After a night at the Luxor (see my review), it wouldn’t have been difficult for another hotel to impress me. But even without a serious craving for a clean, comfortable room and friendly staff, I would have found Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino a great choice for accommodations in Sin City. (Sidebar: one thing I’ve noticed about Las Vegas hotel websites – clearly, it’s NOT about the room).
A crowded registration desk on Mandalay’s enormous and spread-out ground floor (though the signage is plentiful and excellently-placed) was ameliorated by 2 extremely fun and cheerful Front Desk agents who assigned our room hours before the designated check-in time. Even 2 scuba divers who were cleaning the floor-to-ceiling fish tank nearby stopped to wave as we rolled by with our suitcases.
Upstairs the deluxe room was spacious, bright and decorated in calm beige and green tones. The beds were extremely fluffy, a la Westin’s signature Heavenly Bed, and amenities included a foyer hallway with floor-length mirror, 2 closets, 42″ flat-screen TV and enormous bathroom with separate tub, rain shower, double doors, 2 sinks and another television! sweeet. Aside from a drunk and disorderly neighbor who didn’t respond too kindly to our politely asking him to please shut up (security responded right away), I slept like a log.
And check out our view (mind you, the windows are tinted gold)!
Mandalay has some fantastic amenities. I got a chance to try Spa Mandalay, which is on their casino level but tucked away in a quiet corner en route to the Mandalay Beach (more on that later). Their prices are average but not exhorbitant, and the amenities that are included are fantastic - a lounge with fresh fruit, granola, coffee, tea, juices, bottled water and magazines, and inside 3 jacuzzis of varying temperatures – all in addition to your treatments. This is where the hotel’s fitness center is, as well. I got a manicure at Salon Mandalay (a section of the spa) which wasn’t too great, but they gave me half price since I was with a larger group of people – just $22! Also if you’re a Vegas local, you get 15% off your treatments – not too shabby!
We also took advantage of Mandalay’s own private beach! Exclusive for hotel guests, the manmade phenomenon includes 2700 tons of real beach sand and an enormous wave pool surrounded by foliage. Lounge chairs are filled by 11am, so you gotta get there early, but if you do you can take advantage of several beach cafes, private cabanas (for a hefty fee), poolside cocktail service (and they are WELL-MIXED cocktails) and priceless people-watching. But bring your own sunscreen – a travel-sized tube is $12 at the swim shop!
Mandalay has a TON of other attractions and things to do, all without leaving the building! Check out the House of Blues for live music (we saw some GREAT jazz), the Shark Reef Aquarium, the Shops at Mandalay, Mix for nightlife and much more. And for those looking for additional luxuries, The Hotel at Mandalay offers a more boutique setting, while the Four Seasons (the top few floors of Mandalay Bay) is elegant, quiet and absolutely beautiful (try the pizza at Verandah!)
Vegas is certainly not my town by any means…but for great accommodations whether or not it IS your town, Mandalay is a fantastic and affordable choice.
Rates from $140 for deluxe rooms.
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Leslie,
I stay at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay about 3 years ago and it was great. I am returning to Las Vegas in a few weeks. I looked at the Bed Bug Registery and so many Vegas hotel were listed. Did you have any problems with bed bugs or hear of others having problems? It gives me the creeps thinking about it.
Betty
THEhotel is pretty cool too, I have to say…although we only saw the Lobby :) I have not had problems with bed bugs in Vegas, and as a hotelier I can tell you that no matter WHERE you stay, a clean 5-star or a dirty motel, it is just as possible to find them, HOWEVER you must take the beg bug registry reviews with a grain of salt…all kinds of circumstances cause bed bugs and SOMETIMES people experience the symptoms but did not necessarily get them from that particular property, having brought them from a previous hotel (if they’re on the road, let’s say). The best thing you can do is book a hotel you like, then inspect the room when you’re there. I use this bed bug checklist – it’s MORE than enough to help you avoid any possibly bad situation :) http://www.badbedbugs.com/bedbug-checklist/ Have fun!