Las Vegas - VEGAS pool scene (MAY) - where to stay?

SAT/SUN - Mandalay Bay (FREE)
MON-TUES/WED - was thinking either BALLYS ($40/nt)/FLAMINGOs($50/nt)

Search got me some outdated info. This May i'll be heading their for BACH party, so thought we'd hit the pools+pool clubs. Thought i'd get some info, so we can decide where to stay.

Pools are for hotel guests only? But i'm assuming all they need is a key car right? I think that weekend, we might have 2 that will stay at the Luxor next door. So Wanted to be sure they could just get in to the Mandalay Bay pools with one of our cards.

As for MON-WED - we'll prob slide over closer to the center of the strip. I'd read the GO Pool is ok, but that info might be dated. I dont mind driving to another property to hit a pool party. I'm assuming its the same as the club scene? lines or bottle service? I mean I cant imagine places like Rehab are full of people who only stay at Hard Rock.

Any insight/tips appreciated. Like I don't mind staying at Ballys/Flamingos to save everyone some $$$ to spend on BACH events. But like if it costs more for non-guests to get into places, then that'd definitely factor into where we should stay.

I guess I'd just try and stay at the hotel with the pool you want to hang out in the most. You didn't mention what is the most important thing to you? You want the lowest price? The swankiest room?

Given the choice of a cheap room at Flamingo, or a cheap room at Bally's, I would pick Bally's. All bets are off though, if you can get an upgrade at either one (Go room at Flamingo, or a North Tower Deluxe at Bally's). Take the upgrade at whichever hotel will give it to you.

if we stayed at BALLYS/FLAMIGO...but then wanted to head to another casino's pool - do we just pay to get in?

i'm looking at Aria/VDARA/WYNN - and there in the 100-120 range+resort fee. so i'm thinking of it this way (cost of staying at Flamingo $50, +$20-30 to get into other casino pool) ...then it's not that much more for me to just stay at a 5*

price is always good. But I like value. Only prob with a 5* is I think a few of us wont gamble their table limits. So they'd still walk back to those Harrahs properties.

I don't actually know much about the Las Vegas pool scene. There's a fairly comprehensive list of pools and amenities here (http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/coolpools.cfm). That list tells you which pools are open to the public, but I would expect that you'd have to pay for a day pass at most or all of them.

Las Vegas has "nightclub VIP passes" that you can buy for around a hundred bucks that let you skip the lines and automatically get into some of the popular clubs. As far as I know, there is no such equivalent for the pool scene. However, these guys (http://www.vegaspassport.com/partners/pools) have a list of "pool partners" so maybe buying one of their nightclub passes also gets you into the pool partners. It might be worth looking into if you like any of the pools listed. Maybe send them an email and ask what's the deal.

You don't have to be a guest at the hotel to go to the pool clubs, like Rehab, Wet Republic, Encore Beach Club, etc. You just pay the admission fee, and like the night clubs, there are varying levels of service - you can pay $$$ for bungalows, lounge chairs, daybeds, etc.

It's easier if you're staying at the hotel, though. For example, hotel guests get free entrance to Rehab at the Hard Rock with their own entrance if you're staying over that Sunday.

The regular hotel pools are usually for hotel guests only. I say usually because some slot clubs have pool access as an elite benefit for their high rollers.

Center strip pools. If money is not an option the Wynn, Venetian, Bellagio, and Caesars all have great pools. I can not remember how much the cabana was at the Wynn but it was nice. Belagio and Caesars pool areas are more relaxing. The Venetian had a lot of people but I was still able to get a chair.
The Flamingo pool has been packed with people and seems to have a younger vibe. Ballys was not packed when I was there - it was early in the pool season - but seemed to have much older people there. If you are picking between these two properties I would lean towards Flamingo for the pool based on some of the things you mentioned in your post.
Remember to check on the daily fees when you are booking a room - that can add up to $25/day. I believe Ballys, Caesars, and the Flamingo do not have these fees.

The Mandalay Bay pool is one of the best that doesn't have an additional fee. Each guest will need a room key for admission. For a more bachelor-party atmosphere you will want to go to one of the day clubs. For those you do not need a hotel key but admission is pricey. Consider getting a cabana at one of the cheaper properties if you want bang for the buck. The Golden Nugget downtown has a nice pool and fairly inexpensive cabanas. On the Strip, Encore Beach Club is probably the best. Bare and Moorea are also good. The Venus Pool at Caesars Palace is also a nice option for a group of men.

QL

since our rooms at the Mandalay are covered that weekend, we'll just party at Moorea. But the other days to get into the general pool, each of us needs a card? I better make sure we have enough when we check in. Does it matter if I try to stick 4 in a room/tell them only 2? I know they charge above 2/room. I mean..just 1 card/person to get in pool?

as for MON/TUES...I think FLAMINGO It is for the non-resort fee/younger crowd. I might try to priceline/hotwire into one of the center strip 5* (Betterbidding history for last year had some nice deals for the same week)

At Mandalay Bay you need a valid room key for each pool guest. They swipe them to check validity. You don't need a room key for Moorea, but of course they charge admission.

I would start by just asking for 4 keys when you check in. It's no problem if you're a casino VIP, but I'm not sure about the general public or invited guests on room-only comps.

QL

If you're looking for a fun pool experience than Flamingo has a great, "lagoon" type pool that is 4ft deep all the way across with waterfalls, cocktail waitresses, and slides for the kids. There's been a decent number of fun people when I've gone, and there are tons of seats and areas of the pool to hang out and relax.

I wouldn't classify it as a "pool party" though by the modern Vegas definition, and you may be disappointed if you are in a group of guys going there hoping to be seen/heard and hoping to see/meet others.
For that type of experience I'd recommend what others have said, such as Encore Beach Club, Bare at Mirage, etc. Those are specifically targeted at a 21-3X clientele, and is much more of a "party" scene, but will cost much more ($35/head entrance fee sounds about right). These are basically day clubs, so expect the usual line, bottle service, cabana rentals, etc.

Sort of by design, the "day clubs" will cost your group as much as, if not more, than a night at the club. From there, it's just a matter of preferences. :)

Last year the Flamingo changed their pools all around. Now the tiny "Go Pool" up top by the Cafe is the family pool and the huge lagoon pool with the waterfalls is 18+ only with loud music and dj's.... Not nearly the same experiance for the kiddos anymore...

If you're looking for a fun pool experience than Flamingo has a great, "lagoon" type pool that is 4ft deep all the way across with waterfalls, cocktail waitresses, and slides for the kids. There's been a decent number of fun people when I've gone, and there are tons of seats and areas of the pool to hang out and relax.

I wouldn't classify it as a "pool party" though by the modern Vegas definition, and you may be disappointed if you are in a group of guys going there hoping to be seen/heard and hoping to see/meet others.
For that type of experience I'd recommend what others have said, such as Encore Beach Club, Bare at Mirage, etc. Those are specifically targeted at a 21-3X clientele, and is much more of a "party" scene, but will cost much more ($35/head entrance fee sounds about right). These are basically day clubs, so expect the usual line, bottle service, cabana rentals, etc.

Sort of by design, the "day clubs" will cost your group as much as, if not more, than a night at the club. From there, it's just a matter of preferences. :)

At Mandalay Bay you need a valid room key for each pool guest. They swipe them to check validity. You don't need a room key for Moorea, but of course they charge admission.

I would start by just asking for 4 keys when you check in. It's no problem if you're a casino VIP, but I'm not sure about the general public or invited guests on room-only comps.

QL

I know most/all rooms are double occupancy. On the 3d you pay right? so if I ask for 4 keys will they charge us? My room is comped fully including the resort fee + resort credit already.

oregonrebel - thanks for that info. I was looking to move away from the FLAM, but that info makes it much more attractable.

I can't speak to the "day clubs," as I've never been to any. When I've overheard them though, my first thought always seems to be "wow, what loud, lousy music...and you have to PAY to listen to that."

A couple options: Mandalay Bay has a cool wave-maker, and a very cool lazy river. MGM has a huge pool complex but its only true selling point for me is a lazy river (that I love)...it takes 10 minutes just to go around once. Those are my favorite pools in Vegas. You have to be hotel guest to use them.

Downtown, the Golden Nugget's "The Tank," is an extremely unique and interesting pool, for a number of reasons. I don't think you need to be a hotel guest to use it - they might charge a fee if you are not though, I'm not sure. I have not used their pool however, because I never stay downtown and it's just too inconvenient to get to during the day. I have seen it at night when I've ventured downtown, and always said to myself...."wow, how cool, I have to go swimming here one day."

If you are looking for a "day club/pool party," I've never heard of anyone being disappointed with "Rehab" at The Hard Rock..which takes place every Sunday.

Also keep in mind that the popular pools can get EXTREMELY crowded on the weekends. You might consider a weekday trip if that's a big concern.

Good luck.

I know most/all rooms are double occupancy. On the 3d you pay right? so if I ask for 4 keys will they charge us? My room is comped fully including the resort fee + resort credit already.


I can't say for sure but I would guess they will just give you four keys at the Invited Guest counter. Let us know.

QL

Last year the Flamingo changed their pools all around. Now the tiny "Go Pool" up top by the Cafe is the family pool and the huge lagoon pool with the waterfalls is 18+ only with loud music and dj's.... Not nearly the same experiance for the kiddos anymore...

Thanks for the info! [sigh] I need to stay there more often.

Hard Rock pool is a lot of fun depending your age.

Mandalay Bay is easygoing and free!

Have fun!