Photograph: Cultura RM Exclusive/Ben Pipe Photography/Getty Images/Cultura Exclusive
When it’s cold, wet and generally miserable in the UK, why not head to Las Vegas for the flip side: sun, swimming pools and outdoor adventures. Though it’s a few hundred miles from the ocean, you’ll still find beaches, some of which are home to a vibrant daytime party scene. Nearby there are stunning natural wonders — mountains, lakes and hiking trails – perfect for all kinds of recreational activities. With so many options for fun in the sun, we take a look at some of the best.
Mandalay Bay Beach
A full beach experience right on the Strip. Body surf in the wave pool, relax on a day bed, or take a gentle float down the lazy river. There are cabanas for all temperaments, whether you want seclusion or want to party. To really get away from the crowds, hire a cabana or gazebo with private pool and lounge area. The beach is family friendly, but head to the nearby Toptional Moorea club for a more grown-up experience.
Mandalay Bay, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Wet Republic Ultra Pool
No need to stop the party just because the sun is shining – Wet Republic supplies the beats, dipping pools and festive atmosphere for all-day clubbing. A-list DJs, including Calvin Harris, Tiësto and Kaskade, keep the party going while there are a range of VIP options — take a bungalow for privacy and a personal jacuzzi, or be right in the action and book a banquette by the dance floor.
MGM Grand, 3799 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis
Photograph: ImagineGolf/Getty Images
Pick a pool. Caesars Palace has seven to choose from, each with its own theme. They all feature cabanas and day beds, so be guided by your mood. The Apollo pool receives the most sunlight, while the Jupiter is more secluded. Gamers will like the Fortuna, which has a swim-up blackjack table, while those looking for a European vibe should head for the Venus pool lounge. For the ultimate in relaxation book a massage session with Qua Baths & Spa, which offers poolside services.
Caesars Palace, 3570 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Encore Beach Club
The Wynn’s day life unfolds at the Encore, a beach club that centres around its three-tiered pools. The DJ talent is world class, with the likes of the Chainsmokers, David Guetta and Diplo on the roster. Comfy cabanas come with a lush day bed, TV (who’s watching TV with a party raging outside?) and stocked fridge. Bungalow residents get extra luxuries such as a cooling system, infinity pool and, crucially, a private bathroom.
Wynn Las Vegas, 3131 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Lake Mead
Just a half-hour’s drive from the Strip is Lake Mead, a recreation area known as the most diverse in America. Visitors come for year-round activities, including jet skiing, paddleboarding, sport fishing and kayaking. There are a number of picnic spots throughout the park, and for a night away from the city’s hubbub, pitch a tent in one of the 10 campgrounds, or stay at one of the lakeside resorts.
The Tank
Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo
The Tank, as the Golden Nugget’s pool is called, can boast what no other can: here you can swim with sharks. Well, almost. An enclosed waterslide plunges nine metres, travelling through an aquarium filled with some 300 sea creatures, including said sharks and sting rays. The H2O bar supplies the drinks, while lounging in the sun is as strenuous as things need to get if you prefer. On the third floor is the Hideout, an infinity pool for over-21s with day beds, chaise lounges and luxury cabanas.
Golden Nugget, 129 E. Fremont Street
Kayak at the Hoover Dam
Photograph: jezdicek/Getty Images/iStockphoto
A visit to the Hoover Dam is on many a bucket list, but to really experience the magnificence of the structure hop in a kayak. As you paddle out into the Colorado River, you’ll have an epic view as the 220-metre (726-foot) dam looms above. A number of companies offer day or half-day tours that take in highlights of the Black Canyon, including sauna caves and geothermal hot springs. Desert bighorn sheep, falcons and bald eagles are some of the wildlife that you might spot. The water is flat and suitable for beginners.
Marquee Dayclub
The Dayclub is responsible for party duties at The Cosmopolitan in the day time. Spanning the multilevel Marquee Nightclub, there are also two pools, which is where you want to be to take in the first-class DJ action, including the likes of Dash Berlin, DJ Mustard and Tritonal. Upgrade to a grand cabana for dedicated service and infinity dipping pools, or go large with a bungalow that has its own pool, party deck and sleeping quarters.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Mount Charleston
Less than an hour’s drive from Las Vegas is Mount Charleston, a 3,700-metre (12,000-foot) peak that is part of the Spring Mountains, which rise spectacularly out of the Mojave desert. There are more than 50 miles of trails to explore, four campgrounds and a range of activities from horseback riding to biking. The Lee Canyon resort offers winter skiing, snowshoeing and tubing, as well as disc golf during the warmer months. Other places to stay nearby include the well-appointed Mt Charleston Las Vegas resort.
Citrus Grand Pool
It might sit atop the Downtown Grand Hotel but the vibe at this pool deck is one of backyard party. Family-friendly games include corn hole, foosball and table tennis, while there is plenty of space for lounging (cabanas are also available for hire), a full bar and a restaurant helmed by chef Scott Cummings, a former-Hell’s Kitchen winner. DJs and live entertainment also feature at weekends. As a bonus, there are superb views of downtown Las Vegas.
Downtown Grand, 206 N. 3rd Street
Hiking at Red Rock Canyon
Fifteen miles west of Las Vegas sits the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area, nearly 81,000 hectares (200,000 acres) of rugged beauty. It’s known for its hiking trails (there are 26 numbered hikes), which cater for all levels of fitness and reach from canyon floors to the highest points. A 13-mile paved road provides a scenic drive through stunning desert landscapes; other activities include mountain biking, horseback riding and target shooting — it’s also a wonderful spot for stargazing.
M Resort Spa & Casino
This luxurious but relaxed resort, away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip, has two pools. The M Pool is the family-friendly version; it has plenty of seating and cabanas for hire, and there are two large hot tubs on the pool deck. The over-21s pool club, DayDream, open at weekends and on holidays, is much more adult focused, with bar and bottle service available as well as top-name DJs providing the tunes.
M Resort Spa Casino, 12300 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
