MGM Help

I finally booked my first Vegas trip last night and went with the MGM Grand. I was able to get a Grand King room w/ two free show tickets for around the same price as other hotels. The show tickets (girlfriend) and their pool is what sold me.

Now it seems like I keep hearing and seeing back things about this place. From the location, to the setup, to the long walks, etc.

I am looking to hear some good things about this place from others and/or any advice or things to know about staying here.

I am going in August, with my girlfriend. We are both 29, who are not huge into partying or the bar scene. Thanks in advance.

 

Sorry, I meant 'bad' things about this place, not back.

 

If you read much here, or around, you will find "bad" things about most hotels. MGM is indeed big. Some like that, some do not.

You will be fine.

 

I think Mgm is one of the better 4 star hotels on the strip. As a first timer you will be walking a lot anyway taking in all the sights. As far as location goes everybody has different opinion on whats good, it all depends on what you like do to do and were you like to eat etc. It will be a maximun of 15 min walk to reach center strip which is nothing in Vegas were u have to walk a lot to get anywhere.

 

I've stayed at most of the properties on the strip, several of them multiple times. I'm returning to the grand for the 4th consecutive trip this summer. The redo of the rooms make the grand nicer than mc, Nyny, Lux, excal, and trop. Good food and gaming selection with a variety of price points and table limits. It's on the higher end of the mid tier properties. A city within a city, it's size contributes to the availability of options it provides. The service is not at Wynn levels but is more than acceptable. I would recommend it.

 

I've stayed at MGM several times in the past, although not since the remodelling they've done recently. It is big, but it's a nice property with lots of dining options, comfortable rooms, and other good properties nearby. While I have moved to more stays at CET due to comps, I would never try to discourage someone from staying at MGM, and would in fact recommend it in many cases.

 

Great pools, great dining options, large sportsbook, self contained, lots of gaming options due to the large casino floor. It is a much better property since the remodel than most other properties on the strip except for the 5 star properties.

 

I'm staying at MGM in September. It will be my fourth stay at MGM. I like the location myself. You have NYNY and Excalibur right across from there. I also like the fact that there is a Fat Tuesdays downstairs. lol


Jeff

 

You will find that every where on the strip there is some walking involved!

A tip for MGM is that you can get to the strip quickly if you take the hallway between the Rain Forest cafe and Starbucks it leads straight to a door that exits right behind the building that houses the Coke/M&M stores.

 

MGM is a great choice for a first trip.

 

I like MGM grand. I've stayed there my last 3 trips out. Here are a couple of my tips/ suggestions.
-As others have said, there are some cheaper places around the area if you want to play lower tables. (NYNY, Excalibur, Hooters, Tropicana)
-Drink service has always been pretty quick.
-MGM is big and can be a bit overwhelming at first, but the easiest way I found to navigate through it is the find a couple landmarks and use those to find my way around (I use the sportsbook, cashiers cage and hotel lobby).
-There are lots of really nice places to eat and a lot of them were doing happy hour for drinks and appetizers at the bar (nice way to eat at the higher end places without breaking the bank).
-For a late night meal definitely hit Wolfgang Pucks restaurant. They have awesome wood oven pizza.
- the pools are nice and has a lazy river. I'm not a huge pool person, but I do like lounging by the pool at times. Even at peak times you should be able to find a chair... might not be right by the pool but it better than sitting on the ground.

One more thing. The grand rooms are nice and pretty big but if you can upgrade your room to a suite for a decent price, they are a lot nicer. Since you are going with your girlfriend, you will appreciate having a double sink, separate shower and tub and the couch with a second tv that the suite has.

 

I forgot..... If you want to catch a comedy show, brad garrets comedy club usually has some good up and coming comedian(sometimes some well known ones as well). You should be able to find tickets at the half price ticket booths.

 

To add one thing that I don't like, and that is pretty unique to MGM -- the place is an absolute zoo on fight night or on a night of a big concert. Can be a pain if you're there and not expecting it.

 

L'atelier de Joel Robuchon

If you are are interested in splurging on fine dining, I think L'atelier de Joel Robuchon is a perfect restaurant for a young couple looking to experience Las Vegas at its best. It's a two-star Michelin winner. Because of the seating arrangement, the food preparation takes place right in front of you, and it's an elaborate process there. We've also found the wait staff to be very friendly and eager to explain everything that's going on in the kitchen behind them. Also, there's usually a pre-theater menu if you want to save a few dollars.

 

There is not a better choice for a first trip.

Rooms were recently renovated.

A great location.

Good vibe for people in their 20s and 30s.

Good dining.

It is big, but not really an issue. I think of it as a mini Las Vegas in Las Vegas.

 

Agreed with everyone here who says it's a solid choice for a first trip. To be sure, there are places I like better than MGM (Mandalay Bay has long been a favorite, and recently I've been enjoying Aria and Bellagio), but that's mostly just personal preference, not to mention those places are probably in a "nicer" category than MGM. I think the best thing to be said about MGM is that you're getting what you're paying for, which is an upper-mid-level property with a great pool, a big casino, and plenty of dining/drinking options.

The only real negative about MGM was back before the renovation when they went through that period where they were trying to pretend the West Wing rooms were an upgrade. Now, though, they've made them cheaper and started calling them "Petite King" rooms, which I think is a bit more honest.

 

This is a good point, and I suspect the reputation of MGM as a gigantic hassle is due in part to the fact that people who go there only for big events get caught up in the human tidal wave going in and out.

On the upside, it makes for great people-watching. Position yourself at a penny slot machine facing the walkway to the arena on a fight or concert night, and it's like a red carpet event. Over the years, we have spotted plenty of celebrities at MGM (probably some incognito VMB superstars too.)

 

I can't do it. I have trouble with the crowds pressing in. And you better get there early to get that machine

 

Like every casino they all have their good points and there bad.
That being said, MGM is my 'home' casino so I enjoy it. I like the location, because it isn't too bad a walk to MB through the Luxor through the Excalibur. It's also and easy walk to NYNY, MC, or Aria. The Trop is also across the street.

I know everyone says it's big, but I enjoy the size. I don't really find it as overwhelming as a lot of people seem too.

 

Yeah those crowds are no joke. Last time I was there during the Lady Gaga concert and it was nuts after the show. Big fight nights are even busier. I realized I'm going to be there this month during the Justin Bieber concert, I didn't even realize adults went to Bieber concerts. We made evening plans away from MGM that night just to avoid the crowds leaving after the show.