Key Points:
- NYNY recently completed a renovation project that touched every room in the resort.
- I found my Soho King Room to be well worth the $47.62 I paid for the night – Not fancy, but a solid value.
- Even if you don’t stay at NYNY, the resort is worth a visit for its intricate theming, which never gets old.
It’s been a minute since I stayed at New York New York.
My main recollection of my last stay, which was over a decade ago, was that:
- I loved the gaming floor and theming.
- The rooms were dated AF. It felt like 1992.
With that in mind, I was excited to give the hotel another crack following a $63 million renovation project that kicked off in 2022 and touched every room property-wide.
I booked a baseline Soho King room on a comp, thanks to my gambling activity within the MGM Rewards loyalty program. I was still on the hook for the resort fee + tax, which amounted to $47.62 in total.
NYNY Check-In Experience
MGM Resorts properties offer mobile check-in and room keys, which allow guests to skip lines, social interaction, and to go straight to their room when it’s ready.
An added benefit of mobile check-in is that guests commonly gain access to their room before the standard check-in time, even if they didn’t pay for guaranteed early check-in.
Obviously, early room access is based on availability and isn’t guaranteed unless you pay.
In this case, my room was ready at about 9am, and up to my room I went.
Inside My Soho King Room
On the way up to the room, I always scope out common areas like elevator lobbies and hotel hallways, and I have to say, the elevator itself did a great job of “setting the tone”.
The elevator lobbies were fresh, spacious, and full of natural light. The windows offered pretty amazing views of I-15, Allegiant Stadium, and South Strip resorts.
My first impression of the room itself was that it felt modern, trendy, fresh, and upbeat.
The room’s furniture was all brand new and featured bright red and yellow accents that “popped”.
There wasn’t one, but two unique accent walls. The first was a “graffiti” type wall and the second was a faux brick wallpaper.
Humorously, I thought the brick wall would have the texture of real bricks when I booked. I was surprised (and a smidge disappointed) to discover it was smooth upon arrival.
The TV stand was in great condition and was functional, although it had a bit of an “Ikea-vibe” to it.
There was a safe, but no mini-fridge or mini-bar to be found.
Since there was no fridge, I went on the hunt for ice, but couldn’t find it on my floor, gave up, and resorted to drinking room temperature beer which was a bummer, but not a huge issue.
Now common in modern rooms, both traditional outlets and USB charge ports were located on either side of the king bed.
The bathroom was pretty bare bones and utilitarian. The layout is similar to a budget hotel/motel, but the finishes were a step above.
It was solid and functional, without being impressive.
Unbranded bath products were also provided both in the shower and on the single sink vanity.
What’s Not To Like?
When I do hotel reviews, I get down on my hands and knees on the hunt for cleanliness issues, scuffs, stains, etc.
Hairs
In this room, I found the thickest hairs on earth at the base of the toilet, under the lip of the sink, and in a corner near the bathtub.
Old Switches/Outlets
Another minor pet peeve is when properties invest big bucks into room renovations but leave old, yellowed light switches and outlets.
Obviously, this didn’t impact my stay, but makes me chuckle a bit.
Just swap ’em out!
Lack of TV Guide
After a long day of walking, I like to plop down on the bed, crack a drink, and find a show to zone out to.
One thing every hotel room should have in the 2020s is a modern TV guide that allows you to page through and see what show is airing on each channel.
This room annoyingly didn’t offer an on-screen guide. Instead, there was just a printed list of channels, leaving me plugging numbers into the remote hoping to stumble across something interesting to watch.
Small, Skinny Windows
Lastly, I know they designed these buildings to look like the real thing back in New York City, but the small, skinny windows were a bit of a bummer.
I did have a front-row seat to Tropicana’s demolition, however.
Resort Experience
The pool at NYNY
Albeit lacking the luster of other top pools on the Strip, NYNY’s pool is “fine”, offering a spot to cool off as rollercoaster riders scream overhead.
Things To Do
NYNY is home to a pretty unique collection of non-gaming attractions that include the aforementioned rollercoaster (which is a wild ride), Big Apple Arcade, and Hershey’s Chocolate World, which is home to milkshakes and a selection of amazing-looking desserts.
Bar at Times Square
If dueling pianos are your jam, check out the Bar at Times Square nightly for a show that goes into the wee hours of the morning.
My wife and I stumbled across it years ago and had one of the most memorable nights of our lives. Not kidding. What a blast.
Big Apple Coaster & Arcade
The rollercoaster at NYNY runs along the roof, offering views of the Strip and one hell of a rough ride. It’s awesome and worth the $25 to ride. At least once.
The Big Apple Arcade is packed with classic & modern games. It isn’t the best on the Strip (that’s Circus Circus), but it’s a cool spot for kids… or youthful adults to hang.
Explore the Village Street Eateries
Designed to look like Greenwich Village in New York City, the themed Village Street Eateries is chock full of realistic details to admire.
Almost as cool as the Village Eateries’ aesthetic are the myriad affordable restaurants that call the themed section home. Here’s my “highlight reel of overindulgence”.
Greenberg & Son’s Deli serves a collection of sandwiches at a $15 price point. My toasted Italian Stallion, stacked with salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, and provolone cheese, was served alongside a pickle and was spectacular.
Sirrico’s slings pizza by the slice, starting at $7.75, though they’re offering a slice + a Busch Light for $11.95. This was my $8.75 slice of pep.
My biggest knock against Sirrico’s is that the slice isn’t reheated at the time of purchase. She does pack some flavor though.
Times Square Hot Dogs is a literal hole-in-the-wall that sells an assortment of exotic dogs for under $10. I got the Chicago-style dog topped with diced cucumbers, tomato, dill pickles, onions, sport peppers, and celery salt.
It was damn flavorful… and messy.
Lucky Pig serves an array of bao buns and bowls at sub-$15 prices. I went with the Beef Gyudon Bowl, and it was really good after a healthy dose of sriracha.
This thing was a brick. It was packed with steamed rice, pickled ginger, and beef, which admittedly had a “cheaper” texture and taste.
That said, it was filling and tasty (after sriracha).
Casino Floor
Aesthetically, this is one of my favorite casino floors in Las Vegas. Theming elements are abundant, and the Bar at Times Square is almost omnipresent as you navigate the casino floor.
Location
NYNY is on the south end of the Strip, and is steps away from other resorts and attractions.
Notably, Excalibur to the south offers a free tram that connects the resort to Luxor and Mandalay Bay.
MGM Grand, across the street, has a Monorail stop, which allows you to traverse the east side of the Strip for next to nothing.
The Verdict: Is NYNY’s Soho King Worth Reserving?
What this room isn’t: The type of room that’ll “blow you away” with fancy amenities and luxurious finishes.
What this room is: A rock-solid value option. My Soho King room at New York New York was fashionable and felt trendy, new, and fresh. It was well worth the $47.62 I paid.
This is the perfect room for folks who prefer mid-tier quality at an affordable rate to luxury with a hefty price tag.
The broader resort experience is also unique, offering mobile check-in, intricate theming, an arcade, rollercoaster, Hershey’s Chocolate World store, and myriad dining options spanning the price/quality spectrum.
If you’re in the market for a quality hotel option on the Strip that won’t break the bank, bump the Soho King at New York New York into consideration.
I’ll certainly be back.
Watch this review of NYNY 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.