{"id":17765,"date":"2025-07-05T21:27:28","date_gmt":"2025-07-05T21:27:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/?p=17765"},"modified":"2025-07-05T21:27:28","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T21:27:28","slug":"mgm-grand-review-great-pool-but-otherwise-underwhelming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/?p=17765","title":{"rendered":"MGM Grand Review: Great Pool, but Otherwise Underwhelming"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Unless you\u2019re seeing a show at one of the MGM Grand\u2019s venues, this hotel on the Las Vegas Strip probably isn\u2019t going to be a top place to stay. Sure, there are restaurants by celebrity chefs Masaharu Morimoto and Emeril Lagasse, plus a casino. But compared to other Strip hotels, like the <\/span><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Bellagio Las Vegas<\/span><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"> or Caesars Palace, the MGM Grand lacks a real identity. The casino feels like any standard Vegas spot, and most of the hotel\u2019s interior looks like any large hotel that caters to business conferences. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">But if you don\u2019t care about staying somewhere with iconic photo ops, the MGM Grand has a very large pool complex that will likely sway anyone whose ideal vacation involves sipping a margarita by the pool. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">I visited the hotel during a press trip in early May hosted by Visit Las Vegas. My hotel stay and meals were covered, but this review is my own opinion and not influenced by MGM or Visit Las Vegas. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _2w4PM3 _1My7YX\" data-currency=\"Text\" id=\"how-to-book\"><span class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">How to book<\/span><\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n _3VY1A7\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8 _14vxWx _2Ua6RU\" style=\"max-width:160px\">\n<figure class=\"_3ngNGS _2_Pyfm\">\n<div class=\"xkItPk\" style=\"background-color:transparent\">\n<div class=\"_30SBGi x6Nm1J\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"_2_Pyfm\"><span class=\"_14cHu7 _2BxR5P\">SS rating\u00a0<button type=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"nw-aria-ssr-4-3-1\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" data-currency=\"PopoverDisclosure\" class=\"_19GC0z\" title=\"How is this rating determined?\"><span class=\"_1Z-QXc\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><svg viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"_2ulGkX\" fill=\"currentcolor\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 15.387c-.645 0-1.129.524-1.129 1.13 0 .644.484 1.128 1.129 1.128.605 0 1.129-.484 1.129-1.129 0-.605-.524-1.129-1.129-1.129zm.282-.968a.466.466 0 00.484-.484c0-1.733 3.145-1.612 3.145-4.314 0-2.056-1.854-3.266-3.951-3.266-1.815 0-2.823.726-3.67 1.814-.161.242-.12.525.121.686l.524.403c.202.121.484.08.646-.12.604-.767 1.21-1.17 2.379-1.17 1.613 0 2.338.847 2.338 1.653 0 1.734-3.145 1.492-3.145 4.314a.49.49 0 00.484.484h.645zM12 3.29c4.758 0 8.71 3.912 8.71 8.71A8.7 8.7 0 0112 20.71 8.673 8.673 0 013.29 12 8.699 8.699 0 0112 3.29zM12 2C6.476 2 2 6.516 2 12c0 5.524 4.476 10 10 10 5.484 0 10-4.476 10-10 0-5.484-4.516-10-10-10z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><span id=\"nw-aria-ssr-4-3-1\" hidden=\"\" style=\"display:none;position:fixed;left:100%;top:100%\" role=\"dialog\" tabindex=\"0\" data-dialog=\"true\" class=\"_2Dnq6l\" aria-label=\"How is this rating determined?\"><span style=\"font-size:30px;width:1em;height:1em;pointer-events:none;top:100%\" class=\"_3extVD _2piv35\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>SS&#8217;s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates coverage options, customer experience, customizability, cost and more.<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">The cheapest option, the Studio King room, generally costs around $150 to $200 but can go up to $450 during peak season or as low as $59 during slow periods. You will also have to pay a $50 resort fee on top of these prices. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">If you don\u2019t want to pay cash, you can redeem rewards from two points currencies at this hotel. <\/span><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">MGM Rewards<\/span><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"> can be redeemed at MGM properties, and points are worth 1 cent apiece no matter how you use them. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">MGM also has a partnership with Marriott, so you can also redeem Marriott points towards your stay. I saw nights at the MGM Grand going for 20,000 points a night. At a nightly price of $125, that would net you a value of slightly more than 0.6 cent per point. SS values Marriott Bonvoy points at <\/span><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">0.9 cent<\/span><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"> a piece, so unless you have a stash of points you won\u2019t otherwise use, it\u2019s probably going to be a better value to pay with cash. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"_3LOQui PIqV0k wnPEbn BgIPML _1WkR_n paYFr8 _1SNXHI _1voSX6 _3xUsF1 oE4ByK _119vwC knwpyt aylhii\">\n<p><span class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _1My7YX\" data-currency=\"Text\">\ud83e\udd13<\/span><span class=\"_3P4ktl _2LuWPZ _28z5Fp N36gAq\" data-currency=\"Text\">Nerdy Tip<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">The Grand King, a step up from the Studio King, cost the same amount of points when I looked. If you plan on upgrading to a nicer room, you will likely get a higher value out of your points. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">If you do decide to book with points, both MGM and Marriott have credit cards that can help you earn points towards your stay. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1cuN9-\">\n<div class=\"_2pPuG4\">\n<div vocab=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/\" typeof=\"Table\"><meta property=\"about\" content=\"Table 17773\"><\/p>\n<table class=\"_2IadDu mKU3h6\" aria-label=\"Table 17773\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"_12EOjr\">\n<th class=\"_1jMSHL\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"_1xUXE0 _3p3gSd\"><\/span><\/th>\n<th class=\"_1jMSHL\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"_1xUXE0 _3p3gSd\"><\/span><\/th>\n<th class=\"_1jMSHL\" scope=\"col\"><span class=\"_1xUXE0 _3p3gSd\"><\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"_3JPvLN\">\n<td class=\"_1ieTZs\" colspan=\"3\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"_3JPvLN _12EOjr\">\n<td class=\"_1ieTZs _12EOjr\"><\/td>\n<td class=\"_1ieTZs _12EOjr\"><\/td>\n<td class=\"_1ieTZs _12EOjr\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"_3JPvLN\">\n<td class=\"_1ieTZs\" colspan=\"3\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8 _3eCw6n\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_3VmbAf _28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_3VmbAf _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Rewards rate at MGM hotels<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"_3JPvLN _12EOjr\">\n<td class=\"_1ieTZs _12EOjr\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8 _3eCw6n\">\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">3 MGM Mastercard Points and tier credits per $1 spent at eligible MGM properties.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">(Note that MGM points are worth 1 cent apiece.)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"_1ieTZs _12EOjr\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8 _3eCw6n\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<ul data-currency=\"List\" class=\"_2cGsD8\">\n<li class=\"_3ho7K- _1pCihN olf-Ig\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">6 MGM Mastercard Points and tier credits per $1 spent at eligible MGM properties.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"_1ieTZs _12EOjr\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8 _3eCw6n\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<ul data-currency=\"List\" class=\"_2cGsD8\">\n<li class=\"_3ho7K- _1pCihN olf-Ig\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">6 Marriott Bonvoy\u00ae points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels (including MGM hotels).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"_3JPvLN\">\n<td class=\"_1ieTZs\" colspan=\"3\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"_3JPvLN _12EOjr\">\n<td class=\"_1ieTZs _12EOjr\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8 _3eCw6n\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<ul data-currency=\"List\" class=\"_2cGsD8\">\n<li class=\"_3ho7K- _1pCihN olf-Ig\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Automatic MGM Pearl status.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"_1ieTZs _12EOjr\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8 _3eCw6n\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<ul data-currency=\"List\" class=\"_2cGsD8\">\n<li class=\"_3ho7K- _1pCihN olf-Ig\">\n<li class=\"_3ho7K- _1pCihN olf-Ig\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Automatic MGM Pearl status.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"_3ho7K- _1pCihN olf-Ig\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"_1ieTZs _12EOjr\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8 _3eCw6n\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<ul data-currency=\"List\" class=\"_2cGsD8\">\n<li class=\"_3ho7K- _1pCihN olf-Ig\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"_3ho7K- _1pCihN olf-Ig\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _2w4PM3 _1My7YX\" data-currency=\"Text\" id=\"location\"><span class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Location<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">The MGM Grand is located on the south end of the Strip, about a 10-minute drive from the airport. It\u2019s a great spot if you want to go to any exhibit or show at New York, New York, but it\u2019s about a 20- to 30-minute walk to the Bellagio or Caesars Palace. The hotel does have a monorail stop, though, so you can easily get to that part of town without walking or driving. A single ride will cost you $5.50.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"_3LOQui PIqV0k wnPEbn BgIPML _1WkR_n paYFr8 _1SNXHI _1voSX6 _3xUsF1 oE4ByK _119vwC knwpyt aylhii\">\n<p><span class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _1My7YX\" data-currency=\"Text\">\ud83e\udd13<\/span><span class=\"_3P4ktl _2LuWPZ _28z5Fp N36gAq\" data-currency=\"Text\">Nerdy Tip<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">When I took the monorail late at night, it was pretty empty. I felt totally fine with my group, but if it had been alone, I probably would have preferred to get an Uber or Lyft back to the hotel. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _2w4PM3 _1My7YX\" data-currency=\"Text\" id=\"rooms\"><span class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Rooms<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">The MGM Grand offers standard rooms with a king bed or two queens and several suite options. They also offer StayWell versions of some of these rooms, which feature air purifiers, memory foam mattresses, essential oil aromatherapy and nontoxic cleaning products, for roughly $10 to $50 more per night. StayWell rooms are also \u201cguaranteed non-smoking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">I have asthma and love when a hotel offers rooms like this that really minimize the chance of something triggering an asthma attack. But according to the website\u2019s FAQs, all rooms at the hotel are supposed to be non-smoking. I don\u2019t like potentially having to pay more to guarantee the previous guest didn\u2019t smoke in a non-smoking room.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"_3LOQui PIqV0k wnPEbn BgIPML _1WkR_n paYFr8 _1SNXHI _1voSX6 _3xUsF1 oE4ByK _119vwC knwpyt aylhii\">\n<p><span class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _1My7YX\" data-currency=\"Text\">\ud83e\udd13<\/span><span class=\"_3P4ktl _2LuWPZ _28z5Fp N36gAq\" data-currency=\"Text\">Nerdy Tip<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">If you\u2019re sensitive to smoke, the nearby Park MGM is completely smoke-free, even in the casino.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"_21EZtY eHXiWO _3_uGsM _28z5Fp _28CJ7N _1My7YX\" data-currency=\"Text\" id=\"my-stay\"><span class=\"_21EZtY eHXiWO _3_uGsM _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">My stay<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">I stayed in a Grand King which normally costs $30 to $60 more than the Studio King. The hotel is currently being renovated, and my room was recently updated. Older rooms will look a bit different. My room featured a comfortable king bed, desk and seating area by the window. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\" style=\"width:770px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:100%\">\n<figure class=\"_3ngNGS\">\n<div class=\"xkItPk\" style=\"background-color:transparent\">\n<div class=\"_30SBGi x6Nm1J\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Indoors, Interior Design, Furniture\" class=\"Zsn_9Z\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/tachyon\/2025\/06\/2-PXL_20250501_210126294.jpg?resize=770%2C462\" credit=\"unknown\" id=\"1771805\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"yYnXEF\">\n<p class=\"_1xAKS5 TS4Kq- _28z5Fp\"><span class=\"TS4Kq- _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">(Photo by Caitlin Mims)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">When I\u2019m working from a hotel, I don\u2019t want the bed to be my zoom background, so I really appreciated that the desk didn\u2019t completely face the bed. But the art in the background doesn\u2019t entirely scream \u201cprofessional zoom meeting.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\" style=\"width:770px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:100%\">\n<figure class=\"_3ngNGS\">\n<div class=\"xkItPk\" style=\"background-color:transparent\">\n<div class=\"_30SBGi x6Nm1J\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Indoors, Interior Design, Fitness\" class=\"Zsn_9Z\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/tachyon\/2025\/06\/9-PXL_20250501_210315270.jpg?resize=770%2C462\" credit=\"unknown\" id=\"1771806\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"yYnXEF\">\n<p class=\"_1xAKS5 TS4Kq- _28z5Fp\"><span class=\"TS4Kq- _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">(Photo by Caitlin Mims)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">The bathroom has a large walk-in shower and a huge lighted mirror, which was a nice touch. Having the entire mirror light up provided perfect lighting for doing makeup. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\" style=\"width:770px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:100%\">\n<figure class=\"_3ngNGS\">\n<div class=\"xkItPk\" style=\"background-color:transparent\">\n<div class=\"_30SBGi x6Nm1J\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sink, Sink Faucet, Basin\" class=\"Zsn_9Z\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/tachyon\/2025\/06\/8-PXL_20250501_210200430.jpg?resize=770%2C462\" credit=\"unknown\" id=\"1771807\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"yYnXEF\">\n<p class=\"_1xAKS5 TS4Kq- _28z5Fp\"><span class=\"TS4Kq- _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">(Photo by Caitlin Mims)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"_21EZtY eHXiWO _3_uGsM _28z5Fp _28CJ7N _1My7YX\" data-currency=\"Text\" id=\"subpar-air-conditioning\"><span class=\"_21EZtY eHXiWO _3_uGsM _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Subpar air conditioning<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Overall, I liked the room, but my room only had a single air vent by the window, and the thermostat was on the wall about a foot beneath it. You also couldn\u2019t set the thermostat below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Ordinarily this wouldn\u2019t be too much of an issue. But with the thermostat so close to the only vent, it hit 65 degrees well before the rest of the room had a chance to cool down. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">There was also no bathroom fan. So after showering, the steam made the bathroom downright sweltering. If multiple people needed to shower back-to-back, I\u2019d imagine the entire room would start to feel very hot and humid. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">I\u2019ll admit I keep my thermostat at home set to frigid, and people less emotionally attached to central AC probably would have been much more comfortable. But, I visited in May before the height of summer. I\u2019d be concerned about room temperature come July or August.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _2w4PM3 _1My7YX\" data-currency=\"Text\" id=\"dining\"><span class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Dining<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">The MGM Grand has 28 places to eat on site, including sit-down restaurants and late-night to-go spots, plus two Starbucks to get your morning fix. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"_21EZtY eHXiWO _3_uGsM _28z5Fp _28CJ7N _1My7YX\" data-currency=\"Text\" id=\"netflix-bites\"><span class=\"_21EZtY eHXiWO _3_uGsM _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Netflix Bites<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">One of the newest additions to MGM\u2019s restaurant roster is Netflix Bites, a one-year pop-up restaurant inspired by the streaming platform\u2019s original shows. To be honest, I was expecting the &#8220;Stranger Things&#8221; version of Rainforest Cafe, with gimmicky decor and subpar food. But the food was good, albeit a little uninspired. While there are some meals pulled straight from Netflix shows (shoutout to &#8220;Try Before You Deny&#8221; pizza with pineapple), the menu is mostly simple American fare with punny names, like &#8220;Orange is the New Mac&#8221; and &#8220;Eggs Benedict Bridgerton.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">I enjoyed the Nachos Nevermore, which were standard nachos that had a good mix of toppings and chips that didn\u2019t get too soggy. But the only real differentiator to keep it on theme was a blood-red salsa inspired by Wednesday. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\" style=\"width:770px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:100%\">\n<figure class=\"_3ngNGS\">\n<div class=\"xkItPk\" style=\"background-color:transparent\">\n<div class=\"_30SBGi x6Nm1J\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Food, Food Presentation, Plate\" class=\"Zsn_9Z\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/tachyon\/2025\/06\/3-PXL_20250503_203626151.jpg?resize=770%2C462\" credit=\"unknown\" id=\"1771808\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"yYnXEF\">\n<p class=\"_1xAKS5 TS4Kq- _28z5Fp\"><span class=\"TS4Kq- _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">(Photo by Caitlin Mims)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">However, if you\u2019re keen for a fun food photo op, the \u201cRed Bite, Green Bite\u201d was a really creative concept, even if you could get the actual meal (chicken nuggets with multiple dipping sauces) at almost any fast food place on the Strip. It comes with three dipping sauces: a spicy red, mustardy yellow and herby green. A spinning wheel straight out of Squid Game helped you decide which dipping sauce to eat. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\" style=\"width:320px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:100%\">\n<figure class=\"_3ngNGS\">\n<div class=\"xkItPk\" style=\"background-color:transparent\">\n<div class=\"_30SBGi x6Nm1J\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Food, Meal, Indoors\" class=\"Zsn_9Z\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/tachyon\/2025\/06\/7-PXL_20250503_203419589.jpg?fit=320%2C2048\" credit=\"unknown\" id=\"1771809\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"yYnXEF\">\n<p class=\"_1xAKS5 TS4Kq- _28z5Fp\"><span class=\"TS4Kq- _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">(Photo by Caitlin Mims)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">There was one standout for me, though, that was unique, delicious and right on theme: the Mind Flayer, a bourbon-based cocktail with lemon juice, blackberries and ginger syrup with a cotton candy cloud on top. The blackberry pieces floating in the drink, plus the cotton candy cloud really made it feel like you were in the Upside Down, the dark, parallel dimension from &#8220;Stranger Things.&#8221; I tried the mocktail version, and it was delicious. Normally I\u2019m not a mocktail person because the lack of alcohol tends to make drinks too sweet for me, but I didn\u2019t miss the alcohol in the Mind Flayer. The flavors were well balanced and the ginger added a nice kick. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\" style=\"width:320px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:100%\">\n<figure class=\"_3ngNGS\">\n<div class=\"xkItPk\" style=\"background-color:transparent\">\n<div class=\"_30SBGi x6Nm1J\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cutlery, Fork, Adult\" class=\"Zsn_9Z\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/tachyon\/2025\/06\/5-PXL_20250503_204512059.jpg?fit=320%2C2048\" credit=\"unknown\" id=\"1771810\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"yYnXEF\">\n<p class=\"_1xAKS5 TS4Kq- _28z5Fp\"><span class=\"TS4Kq- _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">(Photo by Caitlin Mims)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"_21EZtY eHXiWO _3_uGsM _28z5Fp _28CJ7N _1My7YX\" data-currency=\"Text\" id=\"late-night-food\"><span class=\"_21EZtY eHXiWO _3_uGsM _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Late-night food <\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Late-night food is a must for me, especially in Vegas, so having restaurants that are open 24 hours or at least close after midnight is a huge perk. This isn\u2019t rare in Las Vegas, but I was impressed with how many restaurants stayed open late at the MGM Grand. I tried a slice of diavola pizza from Luchini Italian Restaurant\u2019s slice shop that stays open until 11 p.m. during the week and 1 a.m. on weekends. It made a great late-night snack.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\" style=\"width:320px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:100%\">\n<figure class=\"_3ngNGS\">\n<div class=\"xkItPk\" style=\"background-color:transparent\">\n<div class=\"_30SBGi x6Nm1J\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Food, Pizza, Plate\" class=\"Zsn_9Z\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/tachyon\/2025\/06\/1-PXL_20250501_215924945.jpg?fit=320%2C2048\" credit=\"unknown\" id=\"1771811\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"yYnXEF\">\n<p class=\"_1xAKS5 TS4Kq- _28z5Fp\"><span class=\"TS4Kq- _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">(Photo by Caitlin Mims)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _2w4PM3 _1My7YX\" data-currency=\"Text\" id=\"pool-complex\"><span class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Pool complex<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">To me, the biggest draw of the MGM Grand is the sprawling 6.5-acre pool complex. It\u2019s a pretty far walk from the casino and hotel rooms, but once you\u2019re outside, it\u2019s easy to forget you\u2019re at a hotel on the Strip. It was honestly the perfect palate cleanser after battling the Strip crowds for a couple of days. You can swim in multiple pools, float the lazy river or visit the hotel\u2019s new Palm Tree Beach Club. And if you\u2019re hungry, the Cabana Grill serves breakfast and lunch.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\" style=\"width:770px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:100%\">\n<figure class=\"_3ngNGS\">\n<div class=\"xkItPk\" style=\"background-color:transparent\">\n<div class=\"_30SBGi x6Nm1J\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Summer, Pool, Water\" class=\"Zsn_9Z\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/tachyon\/2025\/06\/6-PXL_20250503_191614612.jpg?resize=770%2C462\" credit=\"unknown\" id=\"1771812\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"yYnXEF\">\n<p class=\"_1xAKS5 TS4Kq- _28z5Fp\"><span class=\"TS4Kq- _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">(Photo by Caitlin Mims)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">We had a cabana, which ordinarily costs at least $500 for the day (some days could cost you upwards of $1,200). It comes with a couch, TV, refrigerator with non-alcoholic drinks, towel service, and food and bar service. You\u2019ll still need to pay for any food or drinks you order. The cost is very steep, but the cabana can seat 10 people. Fifty dollars a person wouldn\u2019t be too bad if you\u2019re celebrating a special occasion.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\" style=\"width:770px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:100%\">\n<figure class=\"_3ngNGS\">\n<div class=\"xkItPk\" style=\"background-color:transparent\">\n<div class=\"_30SBGi x6Nm1J\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Architecture, Building, Furniture\" class=\"Zsn_9Z\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/tachyon\/2025\/06\/4-PXL_20250503_175516729.jpg?resize=770%2C462\" credit=\"unknown\" id=\"1771813\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"yYnXEF\">\n<p class=\"_1xAKS5 TS4Kq- _28z5Fp\"><span class=\"TS4Kq- _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">(Photo by Caitlin Mims)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _2w4PM3 _1My7YX\" data-currency=\"Text\" id=\"is-the-mgm-grand-worth-it\"><span class=\"_3P4ktl zeCuXk _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">Is the MGM Grand worth it? <\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">If you want to be right in the action, you\u2019ll probably have a better experience at a hotel further north along the Strip, since the MGM Grand is nearly a mile south of the Bellagio, where you can watch a watch a fountain show set to music, visit a fine art museum and walk through a conservatory. It\u2019s even further away from the Linq Promenade where you can ride a zipline or take in the views from the a large Ferris wheel called the High Roller.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3VJt4n\">\n<p class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\"><span class=\"_28z5Fp _3-to_p\">But if you plan on spending a lot of your free time at the pool, it\u2019s really hard to beat the MGM pool complex. Just be aware, if you\u2019re visiting in the middle of summer, your room might get a little hot. If you like a cold hotel room like I do, that might be a good reason to stay elsewhere.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"_3wlVa6 _2247K8 _3eCw6n\">\n<h3 class=\"_21EZtY eHXiWO _3_uGsM _28z5Fp _28CJ7N _1My7YX\" data-currency=\"Text\" id=\"how-to-maximize-your-rewards\"><span class=\"_21EZtY eHXiWO _3_uGsM _28z5Fp _3-to_p\">How to maximize your rewards<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/article\/travel\/mgm-grand-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Unless you\u2019re seeing a show at one of the MGM Grand\u2019s venues, this hotel on the Las Vegas Strip probably isn\u2019t going to be a top place to stay. Sure, there are restaurants by celebrity chefs Masaharu Morimoto and Emeril Lagasse, plus a casino. But compared to other Strip hotels, like the Bellagio Las Vegas<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17766,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[195],"tags":[7192,352,4059,7193,63,7194],"class_list":{"0":"post-17765","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-personal-finance","8":"tag-grand","9":"tag-great","10":"tag-mgm","11":"tag-pool","12":"tag-review","13":"tag-underwhelming"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17765","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17765"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17765\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17765"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17765"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}