| RATES $$$$ |
| ROOMS ++++ |
| CASINO +++ / ++++ |
| LOCATION ++++ |
| POOL +++++ |
| PARKING + / ++ |
| ATTRACTIONS AND SHOWS ++++ |
| FOOD ++++ |
| WALKING DISTANCE ++++ |
| ATTRIBUTES +++ |
| PEEVES ---- |
| Compare to SIMILAR PROPERTIES +++ |
| Check the website, and look for specials. Reservations through the site have the liberal 48-hour cancellation policy with full deposit refunds. Check out discount boards such as Las Vegas Hotel Specials where people share info on hotel deals, but be aware that some of the deals may expire by the time you try to book them, and in some instances may require that you be personally offered the deal by the hotel. |
| MGM Grand, which just this past year lost its title of the world's larget hotel with its 5005 rooms, is in the South Strip at Tropicana Avenue, and has as its neighbors many of the other of the world's top 10 largest, with the 4000 room hotels Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. It's actually the nicest corner on the strip, and the only drawback is being a ways from the best shopping a few blocks north at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. |
| Standard rooms are larger than average with nice art-deco and touch-of-Hollywood decorations. Newly renovated rooms in the original Marina Hotel tower have been redecorated in the ultra-mod style, with fancy linens and plasma TV's (think a downsized room at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay.) However, they come only with king beds, as they are smaller than the Grand Tower rooms. The entire building is served by one central cluster of elevator banks, which gives it the feel of Grand Central Station (no relation to Station Casinos or www.MainTrainStation.com.) |
| Biggest casino in Vegas, and it goes on and on. Some think it's too big, but it does serve a 5,000 room hotel. . No $5 tables here. Most MGM properties shoot for a higher roller than does, say, Harrah's. MGM Players club card means your comps from here are good at other MGM properties. |
| The MGM Grand pool is one of the nicest. Of its neighbors, only Mandalay Bay tops it. |
| It is a definite 4 star property, so it easily beats Luxor in accomodations, and edges out Monte Carlo . Mandalay Bay is trendier, newer and nicer, but it's a little pricier and not as centrally located as MGM Grand. |
| It's a mega-experience, for those who like the idea in staying in the western hemisphere's largest hotel and getting all the niceties, without a lot of themes and gimmicks, which are within walking distance if you decide you want them. |
| The walk to the monorail station made me wish I had just walked up the strip.I was held captive in a traffic jam for over an hour after a Simon & Garfunkel concert. |
| NYNY, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, Tropicana, Hooters, Monte Carlo. However, you'll be somewhat distant from the best shopping opportunities at Caesars, Venetian, and Aladdin. |
| It's a huge parking garage, with a long walk just to get out, and then it's a long walk through a gauntlet of sovenir and snack shops before you get to check-in, and then further still to elevators in the casino (or still longer if you're walking through the casino to the strip.) On ordinary days, access is fine, but during special events--such as a concert at the MGM Grand Arena, it can be a nightmare. You may be stuck in your car for an hour. And stay away totally during events like the recent NBA weekend. |
| Food court offers Starbucks, burgers, pizza and sandwiches, among other things. The Grand Buffet will satisfy the all-you-can-eat in you, and enough restaurants that it will make it difficult to choose. Rainforest Cafe, Emeril's and Wolfgang Puck are some of the casual dining places you may be familiar with. |
| Bill's Review Last update: Feb 2007 Last hotel stay: Feb 2006 |
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| The Grand Garden Arena hosts big name concerts and sports, there's a Cirque de Soleil show, several nightclubs and plenty of both casual and fancy restaurants. See the real-life Lion Habitat, T&A show, and frequent performers include "hi Howie!" Mandel and Tom Jones. |
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