When we were at POR, I don't remember the quiet pools being closed at any specific time - or any signage, but on that trip we didn't swim late at night. I too thought they were called that because they were smaller, less "exciting" pools that were quiet simply because less people used them. Fortunately, I didn't think kids couldn't swim there because we enjoyed the one near our room a lot! I don't remember them being fenced off or having any way to "close"...and there were no towels day or night - the only towels at POR when I was there, were towels at the main pool. If you wanted towels at the quiet pools, you had to bring them from the main pool. That was 2001, so it may have changed.
When we were at AKL (2002), I'm positive the pool was open 24 hours - I believe it was in their literature, or they told us upon check-in, because we had a conversation about how great that was. The Lifeguard and the pool bar closed at a certain time, but after that, you can still swim there - there's just no one watching you if you should have a problem. In fact, now that I remember - they had signs out that said - if you have a problem...call blah, blah. I can't remember the specifics. When we were there, it was 10:00 pm that the lifeguards left and the pool bar shut down. They also blocked off the slide. Lots of people swam after that - and it was very nice to swim there late at night. If I remember correctly - the hot tubs closed at midnight though.
We always try to get a room near the quiet pool and I guess I thought it was called that because of the non-theming. I know we've gone for a swim after midnight - but maybe we weren't supposed to. Who knows. General rule, keep the noise down at night when people are trying to sleep - we shouldn't need a sign for that.
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