Winter swimming in Las Vegas has always been one of the city’s greatest, most restorative pleasures—and at the same time, one of the most under-appreciated.
During the darker, colder days, in heated pools and bubbling hot tubs all over town, the desert’s power to make you feel truly good is fully revealed. Floating your way toward healing under typically bright, blue skies, you’ll understand Las Vegas’s secret status as one of the country’s top spa break destinations. Talk about a winning formula for complete relaxation: Here you have some of the world’s most elegant and extensive resort pool complexes, kept very nearly all to yourself, on a bright day in January when everyone else is indoors assuming it’s too cold, but you know it's not. (Bonus: Cabana prices in winter are typically a fraction of the price they are in summer.)
Sure, the ambient air temperature will be a crisp 50- or 60-something degrees, with no guarantees. But slip into the water, typically heated up to a much nicer mid-80s, or climb down into a nearby, bubbling hot tub that’ll get a whole lot warmer than that, and exactly what everyone else is missing out on is abundantly clear. Come summer, these spaces will fill up again, the energy will heighten, frozen cocktails will flow. Right now, however, guests at, let’s say, Wynn or Encore, who decide to reward themselves with a swim, find themselves as part of an elite club that anyone can join.
On a recent, perfectly beautiful Sunday, barely after breakfast time, hopeful swimmers were being directed to the exclusive Wynn Tower Suites lobby, where signs gently pointed the way to the tucked-away Sunset Pool, a bigger-than-Olympic-sized oasis that during the busy months is a lively, topless-encouraged spectacle. Right now, however? That day, just three people were in the pool—with only a few more soaking up the sun’s still-strong rays. A hidden hot tub, large enough to seat the population of a small village and typically reserved for whoever may have high-rolled their way into Cabana 303, was just sitting there, waiting for someone to enjoy it all to themselves.
All over the city, this scene will repeat itself in similar fashion. It’s not widely known, but most Las Vegas resorts keep at least one pool open year-round, typically changing things up from year to year. And in most cases, the hotels work hard to make the experience a great one for guests, even as the rest of the complex undergoes an annual refreshment.
Sound good? Of course it does. But don’t wait, because while temperatures may temporarily be less than sizzling, they won’t stay that way for very long—and you can guess what that's going to mean for pool traffic.
Here are six, spa-like winter swimming experiences in Las Vegas to try before things go back to business as usual in a few weeks’ time.
Wynn / Encore
Here and at most resorts in Las Vegas, the exact pool available to guests during the winter can change during the season, but there will always be one option. The hotel’s policy of not encouraging day-use visitors, apart from those purchasing pricey cabana access, keeps things even quieter than you’d expect. Current hours (in February) are 10am to 4pm, again, fairly typical city-wide. Just flash your room key to get in. Prices for daybeds and cabanas upon request.
Bellagio
Of all the ways to spend $40 in Las Vegas, booking a chair by the pool at Bellagio on an extremely quiet winter weekday is high on a list of great value musts. Never mind the construction within the complex—terrific morning and afternoon light, fine lap swimming opportunities, and a wonderful hot tub in the sunshine (plus a friendly attendant, who can also bring you drinks) make this a day to remember. Of course, access is included for any overnight guest. Hours are currently 9-4. Daybeds go from $100; no cabanas during the winter months.
Venetian / Palazzo
Some resort complexes reduce their pool options to the bare minimum at this time of year—not Venetian / Palazzo, where you’ll pretty much have the run of the place, whether you’re a guest or a day visitor. The latter have easy access to $50/day and up reservations on the hotel’s own website. Hours are currently 9-4. Daybeds from $100; cabanas start at $400 per day.
Mandalay Bay
Worried about losing the light? At Mandalay Bay, which uses its Moorea Beach Club as its winter pool, you’re facing south, where the sun hangs out at this time of year, and with no obstructions at all. Free access for hotel guests; day visitors pay just $25. Hours are 9-4 for the time being. The rest of the complex, including the famed wave pool, is on its annual break.
Caesars Palace
From November through February, Caesars’ Garden of the Gods complex is largely shut down — but not the lovely Venus pool, where access starts at a delightfully accessible $16 per day pass. Free for hotel guests. Currently open 10-4. Chairs from $10, daybeds from $50 and cabanas from $75.
Stadium Swim at Circa
You won’t get within a mile of this place on weekends where big sporting events are on the giant, outdoor screens overlooking Downtown’s only fully year-round, very heated, outdoor pool club. On a quiet weekday, things get decidedly more chill—if never close to chilly. Want to know how the water feels before you commit to getting in? The current temperature is always published on the website. (At this writing, the pools are at a toasty 94 degrees.) Free for Circa, Golden Gate, and The D guests; ask for early access at check-in. Passes are $20 and up for visitors, hours are 8am-9pm. Chairs from $25; daybeds require a minimum $200 spend; cabanas require a minimum $500 spend.