Staying at Mandalay Bay, give me the good, bad and ugly please!!

Hi!! This is my first post! With my hubby we are going from México to LV on Thanksgiving, Nov 26 - Dec 1
What we should know about this hotel and be aware of?? :confused2:

Thanks!!

 

Be aware of the 6:5 BJ at the lower minimums. As for the hotel itself, I didn't have any problems. I just stayed there on Sunday and Monday night for the first time and while it wasn't as nice as my next stop (Aria), it was perfectly fine room to stay in.

 

It's not Aria.

Actually, I really mean that. Over the Labor Day weekend, I stayed one night at Aria, then the next night at Mandalay Bay (I was using MyVegas rewards for each and really excited about staying at two places I had never been to before.

I fell in love with Aria and didn't want to leave. Classy. Great rooms and staff. Mandalay Bay seemed to more geared at a young crowd, and the rooms seemed deporessing compared to Aria.

 

I love Mandalay Bay, though most people on this board trash it.

It's a nice property with a great casino and excellent dining options. The rooms are much nicer than the other "mid tier" properties. I love the floor-to-ceiling windows, and it has one of the best strip views in Vegas if you can get a room facing the north.

The only fault I can find with MB is it's location. It's ridiculously far from the middle of the strip, but I actually enjoy that aspect of it because it feels less busy and crowded.

 

The location may not be that great, but if you take the free tram up to Excalibur all you have to do is cross the bridge to be at NYNY and MGM and it only takes a few more minutes to get to somewhere like Aria, where I still did most of my playing.

 

THE GOOD: Decent gambling, lots of good food options, great pool complex (but probably won't matter considering when you are going there), fantastic sports book, good entertainment options on property, and good although older rooms. And the Shark Reef is fun

THE BAD: The spa is mediocre at best. Its not bad, but I would expect more from a property at this level. Its also a big property. Lots of walking. That's not a bad for me, but I know it is to plenty of people. And obviously the Strip location is not ideal.

THE UGLY: the cocktail waitress uniforms! I miss the old red ones, lol. Seriously, can't really think of anything to put in this category

 

I enjoyed Mandalay Bay a lot. I liked the buffet for breakfast the drink service in the casino was very good. I did not enjoy and do not recommend Slice of Vegas.

I also liked Border Grille and Hussong's Cantina but being from Mexico, I doubt you would be interested in fake Mexican food!

You'll have fun, don't worry.

 

Ditto!

Ditto!
Only a few more days...I can't wait

 

I agree with UK's assessment. I prefer the spa at Four Seasons over Spa Mandalay, but Spa Mandalay isn't 'bad' by any means.

GOOD: While there, be sure to visit either the Foundation Room patio or the patio at mIX to watch the sunset. In my experience the drinks are stronger and the view of the Strip slightly better from the Foundation Room patio.

 

Forgot about the Foundation Room. The is definitely another plus for this property.

You know, I don't think I ever knew there was a separate spa for the Four Seasons? You've seen my review of Spa Mandalay (meh) and the Bath House at Delano/The Hotel (less than meh), but I didn't realize the 4S had a separate one. Where is it located, Kelly?

 

it's about halfway between the FS Entrance/Lobby and the FS elevator lobby.

 

Since no one else has mentioned it yet, Michael Jackson ONE is at Mandalay Bay, and it is the best Cirque du Soleil in Vegas right now (in my humble opinion). I have seen it twice in the last 6 months.

Also, don't do breakfast/brunch at the buffet, Raffles, or Citizens. Instead, go to Veranda (Four Seasons lobby) or Della's Kitchen (Delano lobby).

 

Totally agree about Michael Jackson ONE and Veranda at Four Seasons.

 

I think the sports book at MB is the best I've been to on the strip. also, I happen to really like the spa. Foundation room is great and a necessary stop on any visit. and like everyone else, the MJ show is awesome.

 

I saw MJ One during the Labor Day weekend at an early Sunday show. I paid $125 for an excellent seat --- and found the show really oppresive and dark. Except for the Billie Jean and Thriller dance numbers, I didn't like MJ One. All those media/Judge Dredd-looking types coming in so much really brought it down. I wouldn't see it again. I was so glad that I was seeing The Beatles' Love that night because is happy and love! Love is the exact opposite of MJ One and, boy, did I need Love! I have now seen Love 8 times and will see it again when I am back in November. In my opinion, Love is the best Cirque show...ever!

 

I agree... I've always thought MB to be one of the better properties in town.

 

Yes, but "we" hate it!

 

I'm not really sure what you mean by "oppressive", but I couldn't disagree with your review more. I would say the final number is the exact opposite of dark. The gags with the glove are fun. and the effects and costumes are very interesting. But to each their own

 

i love mandy bay...beautiful property, nice rooms, good cocktail service, many restaurant and entertainment choices. you'll like it!

 

That final number was a long time to wait for a bit of lightness. As to my feeling it was oppressive, the Dredd-like characters were reappearing in so many scenes, each time dominating the characters.

There was one thing that I should mention about that final scene...I has mercifully forgotten until the Neverland gate appeared about Jackson's abuse allegations. That felt awkward.

But, as you say, to each their own. Maybe MJ One is like the hotel, it is meant more for a younger crowd than I fit into. Thinking about MJ One, it is how so many movies and TV shows today are darker and edgier. That's not how I want my Cirque shows.