My friends on the east coast and midwest have been regaling me with horror stories about the harsh winter they have been experiencing. I usually then torture them with descriptions of the 75 degree February days that make putting up with Los Angeles traffic worth it.
But spring is almost here and with it comes the official opening of the Las Vegas pool season. So forget about those mounds of snow outside your window, let's talk about the best places in Vegas for splashing around and soaking up the sun.
The places I have listed below are my opinion of the best pools in town. My qualifications for best are the size and quality of the facilities, the amount of lounging space and shade, and the number of pretty things to look at, be it lush landscaping or hard bodies.
In alphabetical order:
Caesars Palace
The classical Roman details (statues! columns!) are a hoot, but it's really about the sheer number of options you have here. With multiple pools, lots of different lounging areas, and plenty of eye candy, this is one of the most entertaining facilities in town.
Encore
It's not huge, but the gorgeous landscaping and luxurious amenities more than make up for a lack of square-footage.
Flamingo
Long regarded as the blueprint by which Las Vegas pools are measured, the Flamingo's facility is most notable for is dense tropical foliage and multiple swimming holes.
Golden Nugget
This one is tiny in comparison to most, but the recent remodeling and expansion of the Nugget's pool, complete with a swim through shark tank and a separate, adults only infinity pool, are winning.
Green Valley Ranch
Located on the south side of town, this beautiful facility features a sandy beach, multiple soaking options, and tons of places to lounge. Oh, and the views of The Strip in the distance are pretty cool too.
Hard Rock
Their main pool area is almost legendary as one of the biggest party spots in town, luring the young and gym-toned set to its sandy-bottomed shores. An expansion opening this spring will more than double the space and add more pools and partying.
Loew's Lake Las Vegas
Probably the best pool in town for families, the Loew's facility features multiple water slides and some sumptuous views of the surrounding Lake Las Vegas area.
Mandalay Bay
Wave pool. Enough said.
Mirage
When the Mirage opened in 1989, it raised the proverbial bar in a lot of categories including its pool area. Richly landscaped and full of fun details, this is the place that most resorts that followed it studied.
Red Rock Resort
The circular pool area is not only pretty to look at, but there are usually lots of options for laying around and getting some rays.
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