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Why is Mandalay Bay Expensive?

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by eksantirik, Jun 1, 2014.

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  1. eksantirik

    eksantirik High-Roller

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    For my past 8 trips, and my future trip this september, I considered MB and wanted to give it a shot. But, either via Mlife, or via booking sites MB prices seem to be almost always more expensive than MGM and Mirage. Sometimes even more expensive than Aria and Vdara, close to Bellagio.

    I don't get this. MB is an aged resort, at the very end of the strip and I don't see any reason to pick that hotel over a relatively brand new, five diamond luxury resort in the middle of the strip with such pricing.

    I figured that the pool complex might be driving that, but there are really nice pools all over the Strip now. In summary, MB was never able to convert me to a customer and the main reason is the pricing. If it was priced around Mirage/MGM, then I would've give it a shot just to see how it feels at south Strip.
     
  2. Piggylane

    Piggylane Well-Known Member

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    For what it's worth I completely agree. I've stayed there twice. The room was OK but not worth what they were asking. I think the real reason for the price is supply/demand created by the convention center. If you haven't attended a convention there you don't understand how huge it is. Large conventions demand large amounts of rooms and most people want to stay near where the convention is being held therefore they'll pay whatever it costs.

    MB has some nice restaurants and the casino isn't as smoky as many if the Caesars properties so there are some positives but all together I probably won't stay there again unless it's for another convention.
     
  3. dutchvelvet

    dutchvelvet VIP Whale

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    You guys have hit the bigger appeals.

    1. The Beach.

    2. Their convention business is very strong.

    3. The views are excellent.

    4. Some people (myself included) like the South Strip, as the Casino isn't as completely jam packed during busy times.

    5. More in hotel restaurant/shopping than most, especially when you consider the attached mall.

    6. Another factor is that they actively market to Asian gamers. Not sure how much that changes the bottom line, but you'll see high rollers in the casino.

    Add all of this up, and they probably get more for their rooms than any MGM resort except Aria and Bellagio.
     
  4. Tammy58

    Tammy58 Frugal Slot Jockey

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    Honestly, I have never wanted to stay there. If I make it friday (hell is breaking loose here at home) we are staying at Luxor....MB has the beach and a big convention business...IMO that is why they are so expensive. The hubby has a convention next week at MB...only reason we are staying up at that end. Yes, the views are great but the views are not enough to make me want to stay there.
     
  5. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    Translation, "if it was cheap, I'd like it, but since it's not... I'll term it an "aged resort"

    C'mon now... The Riviera or the LVH are aged resorts, MB is like 15 years old and has had plenty of $$$ put into the complex since that time. It remains a popular destination, despite it's ultra south strip location and obviously it's occupancy rate dictates little need to discount. Your post kinda denotes a "who do they think they are?" attitude towards them... IMHO they are, one of the top destinations in LV and have remained so throughout the town's ups and downs of late.

    P.S. I admit to being a little "sensitive" to fiscal related issues involving the hotel/casinos. Unlike most folks here on the board who are seeking a great "get away" at as little financial outlay as possible... and that's completely understandable and acknowledged... we, here in Nevada, are a "one trick pony" with the main source of revenue being the gaming industry. If they're not healthy and driving dollars, our whole state is crap. I also know that most of you, via gaming, leave behind far more than the room cost would've been in the first place and believe me, we are appreciative!
     
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2014
  6. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    Agreed. Honestly, for me the location is the only real negative, and even that's barely so considering I often don't even leave the resort I'm staying at. It's definitely more upscale than most of MGM's properties besides Bellagio and Aria, which I say having stayed at literally all of them. The rooms are big, the pool area is one of the (if not the) best on the Strip, and I love the casino. The only real reason I don't stay there more is that I've found Aria's restaurants to be a bit more in line with the hours I keep; I tend to be up a bit earlier, and so having more places to eat around noon is a big, big plus for me.
     
  7. Kbaby Girl

    Kbaby Girl Low-Roller

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    My experience...they have the best COMP offers.
     
  8. eksantirik

    eksantirik High-Roller

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    By "aged resort", I compared MB/MGM/Mirage to Aria/Vdara. The former group are all pretty old, but they all went through several renovations and they all are pretty upscale hotels (no comparison to Riviera etc). As a customer, in order to be convinced to purchase a good or a service, one has to feel the price is right for what you're getting. This of course is applicable to most cases, but not all. Sometimes people go without rationing but just emotions.

    So, my goal for this thread was to be convinced to purchase room services from MB, compared to MGM/Mirage and I still am not convinced. I didn't know about the huge convention business there, this might explain a lot about the pricing. But that adds zero value to me as a paying customer on vacation. Hence, I will continue to stick with Aria/MGM/Mirage.
     
  9. heatherlovesvegas

    heatherlovesvegas VIP Whale

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    They host a TON of conventions, I believe that's why. If you look the rates are high like every Tuesday, versus extra high weekend rates... also it's summer and they have one of the best pools.

    I love that place!! It's not outdated by any means.. maybe a tad worn, but nothing too bad. You wouldn't walk in the door and be like, wow this places needs to be updated, because it doesn't! The rooms could use some sprucing, but it wouldn't stop me from staying there, still totally fine.

    I compare Mandalay, MGM and Mirage, price wise. They are all similar in quality. You can't compare it to Aria. It's not in the same class... One thing Mandalay has going for it is the rooms are large. Because the place isn't that old. Mirage and MGM the rooms are small, they don't have the separate showers. As much paint as you put on them, they are still aging a little bit. Honestly, it just all comes down to what you like. But, that being said, if MGM was $56 I wouldn't pay $126 for Mandalay..
     
  10. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    Although it is down at the far end of The Strip there is always a lot going on at Mandalay Bay for trade shows, concerts, conventions, UFC, boxing, etc

    September is also a pretty expensive month at most places because there are lots of conventions and a few big shows that come in to Las Vegas (and a few big ones like Interbike and the Barrett Jackson auto auction are at Mandalay Bay that month).

    But personally, we've never stayed there though I am always getting offers for comp nights to stay there and over the years have found that they have been pretty generous in offering the comped nights... might be something where instead of checking the MLife website or third party sites you should just try phoning their VIP number on the back of your MLife card?
     
  11. PopMegaphone

    PopMegaphone VIP Whale

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    I've found MB's room rates to be highly variable when comparing it to other resorts. Sometimes they're really inexpensive, and sometimes they're pricey. I assume that's due to their high convention business.
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2014
  12. Mitkraft

    Mitkraft VIP Whale

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    The answer to the original question is pure and simple. "The Market Supports it". Hotels are going to charge whatever they can get away with charging. And Mandalay bay doesn't seem to be hurting for the rates they are charging so I'd say whatever formula they have is working. Just because you don't see the particular merits of a place doesn't mean others don't. For me and my preferences, I'd put Mandalay above most MGM properties except maybe Bellagio and Aria although I'm haven't stayed at either of them. It's kinda close to Mirage depending on how I'm feeling but Mirage seems to think pretty highly of themselves also. For me the draw is the niceness of their rooms, the pool complex, the shops and restaurants, and the fact that I like gambling there. It only looses points for location but that is easily overcome with a rental car or use of the trams to NYNY and then Monte Carlo to Aria, Bellagio Etc.
     
  13. JustNgo

    JustNgo Low-Roller

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    I love MB. Their casino is probably the best for me, but the minimums are a bit on the high side if you are a low roller. I think everyone is forgetting that before MB joined MGM, it was the flagship of the MB group.
     
  14. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

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    I stayed at MB once and thought it was nice but no Wynn and the location sucks. Last time I was in Vegas I stopped by and thought that I liked the vibe of the casino. It's very resort, maybe not on a Wynncore level, but still a nice relaxed resort. It's a little more than Mirage. Mirage has got location but I think MB has a nicer casino and better restaurants.

    I know that doesn't answer the question but it expresses one man's opinion. I would stay there again. I would prefer Wynncore or Aria but if I wanted to save a little money then I would go for MB.
     
  15. dannyocean

    dannyocean High-Roller

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    Used to be a Mandalay regular. Had some service issues 18 months or so ago that made me gravitate away. The rooms are sizable. The views are great. I love the casino. But it is showing some signs of wear. If you hit MB at the right time? You can get great room deals -- $39 or less per night. But times like NCAA tourney or upcoming EDC weekend? Prices go crazy. I would never stay at MB is Aria, Vdara, or Bellagio were comparably priced or even slightly more expensive.
     
  16. SBTX

    SBTX Low-Roller

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    I totally agree with this. I always tried to stay at the Mirage. I liked the hotel and loved the location. Then I got an offer for MB and even though I was hesitant about the location I thought I'd give it try. I have stayed there 3 times since and just booked my fourth stay 2 days ago! The size of the rooms is great. There are great food options and I like openness of the casino. In the summer, the pool can't be beat! Even though it is the south strip I find it pretty easy to casino hop to Luxor, NYNY, MGM, MC and even Aria (Excalibur is strictly a pass through, lol) which gives me plenty of variety. The Mirage really does think highly of itself. Their location is top notch but as far as the hotel/resort factor goes MB is the winner in my book. :peace:
     
  17. bedaniels

    bedaniels High-Roller

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    Does anyone have a good host at Mandalay Bay? Can you PM me their contact info? Thinking about moving from MGM. Thanks.
     
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