Mandalay Bay is more than just another casino in Las Vegas. This huge complex includes a 135,000 square foot casino, 3 hotels (Mandalay Bay, Delano, Four Seasons), a 2 million-square-foot convention space, an arena, and much more all under one roof. Whew! It’s almost exhausting thinking about everything you’ll find at Mandalay Bay.
To say the Mandalay Bay complex is large is an understatement. Since you have to navigate through the traffic in the always busy Mandalay Bay casino, it can take a good 15 minutes to walk from Delano to the Four Seasons. That’s only inside of Mandalay Bay. The pool complex adds another 11 acres of land outside of the casino. The pool area features multiple pools including a 1.6 million-gallon wave pool.
The sheer size and amenities at Mandalay Bay make it one of the most family-friendly casino-resorts in Las Vegas. That’s a good thing since this is the southernmost casino in the Vegas Strip tourist district. It’s not too difficult to get to the action in the middle of the Vegas Strip, but Mandalay Bay can feel somewhat isolated at times.
Hotel rooms
Mandalay Bay is a unique hotel because the complex is home to Four Seasons Las Vegas and Delano Las Vegas in addition to its own hotel tower. Everything at Mandalay Bay is accessible from each hotel without going outside. However, each hotel has their own booking engine and is considered a separate entity even though they’re under the same roof. Each hotel has both private and shared amenities.
The hotels each offer a different hotel room experience. Four Seasons is similar to the luxury hotel brand you experience around the world. The Delano offers a more cozy boutique hotel experience. Delano used to be a part of Mandalay Bay known as THEHotel and is closer to the casino floor than the Four Seasons, which feels a bit more secluded.
Features
Mandalay Bay offers some of the largest entry level hotel rooms on the Vegas Strip. King and Queen (two beds) hotel rooms are both 550 square feet. The rooms were recently renovated and have a fresh contemporary feeling. One of the best features of the rooms at Mandalay Bay are the floor to ceiling windows. They offer views that are unmatched by most other Las Vegas hotel rooms.
The newly designed king and queen rooms have a different decor but offer many of the same features. These include a 42” LED TV, iHome alarm clock radio with USB port, and a work station with TV media hub that includes multiple charging and connection outlets. The rooms are some of the most comfortable if you’re visiting Las Vegas and have to work.
The bathrooms in both rooms offer the same twin vanities, stone countertops and a feature you won’t find in other hotel rooms in this price range. This bathroom features both a separate glass-enclosed shower and soaking tub. Many mid-priced hotels in Las Vegas offer one or the other.
Suites
Mandalay Bay has 10 different suites available. Suite sizes range from the 610-square-foot Bay King Suite with an extended living area to the 2,300-square-foot Hospitality Suite which offers a private elevator and seating for 20 friends or co-workers. The hospitality suite is in high demand since the Mandalay Bay Convention Center is one of the busiest in the country.
Dining
One of the best facets of Mandalay Bay is the dining. Not only is there food for everyone and every occasion, but there are a lot of options under one roof. There might be more restaurants at Mandalay Bay than any other casino in Las Vegas. The dining selections include everything from quick and cheap to formal and expensive.
Casual restaurants
- Bayside Buffet – Traditional Las Vegas buffet with views of a tropical water garden
- Beach Bar & Grill – Eat and drink outside at Mandalay Beach
- Burger Bar – Chef Hubert Keller brings you the finest varieties of beef, buffalo, turkey burgers
- Food Court – Quick dining outside the convention center near the entrance to Shark Reef Aquarium
- House of Blues – The southern style comfort food you know from their locations around the country
- Hussong’s Cantina – Authentic Baja cuisine, margaritas, and a sing-along Mariachi band
- RiRa – Las Vegas outpost of this small chain of Irish Pubs
- Seabreeze Cafe – Traditional casino cafe
- Slice of Vegas – NY Style pizzeria with fresh pasta, salads and more
- Sports Book Grill – Quick serve sandwiches and burgers to eat while watching the games
- Starbucks – Two locations, one near the mall and one near the convention center
- Yogurt In – Self-serve frozen yogurt shop with 16 rotating flavors, crepes, and shakes
Mid-Range restaurants
- Border Grill – Modern Mexican restaurant overlooking the Lazy River just above Mandalay Beach
- Citizen’s Kitchen & Bar – Modern American comfort food
- Della’s Kitchen – Cuisine is described as “historic farmhouse meets urban kitchen” and has great breakfast
- Foundation Room – Great combination of international fine dining and lounge bites with a great view
- Kumi – A modern Japanese menu with a Korean-American twist
- Libertine Social – The newest restaurant at Mandalay Bay is a next-generation gastropub
- Lupo – This is Wolfgang Puck’s first Italian restaurant
- Mizuya Sushi/Sake – Restaurant, bar and lounge features sashimi, hand rolls, specialty rolls and, of course, sake
- Noodle Shop – Asian restaurant with authentic Cantonese and Mandarin dishes
- Press – chic indoor/outdoor restaurants at Four Seasons is a great place for coffee with a side of work
- Rx Boiler Room – Celebrity Chef Rick Moonen offers comfort food with a twist
- Veranda – Designed like a Mediterranean mansion with indoor and terrace seating that overlooks the pool at Four Seasons
High-End restaurants
- Charlie Palmer Steakhouse – Excellent steakhouse with one of the best value menus in Las Vegas
- Fleur – Master Chef Hubert Keller offers small plates from around the world
- Red Square – Famous for its caviar and vodka selections along with a great happy hour
- Rivea – French and Italian influenced cuisine from Chef Alain Ducasse with a great view of Las Vegas
- RM Seafood – Celebrity Chef Rick Moonen dishes fresh seafood daily
- Stripsteak – One of the best steakhouses in Las Vegas features corn-fed, all-natural beef
Casino
Mandalay Bay has a large 135,000 square foot casino that includes a sports book, poker room, high limits room, Asian gaming room, over 1,700 slot machines and just about every table game you would be looking for in Las Vegas. Depending on the day you will see a wide variety of table limits from low to high.
Sometimes when you visit a large casino it can feel cavernous, but Mandalay Bay has done a good job evolving over the years to meet customer demands. Customers today don’t want to feel as though they’re in a giant room.
The layout seems to change slightly every year. Five years ago the massive casino floor almost felt like like a tight supermarket of slot machines. Today, the machines are comfortably spaced out with room to move around.
The games are broken into small sections and the walkways all lead to something so there isn’t confusion trying to navigate. Despite its large size much of the casino floor, especially the table games, appears to be crowded. This magical appearance is controlled by keeping some of the games closed when it’s not actually too busy.
The sports book is one of the most perfectly laid out in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, the TV screens and seating are very out of date. Hopefully this sports book will be restored to its former glory sometime in the near future.
Nightlife
Mandalay Bay is often considered a family hotel because many of its amenities and attractions for guests of all ages. However, Mandalay Bay offers a great variety of nightlife options that actually begin in the afternoon during the summer.
- Charlie Palmer Steakhouse Lounge – Soothing lounge inside the steakhouse that’s away from the action of the casino
- Daylight – This beach club takes nightlife outside and under the sun
- Evening Call – Frozen drink bar at Mandalay Place
- Eye Candy Lounge – Party in the heart of the casino
- Fat Tuesday – Your favorite frozen drink bar is located inside Mandalay Place
- Light – One of the most popular nightclubs in Las Vegas
- Skyfall Lounge – Located atop Delano this indoor/outdoor lounge offers great views of Las Vegas
- RiRa Irish Pub – This pub was restored in Ireland and shipped to Las Vegas
- Red Square – Famous for its happy hour and headless statue of Stalin outside
- Foundation Room – Gorgeous lounge and deck at the top of Mandalay Bay
- Minus 5 Ice Bar – Bar named for its constant frosty temperature (minus 5 degrees celsius)
- Mizuya Lounge – Extensive sake selection and nightly entertainment
- Moorea Beach Club – Outdoor pool and club is even open during the winter
- Orchid Lounge – Mellow lounge offers coffee during the day and drink & entertainment at night
Entertainment
Mandalay Bay has some form of entertainment for everyone to enjoy from morning to night. You’ll find some kind of non-gaming entertainment no matter what age you are. In-house activities and shows combined with the wide variety of touring events make this one of the best casinos in Las Vegas to find something to do besides gambling.
- Michael Jackson One – This Cirque du Soleil show features acrobatics, dance and visuals set to MJ’s music
- Shark Reef aquarium – Sea turtles, piranha, sharks and the rare golden crocodile on the Vegas Strip!
- Mandalay Bay Events Center – This arena hosts national tours and sporting events
- House of Blues – Intimate concert venue hosts a wide variety of concerts and residencies
- Concerts on the Beach – What better way to spend a summer night than watching concerts under the moonlight at a beach?
Pool
Since the casino opened, one of the most popular features at Mandalay Bay has been the massive pool complex. The Mandalay Beach experience is unmatched in Las Vegas. The beach has 11 acres of pool area which includes three heated pools, a wave pool with connecting pool for small children, and a lazy river that features a small waterfall.
The wave pool features 1.6 million gallons of water with waves from 2 to 4 feet, cresting every 90 seconds or so. The wave pool isn’t for small children. Nobody under 48 inches tall may enter the wave pool.
The Moorea Beach Club is a small pool that’s sectioned off from the rest of Mandalay Beach. This European-style pool (top optional) is 21 and over only. However, it’s also open during the winter for snacks and cool weather dips. The rest of the pool areas, including the lazy river is open for the whole family.
If you’d like a break from the pools, but want to stay outside you can head to one of the bars, restaurants and even the beachside casino for a little gambling. It should be noted that Delano and Four Seasons have their own private pool areas as well. All together, Mandalay Bay has the largest and most fabulous pool experiences.
Must-see attractions
Bring the Family to the Shark Reef – This aquarium features over 2,000 animals. You can even feed the stingrays, sea turtles, and sharks. This might not be something you expect to find in a Las Vegas casino and that’s a large part of what makes it so special.
Enjoy brunch at Border Grill – Border Grill has had one of the best brunches in all of Las Vegas for many years. This Mexican brunch is all you can eat with waiter service. The almost array of small plates is both creative and refreshing. Get a table on the patio if you need fresh air.
Get the “Cut of the Week” at Charlie Palmer Steak – The “Cut of the Week” is one of the best bargains in Las Vegas. It’s not “cheap” but it will save you a lot of money. You can get a four-course steak dinner with unlimited wine for the price it would normally cost for just the steak.
Take in the view of Las Vegas from the Foundation Room – Grab a cocktail and head out to the patio on the 63rd Floor of Mandalay Bay. This is one of the most beautiful and iconic views of the Vegas Strip, airport, and Las Vegas valley.
Visit the pools – This is the best pool complex in Las Vegas and it’s not even close. The pool area includes a beach, wave pool, lazy river, toptional (tops optional) adult pool, performance stage, casino games, over 100 cabanas and more.
Mandalay Bay loyalty club
MGM Resorts International owns and operates Mandalay Bay. Their loyalty club, M Life Rewards, is one of the largest casino loyalty clubs in Las Vegas. M Life Rewards is also accepted at MGM Grand Detroit, Beau Rivage (MS), Gold Strike (MS) and MGM National Harbor (MD). The club will expand to Borgata (NJ) soon and MGM Springfield (MA) when it opens.
These casinos outside of Las Vegas make M Life Rewards one of the biggest casino loyalty clubs in the country. You can earn points and credits at any M Life Rewards casino to use at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. M Life Rewards has an array partnerships that allow you to both earn and use rewards outside of the casino.
M Life Rewards can be slightly confusing since you earn different types points at two different rates. Tier credits are earned and allow you to climb status to earn specific benefits. Points accumulate for Express Credits that can be redeemed for shopping, dining, etc., Free Play that can be used in slot machines and gift shopping points.
Tier levels
Here’s a look at the different Tier levels and how many credits you’ll need to achieve the coinciding benefits for Las Vegas:
- Sapphire – Entry Level, everyone starts here
- Pearl – Earn 25,000 Tier Credits
- Gold – Earn 75,000 Tier Credits
- Platinum – Earn 200,000 Tier Credits
- Noir – Invitation only
In addition to gaming, you can earn Tier credits, express comps, free play, and holiday gift shop points from spending money on gaming, dining, entertainment, hotel rooms, shopping, spa treatments and golf at any MGM Resorts property. Here’s how Tier credits and points are awarded:
- Slot Machines – 1 point and 10 Tier Credits for every $3 you play (You also earn 1 cent in Express Comps and 1 cent in FreePlay.)
- Video Poker – 1 point and 10 Tier Credits for every $10 you play (You also earn 1 cent in Express Comps and 1 cent in FreePlay.)
- Table Games (blackjack, three card poker, etc.) – Varies on the type of table game you are playing, your average bet and how long you play
- Non-gaming – 25 Tier Credits for every $1 you spend
Different tier levels earn points at a different rate:
- Sapphire – No bonus
- Pearl – 10% bonus
- Gold – 20% bonus
- Platinum – 30% bonus
- Noir – 40% bonus
Tier Credits earned from October 1 to September 30 qualify you for your tier beginning each October 1. If you advance to a higher tier at any time, you’ll enjoy those benefits for at least one full year.
Benefits
Each tier you reach with M Life Rewards brings greater benefits. The benefits are only incrementally better since you have 5 tiers. M Life Rewards offers discounts and presale ticketing opportunities for all levels. Being a member has benefits even if you’re just visiting to see a concert and staying elsewhere.
MGM Resorts is the first casino operator to charge for parking on the Las Vegas Strip. Those fees are waived for self-park if you’re a Pearl member or greater with M Life Rewards. Valet fees are waived for Gold members and above. These daily parking fees range anywhere from $8 to $18 per day depending on the property and type of parking. The parking discount is one of the best benefits, along with Tier bonuses and increasing retail discounts. Here’s a look at the benefits for each Tier:
Sapphire
- Dedicated reservation line
- Access to M Life Moments
- Personalized offers at MLife.com
- Earn Express Comps
- Special offers from partners
- Earn Points and Convert to Free Play or Express Comps
- 5% discount at participating retail shops
- Earn Holiday Gift Shoppe Points
- Pre-Sale Ticket Access to Select Events, Concerts, and Fights
- M life Flat Rate Pricing for select MGM Resort shows
- Avis Rental Car Discount (at on-property rental counters)
Pearl
- Same as Sapphire plus the following
- Invitations to Members-Only Events and Tournaments
- Extended Expiration For Points and Express Comps
- 10% Tier Multiplier Bonus on Points Earned at all M life Resorts
- 10% Tier Multiplier Bonus on Express Comps Earned at M life Resorts
- Exclusive Room Discounts or Comps
- 10% discount at participating retail shops
- Buffet Line Pass
- Exclusive Seating at Arena Events
Gold
- Same as Pearl plus the following
- 20% Tier Multiplier Bonus on Points Earned at all M life Resorts
- 20% Tier Multiplier Bonus on Express Comps Earned at M life Resorts
- Room Upgrades (view, corner or suite subject to availability)
- Priority Hotel Check-in Line
- 10% discount at participating retail shops
- Cafe Line Pass
- Fine Dining Priority Reservations
- VIP Line Access to Nightclubs and Pool Day Clubs for You and a Guest
Platinum
- Same as Gold plus the following
- 30% Tier Multiplier Bonus on Points Earned at all M life Resorts
- 30% Tier Multiplier Bonus on Express Comps Earned at M life Resorts
- Priority Access to Pool Cabanas and Bungalows
- Spa / Salon Priority Reservations
- Platinum Experience upon Check-in
- 15% discount at participating retail shops
- Priority Valet Service
- Priority Taxi Service
Noir
- Same as Platinum plus the following
- VIP Lounge Check-in
- Guaranteed Hotel Reservations
- 15% discount at participating retail shops
- Guaranteed Dining Reservations
- Guaranteed Show Reservations
- Complimentary Limousine Service To / From Airport
M Life Rewards Partners
M Life Rewards offers members many benefits that extend beyond MGM Resorts hotels and casinos. There is a large group of preferred partners where you can earn or use rewards for both loyalty clubs.
Current partners include Hyatt, Southwest, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Avis, Pinnacle Entertainment (casinos), Cirque Du Soleil, Thunder Valley Casino, Reflection Bay, and Morgans Hotel Group. You can find more information at the bottom of this M Life Rewards overview.
The Hyatt-M Life Rewards partnership is one of the best non-casino partnerships in Las Vegas. You can you earn Tier Credits at over 600 hotels and resorts worldwide. Even better is that there is a Hyatt Gold Passport matched tier status available for M Life Rewards members. This is a great way to climb status without even being in Las Vegas.
M Life Rewards connects 12 casinos around the country including these Las Vegas casinos:
- Aria
- Bellagio
- Excalibur
- Luxor
- Mandalay Bay
- The Mirage
- MGM Grand
- Monte Carlo
- New York-New York
M Life Rewards online
The M Life Rewards website was recently rebuilt to look and feel similar to the rest of the MGM Resorts’ websites. This is a welcome change from previous versions of the website frequently had bugs. The new website looks great and is easy to use.
The current version of the M Life app looks similar to the individual MGM Resorts casino websites but offers information for every property. The app is quick, smooth, easy to read and intuitive. You can sort information in the app by each casino or by the category of information you’re looking for (shows, restaurants, etc.).
This app doesn’t assume the user is an M Life Rewards member and offers all the information you could want. In addition, the app links to all related apps such as MyVegas, PlayMGM and easyPLAY. This is probably the best looking and most functional Las Vegas casino app around.
M Life Rewards best bets
- Sign up – You receive discounts on hotel rooms and pre-sale ticket purchasing opportunities just for signing up.
- Go Pearl or Gold and skip parking fees – The $8 to $18 self-park and valet fees add up every stay. This is one of the benefits you can put a dollar figure on.
- Get Bonus Points – Each Tier level you climb offers greater point multipliers. The rich get richer with M Life Rewards so you might as well enjoy it.
- Priority Check-In – MGM Resorts casino are among the busiest in Las Vegas. Since the majority of customers are entry-level tier status the check-in lines can be massive. Skip the huge lines when you’re Gold or better.