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July 26, 2022
Like a tale from the Arabian Nights. Enjoy adult time at Ishigaki Island's golden 'Night Pool'! | TRAVEL
TRAVEL | ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort
Tonight, a free-flow of Perrier-Jouët. Elevate your stay with a full rank-up at Club InterContinental (1)
ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort has launched its 2022 summer "Night Pool"! Even more exciting, they've collaborated with the esteemed champagne house "Perrier-Jouët" to offer a free-flow plan, making this big news. For plan details,please refer to this articleHere, we report from the scene on what this wonderful combination of Japan's first "Night Pool" x "Champagne" x "Free Flow" was actually like. While the 2022 Night Pool is also available for day visitors, we highly recommend staying in the Club Wing to fully experience a dreamlike resort stay.
Photographs by OHTAKI Kaku | Text by HASEGAWA Aya | Edit by TSUCHIDA Takashi
The "Best Shot" of Summer 2022: A Champagne Glass by the Poolside
Edit: Tsuchida“Hey, Hasegawa-san, doesn't ‘Night Pool’ sound incredibly wonderful? Enjoying drinks by the poolside in the cool evening air. This is the epitome of adult summer time!”
Writer: Hasegawa“It’s become a popular summer playground for adults now, but it was quite shocking when it first appeared, wasn't it, ‘Night Pool’? Come to think of it, I looked into who first started the ‘Night Pool,’ and it seems Hotel New Otani pioneered it in 1999. So early! I always felt that ‘Night Pool’ was less about actually swimming and more about enjoying drinks.”
Tsuchida“It’s like people go there to drink.”
Hasegawa“I imagined it as a poolside club where party people gather (laughs).”
Tsuchida“And now it's come to Okinawa. And not just that, but a champagne free-flow! This is an incredible promotion that hasn't even been realized in Tokyo yet. Can anything be more wonderful than this?!”
Hasegawa“I’m so happy! I could cry (laughs)! Until now, ‘Night Pools’ have been fun in terms of the situation, but the variety and quality of drinks have tended to be a bit lacking (according to my research), with things like bizarrely flavored mojitos that make you wonder, ‘What exactly is the definition of a mojito?’ (laughs). Honestly, I wasn't satisfied with the drinks. But now, a champagne free-flow, Tsuchida-san!”
Tsuchida“And it’s amazing that the maison ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort chose is Perrier-Jouët. This is the first time Perrier-Jouët has collaborated with a night pool in Japan.”
Hasegawa“They really went for it! The moment I heard this news, my heart and liver flew to Ishigaki Island.”
Tsuchida“And it’s held every day throughout the summer, which is wonderful. I bet many people will be heading to Ishigaki Island just for this night pool. Summer vacation during the pandemic, Okinawa is certainly a popular destination, but this year, I definitely want to go to Ishigaki.”
Hasegawa“And so, we actually went (laughs). But honestly, I wondered if bringing such a sophisticated culture like a ‘Night Pool’ to Ishigaki Island would be accepted. Would the locals embrace this culture? But… it was an unnecessary worry. When we went, it was bustling even on weekdays. And everyone looked like they were having so much fun! It was filled with a happy aura.”
Tsuchida“Hasegawa-san, what did you think of the atmosphere of the new pool? I felt like I was in Arabian Nights. There were cabanas scattered around the pool, glowing in gold. The pool lighting was emerald green, which also matched the colors of Perrier-Jouët's anemones. It felt like the whole setting was coordinated to enjoy Perrier-Jouët.”
Hasegawa“As the sun set, it became more and more dramatic. Perhaps, or rather, undoubtedly, the effects of the Perrier-Jouët intoxication played a part (laughs). It seems we weren't the only ones who felt that way, as there were definitely more people splashing around in the pool after dark. And, if I may say something a bit girly, one of the great things about night pools is that you can swim without worrying about getting a tan!”
Tsuchida“And there are no children around. Adults can have fun without feeling self-conscious.”
Hasegawa“Although they say young people don't drink as much these days, the young couples were having a blast, drinking Perrier-Jouët. Besides the free-flow, there's also a plan for glasses, but when I asked the hotel staff, they said that people overwhelmingly choose the free-flow option.”
Tsuchida“Of course. I want to drink Perrier-Jouët until I’m satisfied.”
Hasegawa“Right? I never thought Perrier-Jouët and night pools would be such a perfect match.”