Not Like it Used to Be

Venue Reviewed: Mirage Pool

I've always thought the Mirage Pool was the best in Las Vegas. Surrounded by palm trees, with two waterfalls, the larger of which looked as if it were part of a volcanic island, it was a great place to relax and shake the cobwebs from the night before. There was a nice slide for kids (of all ages) to keep them occupied all day. The Dolphin Bar was first rate; great bartenders made fresh margaritas from scratch, and life was good.

Sadly, the Mirage Pool is a mere shadow of its former self. Gone is the water slide, as well as a bridge that made it easier for guests on one side of the pool deck to get to the cafe or the Dolphin Bar on the other. The waterfalls have been slowed down to a comparative trickle. This is surprising since it's recycling water; the company can't be saving all that much money by reducing the impact of the first thing guests see upon entering.

But the most astounding problem facing pool goers on my most recent trip: THE WATER IS NO LONGER BEING COOLED! For some reason, the bean counters running the Mirage have decided that on 100 - degree days, pool guests want to jump into bathwater. The water is that warm; it used to be clean, but now looks cloudy, and it is impossible to feel refreshed. Memo to Mirage management: Las Vegas is in the middle of the desert! Deserts tend to get a little warm in the summer.

As for the Dolphin Bar, no longer are margaritas and other tropical drinks made fresh. They now come out of a machine, and taste like it.

What used to be a five-star pool is clearly the target of cost cutting measures. It's one thing to remove a water slide and cut back on the quality of beverages, but refusing to chill the pool for the guests demonstrates a complete lack of focus on customer service.

Very disappointing.