FEATURES / HIGHLIGHTS

Cool Pools of Las Vegas
Michael Anthony
7/22/2010

With the recent opening of citycenter, Sin City is more fabulously glitzed and marvelously glammed than ever. Yes, this summer, Las Vegas R&R is cool as can be and partying hard comes twice as hot! And while the desert sun is guaranteed to set your vacationing soul afire, this sleepless city offers respite; take a dive into these, our favorite Las Vegas pools—some new, some classic, some exclusive—but all of them all-around fabulous!

Luxor

The Luxor Hotel has long been a staple monument of the Las Vegas skyline, and its pool is no different. Classic and charmingly kitsch in its pyramid-themed ambiance, the swimmery is a must-visit for families of all shapes and sizes. But why is it our number one Las Vegas pool this summer? The answer is simple … Temptation Sundays at Luxor! It’s a weekly all-LGBTQ pool party dripping with the city’s hottest boys, refreshing drinks and the best DJs to venture out in the daylight—getting wet and wild with hard-bodied boys has never been so … gay! With the entire South Pool open only to 21-plus gay guys, lesbian ladies and their BFFs, Sunday afternoons consistently heat up with special queer treats, like when cast members from some of the city’s hottest shows unexpectedly drop in for impromptu performances. In gay man’s laymen’s terms—if you’re looking for a poolside in which to glitter and be gay, Sundays from 1-7 p.m. at the Luxor simply cannot be beat! Luxor.com

Vdara Pool & Lounge

Quietly nestled away in the CityCenter complex is the exclusive Vdara Hotel & Spa—and if it wasn’t pointed out, you might not even know a pool was there. But that’s exactly why we love it! A beautifully simplistic and mod oasis, Vdara’s Pool & Lounge offers six spa cabanas with interior seating, outdoor chaise lounges and plunging pools. Unique poolside spa treatments feature Akhassa, a line inspired by spa rituals from Thailand with properties of lemongrass, Kaffir lime, jasmine and hibiscus flower. And when it gets simply too hot to stay outdoors, the hotel’s signature spa is a mere elevator ride away. Boasting Zen-stirring treatments and serene lounges, this retreat is one way Vdara Hotel & Spa brings its poolside splendor indoors, creating an elegant sanctuary for the discerning traveler, especially after a trip through the Health & Beauty’s fashionable Champagne Bar. If you need a break from all the noise of a city that never sleeps, this pool-turned-spa is the answer to your vacationing prayers. Vdara.com

Liquid at Aria

If an all-out seaside party is what you’re in search of, Liquid does not disappoint. An exclusive adults-only clandestine getaway, the 1,200 square-foot pool boasts pampering and a premier party experience with VIP-only dipping pools, lounge-inducing chaise couches and luxurious day beds, intoxicating cocktails and a state-of-the-art sound system for the world’s top DJs and performers. But trust us—this hotspot is not for those that want to sleep in the sun. The music doesn’t stop and neither do the drinks; Liquid is a hearty party in full swing, one that gays, straights and all colors of the rainbow take part in—without respite. Like an exclusive nightclub but in broad, poolside daylight, the music starts early and the festivities rage on until closing time. If you’re looking for the wildest water-wonderland watering hole in Sin City, Liquid is surely it. AriaLasVegas.com

The Tank at The Golden Nugget

A good ol’ fashioned Vegas jaunt is never complete without a trip off the strip. And if you’re looking for a pool that you’ll never forget, The Tank is guaranteed to be it. As you travel through its sealed multi-leveled water slide, you’ll feel as if you are literally swimming with the sharks. Yes, the hotel’s tank houses hundreds of animals from all over the globe: sharks, stingrays and giant fish, oh my! Providing nonstop kitsch and adventure for the kids (and all-aged kids at heart), The Tank is one stop-off that’s surely worth the taxi ride. And don’t forget to bring the (hopefully waterproof) camera! GoldenNugget.com

Moorea Beach Club at Mandalay Bay

If you love all the amenities of Mandalay Bay Beach but need a little 21-and-over-only respite, the Moorea Beach Club is just the ticket for you. The exclusive European-style pool offers up opium beds, private pavilions, dipping pools and a private poolside bar. With a mixed crowd that’s trendy as can be, the hotspot is never packed to capacity, so there’s always room to stretch out; but it’s busy enough for interesting people-watching and even better conversation. Whether you sleep away the day or dive into the child-free pool, Moorea is truly the chicest way to take in the poolside sunshine. And an equally chic must-do is pairing a day at Moorea with an afternoon at THEhotel’s Bathhouse. The most exclusive spa that the Mandalay Bay complex has to offer, its dark-stoned décor and rushing waterways artfully set the scene for its unparalleled spa treatments and state-of-the-art gym (arguably the best in Vegas). Yes, a Moorea-cum-Bathhouse outing is definitely the top-notch ticket for the mature-minded traveler in search of their personal Zen. MandalayBay.com

Mandalay Bay Beach

Perfect for gay families (and straight ones alike), the Mandalay Bay pool cannot be beat. Built upon an 11-acre tropical water environment, it features more than 2,700 tons of sprawling sand dunes, a lazy river, four swimming pools and a jogging track, as well as a slew of private gazebos, cabanas and beachside bungalows. But definitely not to be missed is the hotspot’s signature wave pool, which throws six-foot crests at those brave enough to venture into its waters; the watery ups-and-downs is a unique Vegas treat that the whole family is guaranteed to love. And if you’re a gambler that just can’t give up, a three-tiered Beachside Casino is also onsite and readily waiting on your bets. Boasting an open-air bar and grill, as well as a climate-controlled gaming floor (the only of its kind in Las Vegas), it’s a great way to pull your slots in an air-conditioned breeze while still watching the kiddies ride the Mandalay Bay waves. MandalayBay.com

Bellagio Hotel

A true “Mediterranean-infused al fresco masterpiece,” the Bellagio hotel pool arena is arguably the most beautiful on the strip. With its perfectly peerless azure waters, five hand-carved stone pools whet the whistle of every water lover: an immense classic pool for wading and dipping, a lap pool for the fitness-minded traveler and three smaller pools, each with their own “vibe” (family-filled, relaxers-only and the singly-and-mingly). Come for the beauty and stay for the sunny scenery; but be sure to come early—this is one pool that packs up fast—like, no-deck-chairs-left-after-10-a.m. fast! Bellagio.com

Wynn Hotel

While the Wynn pool is strictly guest-only access, the oasis is well worth the price of a room. A large dumbbell-shaped pool (two smaller oval pools connected by a large lap-way) is complimented by many often-available lounge chairs, free for the taking. Tall hedges create shade when desired and privacy always. The Wynn’s cabanas are top-notch, in true Steve Wynn style; classically beautiful, but with just enough luxurious ostentatiousness to make for a memorable trip. And if you’re lucky enough to be able to afford a room here, make sure to splurge on one of the pool’s designer drinks—they’re some of the best on the strip and well worth the price! WynnLasVegas.com

Mirage Hotel

Hands down the most popular sunning locale in Vegas, the Mirage pool has withstood the test of time. Guests come far and wide to relish in the tropical landscape—drumming up a fantasy Hawaiian getaway in Vegas’s own economical backyard. With cabanas and a staff reminiscent of old-school Las Vegas, Mirage’s pool offers the more classic Sin City charms that many of the larger, more recent hotels have lost. (Here, all shapes and sizes abound  unabashedly; it’s not only the hangout of the young, hot and infamous.) But be sure to make friends with someone staying at the hotel; because access to this hotspot is by key card only! Mirage.com

Paris Hotel

Boasting one of the few rooftop pools in Las Vegas, Paris’ watery hideaway is a picturesque escape nestled in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Here, one can meander through nearly two acres of Classic French-inspired gardens while strolling high above the strip. Featuring air conditioned cabanas, containing all the amenities of a Paris hotel room suite, and professional massage therapists ready to muster up poolside rubdowns, a trip to the famed “octagonal pool” is a true high-in-the-sky must-visit for any first time Vegas vacationer! ParisLasVegas.com


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