Instead of checking in at the MGM Grand, we checked in at their location in terminal one baggage claim at the airport. Only two persons behind the desk, but only one person in line in front of us. A great feature when you consider how huge the lines can be to check in at the hotel.
Got their special price on-line and ended up in their west tower at the end of an extraordinarily long hallway. This newer wing features small rooms with a single king sized bed and a bathroom that opens into the bedroom. Virtually no view except that of another building, it seemed almost an interior room. But who spends that much time in their rooms in Vegas?
Huge casino floor, unlike the New York New York casino across the Strip. Three big pools and a lazy river where you can rent an inner tube for $16. Cabanas are $400, which includes food and drink. Lots of fine dining and a food court in their shopping area where McDonald's is the primary option. No real mid-priced dining options like the New York, New York casino.
Hotel entrance is on Tropicana Ave. Front door on Las Vegas Blvd. opens into a large area that almost seems abandoned or under construction. However, at night the open spaces are used for the lines of Gen Y members heading into the big clubbing scene. Casino still a very smoky place.
Free valet parking and the valets were friendly and worked hard for your gratuity.
The only real problem we encountered was the cardio exercise room was about 90 degrees. Can't believe that was intentional.