cindyd

My husband and I (50s) are meeting several couples in Las Vegas in late Sept. Neither of us are gamblers so are looking for other diversions - especially a hotel with a nice pool. I've read about having to get to the pool before 9 AM some places to get a chair, which we don't want to do. We're thinking of MGM Grand. Four Seasons is too pricey for us. The rest of the group is at Golden Nugget but we think we want to be on the strip. Any suggestions or comments?

puddy

Try a search... I believe Mandalay Bay is considered to have the best pool. Not sure if it is too pricey.

martytravels

For value and a great pool, try Flamingo or Bally's. Both have really good room rates. The Flamingo's pool area is a lush tropical setup with grottos, waterfalls and a couple of slides. Bally's pool area isnt as flamboyant, but is really nice with a bar and palm trees all around.

tom42

Hotels with veyr nice pool areas (that I've seen or been to):

Bellagio
Ceasar's Palace
Mandalay Bay
Mirage
Flamingo Hilton

Bo

Value hotel with great pool: Flamingo
Moderate hotel with great pool: Mirage

I'd advise against the MGM. First there will be TONS of kids (who force their parents to be early risers in order to get to the pool first) and you'll be further away from your friends at the Golden Nugget. Sure you'll likely be taking a cab either way, but by staying at the Mirage instead of the MGM each taxi ride to teh Golden Nugget will be about $8 cheaper each way! Don't forget the city bus (preferably the exrpress) as an inexpensive way to Downtown.

If the hotels are crowded during your stay, I think it will be hard to avoid the 'morning pool rush' no matter where you stay.

speedo

You have options and it sounds as if you are flexible. Flamingo offers a great pool area, but you WILL be a long way from your friends downtown. The effort needed to get to/from mid-strip where the Flamingo is to downtown where the Nugget is, can be considerable at times, even under the best circumstances.. A nice pool and a fun venue is located at Rio, but it is off strip. Strip-wise, I humbly offer in addition to the Flamingo, the Luxor, MGM, and Monte Carlo as having "nice" pool areas offered at modest prices. The issue of having to get there before 9am is a little bit misleading. I am a regular in Vegas, and a regular at the pool areas. Unless you happen to hit an unusually busy time, pool chairs, chais, etc., can be found somewhat nearer noon that 9am. In case you're considering the Nugget, its pool area is adequate, but you'll not be inspired by it.. Suggestion: Secure a room at the Flamingo and enjoy their pool. Venture into mid-strip casinos and hotels, checking out all they offer that is free for the looking. Meet up with your friends during necessary times, such as dinner and shows. If you are in Vegas more than a couple of days, also check out the south strip area; and stop by the Hilton - I'll buy the first round.. Neat stuff is found in Vegas if you check any sour attitudes upon arrival.

gofrank150

If you really want a pool, stay at Mandalay. The cab ride is a little further but its a straight uncongested shot over to the highway and up to downtown. A few more $$$ but maybe less time than dealing with strip traffic.

(Mandalay is at the end of the strip).

ch

MSS

Stayed at Bally's and no problems with crowd at pool. Always had chairs to lounge on. Walked next door to the MGM and their pools were really nice, but totally packed with people. Ballys not too fancy, but large and very nice.

hlphillips2

The Travel Channel recently had a segment "Top Ten Vegas Pools". It was right after we returned and we really wished we'd seen it earlier. We stayed at Bally's and the pool was not exciting -- a basic hotel pool.

I can't remember all of them, but on the list were Bellagio, Caesars, MGM (although the kids thing is accurate), Hard Rock Cafe (although everyone there is in their 20s -- not recommended), the Mirage (it's the only pool with a wave machine, and very much like a beach), Venetian (caters to couples) and the Flamingo. We walked over to the Flamingo, and it looked like a great pool. Lots of options, seemed to be a separate "kids" area and water slide. But I've had meetings at Caesars and Bellagio recently and WISHED I could have spent time at their goergous pool areas.

flopmeister

cindy d -- check out my vegas tr wherein i spoke very highly of the pool at caesars. Late sept is dicey becuase the hotels are very expensive at that time. try for an air+land package thru orbitz travelocity, etc., we found the rooms at the palace tower at caesar's to be bigger and actually better than any other we've stayed at, including mandalay -- which are very nice, but the bathroom is so big at mandalay that the room is actually smaller. that said, the pool at mandalay is the absolute nuts, (four seasons is the top 4 floors of mandalay) and the positive is that if you're not gambling you can stay at mandalay which is actually quieter than mid strip properties. IMHO the best travel value for non-gamblers, non-strip people is Mandalay. But the caesar's pool is FANTASTIC too. oh and for great reviews of all the vegas properties, check out cheapovegas.com