Mirage

We weren’t planning Vegas next year (being from the UK it’s quite an effort) but I was checking my comps and I can get a week at the Mirage in May for $350 (exc resort fees) with 3 comp nights which I think is a pretty good deal! Flights are sitting at £550 ($700) which means it works out around $900 pp for a week which is the cheapest we’ve ever paid.

Last two stays have been Cosmo and Aria which I appreciate are luxury and a category above the Mirage.

Anyway, has anyone stayed at the Mirage recently and have any comments on the hotel or rooms? We’ve never stayed up that end of the strip so looking forward to being at that end.

 

I will never stay at the Mirage again!!

IMHO, too much walking. To get to the room elevators you much walk through the entire casino, and then after that the hallways are very long.

Mind you, if you don't have a problem with walking, you might find it "OK".

 

The Mirage is still a fine option, and used to be my favorite hotel. You understand it is a step down now from Aria and Bellagio, and MGM treats it as such. The dining and casino are decent/fine, but decidedly middle of the road MGM these days.

The pool is excellent, location is very good, and many rooms have great views. Sports book is great, a Vegas classic. The rooms (and particularly bathrooms) themselves are small and uninspiring by today’s standards. I wouldn’t shy away from staying there IF you are not into high end/unique dining and IF you realize everything hotel wise is a step down from Aria.

 

I will give you my honest thoughts.

I stayed at Aria in 2014, 2015 and 2016 having a corner suite that last year.

I have stayed at Bellagio for one night in 2018.

I have stayed at The Mirage in 2017, 2x in 2018 and this past August.

Rooms

• The basic rooms are a big step down from The Aria. They have a single sink vanity, the worlds smallest bathroom and no floor to glass ceiling.
• They are still clean and comfortable. Out of the 4 rooms we have stayed in one was in need of a make over and the other 3 appeared to be updated recently.
• Yes the hallways are long, just like The Aria hallways. Just like many of the hallways in Vegas. I ask for something closer to the elevator.
• The upgrade is the Tower King which has double sinks, separate tub and shower, are on the 24th and 25th floors and have their own elevator serving those two floors only. We generally pay an extra $20 a night for that upgrade at the check in.
• The Views range from mountains, to TI parking garage, Volcano, Pool and Strip. We had the Volcano twice and it was nice. We had the pool/ strip view last time and it was nice.

Location

• Probably one of the bigger selling points. Once you are off the elevator you are a short walk to get to the strip and be right in front of Harrahs or on your way to Caesars. Certainly shorter than Aria and Bellagio.
• There is a Walgreens right across the road beside Casino Royale which is handy.
• We like that part of the strip going through Harrahs and the Linq Promenade as well as being a decent walk to Venetian. When the Tram works you can catch a quick ride to TI and the hike a bit to They Wynn.
• The Ride Share is at the North Valet which is past check in the opposite way of the casino and might be the longest walk you have.

Food

• I am not a foodie so I appreciate the lower end in food choices.
• The Pantry is the breakfast place outside the elevators. While the food is decent it's also casino expensive. In the pool area is Paradise Cafe. The food is really good and way more affordable.
• The Still is their sports bar. We love their Burger Sliders and wings are decent,We eat there a couple times per trip.
• We tried California Pizza for the first time and we liked it. We each ordered a personal pizza and it was large. We ended up taking lots back for late night snacks.
• The buffet is okay. Not high end by any means but decent enough. I like that they have lots of choices in food. I prefer the Aria buffet for quality and matched selection but did not care for Cosmo.
• Bar wise we have sat at The Centre Bar a few times and people watched but have not tried any of the other bars/lounges.

Pool

• We have done the pool trip twice and love their pool area. Waterfall is nice and it's not too crazy. It can be busy.
• The Oasis Pool is their private pool beside the main. You reserve seats online. A little pricey but so nice. After a day down there it makes the main pool look like a scene from Caddy Shack. It's a hidden gem in Vegas.
• You can walk in with your own drinks and food as long as they sell it there. I packed a few beers and twisted teas in carry bag and its no problemo.

Casino

• I like the Casino. I find it livelier than the Aria and not crazy busy like the Bellagio. A nice mid point. Lots of regular people gambling and drinking. I have met some great people around that Bubble Craps machine.
• I wish they had a better selection of slots. It seems like both them and The Aria are always missing the newer machines you see elsewhere.
• The Sports Bar outside the Sports Book is a nice place to sit and play VP and get com'd drinks. As long as your card is in with $20 they wll serve you.
• I only find it smokey if there is somebody in the immediate area chain smoking but the same can be said about any place.
• The drink service was bad last December but great in August. That's how it goes.

You can look at my Trip Reports for pictures and videos.

The bottom line is this:

We gave up the glitz and glamour of The Aria because The Mirage was a hub during Rodeo when we mainly go. They throw a hell of a party every night during rodeo.

We came back to The Mirage because we love their pool experience and the location.

We sacrificed the nice room and the glitz for this. We will probably head back to The Aria next year as we both miss that cozy bed and big bathroom.

 

Mirage is still a good mid-range option for all the reasons BarelyHangingOn laid out. Nothing about it screams out luxury or style anymore, and the endless foliage and overpowering casino scent can turn some off. However the rooms are still decent, the sports book is top shelf and location-wise if you need more food/bev options V/P is across the street and Caesars is next door. You seem to realize it's a step down from Aria or the Cosmo and as long as you keep that in mind it's completely fine.

 

Mirage is just fine.

Not the top of the heap... but a long ways from the bottom.

VEGAS BABY - VEGAS!

 

I'll second the positive comment on the Sports Book...even when I've stayed somewhere else, I've gone that book to enjoy college football or basketball games.

 

Had a great time at mirage over the summer. We got a free upgrade to the 24th floor and it would be worth paying for the straight shot elevator alone. Pool was fantastic, casino was decent. Good location. No complaints at all!

 

Stayed at Mirage 2x last year. As others have said, it's pretty solid. I really enjoy the pool, I think it's one of the best. Two bars, lots of sun and shade options, the big grotto/waterfall feature is fun. Quieter than most, without the overbearing "oontz oontz" music.

Buffet is good for the price point. It's not as good as Wynn or Aria, but I found I liked it better than Wicked Spoon, which I just didn't get. I think LVB Burgers is underrated, and Pantry is good.

The rooms are fine, although for two maybe a little cramped in the bathroom as others have said, but I didn't feel it was ridiculously so. Overall it's plenty clean. I didn't find the walk from the lobby to the elevators that far really, especially compared to MGM.

 

Did you ask for the upgrade at the desk and get it?

I have had to pay twice for it and in August I did the $20 slip but there were none available the week we were there.

 

Yep. Tried to do the $20 sandwich and she dramatically unfolded it and placed it on the counter with a canned speech like “I appreciate your gesture, I will place this $20 here and if you decide at the end you are happy with my service you can choose to give it to me then” it was interesting. Told her to just keep it either way but she left it there. Chatted a bit while she was searching rooms and one popped up, and of course gave her the $20. It was our first time in Vegas so I just asked for any upgrade and happed to get lucky lol!

 

I second most of what BarelyHangingOn has formulated in great detail. Only issue I have at the Mirage is their very, very weak food and beverage. I have eaten in most current and some former restaurants over the years and never had a very good meal, some meeh, most very underwhelming. Good thing the Venetian complex is just across the street and they have great dining options.
Same goes for Mirage's beverage service, cocktails are crap, even at Rhumbar.

Otherwise I like the Mirage, stayed there 6 times over the years, it's a good mid-tier option. Plus, I like the tropical feel of the place, it has something calming...at least for me. Would I prefer Mirage over Aria? Probably not, but it depends on the weekly $$ damage and value paid.

Oh, and before confusion sets in about the long way to/from the rooms: Your way from your furthest Mirage room to the strip is shorter than from any room @ Aria > strip.

 

The rooms could use a remodel but they aren't trash at all. I've give them a solid B. The casino is large and has plenty of tables and slots. Good sports book. The food options are okay. The rooms are all the way in the back but that's not an issue for me. The hallways are long so I'd ask for one near the elevators which can also lead to more noise, however, the rooms the fairly quiet. I've never heard a peep from neighbors. The buffet is okay, just like all of them.
It's the perfect good resort, lol.

 

It was good enough for Clark Griswold to take his family on their vacation. He didn't do too well at the tables, but all-in-all they had a great experience. I say if it's good enough for the Griswold's (they're famous by the way), it should be good enough for most. Giver a try!

 

I've never stayed at Cosmo or Aria but I have stayed at Bellagio and Wynn.

Mirage is a step down but it's still on the higher end of what's available on the strip. I'd call it "Upper Middle Class" and would lump it in the same class as MGM Grand.

If you are price sensitive on this trip, I think it's a fine option with few significant compromises unless you are really focused on the bleeding edge of luxury.

It was the finest hotel in Vegas at one point and I don't think it has moved downmarket so much as the newer luxury places have further raised the bar.

For $900pp for a week, that's a damn good value coming from the UK.

 

We usually stay at Bellagio, but Mirage is still my favorite. I like the tropical vibe, the level of gaming, and really like the location! Stay there!

Pool is great, pool restaurant, Pantry, and Still restaurants all nice, not too expensive. I was especially surprised by how nice Pantry was when it first opened a couple years ago, esp for 24-hr place.

Rooms are older than other places you have stayed. I always do $20 and get something. One time major upgrade, last time birthday cake was delivered to our room for my wife.

Have fun, wherever you stay...but try the Mirage!

 

I'll jump on the Mirage bandwagon. I've been there thice since my first stay there in 2018. I stayed again earlier this year. I only chose the Mirage because the conference I attended was hosted at Mirage. I normally enjoy staying on the south end of the strip (MGM or NYNY). I would seriously consider staying at Mirage again if I wasn't attending a conference.

Both of my stays were Volcano View rooms. I stayed on the 21st floor in 2018 with a view in the "south" wing. So I looked at the Volcano and I could see TI, Wyncore, Venetian/Palazzo and Harrah's quite well. I enjoyed looking down at the Volcano, and I enjoyed just seeing the hustle and bustle of the strip. That room had an operating window. It was great to have the fresh air.

I stayed on the 20th floor in 2018 with a Volcano View in the "North wing". I could still see Venetian/Palazzo but now I could see farther south down to Flamingo. Unfortunately this window was not operational. I understand that as the windows "break" they just seal them shut instead of fixing them. Bummer. It was great to have the window open all the time.

As to the comment on it being a long walk. I've seen that comment a few times and on Facebook groups too. I guess it depends on your perspective on walking. I don't mind walking. I get to Vegas and I walk everywhere. The only time I'm on transportation is if I'm heading to/from the airport or to/from Fremont Street. So, walking was not an issue for me. The hallways looked long, but I didn't feel like I had a super long walk to my room from the elevator. From the elevator to the strip doors felt like a short walk to me too.

Restaurants are good but I feel like it could have more options within the resort. Maybe my perception is off, and I've never counted, but it feels like NYNY(where I like to stay the most) has more options in the resort and that's what I used to compare food convenience to Mirage. Now, with that in mind and the fact that I walk everywhere, I'm not adverse to walking from Mirage to NYNY or further to get a bite to eat. Mirage has a buffet and it was good. I wouldn't say it was knock your socks off awesome, but I certainly didn't feel like it was terrible, but for me, as are most buffets in general, the price for the buffets these days just isn't worth it.

Gambling floor is good too. I'm mostly a slots player and I would like more options but I didn't feel like it was truly lacking. I didn't play any table games there but I did watch some blackjack one night and I'd play there if the opportunity works out.

Overall, I really like Mirage.

 

Hi. I stayed at the Mirage for the first time last March and it was fine. I agree there is a lot of walking, but I loved that. I have stayed at Caesars, Flamingo, the old Imperial Palace and the Bellagio before, so I have a few to compare it to; for the price you are paying the Mirage will be okay. Please use your MLIFE card, I did and was able to lose some resort fees.

 

Thanks all - your comments and advice have been very helpful. Vegas 2020 here we come

 

Some great information here! I've stayed at Mirage 4 times in a standard room and the only thing I don't care for is the tiny bathroom. Other than that I'd stay again!