MGM Grand

Waterfalls, aquariums, palm trees and an 11-acre tropical lagoon all smack in the middle of the Vegas Strip, not to mention the desert: It's Mandalay Bay.
By: Randi Kest

Hollywood's golden age may have passed, but the glamour and sophistication live on at MGM Grand. This self-proclaimed "City of Entertainment" has recently undergone significant renovations in an effort to recapture the elegance of Hollywood's heyday. Choose from more than 5,000 rooms and suites, 5 pools, five performing venues and Studio 54 - a recreation of the famed New York nightclub made famous in the '70s. Fans of chef Emeril Lagasse will be happy to dine at his New Orleans Fish House, and those itching to play have 3,500-plus gaming machines to choose from. The action is endless at MGM with a 30,000-square-foot spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center. There's also the Lion Habitat where visitors can observe as many as six adult lions from the safety of a see-through tunnel. And what Hollywood haven would be complete without shopping? If you'd rather have something to show for your money rather than empty pockets, head to one of the many specialty shops selling everything from fine cigars and jewelry to your standard souvenirs.

Main Attraction: The entertainment. Britney Spears, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond and Cher have all performed here. What more can you ask for?
Ideal For: Anyone looking for a 1-stop-shop Vegas experience
Dining Options: Choose NOBHILL for a meal inspired by the traditional neighborhood restaurants found in San Francisco; Emeril Lagasse's New Orleans Fish House for, well, fish; Mark Miller's Grill Room for Southwestern cuisine; Olio! for a hip dining experience; or Neyla for Mediterranean specialties. Other eateries include The Hollywood Brown Derby, Pearl, Dragon Court, Wolfgang Puck Cafe, The Rainforest Cafe and more.
Accommodations: MGM Grand has 5,005 guest rooms and suites from 446 to 6,040 square feet.
Fascinating Fact: MGM launders more than 29 million pounds of sheets each year. And nearly 22 miles of bedding is changed throughout the hotel each day.
Claim to Fame: It's the "City of Entertainment."
Entertainment Options: New in 2005 is Cirque du Soleil's show, Ka, that blends martial arts, pyrotechnics, and stunning acrobatics. Also, you'll find concerts, boxing matches and special events in the Grand Garden Arena; headline entertainment such as Tom Jones, Carrot Top and George Carlin can be seen in the Hollywood Theatre; and the La Femme Theatre is home to the show of the same name. And for visitors who'd rather dance till dawn, there's Studio 54 - a recreation of the original New York hot spot.
Activities: There are the 5 pools, complete with a 1,000-foot-long river pool, the shopping at Studio Walk, the pampering and exercising at the Grand Spa and fitness center, and the gaming at the enormous casino. Don't miss the Lion Habitat, either.
Casino Stats: 171,500 square feet of gambling room (that's the size of four football fields); 3,500 gaming machines including slots, tables and a remodeled race and sports book and Keno.

 

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