Vegas pools

Summer is coming up and Vegas can get pretty warm. Picking a hotel also will include which has the best pool. Here is a guide:

NOT YOUR TYPICAL HOTEL POOL
Visitors often choose to vacation to Las Vegas because of its fabulous year-round sunshine. That famous desert dry heat can make lounging by the hotel pool for the day sound like paradise. It's no surprise, then, that the pools in Las Vegas are popular, but it's not just because they are a great way to beat the heat. Guests spend hours soaking up the sun simply because Las Vegas has some of the coolest pools in the world.

Only Las Vegas can bring the ocean and the beach to the desert. Mandalay Bay actually trucked in more than 1,700 tons of sand from Southern California for its 11-acre tropical water environment. The area includes a 1.6-million-gallon wave pool with waves that reach as high as five feet, three swimming pools and a jogging track. The resort's lazy river is 3.25 feet deep and stretches around the entire pool deck. Recently, Mandalay Bay added Las Vegas' only climate-controlled poolside gaming venue. Just a few feet from crystal-clear waves, a new three-story, glass-fronted Beach Casino invites guests to indulge at their leisure. The first level offers a casual bar and grill while the second level features table games with expansive, open-air views. On the third floor, guests will find the spectacular Villas Soleil, luxury pool villas ranging from 250 to 500 square feet. With your toes buried in the sand and with a refreshing cocktail in hand, it can be difficult to remember that you're in the middle of the Mojave Desert!

From a tropical beach to an ancient Roman oasis, you'll discover a place truly fit for the immortal at Garden of the Gods Pool at Caesars Palace. The ancient Romans revered water for its healing powers and indulged in the luxury of public baths among fragrant gardens. Surrounded by marble statues and relaxing fountains, you'll appreciate that Roman ideology as you enjoy four sapphire pools and two whirlpool spas. Enjoy private, European sunbathing at The Venus Pool, a newly redesigned piece of heaven offering 12 poolside cabanas.

Relaxation is priority #1 at The Mirage. The ultimate in poolside pampering, Bare, an experience apart from the resort's typical pool complex, is defined by its distinctive, contemporary ambiance and ultra VIP service. The DJ-spun music mix sets a lively mood as guests enjoy European sunbathing while secluded by towering palms. Two luxury dipping pools create a temptingly cool respite from the hot Vegas sun. Specialty food items and cocktail service are always offered in addition to complimentary services such as chilled cucumbers to soothe the eyes, iced towels, exotic frozen fruit, icy popsicles and Evian misting bottles.

If your idea of fun is a pool party, look no further than The Palms. Recently remodeled, the new pool area and bungalows, which re-opened in March 2007, span two acres and can accommodate up to 3,000 guests. Perhaps the pool's most unique feature is The Glass Bar. Located under an elevated, glass-bottomed pool, bar patrons merely have to look up for some unique scenery of guests swimming overhead. The pool area also features 27 contemporary cabanas and even three poolside bungalows, where overnight guests can watch live concerts and events from the comfort of their king-sized beds.

The party continues at TAO Beach, a seductive and sophisticated Asian-themed beach club and an extension of the already popular TAO Nightclub at The Venetian. By day, guests can secure a reservation to lounge poolside in one of seven luxury cabanas that feature such amenities as high-definition plasma screen televisions with X-Box gaming consoles, a DVD library, internet and customized mini bars. Other amenities include sunglass cleaning, iPOD rental and a staff of masseuses. As night falls, guests find themselves in an open-air nightclub featuring a floating dance floor, four 14-foot fire columns and high-energy music.

After a crazy night out on the town, you may just need a full day to recover from that hangover before you do it all over again. That's why the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers Rehab every Sunday at the pool during the summer season. This exclusive daytime "recovery" session offers therapy in the form of palm-shaded sandy beaches, blue water and some of the most beautiful bodies Las Vegas has to offer. In fact, if your poolside agenda has you concerned about missing out on the casino action, don't be! You don't even have to get out of the water to enjoy the excitement of blackjack at the swim-up Palapa Bar in the center of Hard Rock's watery playground.

From swimming with card sharks at the Hard Rock to swimming with the real thing at downtown's Golden Nugget...dive into all the action at the Golden Nugget's newest aquatic attraction, The Tank, a $20-million pool complete with a 200,000-gallon shark tank, three-story waterslide and well-appointed cabanas. Thrill in the excitement of swimming inches away from sharks and other marine life!

If you feel safer on dry land and long for the comforts (and security!) of being indoors, then a poolside cabana may be the answer. Nearly every major property features luxurious cabanas offering a variety of amenities including large, cushioned lounge chairs on individual patios, marble tables, private dressing areas, telephones, flat-screen televisions, misting systems, ceiling fans, wet bars and refrigerators. Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort recently introduced themed pool cabanas as the property continues to create new and unique guest experiences. The themed cabanas include The Fisher-Price KidBana, the SpahhhBana and the BizBana. The KidBana provides activities, toys and games and includes snacks and child-friendly movies. The SpahhhBana offers an enhanced level of quiet, relaxation and escape featuring magazines, use of an iPOD, herbal teas, chilled towels and more. The BizBana is complete with wireless internet connection, office supplies, business and financial books and magazines and an endless supply of coffee. The Loews Themed Cabanas are available for a fee for guests staying at the resort.

Bottom line tips: Look for specials. The Hard Rock Hotel always have weekday specials for cabana use. They are worth it and you don't have to stay there to rent a cabana for a day.