Pool Season in Vegas: Everything You Need to Know About Heated Pools Year-Round

Jan 7

The Vegas Pool Situation Nobody Explains

Most people think Vegas pools only work in summer. They're half right. Without heating, you've got about four months (June through September) when the water's actually comfortable. The rest of the year? You're looking at a very expensive, very cold decorative feature in your backyard.

I've watched guests jump into unheated pools in April thinking "it's Vegas, it must be warm." They last about 30 seconds before scrambling out, teeth chattering. Then they spend the rest of their trip looking at a pool they can't use while the desert sun mocks them from above.

Pool heating changes this completely. Suddenly you've got a comfortable swim in February. Kids can play Marco Polo in November. You can float with a drink in March without your fingers going numb. It extends your pool season from four months to twelve.

What Pool Heating Actually Costs

Here's the honest answer: it depends on the time of year and how long you're staying. Heating a pool in December costs more than heating it in May because the air temperature makes a difference. Most properties charge between $40-75 per day for heating.

Yes, that adds up. A week of pool heating might run $300-500. But consider what you're getting. You booked a property specifically because it had a pool. Without heating, you can't use it 8 months of the year. That's like renting a car and then walking everywhere.

At Buddha Estates, we're upfront about costs. Some guests add heating for their entire stay. Others heat the pool for a few key days when they know they'll use it most. Both options work. What doesn't work is arriving in March, realizing the pool is 58 degrees, and wishing you'd planned better.

Month by Month Pool Guide

January & February

Air temps: 50s-60s during the day, 30s-40s at night. Without heating, pool water sits around 50-55 degrees. With heating, you can get it to a comfortable 82-85 degrees. The catch? It takes longer to heat up in cold months, so plan ahead.

These months see fewer tourists, which means our properties cost less. Adding pool heating is often cheaper than booking during peak season without it. You get privacy, good weather for hiking and sightseeing, and a warm pool to come home to.

March & April

Air temps: 60s-70s during the day, 40s-50s at night. Spring break hits in March, and suddenly everyone wants to use the pool. Without heating, water temps hover around 60-65 degrees. Not quite freezing, but not pleasant either.

Pool heating shines during these months. The sun warms things up during the day, and heating maintains that warmth overnight. You're not starting from scratch every morning. Morning swims become possible. Evening dips are actually enjoyable.

May

Air temps: 80s during the day, 60s at night. Water temps reach about 70-72 degrees without heating. This is the cutoff month. Some people can tolerate this temperature. Most prefer heating to get that extra 10-12 degrees of comfort.

May is a great time to visit Vegas. Weather is perfect for outdoor activities, hotel rates haven't hit summer peaks, and pools are usable with or without heating (though heating obviously improves the experience).

June, July & August

Air temps: 100-115 during the day (yes, really), 75-85 at night. Pool water naturally reaches 80-85 degrees. You don't need heating during these months. The water might actually be too warm by August, when some people wish for cooling instead.

Summer is peak pool season. Everyone's using their pools. The only downside is the heat itself. You'll want to be in or near water most of the afternoon because standing outside in 110-degree heat gets old fast.

September & October

Air temps: 85-95 in September, 70s-80s in October. Water temps drop from mid-80s to low-70s. September usually doesn't need heating. October is borderline. Early October might be fine without heating. Late October benefits from it.

These months are perfect for Vegas visits. Summer crowds thin out. Heat becomes manageable. Pool use is still high, and heating costs are lower than winter months.

November & December

Air temps: 60s-70s in November, 50s-60s in December. Water temps drop to 55-60 degrees without heating. Holiday visitors often forget how cold Vegas gets in winter. The desert doesn't hold heat once the sun goes down.

December is when pool heating becomes essential if you actually want to swim. Without it, your pool becomes a very expensive pond. With it, you can create resort-style experiences in your own private backyard.

Why Unheated Pools Are a Waste 8 Months a Year

I've seen it dozens of times. Families book a property because the photos show this gorgeous pool. They arrive in November. Kids run out in swimsuits. They stick a toe in. "It's FREEZING!" And that's it. Pool unused for the entire trip.

You booked the property partially for that pool. You're paying for it whether you use it or not. The extra $300 for heating suddenly seems reasonable when you realize your kids would otherwise stare at an unusable pool for a week.

Think about it differently: you're already spending thousands on your Vegas trip. Flights, rental car, food, entertainment, lodging. Adding $50/day for pool heating is a small percentage of your total budget but massively improves your daily experience.

What Heated Pools Feel Like

A properly heated pool sits around 82-85 degrees. That's warm enough to be comfortable immediately but cool enough to be refreshing on a hot day. You can stay in for an hour without getting too hot. Kids can play without complaining about being cold.

Morning swims become something you look forward to instead of dread. Evening pool time extends after sunset. Floating with a drink while the stars come out? That only works with a heated pool.

The heating systems we use are efficient. They maintain temperature rather than constantly reheating water. Turn them on a day before you arrive, and the pool is perfect when you get there.

How to Decide If You Need Heating

You definitely need heating if:

You're visiting November through March
You have kids who will want to swim
You specifically chose a property for its pool
Anyone in your group is temperature-sensitive
You want morning or evening swims

You probably don't need heating if:

You're visiting June through September
The pool is more for lounging than swimming
You're only in Vegas for a night or two
Your budget is extremely tight

You might want partial heating if:

You're visiting in shoulder seasons (April, May, October)
You want the option without the full cost
You can be flexible about swim times

Other Ways to Maximize Your Pool Experience

Get a property with a hot tub too. Hot tubs heat faster and use less energy. They give you a warm water option even if you skip pool heating.

Choose homes with covered patios. Shade matters in Vegas. Covered areas let you hang by the pool without baking in direct sun.

Look for properties with outdoor kitchens. Being able to grill and eat by the pool extends your outdoor time. You're not running inside constantly.

Book homes with pool toys and floats already included. Some of our Buddha Estates properties come stocked with everything you need. No running to Target on vacation.

The Real Cost of Skipping Pool Heating

You save $300-500 on heating. But then what? You book activities to fill the pool time you thought you'd have. Waterparks run $50+ per person. Hotel day passes to pools cost $30-75 each. Suddenly you're spending way more than heating would have cost.

Or you skip water activities entirely and everyone's disappointed. Kids complain. Your partner gives you that look. The vacation vibe suffers because you tried to save a few bucks on something that would've made the trip better.

How to Book Pool Heating

It's simple. When you book your Buddha Estates property, mention you want pool heating. We'll add it to your reservation and turn it on before you arrive. The pool is ready when you get there.

Some guests add heating for their whole stay. Others choose specific days. Both work. The key is deciding before you arrive instead of wishing you'd planned better after you get here.

We can also give you honest advice about whether you need it. Visiting in July? Skip it. Coming in March with kids? Definitely add it. We've hosted enough guests to know what works.

What Makes Buddha Estates Pools Different

Our properties feature private pools, not shared ones. You're not fighting for space. You're not dealing with other people's kids. You're not following a bunch of rules about quiet hours and glass containers.

Many of our homes include [hot tubs alongside pools](https https://www.buddhaestates.com/properties). Some have water slides. Others have shallow play areas perfect for toddlers. All of them give you resort-style amenities without resort-style crowds.

The neighborhoods we choose are selected partly for privacy. Fenced yards. Mature landscaping. Space between homes. Your pool time stays private and relaxing.

Making Your Decision

Pool heating isn't mandatory. But it extends your usable pool season from four months to twelve. It lets kids swim in spring break. It makes winter Vegas trips more resort-like. It's the difference between looking at your pool and actually using it.

For most guests visiting October through May, heating makes sense. The cost is reasonable compared to your overall trip budget, and the improvement to your daily experience is significant.

Ready to book your Vegas getaway with a heated pool? Contact Buddha Estates today. We'll help you find the perfect property and set up pool heating so everything's ready when you arrive. Your year-round Vegas pool experience is waiting.

Jeremy Ashburn