A:
This was good timing, since we just completed our first comprehensive update of the pool scene for the 2014 season. We say "first," because things have a habit of changing as the weather heats up, regular parties and concert series get underway, and space is at a premium. Early on, when the weather's still hit-and-miss and only the hardiest (or foolhardiest) are out lounging, a number of pools operate an extremely relaxed admission policy, often letting anyone in gratis. But with Spring Break upon us and Memorial Day Weekend looming, the hotter tickets in town may start excluding non-guests, or else charging a stiff cover (unless of course, you're a nubile hottie yourself, or better a group of same, in which case it's pretty much open season all-summer long).
We should make the point that in general, pool-admission policy has become more and more liberal over the span of the past half-decade plus that we've been monitoring the scene closely. This may well stem from the overbuilding frenzy that coincided with a drop in visitation as the economy crashed, leading to a desperation for bodies in general. There are a lot of party pools competing now - Rehab, Wet Republic, Liquid, Bare, Daydream, Palms, Tao, Naked, Venus Pool, Marquee, Encore Beach Club, Daylight, The Voo, Sapphire Dayclub - plus just more pool inventory in general, and it seems to be an instance of this working in the interests of the customer at least in terms of accessibility. (A few instances aside, there's no indication of any commensurate drop in cover charges where they apply, however, especially for males; on the contrary, Moorea Beach and Wet Republic are now charging guys up to $75 entrance on the weekend!)
Our "Open to the Public" listings in the Cool Pools section (click the icons in the legend to sort by specific amenity) include those open for free, or a nominal fee, but also those that host major parties and events and are open to all for a cover, so many will be included in that search that don't fit your "modest-charge" criterion (which we're interpreting as meaning $10 or less, occasionally stretching it to $15). What follows are those venues which we can confirm fit the bill at the time of this writing; again, things can and do change overnight, so call ahead before you make a special journey somewhere (and if you can't speak to someone at the pool itself, ask for the spa, as they generally will know more than the front desk or concierge, from our experience).
- Aliante (The Deck) - $10 during the week; $15 on the weekend; $20 holidays
- Artisan (Naked) - currently free to all
- Bally's (Blu Pool) - $10
Caesars - the Garden of the Gods complex opens April 22 and for those pools open to the public (which is the majority), it's $10 for non-guests during the week and $20 Fri-Sat $20
- Flamingo GO Pool - this venerable and expansive lagoon complex is $15 all summer for guests of other CET properties, but it's $25 if you're staying with a rival group/property...
- Hard Rock (Beachlife complex) - currently there's no admission charge for access to the pool complex during the week; hefty covers kick in over the weekend and for other special events (Rehab, Relax Mondays, Nectar Concert series, and so on)
- Hooters - currently open 24/7 and free to all!
- JW Marriot - this upscale pool and spa complex at the Summerlin resort is open to non-guests during the week only, for $15.
- Luxor - $10 cover only to non-guests at this Strip property that's home to a successful long-running LGBT Sunday pool party
- M Resort - the main Villagio del Sole hotel pool here is $10 to locals, $15 for non-locals, while the Daydream Pool Club $10 during the week G.A., $20 on the weekend.
- Palms - currently no cover Sun-Thurs.
- Planet Hollywood - $10 for non-hotel guests
- Rio - there's currently no cover any day at either VooDoo Beach or The Voo topless pool, the latter being a real rarity!
- Rumor - Gossip pool is currently free entry to all
- Silverton - Sway Pool is free during the week, $5 on weekends (separate charges may apply for poolside concerts and other special events)
- Stratosphere - currently free to all
- Sunset Station - $10 during the week ($20 on weekends)
- Tropicana - $10 Sun-Fri ($20 Sat.)
- Venetian (Tao) - free to men and women Mon-Thur
Update 21 April 2014
We were dubious about the info GVR gave us last week, maintaining that their pools currently offer free admission to all. Not so! An
LVA reader and local confirmed that when he tried to gain access today, he was told a $25 minimum tab was required at The Pond, and a $100 daybed rental or more in order to access the main Backyard Pool, so whoever it was with whom our researchers spoke last week was evidently full of it, not that we're suprised; but apologies to anyone who may have had a wasted journey on the back of this misinformation we were given.
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