With so many hotel options in Las Vegas, it can be difficult to choose the best value. For a quick stay in town, I opted for a Mandalay Bay room at a rate of just $66 after taxes. I’d never stayed at this property, and is seemed like a great price.
Recent changes to the MGM Rewards program include waived resort fees for Gold Tier members, which really changes the value proposition at their properties. Now you can score some hotels (e.g. Luxor and Excalibur) for under $30. Even better, MGM property nights can count toward World of Hyatt status.
The Mandalay Bay a step up from the other MGM competition, however, at ~$30 more for the night I was there. So, what is a Mandalay Bay room like for such good value?
Mandalay Bay Room: Standard King
Even from the room entryway, I could tell that the Mandalay Bay offers nicer accommodations that a few of the other cheap Las Vegas Strip hotels I’ve stayed at over the past few years. I find the blue, cream, and wood color scheme pleasant. The room and furniture have a clean, modern style.
The glass desk caught my eye. There were a good number of scratches in it, but its a nice design, the chair was comfortable for the hours I had to work, and power outlets are easily accessible.
There are two armchairs by the window. They are fairly nice overall, but I noticed a couple stains and a rip in one of the arms.
The artistic design on the wall behind the bed gives the Mandalay Bay room some character, taking away the plain feel that characterizes so many hotel rooms.
The bathroom is what impressed me most about the Mandalay Bay room. It’s impressively large for a hotel only asking $59 per night plus tax. There is a large counter with a double sink, full bathtub, and separate shower. The toilet is located in its own room at end. My one comment on the shower is that the water pressure varied constantly. It was always enough for a decent shower, but it started to drive me crazy by the end. Not sure what was causing the issue.
The Mandalay Bay room minibar is well stocked. You have plenty of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, plus coffee and water above.
The prices are downright appalling. These are some of the highest I’ve seen. Paying $10 for a Sierra Mist or $14 for a Bud Light seltzer is ridiculous.
What I found most ridiculous is that the Mandalay Bay charges you for in-room coffee. That’s the first I’ve seen of that madness. Why even bother at $12 per kit when you can spend less at a coffee shop at Vegas (well, maybe…I did get coffee and a snack at Press in the Four Seasons lobby while here, and that ran me almost $12).
The view wasn’t half bad. I was on the 19th floor.
Now for the real kicker: I found a flea on me in the morning while starting off the day reading in bed. I’ve had indoor cats, so this is not a completely unknown occurrence. But it is a first for a hotel. I checked much of the rest of the bed, but that was the only one I found. It was definitely flea and not bedbug. My hope is that it is leftover from someone who brought a pet into the room and not an infestation. It definitely sullies my overall impression of the property.
Mandalay Bay Hotel and Property
I wandered the hotel for a bit, exploring from the Four Seasons lobby all the way to the shops that line the walkway between Mandalay Bay and Luxor. Not much really caught my eye, aside from the Mandalay Bay lobby. It’s a lovely space and started off the stay off on the right foot.
Rí Rá is my dining find of the trip. It is an Irish pub with great ambiance that makes you could actually be 5,000 miles away on the other side of the Atlantic. You could almost forget where you are, until you look back through the door and realize you’re mere steps from the Mandalay Bay Shoppes. The bartender would even simply asked if you want a pint, clearly assuming you’re in need of a glass of the black stuff. Sorry, no Guinness for me.
Final Thoughts
The good: A Mandalay Bay room is a sweet deal for less than $70 all-in. The style is nice, the bed and furniture comfortable, and the bathroom excellent. It’s great value.
The bad: You could see some wear and tear on the room and the shower had a mind of its own. Finding a flea in the bed is a bit concerning. I’d probably take my changes again, but this sticks in my mind.
It’s true. I may have warmed to Las Vegas a bit. I used to consider it one of my least favorite destinations. But I’ve come to enjoy the beautifully themed properties and plethora of great dining options. If only this could be divorced from the gambling, drinking, and carousing.
I stayed here at company expense one time. Good thing it was expensed ad I’d never stay here at my own cost. Sounds like you got a good rate (ace that!!), but things like charging for a cup for coffee is as you say down right appalling. I travel with my own kettle and coffee, but this place now taught me to travel with cups as well. The prices for anything in-room as beyond any level of being ridiculous. Their on-site restaurants were also insanely priced. This place was nice, but a complete turnoff and I couldn’t wait to leave not only the hotel but the city. I’ve never been a fan of this city and staying in this rip off resort just solidified my distaste for the whole area.
Charging for in-room coffee is definitely outrageous. First time I’ve seen this.
The value of my stay definitely weighs into my perception. Heavily. Left me feeling like I still got a deal. If Mandalay was going for $200/night? No way I’d pick it.
I think this article is omitting a very serious cost, the resort fees. Currently the resort fee is 44.22, so your total cost is much higher than you state. I would be curious is there are other costs that you had to pay that you did not report in this article.
Hi Sidius,
I address this in the second paragraph. Recent changes to MGM Rewards Status eliminates award fees for some members.