TAO Beach

Even with the high expectations that come along with the Tao name (and just ask anybody standing in line outside the club on a bustling Saturday night - expectations ARE high), the newest member of the family - Tao Beach - doesn't disappoint. Set in a secluded spot inside the already plush pool area at The Venetian, it brings a little class to the idea of a pool party. In the center of Tao Beach, cushioned lounge chairs are lined up almost like desks in a classroom, but they're not facing a boring teacher and chalkboard, they're facing a pool and DJ booth that command attention better than any history lesson ever did. Not to mention that you're outside in the gorgeous Las Vegas weather. Working on your tan is a far cry from working on your homework. Like everything in town, there's more than one way to experience Tao Beach. If lounge chairs aren't the way to go or money is less of an issue, check out a day bed or a cabana, both available for reservations. The seven cabanas come decked out with all the comforts of home (or dream-home) poolside - 46-inch plasma televisions, X-Boxes, iPod hookups, a fully-stocked fridge and a DVD collection. Bottle service is also available. Making a day of it at Tao Beach is pretty easy. There are places to sit down, places to cool off and plenty to drink - there's a bar right inside. But man (and woman!) cannot live on fun and sun alone, they need to eat. Tao Beach solves that problem with a little help from one of the greatest chefs around - catering at the beach is provided by Riva, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant. You'd think it would be hard to keep this up day after day, but Tao Beach is open daily, always with a DJ. And on the weekends, it gets even more jumping. Saturday nights Tao Beach operates as an extension of Tao Nightclub and Sundays they host Sunset Sessions, a sort of industry party held, predictably, at sunset. The only confusing part about Tao Beach is finding it, but that makes it more fun, sort of like a secret club only the cool kids know about. To get in, meet up with the host at the Tao Beach kiosk in front of the Coffee Bean, he or she has a key to the guest elevators needed to get up to the pool area. Once in, head to the left and follow the signs. Maybe it's not that confusing after all. -- Review by Jamie Helmick