Mirage Las Vegas

The Mirage is one of many Las Vegas casinos built by Steve Wynn. The iconic resort opened with a Polynesian theme and still features a volcano island right on the Vegas Strip. Even though the volcano explosions have decreased over the years, you can still feel the theme in and around the property. The theme hits you as soon as you depart a car at The Mirage valet. Here you immediately notice the wooden roof above and the flowers all over.

When you enter The Mirage you pass through a beautiful atrium with a blast of sunlight from above, huge trees, lush greenery, flowers, and a waterfall. This moment of zen is quite the contrast from the excitement of the busy casino inside and the Vegas Strip outside.

Over the past few years, the casino has seen a major renovation that includes new restaurants, bars, and gaming areas. The changes to The Mirage have updated the casino without harming the essence of what makes the casino so special.

Since The Mirage opened in 1989 it could be considered “old” by Las Vegas standards. The hotel rooms from that era tend to be a little smaller than you’ll find in newer casinos on the Vegas Strip. The rooms have been renovated recently but feel as though they’re caught in between modern style decor and old construction. If you’re visiting Las Vegas for work or a convention, you should note that wifi at The Mirage can be extremely slow at times.

Hotel rooms

As a whole, the hotel rooms at The Mirage are above average. However, the entry level rooms leave a little something to be desired. The entry level resort rooms are on the small side at just under 400 square feet. However, they’re very well appointed and maintained.

The modern decor features a 42-inch LED television, iHome entertainment system and a workstation with comfortable office chairs. The bathrooms have a modern decor with full showers but no bathtubs.

Suites at The Mirage come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The entry level suite is essentially a larger hotel room. The 812 square foot Mirage Suite has a king bed, couch, and two full bathrooms. The next step up is the 1 or 2 bedroom Tower and Penthouse Suites. Suites at The Mirage peak with the 2,650 square-foot Lanai Suite. Each of these suites come with a private backyard pool and 24-hour butler service.

Luxury rooms at The Mirage don’t end with the suites. The Villas are among the most exclusive and luxurious accommodations in Las Vegas. The Villas have 2 or 3 bedrooms and are 6,995 and 8,554 square feet, respectively. Each Villa comes with its own private backyard, pool and 24-hour butler service like the Lanai Suites. Booking villas includes luxury airport transportation and a personal concierge.

Dining

Like most Las Vegas casinos, The Mirage shuffles some of its restaurants frequently to make sure that current tastes are being met. The variety of dining is fantastic with everything quick casual to fine dining. This range of restaurants makes it so that you don’t have to leave the hotel if you’re in town for a convention and don’t have time to run around.

  • Blizz Frozen Yogurt – Self-serve frozen yogurt
  • California Pizza Kitchen – Pizza, salads, pasta and sandwiches
  • Carnegie Deli – Old school New York City deli
  • Cravings – One of the most famous buffets on the Vegas Strip
  • Fin – Contemporary Chinese cuisine
  • Heritage Steak – Tom Colicchio’s modern steakhouse
  • Japonais – Japanese cuisine with an American twist
  • LVB Burgers – Gourmet burger restaurant
  • Pantry – Traditional casino cafe
  • Portofino – A modern twist on classic Italian dishes
  • The Roasted Bean – Coffee shop that features pastries, salads, and sandwiches
  • Samba – Traditional Brazilian rodizio-style steakhouse
  • Stack – Contemporary American dining
  • Starbucks – Coffee chain located near the sports book
  • The Still – Sports Bar and restaurant

Casino

The casino at The Mirage is a huge 100,000 square foot space broken up by bars and split into separate sections. It’s easy to be overwhelmed when you cross the bridge and walk through the atrium and enter the casino floor. There are slot machines about 20 paces away in every direction. Despite the options there’s no signage to navigate the casino floor.

Head straight and you’ll see one of the most famous poker rooms on the Vegas Strip. The poker room was recently renovated and downsized for a more cozy and energetic feeling. The world famous sports book is in a large nook next to the poker room and is home to California Pizza Kitchen.

If you turn right when you enter the casino from the bridge, you’ll see a small pit of table games surrounded by slot machines. When you pass the Center Bar you’ll find a couple of different gaming areas that include thousands of slot machines, dozens of table games and a beautiful high limits table games and slot room.

The Mirage is what you expect when you think of a traditional Las Vegas casino experience. It has everything you’d want and some of the best of every category. The casino is highlighted by a poker room is always busy, a sports book that is packed and intense when games are on, all of the newest slot machines and every table game you can think of.

Nightlife

Although there is a wide array of options for nightlife, it’s not the high point of amenities at The Mirage. Every experience you’ll find is good but not great. Each venue will satisfy your basic needs but not offer a spectacular experience that you might find elsewhere. That said, there isn’t a bad nightlife experience in the bunch.

  • 1 OAK – One of the coziest nightclubs on the Vegas Strip is always busy and bursting with energy
  • Center Bar – Bar and lounge in the center of the casino floor
  • Lobby Bar – A great bar in front of the hotel to meet with people
  • Parlor Cocktail Lounge – This mellow lounge features cocktails and piano music
  • Rhumbar – Indoor and outdoor bar and lounge just off the Vegas Strip
  • The Still – Sports bar and restaurant
  • Sports Bar – Located next to the sports book and features plenty of lounge chairs and couches

Entertainment

The quality of the entertainment that you’ll find at The Mirage is a blessing and a curse. You’ll find some of the biggest most popular shows on the Vegas Strip along with some of the best one-off performances.

The downside to all of the popular events is that the casino gets incredibly crowded when the shows let out. The line for valet or a taxi can easily reach a 45-minute wait when the shows are over. The long lines probably says more about the popularity of the entertainment than anything else.

  • Aces of Comedy – The biggest names in comedy perform at The Mirage throughout the year
  • The Beatles Love – This Cirque du Soleil show set to the music of The Beatles is one of the most popular ever
  • Boyz II Men – The iconic R & B group plays to packed houses regularly
  • Secret Gardens and Dolphin Habitat – See dolphins, white tigers, white lions and leopards every day
  • Terry Fator – One of the biggest resident performers in Las Vegas brings singing, comedy, celebrity impressions, and puppets to The Mirage nightly

Pools

There are two very different pool experiences at The Mirage. The main pool area is open all year around for the entire family. The most popular features are the refreshing waterfalls and size of the lagoon-type pool. There’s even a small private oasis pool for a little peace and quiet.

Ample seating, cabanas, hot tubs, bars and the Paradise Cafe surround the main pool. Even if you’re not taking a dip there’s plenty of room to enjoy the Las Vegas sun with a food, drink or both.

The adults-only Bare Pool Lounge is secluded and away from the families. This party pool features Euro-style bathing (tops optional), a full-service bar, poolside dining, and a live DJ. This pool party only heats up during the summer.

Must-see attractions

  • Enjoy the Volcano – The volcano shows at The Mirage are a fiery production that you could only imagine seeing in Las Vegas. However, the spectacular eruptions have been scaled back to only twice a night Sunday-Thursday and three times a night on Friday and Saturday. There’s no indication of the show going away but you should see the show before the times are reduced again.
  • Take A Dip – This isn’t just any swimming pool. This pool complex has waterfalls, lagoons, and multiple pool options. The main pool is one of the few pools on the Vegas Strip that is open all year round. Take a dip in the heated pool whenever you visit.
  • Dinner At Heritage Steakhouse – This restaurant from “Top Chef” judge Tom Collicio is one of the best steakhouses in Las Vegas. Heritage Steakhouse is one of the restaurants you should visit if you’re looking to splurge on just one meal when you’re in Vegas.
  • Watch “The Beatles Love” Cirque Show – This is often considered the best Cirque Du Soleil show in Las Vegas regardless if you’re a diehard fan of the band. The show is held in even higher regard if you are a serious fan of the Beatles.
  • Catch The Games In The Sports Book – This is one of the biggest and most fun sports books in Las Vegas. The large size allows for more people to watch the games which will provide extra energy for large events. When you visit the sports book on a slower period the extra space offers more room to spread out.

The Mirage Loyalty Club

MGM Resorts International owns and operates The Mirage. 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 The Mirage 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, and 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
  • Earn holiday gift shop points
  • 5% discount at participating retail shops
  • Pre-sale ticket access to select events, concerts, and fights
  • M Life flat rate pricing for select MGM Resorts 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:

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.