Cooling down at the Sands in the mid-fifties
The first hotel-casino to build a guest swimming pool, on the Las Vegas Strip, was the El Rancho in 1941. Since then, pools have been an integral part of every major hotel-resort in Vegas.
In Las Vegas, pools and casinos go hand-in-hand to create a unique vacation experience.
For almost seven decades casino pools and exciting poolside events have lured millions to enjoy "Daytime Sun and Nightime Fun" during their Spring and Summer stays along the Strip.
InOldLasVegas.com pays tribute to the great old Vegas pools and the beautiful people who sat, danced and swam in and around them over the years. As our city prepares to kick-off its 69th Las Vegas Poolside Summer, it's a good time to take a look-back to see all the great pools In Old Las Vegas.
El Rancho Vegas Pool 1941
(the first motel-casino complex and pool on the Las Vegas Strip)
The first Strip pool was installed at the El Rancho in 1941. The square-shaped pools of the 1940s at the El Rancho, Last Frontier, Flamingo and Thunderbird were later surpassed by the first curved pool design at the 1950 Desert Inn.
Through the years each casino brought newer and better innovations in pool design and attractions - a tradition that continues up to 2010 with the opening of MGM's Wet Republic (March 12th) and the new 'topless Liquid Lounge', pool and spa at Aria Hotel on March 17th, then later March and April openings at Mirage's Bare, Hard Rock's Rehab , Encore's new Beach, Venetian's TAO Beach, Caesars Venus Club Pool and Palms Ditch Fridays.
Last Frontier Pool 1942
(now the vacant lot across from Wynn Las Vegas)
Flamingo Pool 1946
(3rd casino-pool on the Strip - Flamingo is still there with new pools)
Thunderbird Pool 1948
(now the site of the Fountainebleau)
Desert Inn Pool 1955
(now Wynn's Encore)
Rivera Pool 1955
Royal Nevada 1955
(was bought in 1958 for use as the Stardust South Pool and auditorium)
Dunes Pool 1955
(now the Bellagio)
Stardust South Pool 1959(formerly the 1955 Royal Nevada pool - now Eschelon Place)
Riviera Pool 1960
Union Plaza Pool 1970
(has since been turned into the domed Firefly Tapas Restaurant)
Dunes Go Go Pool Party - 1965
Salute to Retro Summers
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