Hot Amenities! Not so Hot Location
I stayed at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada in June 2014 for 4 nights/3 days. This was my first trip to Las Vegas and I now consider this my learning curve. Here is what I thought of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.
Location
The hotel is located at the south end of The Strip. It is the very first hotel and is closest to the airport. Even though it’s closest to the airport, it feels like it’s the farthest away from everything else. The hotel connects to the Luxor and Excalibur and has easy access to a tram, but after that, you’re walking or taking a cab to most places. I personally would rather stay in the middle of The Strip.
The Suite
We booked a one bedroom 1050 SV suite and the room was amazing. They are very spacious at 1050 sq ft with an extended living area. The living room and bedroom included 42 inch plasma TV’s, a 32 inch plasma TV for the wet bar area, and a 12 inch LCD TV was mounted on the wall in the bathroom. The living room had a full size sofa, coffee table, desk, and two wing chairs. The bathroom floors and countertops were made of marble and were very big. There was a separate bath and shower. The shower may have been the biggest shower I have ever used. The wet bar was very convenient for us because we loved having the sink available near the living room. It was way more fulfilling then having a full kitchen. This room was by far one of my top two suites I’ve ever stayed in.
The Beach/Pool
A lot of people love the Beach/Pool area of the Mandalay Bay. I’ve even heard people say that’s the main reason they stay there. Honestly, I believe I would like it too if it wasn’t so crowded. I could barely tell that it was a beach because you couldn’t even see the sand from all of the lounge chairs. The overcrowding was ridiculous. There were also a bunch of young adults drinking heavily and being very loud, so I moved over to the middle pool. A hotel having three pools and a beach, you would think there would be plenty of room to enjoy yourself. If you enjoy hanging out with 21 yr olds and enjoy loud drunks then you will love the Beach and Pool. Or you could just go in the winter and not have to worry about it.
Restaurants
The first time I went to Las Vegas I never went to any of the restaurants at the Mandalay Bay. Just recently while I was in Vegas I went to the Giorgio Caffe & Ristorante. This restaurant served Italian dishes and is one the less expensive of the others they have to offer.
Entertainment
The Mandalay Bay has plenty to offer in entertainment for all ages. You can enjoy some inexpensive fun at the Shark Reef Aquarium and get educated as well. Admission for adults is just $16.95, children 5-12 yrs old are $10.95, and children 4 and under are admitted free. Another entertainment option is the show MAMMA MIA! This is a Broadway group that plays all around the world. Tickets range from $45.00 – $100.00.
Nightlife
This hotel has a lot to offer when it comes to nightlife. Eyecandy Sound Lounge, Mix Lounge, Forty Deuce, and RumJungle are some of the Bay’s hotspots. My favorite is RumJungle. This nightclub has one of the largest rum bars I’ve ever seen. It features 3 levels for dancing, aerialists dropping from the ceiling, and women dancing in cages. I would love to go back to this nightclub for sure.
Casino
To me, all the casinos in Vegas have the same games, rules, and payout odds. The one thing that separates each of them is their décor. The Mandalay Bay casino is very big and features tropical settings. The flowing water makes you feel very relaxed. This is definitely one of my favorite casinos.
Overall, there are more pros then cons when it comes to the Mandalay Bay. If you don’t mind the location and are ok with the crowded pool facilities, then this would be a great hotel.
