MGM vs. Mandalay

We will be in town 12/16 - 12/20. We already have a Grand King Premier View room booked at MGM ($53/night). But received an email from Mandalay for their Deluxe Strip View room ($51/night) or Great Room Suite ($63/night). The Great Room at Mandalay floor plan looks very nice! It appears that Paris also has some good rates going AND no resort fees. Paris also seems to be more center strip? This is my first trip. And husband hasn't been in 20+ years. Any pros/cons? Recommendations?

Thanks!

 

if your gonna go for the Mandalay Bay , see how much THEHotel is as its much classier and its all suites as well

 

I really enjoy MB/THEHotel for the room value, so that would be my pick. MB is usually less crowded than MGM or Paris. It is further South on the strip so there will be a bit of a walk to the center strip. We like the restaurants and amenities there.

If walking isn't a concern, then I would recommend them over MGM or Paris for the price.

*The tram from MB brings you to Excalibur, which is at the same intersection that MGM is at.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Paris and MGM are better locations, but having stayed at all three, I'd rank Mandalay the highest in room quality. Then again, I haven't seen the renovated rooms at MGM (staying there in a couple weeks!).

Paris is the best out of the three for location, as it's almost smack-dab center strip.

 

Mandalay is probably the best of the 3 but location wise its at the end of the strip, after that its the las vegas sign and thats it really

 

MB is really in no man's land IMHO...MGM new renovated rooms are very nice.....never stayed at Paris, but as said it's mid strip.....MB would be my last choice....everything is VERY high priced there...but so is MGM, however it's a great location compared to MB...walk across the walkway and you have either NYNY, EX, The Trop or even Hooter's Casino where you have $3 BJ tables 24/7......

 

Yes the room we have at MGM is supposed to be one of the newly renovated. I have one friend who swears by the beds at MGM....so much that after a visit there a few years ago, she went out and purchased the exact same bed. My neighbors stayed at MGM in November last year for their honeymoon and they were not that impressed. After looking at the location of Mandalay Bay, I have about scrubbed it as I would like to be closer to center strip. I would LOVE to stay at Bellagio. But I think it's a little out of our price range.

 

What are you talking about when you say everything is VERY high priced at Mandalay??

 

I just got back from a stay at Mandalay Bay. I also stayed there in August. I have to tell you I've been really disappointed. The rooms are in desperate need of a renovation, at least in the MB tower.

We had a 1500sq ft suite and some item in the room was breaking every day. First day the telephone and dining room lamp were broken. Second day the mini-bar was broken and kept on annoyingly beep at random times. The door to the shower would not close all the way. Then the last day the light in the bathroom just stopped working and would not turn on. The carpets are stained and warned. The furniture all shows its age. I also disliked the beds.

The room service food was absolutely disgusting. My penne alla vodka tasted like it came out of a can. And other dishes we ordered tasted just as poor. Another thing I dislike is the location of MB. very secluded and unless you want to fork over $15 each way on a cab to the strip your pretty much stuck at MB. I won't be staying there again anytime soon.

I've stayed at the Paris. It's alright. Nothing to write home about. The standard rooms are a little claustrophobic and tight.

I'd say go with MGM. The rooms and property is newly renovated. The scene there is very happening, lots of restaurants and shops, and the walk to the strip from MGM is doable. For me a no brainer.

 

Is the Grand King Premier their basic bottom of the line room? If so I would recommend the Bay however it hurts(at least to me) $100+tax on resort fees. For all these reasons I typically stay at TR props. Stayed at Paris in July for 5 nights and loved it. Had their bottom of the line room but loved the huge bathroom. Another nice thing is that all their elevators put you smack dab right in the middle of the casino and its about a 1-2 min walk to the strip. Think about what that $100 in resort fees can buy you. A nice dinner? A descent show? A couple lunches? A night of fancy drinks?......

 

Really depends what you're after.. the refurbished MGM Grand rooms look pretty nice and will be more modern/up to date than MB. MB was last overhauled 2006-2007. Not that MB rooms are out of date, they just aren't the freshest and latest. Paris would be considered out of date (unless you're in their Red Room).. but MB rooms do have the Ihome ipod/iphone clock radio dock at least.. If you're in MB, spring the extra and get the 750 GR. It's a decent size room with a nice jetted jacuzzi tub. If you're in the 200 wing of MB in the GR, you'll have a really nice view straight up the strip! Here's a view from my room when I stayed in one:


The only possible detraction is the location.. But then again, imo, anything between MB and MGM is about the same anyhow since it's all considered southern strip and there is a tram that connects MB with Luxor and Excalibur.. From there you just hop over to NYNY, MGM, or the Trop. I've been going to Vegas for about the last 4 years in a row at that time of year. MB will have a little less foot traffic than other properties due to its extreme southern end location but it's great.. Some hours of the day/night you feel like you have the whole casino to yourself!

 

Okay, since it appears you are PAYING for a room....

Keep in mind that MGM will add in a resort fee.

Paris is way more central strip and more in the action. I would take that over the others in a heartbeat. We have done MB and love it, but we have been to Vegas 2-3 times a year the past few years.

FIRST trip, and semi-first trip (20 years) - go for mid strip. Paris it is.

 

I DO NOT care for the MGM ( outside of its restaurants) at ALL. Place is too damn big. Mandy would be my choice but it is far away from the serious action. That said I would go for the Paris. However if ya have wheels orthe location isnt a concern...Mandy gets my pick.

 

Thanks for all of the replies! I did call MGM today at the recommendation of another poster on this board and was able to get the Executive King Suite for only $2 more per night. Only thing is that a strip view is not guaranteed. I will look at Paris some more. We still have a few weeks before our trip and I am constantly on the look out for good deals.

 

I'd be happy with any of those to be honest. I personally would go with the cheapest. If someone forced me to chose on favorites I'd pick Mandalay Bay, but here are my thoughts.

MGM has the newest rooms, but it's difficult to get around there, it's so big, but not with stuff of quality if that makes sense? Lots of fast food, and random useless stores. Also the resort fee with tax is $28 a day. (and i was there Saturday, took me an hour to check in, which made me mad)

Paris has the best location and some of the best restaurants, but the oldest rooms of the three. Also no resort fee = no wifi, no gym access. If that matters to you, wifi is $14 a day at Paris.

Mandalay also has great restaurants. I feel the best casino of the three. The rooms a little nicer and a little bigger than Paris. But still a little outdated. Also if you don't have a car it could get a little expensive with all the cab fare.

 

We stayed in the remodeled MGM room last August. VERY nice. BUT, the first night they stuck us in the West Wing...avoid!

 

So we should request a room on the East? What was the issue on the West?

 

The West Wing rooms are now called Petite Kings or something like that. If you have a Grand King or Executive King Suite, you will not be in the West Wing, you will be in the main tower.

 

The rooms are actually very nice...but they are very small, and the hallways and elevators are old and cramped. There is one other good thing about the West Wing, and that is it is about as close to the strip as you can get. Just make sure you are in the main tower and you will be fine.