The Bellagio in Las Vegas has five outdoor Mediterranean-style pools reserved exclusively for hotel guests; the Seven Sacred Pools (Pools of ‘Ohe’o) in Haleakalā National Park, Maui are free-formed natural pools set in a jungle gorge — though swimming has been prohibited since March 2025 due to flash flooding safety concerns; and the Waiwera Hot Pools north of Auckland, which closed in 2018 and were demolished in 2024, have a $50 million redevelopment plan announced in November 2025. This guide covers each location, what to expect, and the current status of access and access restrictions.
- Bellagio pools, Las Vegas: 5 outdoor pools, 4 whirlpools, 2 lap pools, 51 private cabanas — hotel guests only, access included in the $55/night resort fee. Adult-only Cyprus Pool requires a reservation
- Seven Sacred Pools, Maui: Located at Mile Marker 42, Hana Highway, Kipahulu, Haleakalā National Park — $30 entry. Swimming prohibited as of March 2025 due to flash flooding safety and equipment theft
- Waiwera Hot Pools, Auckland: Closed 2018, demolished 2024. A $50 million redevelopment plan for 28 pools and wellness facilities was announced November 2025 — the site is not yet open to the public
- Best NZ thermal pool alternatives: Polynesian Spa, Rotorua (28 pools, winner World Luxury Spa Awards 2024) and Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools (New Zealand’s largest thermal reserve, 2 hours from Christchurch)
The Bellagio Pool — Las Vegas Hotel Pool Complex
What the Bellagio pool complex includes
The Bellagio resort on the Las Vegas Strip operates five outdoor pools designed in a Mediterranean style, with classical Italian stone fountains feeding the pool water. The full complex includes two heated lap pools (both located in the main western pool area), four whirlpools, and 51 private cabanas available to rent. According to Midlife Miles’ 2026 Bellagio pool guide, pool depth throughout the complex is 4–5 feet (1.2–1.5 metres) — Bellagio’s pools are for relaxation rather than competitive or lap swimming, though the dedicated lap pools provide a straight swim course. The pools are available exclusively to hotel guests; entry is included in the Bellagio resort fee of $55 per night. Day passes for non-guests are not available. Pool hours run approximately 9am–6pm in winter and extended hours in summer; the lap pools close at 9pm in summer. The adult-only Cyprus Pool area offers 60 premium chaise lounge chairs and four daybeds in a secluded section of the pool complex — this area must be reserved and is restricted to guests aged 18 and over. The Bellagio pool is separate from the famous Bellagio fountains, which face the Strip and are visible from the pool level but are a distinct feature of the resort’s exterior lake.
Seven Sacred Pools, Maui — Pools of ‘Ohe’o in Haleakalā National Park
What the Seven Sacred Pools are — and the current swimming restriction
The Seven Sacred Pools — officially named the Pools of ‘Ohe’o and located within the Kipahulu section of Haleakalā National Park — are a series of tiered natural freshwater pools formed along Palikea stream, at Mile Marker 42 on the Hana Highway, approximately 12 miles past the town of Hana on Maui’s eastern coast. Despite the marketing name “Seven Sacred Pools” — coined by a hotel owner in the mid-20th century to attract tourists — the gulch actually contains approximately 20 natural pools ranging in size. The National Park Service charges a $30 entrance fee for access to the Kipahulu area (covering both districts of the park). Important: as of March 2025, swimming and wading in the pools is prohibited by the National Park Service due to safety concerns including flash flooding risk and the theft of stream monitoring equipment. The surrounding area remains open for hiking — the Pipiwai Trail (4 miles round trip, gaining 650 feet elevation, 2.5–5 hours depending on pace) passes through a bamboo forest and reaches Waimoku Falls, and is accessible from the Kipahulu Visitor Centre. The Visitor Centre is open 9:30am–4:30pm. Anyone considering a visit should check current NPS access status at the Haleakalā National Park website before travelling, as conditions change seasonally.
Waiwera Hot Pools and New Zealand Thermal Pools
Waiwera Hot Pools — current status and redevelopment
The Waiwera Thermal Resort, located at Waiwera approximately 45 kilometres north of Auckland in the Hibiscus Coast area, was for decades one of New Zealand’s most popular geothermal attractions — fed by natural hot springs and operating a complex of pools and waterslides until it closed for planned renovations in 2018 and never reopened. According to Wikipedia’s history of Waiwera Hot Springs, the resort buildings were demolished in early 2024, leaving the site completely cleared. In November 2025, new owners Waiwera Thermal Springs Property LP announced a $50 million redevelopment plan for the site, including concept designs for 28 pools, wellness experiences, saunas, reflexology walks, and gardens — with resource consent lodged with Auckland Council in December 2025. The site is not yet open to the public and no opening date has been confirmed. Visitors to the Auckland area seeking thermal pool experiences should instead consider the options at Rotorua (3 hours south) or the smaller thermal facilities available in the wider North Island region.
New Zealand thermal pools — Polynesian Spa and Hanmer Springs
New Zealand’s best-established public thermal pool experiences are the Polynesian Spa in Rotorua and Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa. The Polynesian Spa, set on the shores of Lake Rotorua, draws its water from two natural springs — Priest Spring (which relieves muscle aches) and Rachel Spring (mineral-rich, skin-softening) — and operates 28 pools across four areas: family pools, Pavilion Pools (12+), Deluxe Lake Spa (premium pools with cold plunge and lake views), and private pools available for 45-minute sessions. The spa received the World Luxury Spa Awards recognition in 2024. Rotorua itself is New Zealand’s geothermal heartland, with Māori cultural sites, the Wai-O-Tapu geothermal area, and multiple pool facilities. Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools, located approximately 2 hours from Christchurch in the Southern Alps foothills, is New Zealand’s largest thermal reserve — a full complex with rock pools, sulphur pools, hydroslides, a lazy river, and freshwater lap pools, with a mix of therapy-focused adult areas and family infrastructure. For Tourism New Zealand’s list of top hot pools, Polynesian Spa and Hanmer Springs consistently appear as the two primary destinations for thermal pool experiences in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-hotel guests use the Bellagio pool?
No — the Bellagio pool is exclusively for hotel guests. There are no day passes or external access options. Pool use is included in the $55 per night resort fee charged to all guests. The complex has five outdoor Mediterranean-style pools, two lap pools, four whirlpools, and 51 private cabanas. The adult-only Cyprus Pool area is available for guests aged 18+ who reserve in advance. Non-guests cannot purchase access regardless of whether they are MGM Rewards members.
Can you still swim in the Seven Sacred Pools in Maui?
As of March 2025, swimming and wading in the Pools of ‘Ohe’o (Seven Sacred Pools) is prohibited by the National Park Service due to flash flooding safety concerns and the theft of stream monitoring equipment. The area remains accessible for hiking — the Pipiwai Trail and the Kipahulu Visitor Centre are open. The $30 national park entry fee still applies. Check the Haleakalā National Park website (nps.gov/hale) for current conditions before visiting, as access restrictions may change.
Are the Waiwera Hot Pools open?
No — the Waiwera Hot Pools are not open. The resort closed in 2018, and the buildings were demolished in early 2024. A $50 million redevelopment plan was announced in November 2025 by new owners, proposing 28 pools and wellness facilities, but no opening date has been set and the site remains empty. The best alternatives near Auckland for thermal pool experiences are the Polynesian Spa in Rotorua (3 hours south) or the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools in the South Island.
What are the best thermal pools in New Zealand?
The Polynesian Spa in Rotorua is widely considered New Zealand’s premier thermal pool experience — 28 geothermal mineral pools fed by two natural springs, with a dedicated luxury lake spa area and private pools; it won the World Luxury Spa Awards in 2024. Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools (2 hours from Christchurch) is New Zealand’s largest thermal reserve, combining therapy pools, hydroslides, and a lazy river. Onsen Hot Pools in Queenstown offers private outdoor pools with alpine views. The Waiwera resort north of Auckland has been demolished and is under redevelopment.
