Which MyVegas buffet?

Ok so I've been over analyzing this, so I figured I might as well ask the best resource on the internet...you guys! We're returning to Vegas in a couple of weeks after a 2.5 year hiatus. My wife isn't a fan of bufffets, but we're going to at least hit a couple. I have 40K + loyalty points from MyVegas, so I'm definitely going to hit up at least one 2-for-1 buffet. The Rio used to be my favorite, but after reading several recent Trip Advisor reports, it sounds like they've really fallen back. Word is they've closed off a good portion of the buffet and really scaled back on their offerings. I had almost settled on Bellagio for dinner and Cravings for lunch (I've been to both but it's been 7+ years), but I've never tried Aria! I had written it off, but it's vastly cheaper than Bellagio and after reading and seeing Superpocky's Trip Report it looks great! I know there was a recent bad review on here, but it was almost off the cuff and I'm wondering if it was just a bad experience. I'd always thought it was on par with many of the 2nd tier buffets. Side note, we ate Wicked Spoon the last trip I had and wasn't really that impressed. Let me know what ya'll think! I'd love to be able to use my dinner 2-for-1 at Aria and save the points for something else. As always, thanks in advance!

 

It really depends on what day you're going.

Aria and Bellagio have restrictions (M-Thursday only) IMHO, Bellagio is one of the top 3 or 4 buffets in Las Vegas (in a class with Wicked Spoon, Wynn, and Baccahnal). Aria is "OK+" or "OK++".

Mirage (Cravings) is "OK+" and 7 days a week.

If you don't mind spending money, then the 2 for 1 at Bellagio would be my choice.

 

Thanks. For the price difference in LPs (10,500) I'm very tempted by Aria. For almost 25% difference, I think I may do it. Plee I see you commented on the bad report, what's so awful about it? Do you like any buffets?

 

Aria has a very good dinner buffet, you will not be disappointed. I wasn't impressed with their breakfast or lunch buffet, but dinner is good.

 

I like Aria's buffet...I'm by no means a fussy eater; I enjoy good food and don't mind paying well over +$100 p/p. I'm going to be at Bellagio and Aria buffets this trip, maybe Bachannal.

As for MyVegas, my view is that the BOFOG offers are good value; better than the 'free buffet' for LPs. For 40k LPs maybe Bellagio BOGOF would be a good bet for you and your wife?

 

You definitely don't want Rio, had it last year and it was not very good.

 

I have eaten at Bellagio aria and MGM. I really like MGM. They are also one of the few buffets that you can use the reward to eat brunch on the weekends. We ate at the brunch buffet last December. They had the best handcarved bacon it was to die for. And their eggs Benedict is very good when they have it out. Plus the loyalty points used Are a lot cheaper then aria and Bellagio. Val

 

I haven't been there in a few years but the mirage buffet was pretty decent.

 

I got food poisoning at Mirage Buffet 10 years ago and have not been back... what did they do to try to make amends? #1 they made me wait 90 minutes to fill out an incident report the following day... hoping I would go away. and 2. They offered me buffet comps.. ARE YOU KIDDING? I finally got them to comp the night I was sick since I spent it in the bathroom almost all night. I don't like to say never, but I am 99% sure I will never eat at Mirage Buffet again -- but that's my personal experience.

 

Ate at Mirage last year. Wasn't the best but was pretty good. On par with Spice Buffet but smaller.
The only Mlife buffets you want are Aria, Mirage and Mandalay Bay.

 

Mandalay Bay is delicious, and IMO, the best value of the MyVegas buffet rewards. Their smoked turkey and crepes still make my mouth water. And the dining room is beautiful.

 

I used Myvegas for the 2 free Aria buffets about a month ago, the food was ok, I would eat there again for free but I would not pay for it. I was really disappointed they didn't have shrimp cocktail on the buffet like Bellagio does. They do have crab legs and decent sushi if you want those items. It was a blah buffet in my opinion, you won't leave hungry but you won't put it on your list to come back on your next trip.

I'm a huge fan of the Bellagio buffet and make sure I eat there every trip. The food is always top notch, their desert selection seemed to fall off this last trip though. It's absolutely worth every dollar in my opinion, I can eat that in shrimp.

Hope this helps.

 

So I decided on Mirage lunch and Bellagio dinner. I'll let everyone know how they were! Thanks for everyone's input.

 

Agreed. I liked it better than Aria's (although it's my 2nd fav). MGM was decent but a distant 3rd.

 

I think all buffets have been going downhill for the last 7 years that I have visited Vegas. However, here is my rank from top to bottom (with tasty highlights):

- Aria (tandoori chicken)
- Bellagio (desserts)
- Mirage (fresh guacomole)
- Mandalay (flank steak)
- MGM
- MC

If you think from a value for money perspective (through MyVegas), I'd go with Mandalay or Mirage though. I think Aria and Bellagio buffets are priced too high on MyVegas.

 

We just came back from Vegas and used our MyVegas 2 for 1 at Aria, and 2 free at Red Rocks.

We ate lunch at Aria first and it was ok, IMO. It still cost a tad over $25 for the one though. There was a lot of food on the line that I don't normally eat during lunch such as crab legs and shrimp. Dinner time, different story. They were in the middle of switching from breakfast to lunch, so I was able to get my heap of bacon and Biscuits/Gravy first.

The next day we went to Red Rocks Park (very nice visit and only 20 minutes away). On the way back we stopped at Red Rocks casino to use our 2 free lunch buffets. Very good, IMO. Great selection.

Of the 2 I actually liked the buffet at Red Rocks better. Some may agree, most will probably disagree.

 

Do you need to be staying at a MGM property to claim a MyVegas buffet reward? I've just started to play (6400 LPs so far) and just curious if I'm wasting my time since I'm not staying at a MGM property. I've looked at random reward descriptions but don't see any mention. Thanks in advance.

 

No, you don't need to stay for the buy 1 get 1 free offers, they have various restrictions. If you click on the my rewards item, it will list the restrictions. You can easily get a b1g1, which does not require a stay. If you are looking at the completely free offers, those are the ones that require a stay.

 

Last fall we did BOGO at both Bellagio and Aria. The buffet at Bellagio was pretty good but I have to lean towards enjoying the one at Aria better. The gelato was excellent and it didn't hurt when we were paying the lady was having an issue applying the credit for the free one so she said it was my first win of the day and didn't charge me anything. We will be visiting both buffets again on our next trip.

Mark

 

Don't suppose they do nice ribs at the buffet in the Mirage ???
I've done Aria/Bel/Monte/Excal/G Nug & Spice Market buffets in the past, but only recall getting ribs at the Spice Market...