7/10MGM Grand
South Strip, across from Excalibur and New York-New York6 min read
One of the best pools on the Strip, but the room felt dated and the bed was worn in. A 3.5 out of 5 for me.
Best for: Anyone who cares most about the pool and a lively, mixed-age casino floor, and wants a south-Strip room for a reasonable price.
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 booked the basic room at the MGM Grand to walk you through the whole property. First impression walking in was good, no offensive smell, which is always a big plus for me. But the decor is dated, kind of an 80s meets 70s vibe with carpet on the wall, and the cleaning felt surface level once I started really looking.
The MGM Grand is huge and it has one of the best pool setups in town. Here is the honest version of what you get for the money.
What I liked
- The pool is top tier, one of the best on the Strip, with multiple pools and a lazy river, and hours that run a little later than most
- Excellent south-Strip location with the monorail right inside and a free tram across at Excalibur down to Mandalay Bay
- Lively, fun atmosphere with a good mix of young and older people, nobody too rambunctious
- Tons of dining, and the Grand Wok Noodle Bar spicy beef soup was phenomenal
What to know
- The room decor is dated and the cleaning felt surface level, things that should have been washed a little closer
- The beds felt worn in and a little sunken, so it took me a while to fall asleep
- My eighth-floor view was rough, just rooftop, the parking garage, and some buildings that needed painting
The room
I was on the eighth floor and the view was not spectacular, just the rooftop below and the parking garage. The bathroom is clean and nice enough but small, with a dated wallpaper look, and it has got to be one of the smallest tubs I have ever seen. It is short and shallow, a real micro tub. At least there is a tub, though, since some places only give you a standing shower.
Walking in, the room smelled fine and looked clean at a glance. The thing that knocked it down for me was the bed. It felt worn in and a little sunken, not the kind you lay down on and just drift off in.
The pool, the casino, and the food
The pool is the highlight here, easily one of the best spots on the Strip. Multiple pools plus a lazy river, and the hours run 9 to 6 when a lot of places close at 4 or 5. The lazy river closes earlier, 10 to 5, but it is still a great setup. The casino floor has everything, slots everywhere, table games with a 15 dollar minimum, a poker room, and a sports book.
For dinner I hit the Grand Wok Noodle Bar and got the spicy beef soup. It came out in about six minutes and the broth was so good. Easy thumbs up from me.
What I paid
I paid 49 dollars plus fees and taxes, which came out to just over 100 dollars all in. That is pretty reasonable in my opinion, especially for a property with a pool this good. If you can get in at a price like that, it is worth a stay.
David's tip
Come for the pool. It is one of the best on the Strip with a lazy river, and the hours run later than most. If a great pool is high on your list, the MGM Grand belongs on your shortlist.
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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.
Frequently asked
How much does a room at the MGM Grand cost?
I paid 49 dollars a night plus taxes and fees, just over 100 dollars all in. At that price I thought it was reasonable, especially given how good the pool is.
Is the MGM Grand pool worth it?
Yes, it is one of the best on the Strip. Multiple pools, a lazy river, and hours that run a little later than a lot of other places at 9 to 6.
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