Everything you could want under one (massive) roof
Disadvantages:
Located at the southern end of "The Strip" - so a bit of a walk to some attractions . . .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
We stayed at the MASSIVE MGM Grand for a few days this time last year.
The MGM Grand, guarded by a 45-foot-tall bronze lion statue has 5,005 rooms and used to be the largest hotel in the world, a claim recently stolen by the Ambassador City Jomtien hotel in Thailand with 5,100 rooms. It's still the largest hotel in North America, although I think this will soon be stolen by George Clooney's Vegas hotel development...
(While we're on the subject of large hotels, 17 of the 20 largest hotels in the world are in Las Vegas ! So even if you don't stay at The MGM Grand, odds are you'll be staying somewhere big...)
The MGM Grand is part of the MGM Mirage group, that also owns, among others, The Bellagio, The Mirage, Treasure Island, New York-New York (just across the street) and Beau Rivage hotels/casinos in Vegas.
The first thing that hits you, once you've parked your car in the MASSIVE (free) 12,000 space carpark, is the magnificent marble lobby, with about 10 check-in desks. You'll probably still have to queue though...
The lobby leads to an MASSIVE 171,000-square-foot casino with 3,500 slot machines and 165 table games with high minimum bets (blackjack and roulette start at $10, although you might find a $5 table in the afternoon if you look hard enough).
In the middle, there's a bar, "Centrifuge", apparently replacing an old live-music lounge that elevated its bands over players, and a separate "high-roller" casino area - we didn't make it in there (!), so can't comment further...
There's also a MASSIVE sports betting area with big screens showing, as you would expect, mostly US sports, although a few others slipped in.
For those that don't want to gamble (then why come to Vegas ?) there's the MASSIVE 29,000-square-foot, Japanese-style "Grand Spa" that features saunas, steam rooms, spas, a fitness center and plush relaxation rooms.
For further entertainment, there's the MASSIVE Grand Garden Arena (17,157 sets) and the smaller, 740 seat Hollywood Theatre where famous celebs perform. Madonna playing the Grand Garden Arena on May 27 this year, and Tom Jones is on at the Hollywood Theatre from April 27 - May 10 ! In addition, La Femme french dance troupe "direct from the original Crazy Horse in Paris" and the spectacular modern circus troupe Cirque du Soleil have standing shows.
The MGM Grand also has nightclubs; Teatro Euro Bar, Tabú, and a recreation of the world-famous Studio 54 !
Outside, there's the MASSIVE Grand Pool complex, a 6.6-acre "coconut-grove" garden with five pools, fountains and waterfalls and a quarter-mile river !
Also, right in the middle of things, there's the Lion Habitat, a MASSIVE 5,000 square foot simulated jungle complete with waterfalls, enclosed in 240 degrees of floor-to-ceiling protective glass that enables the public to view a variety of lions ! Apparently, the lions appear for periods of no more than six hours at a time, and actually live on an 8.5-acre ranch 12 miles from the MGM Grand, but I still think it's a bit cruel for them to be displayed in a glass box and subjected to a 12,000 tourists every day... .
Once you've done all that, you'll need to eat. As you'd expect, there are a lot of options for all tastes:
- Nobhill - Decor combines cool glass; warm woods. Semi-enclosed glass booths in front; linen-service dining room at the rear. Features acclaimed chef. San Francisco-style menu includes truffled macaroni and cheese; lobster pot pie, and crispy black bass. - L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon's - Features acclaimed chef. Show kitchen; counter service. Tapas and entrées served; tasting menu and wines from around the world offered as well. - Seablue - Mediterranean seafood restaurant opened October 25, 2005. Cylindrical fish tank; mirrored hall; dining room walls of stone and water. Features seafood dishes; seasonal produce. - Craftsteak - Updated twist on classic steak house decor and food. Contemporary-style selections include roasted foie gras; grilled quail, and braised duck confit in addition to steaks and made-to-order vegetables. - Emeril's New Orleans Fish House - Celebrity chef. Menu features Cajun- and Creole-accented seafood such as redfish glazed with Creole mustard and bacon-wrapped jumbo Gulf shrimp. - Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill - Sand and surf meet bar and grill at this "beachy" bistro offering California-inspired cuisine. - Rainforest Café - Theme restaurant. Pays tribute to tropical rain forest ecology with fanciful rain forest setting; drinks and food with tropical emphasis. - Pearl - Features live-tank seafood; contemporary Chinese fare such as star-anise lamb chops. - Grand Wok & Sushi Bar - Fronted by narrow pond. Decor incorporates blend of blond wood, bamboo, stone, water, and stainless-steel accents. Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine served. Sushi bar open in the evenings. - Teatro - Euro bar with red-leather seating; stainless steel accents. Cristal and Dom Perignon Rosé can be ordered by the glass. - Studio Café - Casual restaurant open 24 hours. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served. - MGM Grand Buffet - Expansive restaurant. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets offered. *** We had breakfast here once, and I've never eaten so much in all my life ! - Stage Deli - New York-style delicatessen food offered. - Fiamma - Italian trattoria offering signature dishes; hearty pasta. *** We had dinner here and it was excellent ! - Shibuy - Named after a stylish Tokyo district. Features sushi and extensive sake selection. - Diego - Pays homage to Mexico's culinary traditionsand flavors. *** We had dinner here on night too, very nice - Wwichcraft - Sandwiches to go. Made with artisan breads, seasonal produce, premium cheeses, and roasted meats. Sweets and beverages offered as well. Open daily from early morning to early evening. - Cabana Grille - Open seasonally in pool complex. Lighter fare; fast foods; tropical drinks. - Zuri - Lounge off lobby open 24 hours. Champagne by the glass; beer from around the globe; cigars; hangover menu; live entertainment.
Plus, of course, there are the easy standards of Häagen-Dazs, McDonald's, Starbucks, pizza, pretzels and hot-dogs available all over the place, and if you can'f face any of that, there's always 24 hour room service !
The MGM Grand has a few shops, mainly little ones, and it nothing compared to somewhere like The Venetian that's full of designer stores.
Finally, you'll retire to your room. We stayed in the 30-floor Tower, in a (quoted) 446 square foot room with everything you'd expect from a luxury hotel. We had a black and white marble bathroom with bath and shower. It was very clean, if a little gaudily decorated
There are loads of different types of suites also available, if you've got pots of cash, and all rates vary depending on season, availability, and even day of the week (weekends are more expensive), so check on Expedia or your favourite travel site to find a bargain. The MGM Grand website quotes rates from $89.99 per night...
Of course, if you feel the need, there is a "sophisticated and elegant" wedding chapel at The MGM Grand to "provide the perfect setting for the ceremony of your dream". Perhaps not...
As is pretty much the norm in American hotels, all the staff (even at check-in / check-out) were helpful and friendly providing top notch customer service.
MGM Grand Hotel and Casino 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas Nevada 89109 USA 1 877 880 0880 www.mgmgrand.com/
Overall, we had a great few days in this MASSIVE hotel (probably a few days is all you really need in Vegas), and would certainly recommend it.
(We also took a helicopter tour of The Grand Canyon - I'll see if that's on Ciao to review too. Watch this space...)
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