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MGM trip report

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by Gomar, Oct 19, 2016.

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  1. Gomar

    Gomar Low-Roller

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    My Trip Report

    Check-in line was long, and slow. I was shockingly informed that I was the only one registered for the room eventhough my partner in crime did pay for her flight+hotel. Was asked if I wanted her name added to the room, which is why we got 2 Queen beds, duh!. Nonesense.
    The room itself was good, but the airconditioning vent was small and not strong enough. There was some long black slab on the window you slide to let the air in. And ifcourse, there was no refrigerator nor microwave... major bummer.

    The casino is smoke filled; I guess America's smokers converged on MGM for a last puff as youngsters have turned to vaping. I prefer a non-smoking casino so I could keep the Angel of Death from me for 50 years.
    MGM seemed like it wants to be all things to all people; clubers, families, oldsters, sports fans, gamers, etc. Add to that the fancy restaurants like Hakkasan, which is strictly for white yuppies and girls in high heels, black dresses with half their breasts exposed... which I am hoping will be gone by next year.

    Oh, and their lion habitat is gone. I guess free shows are too much for Vegas these days as they are moving away from family entertainment and back to gambling and adult themes not friendly for kids. That is why the Brazil shows in Rio and TI's pirate shows are gone as well.

    Their buffet voucher system was confusing. We used it for dinner, and then we had bathroom time for some 2 hours to expel the horrible food. Thankfuly, I came well stocked with Alka-Seltzer. However, MGM's breakfast buffet was good.

    You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the hotel:
    Deposit: USD 100.00 per night
    Resort fee: USD 35.84 per accommodation, per night
    The hotel resort fee includes:
    Fitness center access
    Internet access
    Phone calls
    Oh boy, I get charged even if I dont use it? Major rip-off. And I never asked for new cookies or chips, for which $8 daily was added to my hotel bill. Their so-called "mini-bar" nonesense: the girl said she has to re-stock it, so she opens it, which contained soda, beer and liquor bottles; says I have to talk to front desk to open it. Uh, if I never opened it why do you need to "re-stock" it?

    The check-out time is 11am, but my flight is at 10pm, well there go $5 tip to the luggage man to haul it into storage; and then another $5 to get it out because he has to feed the kiddies?... No, its a ripoff!

    It was all just too much, I'd rather pay less and stay at less crowded props like Luxor, Bally's, Trop, than this mashup.
     
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  2. mrstealth

    mrstealth VIP Whale

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    Was the toilet paper at least soft ? Worst thing in the world is spending 2 hours on the toilet and then finding out the tp is like sand paper.

    Thanks for the detailed report, hope your next trip goes a little better. I like bally's also.
     
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  3. VegasGroove

    VegasGroove VIP Whale

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    Umm . . . . wow.
     
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  4. Rodent Pack

    Rodent Pack S.S. Minnow

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    Yes...I, too, am hoping the black dresses will be gone by next year :wink2:...
     
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  5. 93 Octane

    93 Octane Chief Bottle Washer

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    Sounds like you had a blast I'd like to party with you:woot:
     
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  6. CaliMike

    CaliMike “My home away from home”

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    Thanks for the info... Making Hakkasan reservations as I type.
     
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  7. fudgewapner

    fudgewapner High-Roller

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    While the MGM buffet is surprisingly crappy, I don't get the luggage storage complaint. $10 bucks to have your belongings securely stored for as long as you need, with only the expectation for a reasonable tip? You don't even have to be a guest at the actual hotel that's storing your stuff. Do you feel this service should be free? The promise of the tip is an inducement to not drop/steal your stuff. If some dude takes care of my work laptop and all the other crap in my backpack, then I'm giving him some cash. And do any of the strip hotels offer a microwave??
     
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  8. FuzzyDiceCraps

    FuzzyDiceCraps VIP Whale

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    I'm sorry your trip was not enjoyable. I've never been a huge fan of the MGM myself, although I do love to play that metal horse racing game (the name is slipping my mind) that they have where you use real quarters. I try and stop there every trip for at least a few minutes if my wife will let me. :)

    That said, I'm trying to see how any of your complaints are unique to the MGM (aside from the buffet) and do not also apply to the properties you indicate (Luxor/Ballys/Trop). Did you expect a fridge and microwave in your room? Those aren't really standard in Vegas, and I doubt they were advertised for your room. Adding someone to your room isn't an automatic, I have to add my wife everytime. Adding someone to your room authorizes them to charge to the room, etc. A lot of times you may travel with someone (friends, family, coworkers, etc) and not want them to have charging privileges if your card is the one on deposit for the room.

    I've never been at any of those properties when they weren't extremely smokey. In general, the older Casinos are. Poor ventilation systems and low ceilings make for smokey casinos. Heck, last time I went to Vegas I thought V/P were really smokey and I was always playing next to someone chain smoking cigarettes. I didn't enjoy that aspect of it, but that wasn't a reflection on the casino, but the people who I just happened to get next to time and time again.

    I also don't think you'll find a property on the strip that isn't casting a wide net to attract customers. Almost all have clubs, restaurants, etc. I'll grant you that properties may appeal more to certain patrons (largely tied to income level or age), and I will agree with you that MGM doesn't really have an "identity" with regard to who it attracts - but this is also because it is such a massive property.

    Regarding the loss of the lion habitat, all properties change, and cut costs. The Siren Show at TI *which was far from family-friendly btw*, cutting back on the volcano at Mirage, and the lion habitat are a few examples. The Lion Habitat closed in 2011 or 2012 I believe, so not like it was a new development when you arrived for your stay.

    As far the resort fee, that's every property on the strip. And they all get you about the exact same thing - pretty much nothing other than internet and/or the fitness center.
    11 am Check-out is pretty standard as well unless you are eligible for late checkout due to status or pay a fee. You weren't forced to store your bags, you could have kept them with you and saved the $10.

    Like I said, I'm really sorry you had a bad trip, but looking at your review, it sounds like your issues are with VEGAS in general and not the MGM Grand in particular. I'm not saying your concerns are invalid or wrong, but I think your frustration is not being directed in the right direction.
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2016
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  9. jpw711

    jpw711 Is that your cat?

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    I, for one, am happy to see it going this way.

    Sorry you had a bad trip.
     
    No reason to go home yet.
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  10. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    Sigma Derby!!!!

    I agree with this. Very little that was said in the OP couldn't also be said about almost every hotel on The Strip. There are still casinos where you can avoid the resort fees and nightclub crowd, but you're going to have to look off-Strip for it.
     
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  11. FuzzyDiceCraps

    FuzzyDiceCraps VIP Whale

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    YES! Sigma Derby, thank you Sonya!! Wow, now I'm super excited to go watch those silly little horses run around that track.
     
  12. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I played Sigma Derby for the first time at The D on my last trip. It was a blast! New VMB Rule: If you hit the 2-1, you have to throw your hands in the air and scream "Fiddy Cent!" at the top of your lungs.... apparently. :wink2:
     
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  13. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    It didn't happen without a video!! haha!

    Love screaming at horses going round the track, plastic, metal or the real thing!!
     
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  14. Gomar

    Gomar Low-Roller

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    I meant I hope the restaurant will be gone. Too many patrons crowded by the entrance making for difficult navigation around the area.
    Whats cool this year, wont be next.
     
  15. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Man, you can't make this stuff up! Priceless. Thanks for the laughs!!!
     
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  16. Gomar

    Gomar Low-Roller

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    You're joking me hopes. A poster on another board complained about them demanding a $700 tip.
    Check out their web site, notice there are no prices posted on the menu. Guess they'd charge any amount as they go along.

    http://hakkasan.com/locations/hakkasan-las-vegas/menu/a-la-carte/

    "Dress Code:
    Business casual."
    What's that? All black, girls' breasts half exposed?
     
  17. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    I'm a left half man myself! :thumbsup:

    Too bad your trip wasn't a total win for you!
    I agree with your observations on the smoke in MGM. The idea of leaving bags at a bell desk is a bummer sometimes, but I haven't had anything stolen or lost yet, and it sure beats lugging the backpacks around all day before leaving for our flight.

    I hope you found some good times, too!

    RICHARD
     
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  18. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    We did an event at Hakk a few years back. This old goat actually enjoyed it. And we've had some good times at Tao. But of course I'm usually on the way to the golf course when the kids are coming in from those joints.

    Gotta love the Cleavage and Ass Line that forms outside Hakk!!!
     
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  19. 93 Octane

    93 Octane Chief Bottle Washer

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    Maybe the OP would have a hoot in Branson rather than Vegas, to each his own
     
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  20. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    I'm pretty sure bell tips are standard in Branson, too. :)
     
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