Vegas Advisor: Most hotels allow public to access pools, for a fee

With the Vegas party machine revving up for summer, the action at the pools takes center stage. 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, but be prepared to pay for the privilege. The following pools will be hopping all summer long as part of Las Vegas’ vibrant “daylife” scene: Aria, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Circa, Cosmopolitan, Durango, Downtown Grand, Encore, Excalibur, Flamingo, Fontainebleau, Golden Nugget, Green Valley Ranch, Harrah’s, Horseshoe Las Vegas, Luxor, M Resort, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Palms, Paris, Park MGM, Planet Hollywood, Plaza, Red Rock, Resorts World, Sahara, Silverton, The Linq, The Strat, Vanderpump, Venetian/Palazzo, Virgin and Wynn. 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: Once ubiquitous, “toptional” pools, meaning topless sunbathing by women is allowed (if not encouraged), are now scarce. This year there are four: Caesars Palace (Venus Pool), Mandalay Bay (Moorea Beach), Venetian (TAO) and Wynn (European Pool).

Blackjack: Making a bit of a comeback are casinos where you can play live blackjack by the pool. This year there are nine: Caesars Palace, Circa, Encore, Flamingo, Fontainebleau, Golden Nugget, Red Rock, Venetian and Wynn. Remember not to jump in the pool with your winnings in your swimsuit pocket.

Question: Are there any pools that nonguests of the hotel can get into for free?

Answer: Yes, the nonguest-friendly pool corner is at Flamingo Road and Valley View Boulevard, where the pools at the Palms and Rio are both open to all age 21 and older at no charge; nonguest poolgoers at the Rio must be players club members. Reservations are not required and parking is free at both.

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