Pros and Cons of the Mirage?

I've been hoodwinked into meeting a friend in Vegas in July, and am just trying to decide on a hotel.

I suggested we snap up a deal at somewhere like Bally's - not so nice rooms, but super cheap, good location, cheap gambling (I'm a low roller, or try to be). We'll be out and about mostly anyways, right?

He's keen on Mirage, the main thing for him being the pool.

Now, it's not so much just the price of the room (and resort fees on top), that's likely only $200 per person difference. But, when it comes to the times that you are just hanging around your home base hotel, everything (I am presuming) is more expensive - food, drinks, table minimums, hookers, etc. Am I making a correct assumption here, and if so, to what degree will things be more expensive? I'm mostly concerned about table minimums, as I often have a tendency to do "just a little gambling" before going up to the room when I arrive back at home base after a night out.

On the positive side, does anyone have any particular favorite attributes of the Mirage they'd like to mention that might make me change my tune a bit?

Edit: oh ya, meant to ask, do the standard rooms have a fridge, if not, does anyone know if one can be rented, and for how much?

 

No fridge at the Mirage - I think it's $25 per day. You are right - food, etc will be higher at the Mirage.

 

I've never stayed or played at Ballys but do frequent the Mirage. Pool there is really nice, that's for sure. I like their casino a lot. I play slots so not sure of table minimums. Food options are good, not great. Buffet is fine. BLT burger is a nice place and the Carnegie deli is fine for cheaper fare. There is one of those Brazilian joints that looks really good but have not tried yet. There is an Italian and a Japanese restaurant as well. Mirage has no 24 hour coffee/food shop, that is a negative. Deli is only thing open 24 hours. Rooms are ok and standard rooms do not have a fridge, just a stocked mini bar that you shouldn't fool with or they say they will charge you.

 

I liked the Mirage, but I guess I have to disagree about Carnegie Deli being a cheap option. $27 for a turkey sandwich and potato salad doesn't seem so cheap to me. I didn't go to the pool, but it is a nice property. If you are going to pay extra, I'd pay a bit more for one of the Tower Deluxe rooms. These rooms are guaranteed to be on the 24/25 floors - have bigger bathrooms I believe, and have a dedicated elevator.

I only played Let it Ride one morning, and it was a $5 table.

 

I last stayed at The Mirage last year for a week, and here is my Pros & Cons list.


Pros

Good Location (tram to TI, walk to CP, Venetian & Palazzo)
Good Atmosphere in the Casino
Great Pool (gets crowded early)
Large inventory of gaming tables w/ $10 Minimums
Good Breakfast Buffet
Good Race & Sports Book
One of my favorite Poker Rooms

Cons
Not a huge fan of their restaurants - I ate at BB Kings, Carnegie Deli and the Buffett, and I purposely steered clear of the other options there.
Crowds at the Pool
Expensive, Pre-Pay Cabanas - $400 a day, must pay in advance, no refunds
Billing is Centralized to all MGM properties - if you have issues w/ billing, like I have, good luck. It wasn't an easy process, and I still feel like the charged me too much.

 

The only two "cons" for the Mirage (IMO) are: (1) small bathroom in the standard rooms, which really only comes into play if you traveling with a s/o; and (2) lack of low-cost food options. However, there is a food court right across the street with McDonalds, Chipotle, pizza, chinese, etc., so that negative isn't really a big deal.

Otherwise, the Mirage is great. Awesome pool, nice remodedled rooms, not as expansive as most strip hotels, 3-2 blackjack at $10 tables, great sportsbook, etc.

 

Depends on what you eat at the Deli. I get breakfast food there, big portions and about $12-$14.00. If you get the turkey sandwich it is over $20.00 but it will feed 2-3 easy. Those things are huge!

Also California Pizza Kitchen is at Mirage and thats not too bad either. True there is no food court but like others have said, just cross the street. Its right off the casino and 20 yards away!

So Pro's its everything you want in a resort, expecially compared to Ballys.

Cons Resort fees and crowds.

Ballys is dated but great location and its connected to Paris.

 

Room cost is the best value on the Strip.

 

Happy to see this thread. Heading to Vegas next Wednesday for a 3 night stay at the Mirage. Looking forward to more answers!

 

We also are staying at the Mirage for the first time. I've been afraid I am going to be disapointed in the room compared to our room at Mandalay Bay but like the location better. I like a bigger bathroom also.

 

I have stayed at NYNY and Luxor, which are both fairly close to the Mandalay Bay. I will say that we walked a TON to do the sight seeing. I'm looking forward to seeing what it is like to stay at this location versus the south end of the strip.

 

I'll toss in having Cirque LOVE and it's theming as a big plus. Love the Asian selections at the buffet and the beds are incredible. But if you're hanging out at the pool, you'll have to pass that nauseating Kardashian store each and every time, with cardboard cut-outs of their awful faces staring at you.

 

If table minimums are too rich for your blood at Mirage, you can always head across the street to Casino Royale, or hop the tram to TI. On the whole, though, I don’t think Mirage’s tables seem that much higher than Bally’s – maybe a few less $10’s and a few more $25’s, but certainly nothing like comparing Wynn and Casino Royale or something like that.

 

That sounds good, which food court would that be, in another hotel?

 

Not in a hotel. Stand alone.

 

Man, I musta been drunk, have no recollection of where that is!

 

As I said in a different thread the hotel bathrooms are nice as are most of the staff I've dealt with.

 

The issue with Mirage's bathroom size is only in relation to newer properties on the strip. Otherwise, I just can't fault the place with a single "con". There are others on the strip that do a lot of things better, but Mirage just does everything well in one package for much, much cheaper.

No, food will not run you that much more than Bally's, especially since MGM runs major happy hours. Table minimums are totally reasonable (I've seen $10 mini bacc and pai gow poker, even on weekends!), and unlike a Caesars property, they'll actually care about your table action.

 

One of my favorite things about The Mirage is that it's centrally located, yet somewhat understated in terms of its crowds and overall atmosphere. That means I can easily hop the tram to TI or cross the street to eat or play at Venetian, and still meet up with friends at home base without searching forever. It's got just the right amount of elegance and crowds to make you feel like part of the party without making you feel like a sardine.

Although I haven't stayed there, room rates on their website seem pretty reasonable for the kind of accommodations you get. They've also got a decent bar/lounge scene.

 

Besides the food coourt option already mentioned, when I stay at the Mirage and it's 2 or 3 in the morning I walk directly across the street and eat at Harrah's 24 hour cafe....real short walk.