THE POOLS AT THE BELLAGIO, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Seen Reading: “Modern Lovers,” by Emma Straub.
Overheard: (on the phone): “Nah, fah real, she’s goin’ to Obahlin. She got in. It’s a small libral ahtz college, Dad. We’re vehry proud.”

Even though it’s where the “3 best friends anyone could have” chose to have their bachelor party in the movie The Hangover, these days the vibe at the Bellagio is definitely more 50th birthday than bachelor/bachelorette. That’s not to say the more low-key or sophisticated bachelors and bachelorettes don’t chose the Bellagio, but these days it seems to attract an older crowd.

And while I’m sure there were plenty of other Los Angeleno/Hollywood types in residence, on our visit were heard so many different accents–from Europe, from Australia, from Long Island, Boston, and other east coast locales, and very few Valley Girls and surfer dudes.

Other than the clientele, there aren’t too many surprises at the pools at the Bellagio, Las Vegas. There are 5 of them—two huge rectangles with pretty mosaic bottoms—they sure make for a nice overhead shot!

While everyone else is vying for rooms with views of the fountains, we were delighted with our high-floor room with a pool view! Besides the two biggies, there are 3 smaller pools, two of them with their own Bellagio fountains at the center.

The second fountain pool is actually by reservation only. You can pay $100 for a chaise and a spend all day in the Cypress club. We’re pretty sure big spenders get comped.

And since it’s Vegas, of course there are tons of Cabana options, starting at around $500 on the weekends, and going up into the low 4 figures. Some are actually indoor rooms, others are more typical cabana style.

And did you know that in Las Vegas in the summer, the pools are actually CHILLED? It was 111° F outside but the pools were cool and refreshing.

Here’s the Sunday morning crowd…plenty of people, even early. Not so typical for the Vegas Sunday morning hangover crowd.

The only drawback–you gotta get up early, or tip the right person if you want to get more than a single chaise. People get up and reserve them as soon as the pool opens. This is typical:

More on hotel pools in Vegas.