Partygoers can dive into Vegas summer pool scene
NEW YORK TIMES / 2018
Visitors crowd the Marquee Dayclub at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas pool in Las Vegas.
Although the “official” kick-off of the pool season is traditionally pegged as Memorial Day weekend, almost all of the Las Vegas party pools are already in full swing. Unlike the days when you had to be a hotel guest to get into a casino pool, many are now open to the public for swimming or partying.
There’s usually a fee and drinks tend to be expensive, but these pools will be hopping all summer long as part of Las Vegas’ vibrant “daylife” scene: Aliante, Aria, Artisan, Caesars Palace, Cosmopolitan, Cromwell, Downtown Grand, Encore, Excalibur, Flamingo, Golden Nugget, Green Valley Ranch, Hard Rock, Harrah’s, The LINQ, Luxor, M Resort, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Mirage, NoMad, Palace Station, Palms, Planet Hollywood, Plaza, Rampart, Red Rock, Rio, Silverton, SLS, The STRAT, Sunset Station, Tropicana and Venetian.
If you don’t see the resort at which you’re staying on the list, don’t worry. All the casinos have pools for their guests, they just aren’t all open to the public.
Toptional: This year nine Las Vegas pools are classified as “toptional,” meaning topless sunbathing by women is allowed (if not encouraged): Artisan (European Pool), Caesars Palace (Venus Pool), Encore (European Pool), Mandalay Bay (Moorea Beach Club), Mirage (BARE Pool Lounge), SLS (European Pool), The STRAT (Radius), Venetian (TAO Beach) and Wynn (Sunset Pool). Most charge admission fees for non-hotel-guests.
Blackjack: If you want to play live blackjack by the pool, there are 11 casinos to choose from: Caesars Palace, Cosmopolitan, Encore, Flamingo, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, Plaza, Planet Hollywood, Red Rock, Tropicana and Wynn.
Question: Is SLS changing its name back to the Sahara?
Answer: There are currently no firm plans for a name change, although there are plenty of rumors that it will happen. Since the current owners also own a casino in Reno called Grand Sierra Resort, the leading candidate for a new name is Grand Sahara Resort.
For more information about current Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons, and good deals, go to LasVegasAdvisor.com.
