Key Points:
- Pricing at Mandalay Bay is often advantageous, thanks to the resort’s location, which isn’t ideal.
- Standard rooms are sizable, clean, comfortable, and genuinely nice.
- Activities, dining options, and even free transportation north alleviate location concerns.
The biggest knock against Mandalay Bay is its location on the southern reaches of the Strip, but don’t let that scare you off.
From my perspective, Mandalay is a “get more for your money” resort experience that extends beyond your hotel room, offering differentiated attractions, one of the top pool scenes in Vegas, a cocktail lounge with a view of the Strip, and a crap-ton of dining options.
Room, Cost, and Check In
My standard Resort King Strip View room was complimentary thanks to my gambling activity in the MGM Rewards loyalty program; however, I was still responsible for the resort fee + tax of $56.59.
Without a loyalty relationship, rooms at Mandalay Bay start at under $150/nt after fees mid-week, and in the $300-$400/nt range on weekends.
Checking in at MGM Resorts properties, like Mandalay Bay, is seamless.
Do so the night before on the MGM app.
You’re then alerted when your room’s ready on the day of your stay, often before the standard check-in time. I’ve gotten into rooms at MGM properties as early as 8 am without paying for early check-in.
You then use your phone as a room key and can skip the registration desk altogether. On this occasion, my room was ready at 2:05 pm, and I excitedly shuffled up.
Mandalay Bay Resort King Room
The Resort King room has ample room for activities at 550 sq. Ft., which is sizable compared to other base rooms on the Strip, and to put it bluntly, it’s a great room.
Unique amenities that you may appreciate include an office desk with a Strip view, provided you flip the chair to the other side.
Not one, but two closets for storage.
A coffee maker, but no complimentary coffee.
And my favorite, floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the Strip to the north.
Disappointingly, there wasn’t any empty fridge space for personal items.
The bathroom was solid, with an illuminated mirror above the dual-sink vanity, a tub, a glass-enclosed shower, and a separate water closet.
It’s not a “fancy” bathroom by any stretch, but I dig the look, and it’s functional.
These rooms were last renovated as part of a 2015 project, but you’d guess it was more recent.
The room still feels legitimately nice, modern, stylish, comfortable, and is in fantastic condition aside from a few minor flaws.
What’s Not To Like?
When I review hotels, I try to give you the whole story, not just the good, so that you can make a more informed decision.
While the room was, overall, in great shape, there were a few flaws that included:
Scuffed-up baseboards.
Beat-up chair legs.
The door into the water closet was scuffed.
And there were a couple of rough corners in the shower.
There was debris under the glass top of the work desk.
Infuriatingly, the bedside outlets were worthless. Anything plugged in would fall out. There was no friction or charging whatsoever, and I had to plug my phone in across the room, which was a bit annoying.
I could also perfectly hear the conversations and TV programming in the room next to me. Fortunately, they had kids and went to bed early.
Which actually reminds me, Parents, bringing your kid to Vegas doesn’t make you a bad parent. But letting them watch Caillou does. It’s not ok.
Resort Experience
Location
Location relative to the rest of the Strip is the main reason people steer clear of Mandalay Bay. Don’t let it scare you away.
Mandalay is connected to both Luxor and Excalibur to the north by a free tram, but I’ve found the indoor walkway to be more direct. Once you make it north to Excalibur, you’re in a more “happening” area.
The Beach Pool Complex
The crown amenity at Mandalay Bay, and the reason many book the resort in the first place, is their pool, widely viewed as one of the best in Vegas.
Highlights of the pool area, which spans 11 acres, include a 1.6-million-gallon wave pool, a relaxing lazy river that meanders through palm trees, beneath pedestrian walkways, and under waterfalls.
2,700 tons of real sand is also a nice touch, but I can imagine it gets hot af in the summer.
They sell inflatable tubes for $25 or $30, and there’s a free inflation station.
The pool is free for hotel guests, but anyone can get in by purchasing a $30 day pass.
Dining
Given Mandalay’s less-than-ideal location, dining options are important. They deliver with 20+ food & drink options scattered about the resort, ranging from upscale steaks to a food court.
One of my favorite cheap bites is Slice of Vegas, located in the hallway connecting Mandalay to Luxor, where you can score a sub $7 slice at the grab-and-go counter.
Swingers Crazy Golf
Swingers Crazy Golf takes the traditional mini-golf experience and combines it with a club atmosphere. A pro, or a con, depending on who you are.
I found it to be a con.
The cost to play is $30 for 9 holes, and while the course is fun, aesthetically pleasing, and creative, my mini golf round took just 17 minutes to complete… An abysmal value.
In addition to mini golf, Swingers has a small arcade that can be added to your ticket for $15 per person.
Again, fun, but not sure I’d do it again for the price. They did have some higher-quality swingers-branded prizes (glassware, etc.) up for grabs, though.
Shark Reef Aquarium
Mandalay’s Shark Reef aquarium gives guests the chance to walk the seafloor and see over 100 different species of sea life, including 12 shark varieties.
In total, 2,000+ creatures call Shark Reef home.
In addition to aquatic life, there’s a small zoo, home to various reptiles & amphibians.
Adult tickets start at $29. It’s not a huge, time-consuming attraction, and I wouldn’t describe it as some “outrageous value”, but I think it’s worth it to the right person. I thought it was pretty cool.
Foundation Room
Shortly after my stay, Mandalay’s Foundation Room closed for renovation work, but the views of the Las Vegas Strip to the north were spectacular and worth the overpriced beer.
No word on when it reopens yet, but stop in if you have the chance.
Is Mandalay Bay’s Resort King a Good Deal?
Mandalay Bay is one of my favorite hotels on the Strip – I love the relative quiet and elegance of the gaming floor, the vast amount of dining options, the pool complex is next level, and the location doesn’t scare me away as you’re a free tram ride away from the action.
The rooms are big, well-decorated, and comfortable.
It’s just a great hotel product.
Related Las Vegas Hotel Reviews:
Mandalay Bay Penthouse Sky View Suite Review
Caesars Palace Nobu Room Review
Wynn’s Renovated Resort King Review
Luxor Tower Premier King Review
Watch this Mandalay Bay Resort King Room review on YouTube!
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I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.