Anthony Curtis’ nationally syndicated weekly column.
May 12, 2010
It’s 90 degrees in Las Vegas—time to hit the pools. The season runs from now all the way into October, and there are many options. Every resort in town has a pool, but several have taken the “Day Life” concept to higher levels, including the three big developments this year: at Encore, where a huge nightclub/pool concept has been designed to capture the spirit of Ibiza; Caesars Palace, with its new “Garden of the Gods” complex made up of eight pools in all; and Aria, with a new open-to-the-public pool called “Liquid.” The scope of the pool scene is huge; however, the lists that follow provide a good starting point for knowing what to look for and where.
Topless Pools: Caesars (Venus Pool Club); Encore (European/XS Pool); Flamingo (GO Pool); Golden Nugget; Mandalay Bay (Moorea Beach Club), Mirage (Bare Pool Lounge); Stratosphere (Beach Club 25); Venetian (TAO Beach); and Wynn (Sunset Pool).
Blackjack by the Pool: Caesars Palace, Encore, Encore Beach Club, Flamingo, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, Mandalay Bay, Palms, Rio, Stratosphere, Tropicana, and Wynn.
Open to the Public: You don’t have to be a hotel guest to visit (though you usually have to pay an entrance fee) the pools at Aliante Station, Aria (Liquid), Caesars Palace (Venus), Flamingo (GO), Golden Nugget, GVR (The Pond); Hard Rock, M Resort (Daydream), Mandalay Bay (Moorea Beach), MGM Grand (Wet Republic), Mirage (Bare Pool Lounge), Red Rock (Cabana Club), Silverton (Sway Pool Lounge), Stratosphere (Beach Club 25 and 8), and Venetian (TAO Beach).
Ivey at Aria: The poker room at CityCenter’s Aria has added an exclusive one-table high-limit area called “The Ivey Room.” Named for seven-time World Series of Poker Champion Phil Ivey, the room will offer poker players the opportunity to play in some of the world’s highest-limit games. The Ivey Room debuts May 22.
Question: What would you rate as the absolute best low-cost show choice?
Answer: Mac King Comedy Magic at Harrah’s. Mac has just completed 10 years on the Strip, which is further confirmation of this show’s quality. Showtimes are Tuesday-Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m.; tickets are $34.95.
