I have Mandalay Bay and Excalibur for the same price

....except MB comes with a $50 resort credit.

I have my own personal reasons for not divulging the dates (it's in May though) or the price so forgive that in advance.

It dawns on me that while I love MB undyingly, I find myself wanting to stay at Ex contemporary room more than MB deluxe room.

I LOVE the luxury of MB and have always wanted to go to their spa as a guest.
I have stayed a number of times but have never gone to the spa.
Their pool is nice too but it's packed with kids so I do not really get to enjoy it much.
But the decor of the contemp room in Ex moves me more and makes me feel the "I'm in Vegas!" feeling a lot more.
Ex is both relaxing and exciting; MB is semi-relaxing (I only like the deluxe rooms too; not a big fan of the decor in the suites). Ok, I'm weird like that.

I also don't really care for their buffet and not yet much into "fine" (i.e., expensive) dining, so Ex food court does me swell.
I eat when I'm starving...it's hard to think to eat sometimes. That's my usual dining experience...although it may be changing over the course of time.

I also prefer the location of Ex far more for fun and frolic.
And there are always those hunky dudes at the front...maybe I will take pictures with them next time. I find myself taking taxis lots when I am at MB.
That walk between MB and Ex is not long but it sure is boring...it's not like mid-strip where you can hop in and out of casinos on the way....and be surrounded by the vibe, atmosphere, people.

While at Ex, I would easily make my way over to MB to go to eyecandy and Light club.
But I never even planned to see much of MB this trip.

Ok, without criticizing these properties, what do you suggest I do?

It's really hard to miss such an amazing rate for MB (my husband hotel) but Ex (my best friend hotel) is more fun....particularly for what I desire to accomplish. And I have MB booked later in the year for an amazing rate also (sans resort credit)!!

 

Without any credit - MB over Excal.

Seems like an easy decision to me.

But, you have your own "issues" and should go with what you like. Or, if to stay married, go with what the "boss" likes.

Still, how can Excal beat MB?

 

I've always wanted MB but the price has always been too high! But if you have it booked already for 1 trip, maybe go to EX for the other trip.

 

LOL

I have a nickname for luxcalibay....mb is husband hotel and ex is best friend hotel. I can be silly. Those are my nicknames for the hotels...I guess those are other "issues". lol

I am actually single and committed.

MB overall is more beautiful, far more luxurious, higher stars, etc...and I love it. But Excalibur feels like an adult Chuck E Cheeses. I think that's the kind of fun I'm going for this trip.

But I am still debating...It's possible I will do MB later though.

 

What I have been quoted for MB is actually a fifth of what it is going for now.

To be honest MB is $40 cheaper than EX for my dates before resort fees. *don't beat me*

 

MB is my home away from home in Vegas - specifically THEhotel. Maybe you can see if there is any way to get an upgrade to THEhotel for a more contemporary feel?

Not criticizing, but Excalibur just does not float my boat. Not in the same league as MB.

None the less, variety is fun. Since you already have another MB trip planned later, and sounds like you really enjoy Ex... go for it. You will either have a blast or learn to appreciate MB more (hopefully a little of both!)

 

If staying only 1 night or two then MB.
If staying longer then Excalibur because of the location and you will more than likely be walking the strip and MB is at the end.

We don't plan to ever stay further south than NYNY or MGM because we are usually out and about during the day.

 

So what was your final decision?

 

There's nothing that would ever get me to stay at Excalibur over Mandalay. Mandalay is vastly superior in every regard. Plus you can go to StripSteak.

 

+1. I also have standards for the hotels I stay at and Excalibur doesn't meet them.

 

MB is my favorite too! I don't hate Excal, but I'd only stay there if it was literally the last resort. We stay there if it's a super expensive weekend or something. The only reason to go to Excal over MB would be if you really want cheap dining, and cheap gambling... but I mean just take the tram.

Actually though, I was in Excal on my last trip, and it wasn't bad at all. I was surprised. Seemed cleaner than I remember, the new food court, and the Thunder theatre was remodeled on the outside...Go see Thunder, best show ever haha! But really, I would never pick it over Mandalay Bay.

 

The location? You can't be serious. Excalibur and MB are practically next door to each other, especially when you use the Tram. I'm partially disabled and walked to MB 2 weeks ago even though i spend most of my time mid strip.
I love MB, but going solo and getting free CET rooms, i usually stay at their properties. But MB is one of the best Hotels in Vegas, and i frequent that joint every time i'm in Vegas.....but come on.........MB is too far away? This isn't the Circus or Riviera. If i was lucky enough to stay at MB for one night, 5 nights, or forever, i would do it.........and i go INTO Excalibur for one reason only, to get to Luxor/MB if i'm not walking past.

 

MB, hands down! The first time my wife (gf at the time) and I went we stayed at the Excalibur because it seemed cheaper than most. (Little did I know if I had done a little homework I could have stayed somewhere much nicer).
We like to walk into the casino from time to time just because that was our first hotel in Vegas.
The last time we walked in was in April of 2011. It was really dirty, smokey, and the crowd was not at all like we remembered.

I hope it's better now than it was in 2011. And this is just my personal oponion but I will not sleep there again. Maybe a walk in but even that is not on the plan anytime soon.

Just adding my .02

 

Haha this thread.

I ended up choosing Excalibur because I wanted the Chuck E Cheese's for adults experience.

The MB was being offered to me on Mlife for $19 per night with a $50 resort credit in May. That offer dissipated.

MB is vastly superior to Excalibur. While most people do not, I put MB on par with Bellagio and the like. I do realize Excalibur is viewed as the bottom of the totem pole. *Shrug*

Excalibur was actually more expensive than MB for my nights (probably $35) for the contemporary rooms but it's what I wanted (I also realize MB is usually $80-150/night). I thought I would be convinced to take MB simply because it's worlds apart and I absolutely adore MB but it just wasn't my fancy at the moment.

I had my experience and was happy with my choice because I lost money at MB (as usual), they changed their carpet to patterns I do not like, and I still got to use the MB spa (which was FANTASTICAL).

 

That $19 rate for MB gets sent to my inbox all the time from Mlife. It is almost a semi bait and switch, as almost every date is "not available" or only 1 day a week qualifies.

I call everytime I get the e-mail and throw a few dates at them and to stay 4 nights midweek is usually quoted at $800+. What happened to $19/night?!?!