Las Vegas Weekly

March 4, 2010 · 2:23 PM

Las Vegas pool wars are heating up early with new attractions

By Robin Leach

Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian at Wet Republic.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

With snow still on the ground across much of America, it’s difficult to believe that the first salvo in this year’s Las Vegas pool wars will be fired tomorrow with the opening of George Maloof’s Palms Pool & Bungalows. You can bet there will be folks out there in their bikinis and swimming trunks grabbing the rays. George’s now famous Ditch Friday parties return May 7.

Hollywood stars are going to play a major role in this year’s nonstop poolside revelry. In fact, Wet Republic executives at MGM Grand proudly say that they are declaring war on nightlife! The doors to Wet Republic’s sprawling pool complex will open for the season on March 12.

The Angel Management Group has already booked The Girls Next Door and Kendra star Kendra Wilkinson to host the season’s first big party weekend March 27. The actual grand opening will be April 17, and a week later, Kim and Khloe Kardashian host sister Kourtney’s birthday bash.

There’s huge buzz about the new pools opening this year at the new HRH Tower at the Hard Rock Hotel, one of which will be European for topless bathing. Hollywood’s famous Sky Bar separates both pools.

Party people also say the new 45,000-square-foot Encore Beach Club pool from hotel mogul Steve Wynn will be a palace of luxury operated by the folks behind Blush. The eight bungalows each feature their own hot tubs and a terraced balcony with 34 extra-large cabanas surrounding the pool’s private area. And going head-to-head with Encore this spring is Aria’s luxury Liquid with underwater speakers.

Hosts and operators at the now familiar pools Bare in The Mirage, Tao’s pool at The Venetian, the adjoining Azure pool at the Palazzo and the expanded Caesars Palace pool complex are already gearing up to take on the new competition.

The battle is on, and Vegas DeLuxe will keep you updated as each one of the hedonistic havens gets ready to open. Everything will be in full swing by Memorial Day, and we’ll start to see the pecking order of 2010 success.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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