Looking for an honest MGM Grand Las Vegas review from someone who’s actually stayed there?
Out of every hotel on this Strip trip, the MGM Grand is the one that has surprised me the most. I didn’t expect such a boutique, kind of Park MGM-style feel from a hotel this size, and in some ways, I think I liked it even a little more.
It’s one of the biggest hotels on the Strip, with the most rooms and the most variety by far. It has everything from standard rooms to the villa-style Signature suites for people who want to go full luxury.
In this MGM Grand review, I’m breaking down the rooms, the casino, the food, the pool, and exactly who this hotel is a good fit for.
Short on Time?
Rates at MGM Grand Las Vegas swing a lot depending on what’s happening at the Garden Arena that week, so it’s worth checking Expedia and locking in a rate you’re happy with early. Their price match takes the guesswork out of it, and the free cancellation means you’re not stuck if your dates shift.
Best Things to Do in Las Vegas
Staying at MGM Grand puts you right on the south end of the Strip, so it’s worth planning a few essentials into your trip before you even check in. You’ve actually got one big attraction without leaving the building, and a handful of others just a short walk away.
Here’s what’s actually close enough:
- KÀ by Cirque du Soleil – This one’s actually inside MGM Grand itself, so you don’t even have to leave the property. It’s one of Cirque’s more story-driven shows, built around a massive moving stage.
- Mad Apple by Cirque du Soleil – Right next door at New York-New York, an easy walk if you want a livelier, party-style Cirque show.
- Blue Man Group – A few minutes’ walk at Luxor, and it’s a fun one if you want something a little different from the typical Cirque shows.
- Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition – Also at Luxor, and worth it if you want something a little slower-paced and more reflective in between the casino floor and the pool.
Arrival & Check-In
Check-in at MGM Grand was smooth, and the staff were friendly both times we’ve stayed. Because it’s an MGM property, the MGM app will often let you into your room early if it’s ready, even if you show up well before the standard check-in time, which isn’t something you get at every hotel on the Strip.
That flexibility with check-in ended up being one of my favorite things about staying at an MGM property in general. If you’re the type who wants to drop your bags and start exploring right away, it’s a small perk that makes a real difference on your first day.
The Rooms: Grand Tower vs. Signature Villas
MGM Grand has an enormous amount of room variety, which is part of what makes it feel so different from the smaller boutique properties on the Strip. Basically, you’re choosing between the standard rooms in the main Grand Tower and The Signature, which is a separate, villa-style suite experience geared toward a more luxury-minded traveler.
Standard Rooms (Grand Tower)
Now, about the standard rooms at MGM grand. They’re really clean, the AC works great even in the middle of summer, and the bed has to be the best one I’ve slept on on the Strip so far. I loved the way they’ve done the lighting under the bed, too. It’s such a small detail, but it makes the whole room feel cozy, upscale, and romantic.
You do get an in-room fridge, which is nice, but there’s also a mini-bar taking up part of it. So just don’t touch that side, fill up the rest with your own drinks and snacks, and you’re good to go. The fridge is a little small, but on the Strip, getting any fridge at all is already better than hotels like Park MGM, which typically don’t come with a fridge.
The Signature at MGM Grand (Villa-Style Suites)
The Signature is MGM Grand’s villa-style suite tower, and it’s built for travelers who want a luxury-level stay without switching properties. It has its own separate pool and amenities, so it functions almost like a hotel within a hotel, similar to what you’d find with The Reserve at Park MGM.
We didn’t stay in a Signature suite ourselves this trip, but it’s worth knowing about if the main Grand Tower rooms already impress you and you’re looking to splurge even further on the same property.
➡️ Book a stay at the MGM Grand Las Vegas!
What Makes MGM Grand Different?
MGM Grand isn’t trying to be a boutique property, and it doesn’t need to be. It’s the biggest MGM property on the Strip, but it still feels cozy and has plenty of things to do within the hotel itself. There are some incredible dining and entertainment options, and other small, thoughtful details that really made this hotel stand out for me.
The Fresh-Air Window Vents
This is one of those little things that ended up being one of my favorite parts of the stay. Most hotels on the Strip don’t let you open your windows at all, which makes sense given some of the pretty bad horror stories Vegas has had with that in the past. But at MGM Grand, there’s a button right in the window you can press for fresh air ventilation.
You’re still not opening the window itself, but you get real outside air coming in instead of just recycled AC, and it’s such a small feature that makes the room feel nicer.
MGM Grand Garden Arena (Concerts & Boxing)
MGM Grand Garden Arena has hosted some of the biggest boxing matches and concerts in Las Vegas history, and it’s right on the property. If there’s a fight or a big-name show happening during your stay, you don’t have to go anywhere else to catch it.
Even outside of event nights, it adds to the overall energy of the hotel.
The Casino
The MGM Grand hotel casino floor is exactly as big as the rest of the property. It’s got a huge mix of slots and table games, and it’s got that classic, bustling Vegas casino energy rather than the calmer, more boutique feel you get walking through Park MGM.
If you’re someone who wants that big, loud, unmistakably Vegas casino floor experience, this is it.
Dining & Bars
MGM Grand has a ton of restaurants on property, but I’ll be upfront: most of them lean upscale rather than budget-friendly. If you want quick, cheap eats, you’ll generally need to step outside the hotel to find them.
Upscale Dining
There’s Tom Colicchio’s steakhouse right on the property, and Joël Robuchon, which I’ve also mentioned before as one of the best places to eat in Vegas. So if you want that kind of upscale, sit-down splurge dinner, MGM Grand has plenty of it, and you never have to leave the hotel to get it.
What you’re not really going to find is anything quick and budget-friendly, at least not without stepping outside.
Budget-Friendly Options Nearby
If you don’t want to spend a ton on food every day, you’re basically going to want to head downstairs to the Starbucks or make your way out toward the shopping area with the Coca-Cola Store. That area has a food court and a BrewDog, and both are a lot easier on the wallet.
There’s also a Denny’s about a five-minute walk from the MGM Grand, so if you don’t want to pay Strip prices for breakfast, that’s worth the walk. You’re pretty close to a Target, too, so you can stock up on groceries and bring them back to your room, and then still splurge on a nice dinner on property that evening if you want.
The Pool: Wet Republic & Grand Pool Complex
MGM Grand’s pool setup is one of the best parts of staying here, especially if you’re visiting Las Vegas in the summer. There are two very different experiences on the property, depending on whether you want a full dayclub scene or a more relaxed pool day.
Wet Republic Ultra Pool (Dayclub + Lazy River)
If you’re trying to catch some day club action in the summer, this is the spot. A lot of popular DJs stop by, Steve Aoki being one of them, and it gets that full dayclub energy going.
They also have a lazy river, which I think is such a fun feature for the MGM Grand to have. You’ll see people walking around the hotel with their inflatable tubes, ready to just spend the whole day floating around. It’s a small thing, but it’s one of my favorite features of any pool we’ve been to on the Strip.
Grand Pool Complex (General Admission)
If Wet Republic sounds like a lot, the Grand Pool Complex is the more relaxed, general-admission option on the property. It’s a good pick if you want a straightforward pool day with a drink in hand, without the dayclub crowd and DJ sets.
Having both options on the same property is a nice touch, since it means your pool day doesn’t have to match your travel partner’s if you’re looking for different energies.
Gym & Fitness Center
I stopped by the gym on-site, and my favorite part was that you actually get a view of the pool while you’re working out, which made it feel a lot less like a chore. It’s a solid, well-equipped gym, and a nice option if you’re trying to keep up any kind of routine while you’re in town.
Location & The Las Vegas Monorail
Location-wise, staying at the MGM Grand means you’re never far from a way to get somewhere else. It sits at one end of the Las Vegas Monorail line, which means you’re just a stop away from hotels like Horseshoe and The LINQ, and it eventually stretches all the way up to Sahara at the other end of the Las Vegas Strip.
Taking the monorail is genuinely cheaper than Ubering back and forth, especially if you grab a multi-day pass. We’re talking roughly $14 for a pass that covers you going back and forth all day, versus an Uber that could easily run $20-plus once you add a tip.
If you’re planning to hop between hotels on the Strip, staying at a monorail stop like the MGM Grand makes that a lot easier and cheaper.
What to Watch Out For
Nothing here is a dealbreaker, but a few things would’ve been nice to know going in:
- Dining leans upscale. Budget-friendly, quick options aren’t really available on-site beyond Starbucks. Plan to walk toward the Coca-Cola Store shops or just outside the hotel if you want something cheaper.
- The minibar shares fridge space. The in-room fridge is a nice bonus, but it’s a bit small once you account for the minibar taking up part of it.
- It’s a big property. With this many rooms and this much square footage, expect more walking to get from your room to the casino floor, pool, or restaurants compared to a smaller boutique hotel.
Who Is This Hotel For?
Given the size and the price point, MGM Grand isn’t for everyone, but here’s who I think gets the most out of it:
For:
- Travelers who want a big, classic Vegas casino energy rather than a quieter, boutique feel
- Anyone planning to use the monorail to hop between hotels throughout their trip
- Fans of live entertainment, thanks to MGM Grand Garden Arena hosting major concerts and boxing matches
- Travelers who want the option to splurge on a really nice dinner without leaving the property
Probably not for you if:
- You want easy, budget-friendly dining options right on-site
- A smaller, quieter, more boutique hotel feel is more your speed
- You’re not planning to use the monorail and would rather stay closer to the central Strip on foot
MGM Grand Las Vegas Review: Frequently Asked Questions
What is MGM Grand famous for?
MGM Grand is known for being one of the largest hotel-casinos in the world, along with hosting some of the biggest boxing matches and concerts in Las Vegas history at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It’s also home to Wet Republic, one of the most popular dayclub pools on the Strip.
How big is MGM Grand?
MGM Grand Las Vegas is one of the largest resorts on the Strip by room count, with thousands of rooms spread across the main Grand Tower and The Signature villa-style suites. Its size is part of what gives it such a wide range of dining, entertainment, and room options compared to smaller boutique properties.
Does MGM Grand have good in-room Wi-Fi?
Yes, and this is something I paid attention to across this whole trip. Every MGM and Caesars property offers complimentary Wi-Fi, but the actual in-room connection quality can be really hit or miss, depending on the hotel.
MGM Grand and Park MGM both had fantastic in-room connections, New York-New York and Excalibur were kind of iffy for whatever reason, and Horseshoe was okay, but noticeably better once you were down in the lobby.
So if you’re bringing a laptop for a work conference or just don’t want to deal with a spotty connection, MGM Grand is one of the better bets on the Strip.
What happened to MGM Grand Las Vegas?
MGM Grand hasn’t gone through a rebrand or ownership change like some of its Strip neighbors, but it has gone through various renovations over the years to update its rooms, casino floor, and amenities. It remains one of the flagship MGM Resorts properties on the Strip.
Is MGM Grand better than Bellagio?
It depends on what you’re after. Bellagio leans into a more classic, elegant luxury experience with its famous fountains and art gallery, while MGM Grand offers more scale, a bigger casino floor, a wider range of room types, and direct monorail access.
If you want big Vegas energy with more entertainment options on property, MGM Grand has the edge; if refined elegance is the priority, Bellagio wins out.
Final Thoughts: Is MGM Grand Las Vegas Worth It?
Yes, MGM Grand Las Vegas is worth it, and out of every hotel on this trip, it’s the one that really surprised me. I wasn’t expecting a hotel this big to also feel this clean and upscale, but the rooms, the bed especially, held their own against even the more boutique properties on the Strip.
The dining being mostly upscale is worth knowing going in, but between Target and Denny’s being just a short walk away, it’s an easy thing to plan around. If you want that classic, big Vegas energy without sacrificing comfort, MGM Grand earns its spot as one of the best on the Strip.
About the Author
Sasha is the founder of Little Happy Travels, a blog with tips and inspiration for combining work + travel and living the digital nomad lifestyle. As a business coach and remote worker, she’s spent the last few years traveling the world while helping others do the same. Follow for guides, tips, and personal stories on working from anywhere!
