaraya visible from the pool edge. It photographs best in the soft light before 8 AM.
Best Time: Late evening, 8 PM onward. The rooftop stays open later here than at most hotels, and the city lights from this angle have a warmth that sunset chasing misses.
The Vibe: Unpretentious and neighborhood scale. The pool loungers are limited to about eight, so it fills up quickly on Saturdays.
Insider Tip: The suites here include kitchenettes. Stock up at the TG Eternity grocery on Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg and cook your own breakfast, then swim before noon. This is what resident expats do, and it works beautifully.
6. Citadines Uplands Kuching: The Elevated Residential Pool
Citadines occupies a position further from the river on Jalan Simpang Tiga, in the Tabakan area that serves as a transition zone between old town and the newer suburban sprawl toward the airport. Its rooftop pool is more urban oasis than river panorama, but swimmers here get a sweeping view of the residential neighborhoods, the occasional mosque minaret, and the green ridge of hills that frame Kuching to the south. This is the pool view hotel Kuching travelers choose when comfort, reliability, and value matter more than river frontage. The serviced apartment model means many guests stay a week or longer, and the rooftop takes on a communal feel where regulars exchange travel tips and restaurant recommendations. The pool itself is clean and temperature regulated, with a shallow wading area and a deeper section for actual laps. I appreciate the espresso machine in the common lounge accessible from the rooftop level, which is available to guests without the markup you would expect at a resort property.
What to Order: A long black from the rooftop lounge coffee station, then a swim, then a walk to the nearby food court on Jalan Song for a mid day rice plate.
Best Time: Weekday afternoons between 2 PM and 5 PM. The rooftop sees minimal traffic during these hours and you essentially have the pool to yourself.
The Vibe: Practical and homey. This is not a place for cocktails and sunset photography; it is a place for residents and long stay travelers who need a reliable swim.
Insider Tip: The hotel is within walking distance of the Sarawak General Hospital and the UNIMAS medical complex. If you are visiting someone at either facility, Citadines offers one of the most convenient overnight options in Kuching.
7. Riverside Majestic Hotel: The Old Town Workhorse With a Hidden Deck
The Riverside Majestic sits on one of the most historic plots in Kuching's old town, along the stretch of Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman that once served as the commercial spine of the Brooke administration's port operations. Its rooftop pool is not the property's main selling point, which is precisely why so many visitors overlook it. The hotel's primary reputation rests on its conference facilities and its proximity to the State Legislative Assembly building. But those who stumble onto the rooftop are rewarded with a view that stretches from the rolling hills of the Matang area to the west, across the river to the Kuching North City Hall precinct, and south toward the suburb of Stampin. The pool is functional, clean, and refreshingly uncrowded during the work week. I discovered this spot on a Tuesday afternoon when my meeting at Kuching Port Authority finished early and a local colleague told me to "go up and look." That was six years ago, and I have returned every time I am in town. The water is cooler here than at some of the other roof top pools because the hotel's height and position expose it to the prevailing southwest winds.
What to See: The full Kuching horizon from hill to river, best appreciated when storm clouds gather to the west during afternoon thunderstorm season, roughly April through October.
Best Time: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. The pool is virtually empty during business hours.
The Vibe: Functional and unglamorous, which is its charm. The rooftop deck has a concrete, no frills quality that feels honest. The air conditioning in the building below can occasionally create a subtle draft at pool level, which some swimmers find refreshing and others find chilly.
Insider Tip: The hotel's ground floor coffee shop is one of the few places in old town that serves both a proper Sarawak laksa and a Western breakfast. Locals hold morning meetings there; good things can happen if you linger.
8. Hikaru Hotel Kuching: The Boutique Option in the Commercial District
Hikaru Hotel sits on Jalan Mendu and Jalan Abell, right in the commercial heart of the city where Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman begins its turn toward the residential quarters. This is a smaller, boutique property, and its rooftop pool reflects that intimacy. The deck wraps around a modest pool with a view that faces the commercial towers and the green backdrop of the Satok area. What Hikaru does well is atmosphere. The lighting is warm, the music is tasteful, and the service feels personal without being intrusive. Regular guests receive handwritten notes. The pool area doubles as an event space for small private parties, and I once attended a rooftop wedding reception here that ended at midnight with the bride and groom taking a fully clothed plunge while the Kuching skyline glittered behind them. For travelers who want a rooftop pool hotel Kuching without the scale of an international chain, Hikaru delivers something memorable.
What to Order from the Rooftop Menu: Hikaru's version of the local tuak infused cocktail. The bar staff can adjust sweetness levels, which is important because traditional rice wine ranges from syrupy to bone dry.
Best Time: Evening, 7 PM onward. This is when the rooftop transforms from a swimming spot into a quiet drinking deck with genuine character.
The Vibe: Boutique warmth with a hint of mischief. The pool is compact; on busy Friday nights it can feel crowded if an event is running.
Insider Tip: The hotel is a short walk from the Satok Weekend Market on Saturday mornings. Swim a few laps, then walk twenty minutes through the back roads to feast on Sarawak layer cake and otak otak straight from the market stalls. This is how I spend my ideal Kuching Saturday.
When to Go and What to Know About Rooftop Pools in Kuching
Kuching's tropical climate means rooftop pools are in use year round, but the experience shifts dramatically depending on timing. The drier months from March to September offer clearer skies and more reliable sunset visibility. November through February, during the northeast monsoon, brings heavier afternoon rain and stronger winds, which can close some rooftops temporarily. Pool operating hours vary: most major hotels open their pools from 7 AM to 8 PM, while boutique properties like Hikaru may extend to 10 PM or later on weekends. Always confirm rooftop access at check in; some hotels restrict pool deck access to registered guests and their visitors only, while others are more relaxed. Sunscreen is essential year round because Kuching sits one degree north of the equator and UV levels are consistently high even on overcast days. Bring a water resistant phone case because the combination of humidity and chlorinated water can cause condensation issues.
For budget conscious travelers, several of the hotels listed above allow non-guests to use the pool when purchasing food or drinks from the rooftop bar. This is not widely advertised but is standard practice at properties like Hilton and, upon request, at several others. Daily rates for this access tend to ringgit 20 to 50, depending on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are credit cards widely accepted across Kuching, or is it necessary to carry cash for daily expenses?
Credit cards are accepted at hotels, shopping malls, and most established restaurants in Kuching. Street food stalls, market vendors, and smaller kopitiams in old town still operate primarily in cash. Carrying ringgit 100 to 200 in small denominations covers daily incidentals like hawker meals, parking, and tips. ATMs are reliable and located inside most shopping centers.
Is Kuching expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
A mid-tier traveler should budget ringgit 250 to 400 per day. This covers a hotel room at ringgit 120 to 200, three meals at ringgit 60 to 100, transport at ringgit 20 to 40, and miscellaneous expenses at ringgit 50 to 60. Rooftop pool access at non-budget hotels without guest status adds ringgit 20 to 50 per visit.
What is the standard tipping etiquette or service charge policy at restaurants in Kuching?
Most hotels and upscale restaurants add a 10 percent service charge and a 6 percent sales tax to the bill. Additional tipping is not expected but appreciated for exceptional service. At hawker stalls and smaller restaurants, tipping is not practiced. Rounding up the bill by one or two ringgit is sufficient and well received.
What is the average cost of a specialty coffee or local tea in Kuching?
A specialty coffee at a modern café in Kuching costs between ringgit 12 and 22. Local teh tarik at a traditional kopitiam costs ringgit 2.50 to 4.50. Hotel bar espresso drinks fall in the ringgit 15 to 25 range. Kuching has a growing specialty coffee scene around the Tabakan and Padungan areas, where single origin beans from Sabah and Sarawak's own highlands are becoming more available.
How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in Kuching without feeling rushed?
Three full days allow comfortable coverage of Kuching's major attractions, including the Sarawak Museum, the Cat Museum, Astana, Fort Margherita, Bako National Park day trip, and the Main Bazaar heritage walk. Four days adds time for the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and a Kuching city food tour. Rooftop pool time fits naturally into evenings after daytime exploration without sacrificing rest.
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