Partying at ultralounges in Vegas is a given on a nightlife aficionado’s schedule, but with summer quickly approaching, it’s time to add the terms “ultra-pool” and “daylife” to your Blackberry. With the addition of Wet Republic, the MGM Grand will be the next property to dive into the pool-party game.
Wet Republic’s dedicated valet parking located near MGM’s convention center will have residents breathing a sigh of relief after spending years traipsing through casinos in their skivvies. “We’re really going to be locally driven. We think that parking lot is such an advantage for us,” says Anthony Olheiser, MGM Grand’s director of nightlife. Free admission for local ladies doesn’t hurt, either.
Guests will be greeted by two saltwater pools—a Vegas resort first. Saltwater prevents eau de chlorine and green hair, with the added benefit of baby-soft skin. Outdoor showers wash away salt as well as alleviating chlorine side effects for guests taking a dip in one of six hot tubs of varying temps.
The 1,600-plus-capacity, 53,000-square-foot Wet Republic is projected to operate seven days a week starting in mid-April (we hear April 15). The multilevel complex has implemented numerous water features, beginning with a cascading waterfall framed by sea foam green flame-finished granite. An illusion of seamless continuity exists between the different elevations, but still provides an artistic concrete-and-Plexiglas walkway adorned with Japanese blueberry trees.
Wet Republic will feature 10 canvas cabanas to the right of the main entrance, elevated by a textured porcelain pony wall. Six “super cabanas,” with their private Astroturf lawn, and three VIP-only hot tubs overlook the entire space from the highest tier. Other amenities include 50-inch HD TVs, video-game consoles, California king daybeds and stocked mini-fridges. Earth-toned sheers contrast the teakwood furniture and can be drawn for privacy. “For the cabanas, you have the best of both worlds. If you really want to be in the mix, you can totally be there, but at the same time, we have the [movies] and the big lounge chairs and the daybeds to relax on,” says Olheiser. “We’re going to offer tanning butlers and different types of spa amenities as well.” A special private entrance for Signature Towers guests (and shy celebs) is located nearby.
Teak handrails and heat-resistant surfaces will prevent guests from obtaining any perma-scars from leaning against scorching hot fixtures, and over 100 lounge chairs and daybeds will surround the pools, but guests will have to pay a “small rental fee” for their use if they’d like real estate and cocktail/food service, says Olheiser. The menu’s mouth-watering options include “lobster gazpacho gelee and Toro tuna tartar,” or “snow cones with sweet fruit nectars.”
For ballers on a budget, the lounge/bar area offers ample shade while drinking a signature “Wet Splash” cocktail—a multi-flavored twist on the traditional Red Bull and vodka. The six-well bar boasts a stunning Verde bamboo marble countertop atop a custom laminated glass front with horsetail reeds and lime silk backing. Additional water features (i.e. old-school drinking fountains) are located on either side of the lounge for extreme penny-pinchers.
Beautiful people will staff Wet Republic, as job postings specify they’re looking for “model” servers, runners and hosts. Uniforms aren’t finalized, but one can speculate they will be catwalk-worthy. Lifeguards will be on duty, though perilous situations are unlikely with a maximum pool depth of four feet.
The DJ booth is suspended over a moat bordering the lounge; the deck area in front of the DJ will make a perfect stage for nighttime performances should Wet Republic go that route in the future. Blake Anthony, formally of Pure Management Group, has joined Angel Music Group to bring the venue local and international DJs. The pools even have 12 underwater speakers for music lovers swimming beneath the surface.
“We’re actually looking to do more of a nightlife style of venue and experience out here,” says Olheiser. “That’s why we coined the name ‘daylife.’ When people think of nightlife, it conjures up a certain image. We want that image to be conjured up during the day as well.” With all the nightlife accoutrements present—bottle service, hot staff, VIP real estate and top DJs—Wet Republic is certainly on the right track.