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Mandalay Bay or Luxor? (I feel stupid for asking, but hear me out first)

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by Badger31, Jul 31, 2015.

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  1. Badger31

    Badger31 Low-Roller

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    Heading to Vegas in December, and I want to use a myVegas comp night to spend one night south strip (I've never stayed south strip before). I was all set to do Luxor, but then I noticed that Mandalay Bay had availability the night I'm looking at. LP's aren't an issue...so, thoughts on which I should choose?

    I get in late (9:30) on a Thursday night. I'll be solo Thursday night...my buddy is flying in on Friday. My plan will be check in, gamble and drink till 3-4am, and maybe sleep 4-5 hours. I'll be doing the breakfast buffet at MB Friday morning through myVegas. Then I'll check out and maybe hang out for a bit before heading north to the Linq for the rest of the weekend.

    I'm very easy going when it comes to room accommodations. I need a clean bed and a shower that works...that's pretty much it. That being said, I appreciate the nicer rooms at nicer hotels. If I was with my wife on this trip, that might change things up a bit. Since it's just me, I can really go either way.

    I've always wanted to stay at Luxor. Something about the pyramid thing that I think is cool. Maybe a little kitschy and touristy, but that's kinda why I like it. Gambling at Luxor suits my style as well. I'm a low roller (usually set a $150-200 a day in losses limit). I like $5 BJ, Pai Gow, Craps, and maybe some VP sprinkled in there as well.

    I've never even been to Mandalay Bay, so I'm not really sure what to expect. I know that it is one of the nicer MGM properties, so that's a huge plus on their favor. I already plan on eating there Friday morning, what's the casino like? Another worry I have about MB is that it might be too far south if I want to wander around during my 14-18 hours on the south strip.

    Since it will be comped through myVegas, the price difference will be about $4 in resort fees. Any help you can offer is appreciated.
     
  2. h0und10

    h0und10 VIP Whale

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    2 weeks ago I stayed at both. 2 comped nights at luxor from myvegas and then the last night comped at mandala. Mandala is way nicer all around. better rooms, bigger casino, more tables, better drink service, more fun crowd, but something kinda fun about staying in a prymaid lol. the "inclinations" are fun and kinda a running joke as it felt like they were just on the verge of breaking down lol. Id go for mandala. there connected indoors so you can always walk over and check out the luxor if you got bored or were on a losing streak on Thursday night. i had both buffets and the mandala is way better for that too. pay 5 bucks and get the unlimited memosis! Its not my drink but I sure made it my drink for a few days!
     
  3. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    The problem with Luxor is that it isn't really kitschy anymore. Yes, it's still shaped like a pyramid, but they've basically removed all the cool theming in favor of making the interior spaces look like a nice airport. The pyramid rooms haven't aged well, and the tower rooms are perfectly fine but no different than any other rectangular hotel room. I stayed at Luxor a while back and enjoyed it (their pool is very nice relative to the quality of the overall property), but if price wasn't a consideration, and it isn't here, I'd take Mandalay Bay every day of the week.
     
  4. DJ Ran

    DJ Ran VIP Whale

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    Mandalay Bay is the much better over property and the rooms are much nicer. Stay there and gamble at the Luxor where you should find lower table limits. It's only a short inside walk
     
  5. iamsomedude

    iamsomedude High-Roller

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    If LP's aren't a factor, there's no reason you shouldn't stay at Mandalay Bay. It has much better dining options and much more things to do, and because the distance between the Luxor and the Mandalay Bay isn't very big, you can easily gamble at both casinos. If you want to get the Luxor hotel room experience, you could always just take a look at the many videos on Youtube while you enjoy your much nicer room at the Mandalay Bay. Location shouldn't really matter that much for you as far as Luxor and Mandalay Bay are concerned, because there's a tram that goes between Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur.
     
  6. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Given the way myvegas rooms are going lately, i pick MB unless you want to gamble on a MB room night in "pool season" next year (if free rooms even last that long) as the pool is the major highlight to MB, imo. If luxor rooms ever go away, all rooms will gone. As detailed in day 5 of my most recent TR, our pyramid room had a ceiling leak when it rained. We couldn't be moved and the manager said it was a common problem since the pyramid window seals are significantly worn down. Some "comps" made it right though at least. I also wouldn't recommend the 6th floor either which we received. Too close to the night club and bottom floor for your elevator bank.
     
  7. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    You're not going to find $5 table games at either property. So I would go with MB. It has nicer beds and showers than Luxor. Plus, since you're already having a buffet there on short rest, I would suggest staying closer to the restaurant.
     
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  8. StingerHook

    StingerHook High-Roller

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    Stay at MB, play at Luxor.

    As UK mentioned, you won't find $5 table games at either casino but I imagine you should be able to find $10 tables at Luxor without too much trouble.
     
  9. Tammy58

    Tammy58 Frugal Slot Jockey

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    Read that MB Breakfast MyVegas carefully. I haven't checked out that particular reward but many of the buffet rewards are now listing good only M-Th. Just a heads up :)
     
  10. JoJoR

    JoJoR VIP Whale

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    By that time your trip rolls around, you might score one of the renovated rooms.
     
  11. Badger31

    Badger31 Low-Roller

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    Yeah, I checked that. The breakfast/lunch buffet is M-F. I am going to buy my rewards almost exactly 90 out because who knows how things might change.

    I'm surprised there's no Luxor love on this thread. Maybe all the MB love scared some away?

    Thanks for all the tips guys. It looks like MB it is! My wife is going to be super jealous.
     
  12. Chuck2009x

    Chuck2009x VIP Whale

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    It's really a tossup, because it's only one night.

    If you really have always wanted to stay in the pyramid, and think you like the Luxor casino, then I'd just go ahead and stay there.

    No question the Mandalay room will be better.

    The casino vibes are totally different because of the lighting and decor - Mandalay bright, Luxor dark.

    If I was going to play at Luxor, I think I'd stay there and have the shorter trip between the casino and the room.
     
  13. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Luxor is a bit dumpy. I think three and a half years ago was the last time I stayed there. It feels more like a dormitory for younger and budget travelers than a top notch hotel. I still like T&T and the inside view of the pyramid is impressive. But those are reasons to visit there, not stay
     
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  14. BellaBlvd

    BellaBlvd Low-Roller

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    In March I stayed at the Luxor for 2 nights on a MV comp - because no others were available when I was going, and I figured what the hell I'd stay in the kitchy pyramid. I had a pyramid room, and I think the hieroglyphics on the headboard and armoire spell out "Don't Stay Here". I hated the inclinators, and one always shook something fierce - and I was a former competitive skater so I'm used to being in the air, spinning, etc and theme park rides don't scare me - but those inclinators did. The pool area I will admit was shockingly decent, and definitely better than PH, so there's that ;) Otherwise, I truly have no love for the Luxor. So if it were me I'd pick MB.
     
  15. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    My bathtub at home makes for a better pool than the DNA dumpster that is the PHo pool deck :thumbsdown:
     
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  16. Beatlefan333

    Beatlefan333 Tourist

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    I would go Mandalay Bay because that's was the first Vegas hotel I ever stayed in a suite. Also stayed in the pyramid suite though the experience is unique the room does not compare!
     
  17. hog

    hog Tourist

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    Stay at MB and play at Luxor.
     
  18. KellyLovesVegas

    KellyLovesVegas Earthling/retired space nerd

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    Totally agree, T&T has good food, great drinks and a good vibe. I'm not a fan of the scent in Luxor - it seems a bit intense on the casino level.
     
  19. YoungGun

    YoungGun VIP Whale

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    The one big drawback to Mandalay Bay for me is that the rooms were designed with the bathroom door facing the beds instead of being in the entry area like almost every other hotel in the world. If someone in your room has a bad experience at the buffet you will be hearing and smelling everything thanks to the way the room is laid out. I do like Mandalay Bay, but usually stay at THEhotel/Delano just because of he bathroom thing.

    It is pretty easy to hop between Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur. Maybe not Fremont Street easy, but they're connected by walkways and there is a monorail during certain hours. The Mandalay Bay casino can get very empty late at night, even on weekends since it is so far south. I walk to Luxor or Excalibur during those times since the lower minimums there keep their casinos a little busier. Luxor and Excalibur also have more late night food options including a 24 hour McDonald's and Pizza Hut. None of them operate their coffee shops 24 hours anymore. MB does have Citizens but it's pricey for what it is ($15 burgers). Luxor Deli is now 24 hours. You might want to give Excalibur buffet a shot. It was remodeled fairly recently and is pretty good. It was on myVegas. Not sure if it still is.
     
  20. Big dan

    Big dan High-Roller

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    Mandalay also has one of the best strip views in my oppinion. Beds are very comfy but I would play at Luxor like others have mentioned, when I was at Mandalay I should have just thrown my money off the rooftop, I would have lost money at a slower rate that way. Haha
     
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