Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

We stayed in a suite and it was absolutely gorgeous and it had a wonderful strip view. The bed was comfortable and we loved having the separate living space with wet bar and fridge. The bathroom was unreal, it was huge with a large spa tub and walk-in shower with lovely toiletries. The casino is spacious with some fantastic slots and lovely bars. The food court that is near the aquarium is very expensive and it lacks some cheap eats like other big casino’s. The restaurants are lovely. The only downside is the pool area. You cannot find any umbrellas unless you pay an extortionate price for a day bed or a cabana (sadly, beyond our price range). It was very busy and family orientated (that’s ok of course), but, it is difficult to find a relaxing spot. All in all we had a great time and we were lucky to stay there.

Smoking throughout the property was a large negative and made us want to go elsewhere for meals and activities. Also hotel seemed to nickel and dime everything and experience wasn’t very welcoming. Wouldn’t stay here again.

Check in was fast. In and out in 5 min. Room was exceptional and clean. Bed very comfortable. Great places to eat. The only down side was Ri Ra's. We have eatin there everytime we go and had excellent service and food in the past. This time service was not as good and the food was just average. Will not go there in Oct when we are there. Other then that, everything was excellent as usual. Mandalay Bay is the place to stay when in Vegas.

Staying at Mandalay Bay felt like a cash grab. There was an 18 dollar charge just to use the small in-room coffee kit. Twenty-seven dollars for two bottles of water and a small bag of chips. Everything about the stay felt overpriced and nickel-and-dimed. I don’t mind paying for quality, but this wasn’t about quality. It was price gouging. Next time, I’ll take my business to a local tribal casino where the value and treatment are far better.

I would be less likely to recommend Mandalay Bay based on my recent experience. Everything felt very self-service, with kiosks and a DIY approach replacing much of the personal interaction I would expect from a resort of this caliber. Perhaps this is becoming the norm, but the lack of personal, human contact made the experience feel less welcoming and more transactional. There was also an issue with the hot water in my room. Even with the water turned all the way to hot, it would only stay at a comfortable temperature for about 10 minutes before becoming lukewarm. Another frustration was the lack of accessible restrooms near the hotel entrance and lobby area. I had to go downstairs looking for a restroom, only to be told that it did not open until 8:00 a.m. It seems unreasonable for a large resort and casino operating around the clock not to have a conveniently located restroom available to guests in the main entrance area early in the morning. Overall, for a resort of Mandalay Bay’s size, reputation, and price point, I expected better guest service, basic conveniences, and a more hospitable experience.