Mandalay Bay

South Strip, the last major resort on the south end6 min read

The verdict

Best pool on the Strip, a clean comfortable room, and I paid a steal. Four stars from me.

Best for: Families who want the best pool experience on the Strip, and anyone hunting a nice resort at a mid-tier price.

Check Mandalay Bay rates on VEGAS.com

David X Las Vegas earns a commission on bookings made through this link, at no extra cost to you. It never changes my honest take.

I checked into a basic room at Mandalay Bay and even tried the $20 trick at the front desk, slipping the clerk a twenty to see if it got me anything. It worked out fine. They checked me in at 11 in the morning with no early check-in fee, and the lady at the desk gave me a really nice view right in front of the pool.

Mandalay Bay sits at the very south end of the Strip and the whole property is big and nice. Here is the honest version of what you are getting.

What I liked

The pool is the best spot on the Strip in my opinion, with a wave pool, a lazy river, and real sand on the ground so it feels like the beach
Floor to ceiling windows in the room with a great view of the pool, Allegiant Stadium, the Strip down to the Las Vegas sign, and the mountains
Clean, tidy, fresh room with a decent amount of space, a desk, chairs, a big comfortable bed, and lots of closet space
Tons to do on property, from Michael Jackson One to the Shark Reef Aquarium, mini golf, and the House of Blues

What to know

The tub and the standing shower are both a little on the small side
It is the last resort on the south Strip, so you are a bit removed from the center and north end
The spicy beef soup I had at the Noodle Shop was a letdown, one of the worst I have tried

The room

I was on the 19th floor and the floor to ceiling windows really make the view. I could see the pool right in front, Allegiant Stadium, the Strip all the way down to the Las Vegas sign, and the mountain range on the horizon. The room itself was clean and fresh the second I walked in, with a desk, a couple chairs, a big bed, and plenty of closet space.

The bathroom has everything you need. Double sink with a big mirror, a tub, a standing shower, and the toilet in its own separate room. The tub and shower are a touch small, but nothing to complain about. A classy bathroom overall.

The pool and the property

The pool is my favorite part and the number one pool spot on the Strip for families. You get a wave pool, a lazy river, regular pools to swim in, and the sand on the ground that makes it feel like a real beach. A lot of pool areas are just hot cement, so this one stands out by a mile.

The casino floor is big with slots spread out so it never feels cramped, table games at 10 and 15 dollar minimums, a sports book, and a small poker room. There is also a food court and plenty of restaurants, though the spicy beef soup I had at the Noodle Shop was at the bottom of my list.

What I paid

I paid 50 dollars for a Thursday night, and with taxes and fees it came out to around 110 to 120 all in. For a resort like Mandalay Bay that is honestly a steal. No noise issues, the bed was comfortable, and I slept great.

David's tip

Try checking in on a weekday. I caught a Thursday rate of 50 dollars, about 110 to 120 all in, and at that price this resort is a steal.

Ready to book Mandalay Bay?

Check live rates and packages, then decide for yourself.

See rates on VEGAS.com

David X Las Vegas earns a commission on bookings made through this link, at no extra cost to you. It never changes my honest take.

Quick answers

Frequently asked

How much does a room at Mandalay Bay cost?

I paid 50 dollars for a Thursday night, and with taxes and fees it came to about 110 to 120 all in. For a resort this nice that is a great deal, and weekday rates are where you find it.

Is the Mandalay Bay pool good for families?

It is the best pool spot on the Strip for families in my opinion. You get a wave pool, a lazy river, regular pools, and real sand on the ground that makes it feel like a beach.