Best Pools and Day Clubs in Las Vegas: Chill vs Party
8 min read
Vegas pool culture splits hard into two camps. There are pools where you relax with a drink and a book, and there are day clubs where you pay a cover, a DJ is screaming, and the whole thing is basically a daytime nightclub in swimsuits.
I have spent days at the pools at almost every Strip hotel. Here is exactly where to go depending on whether you want chill or party, with the clear picks for each.
Mandalay Bay Beach (Best Pool, Chill)
Mandalay Bay has the best pool complex on the Strip. There is a real sand beach, a wave pool that actually makes waves, a lazy river, and acres of space to spread out. It is a resort within the resort.
This is the move for a relaxed pool day where you can still find a party corner if you want one. If you only care about one pool experience in Vegas, this is the one I send people to. It earns the top spot.
Bellagio Pools (Elegant Chill)
The Bellagio courtyard pools are the classy, quiet pick. Multiple connected pools framed by columns and gardens, calmer crowd, and here is the detail people miss, the lawn chairs are free. You do not need to rent a daybed to claim a spot.
Go here when you want to actually rest, read, and swim without a DJ blasting. It is elegant and grown up. My pick for couples and anyone over the party phase.
Encore Beach Club (Top Tier Party)
Encore Beach Club at Wynn is the premier day club in town. Tiered pools, palm trees, gambling at the swim up tables, and a lineup of huge DJs. This is where the serious pool party crowd goes, and the production is top tier.
Expect a real cover charge, often $50 to $100 plus, pricey drinks, and a dress to impress crowd. Worth it if a party is exactly what you came for. This is the one I rank first among the day clubs.
Wet Republic at MGM Grand (Big Party Energy)
Wet Republic at the MGM Grand is the high octane day club option. Big crowds, big name DJs, salt water pools, and an electric, packed energy from open to close. It is loud, it is crowded, it is a blast if that is your scene.
Cover and bottle service add up fast here, and it gets shoulder to shoulder on event days. Go for the headliner DJs and the spectacle. Skip it if you wanted to actually relax.
Ayu Dayclub at Resorts World (Newer Party Pick)
Ayu Dayclub at Resorts World is the newer party option at the north end of the Strip. It brings a fresh design, strong DJ bookings, and a slightly less worn in feel than the older clubs. The crowd skews fun and the layout is well done.
Same deal on cover and drink prices, expect to pay to play. If you are staying up north or want a day club that does not feel like it has been running for fifteen years, Ayu is the pick.
How to Choose
Want to relax? Mandalay Bay Beach for the full resort experience, Bellagio for quiet elegance and free lawn chairs. You can have drinks and sun without paying a cover or fighting a crowd.
Want to party? Encore Beach Club is the gold standard, Wet Republic for raw energy, Ayu for a newer scene up north. Budget for cover and pricey drinks, and remember the party clubs are a daytime nightclub, not a place to nap by the water.
David X Las Vegas earns a commission on bookings made through this link, at no extra cost to you. It never changes my honest take.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between a pool and a day club?
A resort pool is for relaxing, usually free for hotel guests, with a calm vibe. A day club charges a cover, has a DJ and bottle service, and is essentially a nightclub in the daytime with swimwear.
Which pool is best if I just want to relax?
Mandalay Bay Beach for the sand and lazy river, or the Bellagio pools for quiet elegance. Bonus, Bellagio's lawn chairs are free so you do not need to rent a daybed.
Do I have to be a hotel guest to get into a day club?
No. Day clubs like Encore Beach Club, Wet Republic, and Ayu sell entry to the public, though guests of the hotel often get easier access or better pricing. Expect a cover charge either way.
