1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Whither to Mandalay

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by UKFanatic, Feb 16, 2021.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    21,525
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    It does
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
    • Informative Informative x 1
  2. vegas superfan

    vegas superfan VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2010
    Messages:
    4,526
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    I love long, detailed trip reports! Please keep it coming.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
    • Like Like x 1
  3. Elf70

    Elf70 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2013
    Messages:
    764
    Location:
    South Carolina
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    Thanks for the TR. I hope you’ll write up your others trip as your reports are always enjoyable. My last trip to MB was a lot like yours. It was just one inconvenience after another and no one seemed to care. At one point I needed ice. It was after 10pm. I was on floor 62 which doesn’t have ice machine access. No one could come up with a solution which should have been simple. I did get an apology (and ice!) the next day. Lol. The room service food was barely edible. Very few restaurants were open for lunch. I ended up eating togo food from Citizens for most meals. I’m booked at Delano next month. I’m hoping things will go much better because I really like the casino. ‍♀️
     
  4. parallax

    parallax High-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2014
    Messages:
    759
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    MB was our primary hotel for any years. I think it has gone through somewhat of an identity crisis the last few years. It has been largely dependent on convention business and many of the good restaurants have closed or are under new leadership. It is unfortunate.
     
    • Wow! Wow! x 1
  5. SimonG

    SimonG Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2020
    Messages:
    216
    Location:
    UK
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    Obviously assuming everything is open again in the future....

    Seems to me to be a lot of decent restaurants still, which ones would anyone advise against?

    Lupo
    Strip Steak
    Border Grill (weekend Bruch)
    Citizens
    Charlie Palmer
    Della's Kitchen

    Ones I've already decided to swerve (or others have already advised me against)

    Buffet - easy swerve, don't really like buffets anyway and by multiple accounts, this one blows
    Japanese/Sushi - not my thing
    Aureole
    HoB
    In-room dining


    Think that gives me loads to play with for a 7day trip, and ofc will spend a decent % of the time off property too, but happy to hear if I'm likely getting a big disappointment in any of those?
     
    • Like Like x 1
  6. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    21,525
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Base don years of experience there, I tend to agree with your list except Aureole (I also like sushi and Kumi is good, but not if you don't like that type of food). I would still recommend Burger Bar. I have had years of great meals there. I just made a poor choice form their limited menu. Lupo and StripSteak are both good
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
    • Like Like x 1
  7. SimonG

    SimonG Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2020
    Messages:
    216
    Location:
    UK
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    I didn't add in anything from the shoppes, not much of a fast-food person, like grazing on small plates during happy hour. But a burger at some point in the week is ok, used to be Holsteins, but that went south a few years back, last couple of years have been going to Black Tap. Grabbing a pizza slice or a burger on the go is a possibility, but unlikely to eat at Ra Ra or the food court. 2 meals a day is all I can take in Vegas, so with all the other off-property favs, that's a handy list for choice, ty. I'll toss Aureole back in as a 'maybe' - don't think I heard any bad reviews, but I always try and hit Picasso, sometimes Michael Mina for tasting, and this trip looks like Sparrow&Wolf has a good chance too, so not sure Aureole stands much of a chance unless I just can't be bothered to move one evening.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2021
  8. pressitagain

    pressitagain VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2013
    Messages:
    3,326
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    One of those trips with speed bumps.

    At least you could write home about the gambling....LOL
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Like Like x 1
  9. cjcjcj

    cjcjcj VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2016
    Messages:
    3,154
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    I always thought Mandalay buffet was one of the best, but haven't eaten there since 2018.

    Lupo was just OK -- weird service and the food was just "OK" in December 2020
     
    • Like Like x 1
  10. SimonG

    SimonG Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2020
    Messages:
    216
    Location:
    UK
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    I'm the wrong person to ask on buffets, I dislike them as a concept and don't really see the point in forcing food in sideways to somehow make that "better value" Lots of massproduced food kept warm for a bit too long under a heat lamp just never going to excite me. That said, multiple people have told me that the price point for MB buffet is wrong, its a 3* buffet charging 5* prices. For breakfast, an omelette, juice, coffee and a random other item. For other meal times, I'm not really interested in going for free. Wynn and Cosmo sem to have the best buffets though, but I'd rather try somewhere like Citizens or Dellas for breakfast and then a served meal at other times.

    I see MB announce they are 24x7 from 3/3 (as are Mirage, maybe others)
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2021
  11. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2014
    Messages:
    14,642
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    I was going to ask the same question as @diplomatic. I was annoyed for you just reading about the multiple service slip ups but it sounds like you mentally crossed a line through it and moved on. Looking forward to the next trip report!
     
    • Like Like x 3
  12. Kachow

    Kachow VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2019
    Messages:
    1,604
    Location:
    OKC
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    Thanks for the write up. I had been considering MB for a future trip as I’ve never stayed there but I think if I do try it will be sometime in the future if things have gotten a little livelier and open there. Looking forward to the next TR!
     
    • Like Like x 1
  13. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    31,303
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    Nice report! And of course we'll read the next one!
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
    • Like Like x 1
  14. broncofn

    broncofn VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2013
    Messages:
    4,134
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    Just started reading but did we miss eachother again? Literally just got home from being at venetian. Very busy there
     
    • Like Like x 2
  15. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    21,525
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Not this weekend. I think we were scheduled to be there the same time a month ago and my plans changed. Hope venetian was fun!!
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  16. broncofn

    broncofn VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2013
    Messages:
    4,134
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    As you know, i love mb/delano. Last trip it was a private casino with not a soul in it. Still holds a place with me though
     
    • Like Like x 1
  17. broncofn

    broncofn VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2013
    Messages:
    4,134
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    Finally had a winning trip there. Im just tired and wanted to come home. Next trip is pool season. It was a last minute trip for me
     
    • Like Like x 2
  18. broncofn

    broncofn VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2013
    Messages:
    4,134
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    Now time to continue reading with a nap
     
    • Like Like x 1
  19. broncofn

    broncofn VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2013
    Messages:
    4,134
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    Yes we were
     
  20. HHW

    HHW VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2018
    Messages:
    1,269
    Location:
    Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    17
    I love reading your trip reports. Looking forward to the next one!
     
    Trip 18: Carrie-ing on!
    Trip 19: Just the tip (of the Road Trip)!
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.