We will be in Las Vegas during August 18-24,I expect that the hotel pools will be very crowded,are we really going to fight over the pool chairs or a place under the shade? do we need to tip the pool staff?which hotel pools will be unbearable so that perhaps we should not check in to those hotels?

The pools are actually manageable because of the generous space given to them and the fact that it will be very hot at that time of year. Sure, there will still be lots of people but not everybody stays out in 100degrees all day so there's turnover.

Mandalay Bay is the best pool area since it has the beach, side pools, lazy river for the kids. There's plenty of room for everyone.

MGM has a good pool area but this one can get crowded.

Bellagio has the best pool area for adults who wish to avoid noise and crowding.
Mandalay has the most elaborate pool area, but it gets very crowded and is teeming with kids.
Mirage has a very nice pool area, which also gets very crowded during summer.
Caesar's has a large pool area also, though I've not been there during summer.

Best pool is at the Las Vegas Hilton. If there is no convention in town you will have no problem with chairs or cabanas which have their own refrigerators and TV.

The Hard Rock Hotel has an excellent pool ... and there usually aren't many kids there. It's not as huge as Mandalay or Mirage ... but I really like it.

Flamingo hotel is a great location and has a lovely pool area, two or three pools, slides and so on- complete with Flamingos and penguins in the wildlife area. It does get very crowded though, as do all the popular pools adn is a family hotel adn pool area. They have some fun pool parites in summer at night if that is your type of thing

Try the four seasons if you truly want to relax. Although the pool area is not nearly as big as other hotels, the fact there's no screaming children or crowds makes it more intimate. Plus, you have access rights to Mandalay Bay's huge pool complex if you wish to use it.