Mandalay Bay Decision for life long Vegas Traveler

[CrazyVegasguy]

Hi Vegas Fanatics:

I have been going to Vegas for about 25 years...I am 50. I go about 3 times a year. I go 1x with my wife, 1x with family, and 1x solo. To be transparent...I am pretty well off. I am not bragging---just grateful I have a great profession, hence I indulge when I go to my happy place. I am fortunate enough to get significant vacation time which allows me to enjoy my favorite pastime of gambling. I have gone to so many hotels/casinos from Bellagio, Wynn, Cosmo, Venetian, Treasure Island, Luxor, Excalibur (God Help me...it was a bucket list), MGM Park (also Monte Carlo), NYNY, Tropicana (may it rest in peace), MGM Grand...you name it...even the Hacienda before it became the spot that is today Mandalay Bay. I have played many times at MB and have enjoyed it, but have never stayed at the hotel...mostly because it is at the end of the strip. So...my Vegas friends, what do you think. Is it worth giving up 4 comped days at Bellagio to get 4 comped days at MD for the experience?

 

[Travel Fanatic]

You went to Hacienda after it closed (and was demolished)? Just kidding. But your years estimate may be a little off.

Anywho, I like MB, have stayed there many times, but I prefer Bellagio. Mandalay has a better pool and better low cost food options (though Bellagio has better dining overall IMO). Unless those are important factors in where you pick to stay, I would stick with Bellagio. Its better in all other respects. That said, if you're just trying to complete a list of having stayed at most MGM resorts, then there's nothing wrong with Mandalay. Its just not, IMO, as good as Bellagio

 

[LB9]

My wife was there last night with her friends and mentioned that, despite it being Saturday night, it was dead in the casino and on the property more generally. Now, that could be an anomaly but this was my experience this past February on Friday when I was down there to meet some friends. My wife stayed there in a regular room with a few friends and said the room was nice, but there was hallway commotion due to some misbehaving folks a room or two down- which, to be fair could happen anywhere. The dead or so atmosphere of the casino was my experience two months ago on February as well, but these are only two separate nights over the last two months so that obviously doesn’t mean it’s always that way. It’s a perfectly nice resort with solid pools and amenities and there’s nothing wrong with it from my perspective.

To that end, and while I’m not really sure what mentioning you’re well off has to do with anything here (?), but if money isn’t an issue and you want a more lively atmosphere that’s not isolated at the bottom end of strip, the Bellagio is clearly the better choice from my perspective. Either way, there’s plenty of fun to have at both properties.

 

[julia]

With both comped, Bellagio. The pool at MB would be the deal breaker—if you want to swim in that awesome wave pool go to MB. Otherwise, I’d take Bellagio.

I’ve had MB booked several times and swapped last minute to someplace else. It’s just so big and dark and imho quite smoky.

 

[Kisby]

I'm a fan of MB. The pool is incredible. The spa is good. Good food options. You can walk indoors to Luxor and Excalibur or take the tram. The casino is nice and not too crowded. I'm looking forward to trying the new Swingers golf.

 

[Packeral]

Love MB. If it was center strip it would be a premier resort. There’s always the tram to Excalibur if the walk bothers you. MB always seems more relaxed to me than other resorts. Sometimes that’s what I’m looking for.

 

[Gaggles]

Hi Vegas Fanatics:

I have been going to Vegas for about 25 years...I am 50. I go about 3 times a year. I go 1x with my wife, 1x with family, and 1x solo. To be transparent...I am pretty well off. I am not bragging---just grateful I have a great profession, hence I indulge when I go to my happy place. I am fortunate enough to get significant vacation time which allows me to enjoy my favorite pastime of gambling. I have gone to so many hotels/casinos from Bellagio, Wynn, Cosmo, Venetian, Treasure Island, Luxor, Excalibur (God Help me...it was a bucket list), MGM Park (also Monte Carlo), NYNY, Tropicana (may it rest in peace), MGM Grand...you name it...even the Hacienda before it became the spot that is today Mandalay Bay. I have played many times at MB and have enjoyed it, but have never stayed at the hotel...mostly because it is at the end of the strip. So...my Vegas friends, what do you think. Is it worth giving up 4 comped days at Bellagio to get 4 comped days at MD for the experience?

If I admitted that I had the best roll of my life at the Hacienda craps tables (90 mins) would that age me??

I have had both comped at the same time but I would always go Bellagio. Even though I like the MB casino and my wife swears by the pool, that location is not conducive to my transient gambling.

 

[NandJfrmNJ]

MB is our home casino and always choose it over Bellagio. We enjoy the relative isolation, not as much foot traffic, fantastic pool, great food choices and we love the fact that the casino isn't always packed. We're way beyond the point that we need be in the middle of the strip; we've done everything we've ever wanted to to in LV over the years so it's perfect for us.

 

[ATLMM]

Mandalay Bay is probably my favorite property. There is no reason to avoid it other than if the location is an issue, and even then it's not as bad as it seems unless you're a late night owl. There is a tram that will get you from MB to the Tropicana intersection that runs until midnight, and there are internal walkways that you can use between Excalibur and MB (via Luxor) if the tram isn't running.

The rooms are due for a refresh (which is in the works for the next 2 years), but they're not bad by any stretch currently. The W side (old Delano) is a great choice too (some people hate the minimalist white and gold tones of the rooms, I like it though), but if you like to soak in a tub it can't be beat! The walkway between the W and the MB main is shorter than the walk to the Bellagio spa tower.

The main difference is what atmosphere do you want. If you want a more quiet and chill atmosphere then MB is perfect. Less riff-raff than other casinos, less foot through traffic, etc. The customer service tends to benefit from that as well.

That being said, the energy at MB can be lacking (unless you want that peaceful gaming environment), and they thinned out the floor with more space between machines after covid. MB is becoming more a convention and stadium hotel, but because of that it can be a bargain when there are no events going leaving more room for backend comps (conversely room rates can skyrocket when there are events).

Ironically I've never stayed at Bellagio yet, even though I can get some of their best rooms comped. I always seem to gravitate back to Delano (now W)/MB in the end. I've even asked to be moved to MB when I had issues at a different property after checkin just because I know it's my happy place.

 

[Phantom]

MB is a great hotel for all the reasons above. For me, it's biggest advantage is that it's busy, but not crowded. Bellagio is just too crowded for me anymore. The only exception is when there is a large convention there.

 

[nostresshere]

If you like to play at MB - I would say MB.
If you want to visit lots of other casinos, then Bellagio is more central. Even so, walking through Luxor/Excal and into NYNY and MGM is not a bad walk.

 

[El Jugador]

MB is our home casino and always choose it over Bellagio. We enjoy the relative isolation, not as much foot traffic, fantastic pool, great food choices and we love the fact that the casino isn't always packed. We're way beyond the point that we need be in the middle of the strip; we've done everything we've ever wanted to to in LV over the years so it's perfect for us.

Well said @NandJfrmNJ, my wife and I feel the exact same way.

I've always been a proponent of MB. I am not a transient gambler, I'm a stay and play guy. I prefer the less crowded aspect of MB over the Bellagio and other properties. Most important for me is the fact that unlike center strip, MB does not have continual walk-in/out ********* traffic.

If we want to dine or see a show else were, we just jump in a house car or take an Uber...not a big deal for me, so my preference is MB over Bellagio.

 

[Nori Player]

How funny! I love MB and spend most of my time avoiding Bellagio. I find the crowds at Bellagio to be overwhelming at times. The Bellagio always seems chock full of non-gamblers. Huge families, strollers, shouting children, convention people, etc.

People complain about the MB location a lot but with their little tram that drops you off by Excalibur, I don't mind riding it for 2 minutes and then walking to NYNY, Park, MGM Grand, etc.

The Delano/W has nice rooms and suites, I like the small bit of separation from the main casino floor. It feels elite to take a short walk away from the bustling main elevator lobby to somewhere much calmer. It is the same thing I like about The Mansion and Aria SkySuites.

The main casino floor at MB is pretty great for a slot player. Their slot HL room is a bit of a snoozefest, it needs a refresh.

 

[Travel Fanatic]

How funny! I love MB and spend most of my time avoiding Bellagio. I find the crowds at Bellagio to be overwhelming at times. The Bellagio always seems chock full of non-gamblers. Huge families, strollers, shouting children, convention people, etc.

Hey! The little fanatic doesn't shout! He just announces his presence with authority.

But seriously, I agree that the corridor between the front lobby and the raps pit can definitely get congested. The conservatory and surrounding area can get very busy at times, but I kind of expect that in those areas. The rest of the resort is not that bad, or certainly no worse than areas of some of the other large resorts. MB is better in that regard. Other than the corridor between the sportsbook and the MJ One theater (which gets congested before and after show times) the resort is spaced out enough and has few enough guests to not feel crowded

 

[Jejas]

Mandalay Bay. Every time!

 

[CrazyVegasguy]

You went to Hacienda after it closed (and was demolished)? Just kidding. But your years estimate may be a little off.

Anywho, I like MB, have stayed there many times, but I prefer Bellagio. Mandalay has a better pool and better low cost food options (though Bellagio has better dining overall IMO). Unless those are important factors in where you pick to stay, I would stick with Bellagio. Its better in all other respects. That said, if you're just trying to complete a list of having stayed at most MGM resorts, then there's nothing wrong with Mandalay. Its just not, IMO, as good as Bellagio

You are probably right! The first time I was in Vegas was with my parents and one of my siblings...I actually forget the year...anyway---it was gone in a blink.

 

[CrazyVegasguy]

My wife was there last night with her friends and mentioned that, despite it being Saturday night, it was dead in the casino and on the property more generally. Now, that could be an anomaly but this was my experience this past February on Friday when I was down there to meet some friends. My wife stayed there in a regular room with a few friends and said the room was nice, but there was hallway commotion due to some misbehaving folks a room or two down- which, to be fair could happen anywhere. The dead or so atmosphere of the casino was my experience two months ago on February as well, but these are only two separate nights over the last two months so that obviously doesn’t mean it’s always that way. It’s a perfectly nice resort with solid pools and amenities and there’s nothing wrong with it from my perspective.

To that end, and while I’m not really sure what mentioning you’re well off has to do with anything here (?), but if money isn’t an issue and you want a more lively atmosphere that’s not isolated at the bottom end of strip, the Bellagio is clearly the better choice from my perspective. Either way, there’s plenty of fun to have at both properties.

Well off...meaning that even if it was not a complimentary stay, I don't mind paying a few $$$ if the experience is right. My wife is not a gambler, she only goes for the nice restaurants, some atmosphere at the bars, a shows etc. I know many will choose their location to stay based on conserving $ when hotel shopping to allow for a larger gambling budget.

 

[pressitagain]

Hi Vegas Fanatics:

I have been going to Vegas for about 25 years...I am 50. I go about 3 times a year. I go 1x with my wife, 1x with family, and 1x solo. To be transparent...I am pretty well off. I am not bragging---just grateful I have a great profession, hence I indulge when I go to my happy place. I am fortunate enough to get significant vacation time which allows me to enjoy my favorite pastime of gambling. I have gone to so many hotels/casinos from Bellagio, Wynn, Cosmo, Venetian, Treasure Island, Luxor, Excalibur (God Help me...it was a bucket list), MGM Park (also Monte Carlo), NYNY, Tropicana (may it rest in peace), MGM Grand...you name it...even the Hacienda before it became the spot that is today Mandalay Bay. I have played many times at MB and have enjoyed it, but have never stayed at the hotel...mostly because it is at the end of the strip. So...my Vegas friends, what do you think. Is it worth giving up 4 comped days at Bellagio to get 4 comped days at MD for the experience?

If you’re going with the family. MB is the place.

Solo. Anywhere mid strip. From NYNY to Bellagio.

 

[Michael Smith]

I love MB. Restaurants, HOB, sports book. W is great as well—stellar suites. BUT, their $200 minimum for a free drink at the MGM race books has irked me beyond compare. I know it’s ridiculous, but that’s from an old timer who remembers when booze flowed for free in Vegas.

And I usually only have one or two beers these days.

So, back to the Wynn. And there really is no comparison. MB rooms are nice, but not like the Wynn. Plus, I really prefer the light in the Wynn compared to the dark at MB.

 

[smerrian]

I like being in the heart of the action. Although I like MB, I would stay at any MGM property north of Tropicana just to feel like I’m in Vegas and not at my local casino