Las Vegas: Pool-beaches open as party season revs up in April

Beach life returns to Las Vegas in a big way. Just like real beach days, it’s time to slather on the lotion, rent a cabana and join the DJ-driven parties. The pool-as-beach is a cool place to be when the temperature climbs. Some Vegas pools opened in March, but the partying doesn’t start in earnest until later this month.

Hard Rock Hotel Casino revamps its pool concept with a series of day and night Beachlife events that start this month and continue until October.

-- Rehab Sundays return in a newly renamed Paradise Beach (formerly Rehab Pool) that does have a sandy beach and a following. DJs are the draw -- DJ Ryan Wellman, DJ Shift and other musical guests -- for the party season that begins 11 a.m. April 22 ($50 for men, $30 for women).

-- Listen to music and engage in squirt-gun battles at Summer Camp Fridays ($20 per person, free to guests) from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting April 20; check out more mellow music at Nectar Music Festival Saturdays at 11 a.m. starting April 21 ($50 for men, $30 for women); and indulge in pool-side facials or massages on Relax Mondays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting April 23 ($20 per person, free to guests).

Encore Beach Club at Encore begins its party scene April 21 with Swedish DJ and electronic musician Steve Angello (online VIP tickets cost $57.50 for women or $111 for men). There will be theme parties and live performances on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer; ticket prices vary.

Marquee Day Club (yes, there’s also a nightclub) at the Cosmopolitan officially opens with Avicii, also Swedish and a DJ, at 10 a.m. on April 21 (online tickets cost $80 for men, $40 for women).