The best pools in Vegas to live it up in Sin City

When it comes to pools, size matters. And Resorts World sports one of the Strip’s largest footprints with five unique playgrounds. For party people, Ayu Dayclub is the place to be. Kaskade, Illenium and Cash Cash are among the celebrity DJs who will keep the action jumping this season. The main pool is home to the Agave Bar and Grill, the Bimini pool is an Instagrammable spot with an oversized chess board, the family pool has fun water features for the youngsters, while the Athena infinity ultra pool is an adults-only space.

Proving just how lucrative pool season is, Tao Beach Dayclub underwent a $50 million remodel and moved to a larger location just two years ago. The reinvented 47,000-square-foot tropical oasis has all the makings for a good time. Zedd, Tiesto, Alesso and Sofi Tukker are booked to DJ this summer. An Asian-inspired menu pairs perfectly with the luxurious cabanas and Balinese vibe that includes a stunning Tao Goddess sculpture, known as Tendai, by Cape Town artist Daniel Popper.

Virgin Hotels is refreshing its resort pool this year and opening it up to locals and non-hotel guests (day passes are only $25). The Pool has a distinct Mediterranean-inspired ambiance—a tropical, beach-like escape, away from the Strip. Cabana rentals here are lighter on the wallet, poolside spa services are available, and there is a large menu that includes tuna poke tacos and turkey burgers.

As its name suggests, Stadium Swim is a six-pool complex with a heavy emphasis on sports. Here, games play out on a massive 40-foot-tall screen that stretches 143 feet in diameter. Not only is Circa’s pool open year-round and heated to hot tub levels in winter, but its summer hours are some of the latest in Las Vegas, extending well past sunset on the weekends.

This 55,000-square-foot pool oasis has palm trees, shower go-go platforms, and a party crowd that packs the place to dance to hear top DJs such as David Guetta, Afrojack, Marshmello, and The Chainsmokers. There is also a gaming pit for those feeling lucky, daybeds perched in the water, VIP cabanas, and exclusive bungalows with private plunge pools.

This picturesque pool is one of the most unique in the city. That’s because there is a curling waterslide that slips through a 200,000-gallon fish tank full of sharks. The multi-tiered poolscape at this downtown resort is family-friendly so kids can enjoy the ride and cooling waterfalls, while the Hideout provides an adults-only escape with a relaxing pool, a bar, and not a kid in sight.

Marquee comes to life in summer with a lineup of A-list DJs (think DJ Pauly D and Cedric Gervais) that gets the club crowd going. Consider reserving a daybed or cabana with a private infinity pool so you’ll have a place to relax, share some snacks and get down on a beer bucket or bottle service. Even in January, there’s a pool party on the Las Vegas Strip. This Cosmopolitan dayclub laughs in the face of cold weather with a climate-controlled dome covering the poolscape and letting visitors don their bikinis in winter.

Some hotels have a pool. Caesars Palace has seven. They’re all part of the resort’s Garden of the Gods, a sprawling outdoor escape with Roman columns and statues that divide the space into smaller pockets, each offering a slightly different experience, including swim-up blackjack tables. Guests can even book a poolside massage from a Qua masseuse.

The Bellagio pool deck has five pools stretched across an elegant garden landscape. Indulge in cocktails made with fresh juices, a sushi lunch, or even a poolside massage while you spend the day soaking up rays or relaxing with a book. Private cabanas come with misters, Wi-Fi, pool rafts, fresh fruit, and a fridge stocked with non-alcoholic beverages.

Play blackjack, order barbecue, or lounge in a cabana at this 15-acre, adults-only dayclub, which features a live DJ on most days of the week. Flamingo’s exclusive pitcher service offers pre-mixed cocktails such as mojitos, pink lemonade, and sangria, served in specially made pitchers that are guaranteed to keep your beverages ice cold.

Las Vegas’ original dayclub at MGM Grand is a wild party full of hot revelers splashing in saltwater pools to the beats of some of the world’s most famous deejays. Loungers and daybeds can be modestly rented or guests can go all-in and reserve one of the ultra-exclusive bungalows with a private dipping pool, personal safe, and teak furniture.

This expansive resort backyard checks every box: wave pool, sandy beach, lazy river, and poolside casino. There’s even an adults-only, top-optional enclave for those allergic to tan lines. And if you’re looking to rent some real estate for the afternoon, the beach offers 100 different cabanas, daybeds, and bungalows, where you can order Jell-O shots, nachos, or a spa treatment. After dark, it hosts outdoor concerts and other special events.