Mandalay Bay Review: Is the South Strip Beach Resort Worth It?

Yes, Mandalay Bay is worth it if the pool or a stadium event is the point of your trip: standard rooms measure 550 square feet, the 11-acre beach has a wave pool and a lazy river, and Allegiant Stadium is less than half a mile away. Budget about $76.69 a night for the resort fee, tax and self-parking (as of October 2026).

This Mandalay Bay review covers the rooms, the beach’s fall hours and the real costs, and compares the resort with W Las Vegas and Four Seasons, which share the campus. It’s a weaker base for nightly center-Strip outings.

We researched this review from MGM’s official pages and reservation terms, checked in October 2026, and we don’t accept free stays; how we review hotels explains the method.

Location

Mandalay Bay sits at 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., which Visit Las Vegas places at the Strip’s south end. W Las Vegas, Four Seasons, the Michelob ULTRA Arena and the Mandalay Bay Convention Center share the campus. The Shoppes at Mandalay Place, a skybridge of shops and restaurants, leads indoors to Luxor, and a free tram runs to Luxor and Excalibur. Allegiant Stadium is less than half a mile away on foot, per MGM’s Fan District page; our guide to hotels near Allegiant Stadium compares the walkable options.

The trade-off is distance: guests say the resort feels removed from the center Strip, so compare areas in where to stay in Las Vegas if you’d rather be central. Through January 2027, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports overnight lane restrictions on Las Vegas Boulevard between Tropicana Avenue and Russell Road for utility and repaving work.

Rooms

MGM calls the standard Resort rooms “newly remodeled” but doesn’t say when, and we found no 2025 or 2026 renovation announcement. What’s documented is space: every standard room measures 550 square feet, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a 42-inch TV and a fully stocked minibar (coffee and water cost extra).

Room type	Size	Beds	Notes
Resort King / Two Queen	550 sq ft	1 king / 2 queens	Up to 3 guests (king) or 4 (queens)
Resort King / Two Queen Strip View	550 sq ft	1 king / 2 queens	The king version allows 2 guests
Restore Resort King / Two Queen	550 sq ft	1 king / 2 queens	Air and water purification, aromatherapy
Elite King Suite	683 sq ft	1 king plus a pull-out sofa	Up to 4 guests
Reef Suite	1,280 sq ft	1 king	Personal fridge; spa access
Panoramic Two Bedroom Suite	1,450 sq ft	2 kings, or 2 queens plus 1 king	Up to 6 guests (queen version)

Is a Strip View room worth it? Only if the gap is small: it’s the same 550 square feet, the king version holds two guests, and its page still says “Strip, beach or mountain views based on availability.”

Need a fridge? Ask ahead: only the Reef Suite’s page lists one for personal use, and some guests complain about minibar sensor charges.

Beds

Resort rooms and suites use a Simmons EverNU pillow-top mattress (Restore rooms get a Restore mattress), in one king, two queens, or two queens plus a king in the Panoramic Two Bedroom Suite. Only the Elite King Suite’s page lists a pull-out sofa. Each extra occupant beyond two costs $40 plus tax per night (as of October 2026), and the pages we reviewed don’t publish a rollaway or crib policy, so ask before you count on one.

Bathrooms

Standard rooms have stone surfaces, a separate glass-enclosed shower, a soaking tub and twin vanities with a make-up mirror; Restore rooms add a backlit mirror. Panoramic Two Bedroom suites put a private bath in each bedroom, and the Horizon and Coral suites add a dual steam shower with an oversized soaking tub.

Pools

Mandalay Bay Beach is the reason to book. The 11-acre complex has 2,700 tons of real sand, a wave pool, a lazy river, lagoons, cabanas, the Beach Bar & Grill and three more bars, with free seating for hotel guests based on availability. W Las Vegas and Four Seasons guests can use it too.

Hours shrink after summer. On Oct. 5, 2026, MGM listed the beach and wave pool, the West Lagoon and the lazy river open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the East Lagoon open Friday to Sunday only, and the beach “open to all ages for the season.” Check the Mandalay Bay Beach page before a fall or winter trip.

• Wave pool: 48-inch minimum height, with or without an adult.
• Lazy river: the only place tubes are allowed; they must be circular and under 48 inches.
• Banned: outside food and drink, glass, coolers, speakers, umbrellas and personal chairs.

Adults get two 21+ pool clubs. Moorea Beach Club is “toptional,” with a heated pool; in September 2026 it opened Monday and Thursday to Sunday. Tailgate Beach Club, which replaced Daylight Beach Club in May 2026, has three heated pools, 145 feet of LED screens and a BetMGM cabana sportsbook. It’s open year-round except Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and hotel guests get in free with a room key. See our ranking of Las Vegas hotels with pools for other complexes.

Restaurants and bars

• Michael Mina: Orla (Mediterranean, dinner Tuesday to Saturday) and StripSteak; his Bourbon Steak is in the adjoining Four Seasons.
• CARAMA: Wolfgang Puck’s Italian restaurant, which debuted in 2024.
• Border Grill: Mexican from Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, with a patio overlooking the beach.
• Libertine Social and KUMI: Shawn McClain’s gastropub, and Japanese food with Korean flavors.
• Casual: Seabreeze Cafe for breakfast, the late-night Noodle Shop, Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar by the walkway toward the stadium, and Hussong’s Cantina, Wahlburgers and Ri Ra Irish Pub in Mandalay Place.

House of Blues hosts a Sunday Gospel Brunch.

Casino

MGM lists “near 1,000 slot and video poker machines,” blackjack, craps, roulette and a BetMGM Sportsbook. Poker is unclear: the casino page still describes a hold’em room, and Casino.org counted Mandalay Bay among the Strip’s eight remaining poker rooms in March 2026, but the dedicated poker page returned an error on Oct. 5, 2026, so call ahead.

Rooms are non-smoking, but designated smoking areas exist throughout the casino and bars. Smoking in a room brings a cleaning fee of at least $500, or $1,000 in suites (as of October 2026).

Entertainment and nightlife

As listed by MGM in early October 2026:

• Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil: Thursday to Monday at 6:30 and 9 p.m.; no children under 5.
• Shark Reef Aquarium: more than 2,000 animals, daily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (last entry 7 p.m.); adult timed tickets were $29 in September 2026.
• Michelob ULTRA Arena: 12,000 seats, home of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.
• Arena and theater calendar: MGM listed events into 2027 in October 2026, from Don Omar (Oct. 30) and Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Dec. 4) to Tesla: Live in Las Vegas from March 5, 2027, so check the calendar for your dates.
• Swingers: crazy golf; kids are welcome until the last family tee time at 5:30 p.m.

After dark, there’s Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce (burlesque), 1923 Prohibition Bar, Minus5 Ice Bar and the House of Blues Music Hall. Vinyl Room, a cocktail bar and membership club inspired by Japanese listening lounges, replaced the Foundation Room and held its grand opening on Aug. 8, 2026; a membership option is offered. Skyfall Lounge, high in the W tower, is closed for a remodel with no reopening date.

Amenities

• Spa Mandalay: 30,000 square feet for guests 18 and over, reserved for Mandalay Bay and W guests. Day passes cost extra; the Reef, Moorea and Coral suites include access.
• Fitness center: included in the resort fee for guests 18 and over.
• Dogs: up to two dogs, combined under 100 pounds, at $100 per dog per night plus tax, or $150 in suites (as of October 2026), with an outdoor dog park. Compare other pet-friendly hotels in Las Vegas.
• Conventions: 2.1 million gross square feet, which MGM calls the fifth-largest convention center in the U.S.
• Extras: mobile check-in with a digital key. There’s no childcare, though the concierge can arrange a nanny.

Parking

Registered guests pay $20 per 24 hours to self-park, any day, and valet is $40 a day (as of October 2026). Visitors pay $20 Monday through Thursday and $25 Friday through Sunday, more during special events. The garage, shared with W Las Vegas, is off Frank Sinatra Drive.

• Free self-parking: MGM Rewards Pearl members and above and MGM Rewards Mastercard holders; valet is free from Gold up, subject to availability.
• Nevada residents: three free hours, except during special events.
• Tailgate Beach Club visitors: a free lot near the club, the Review-Journal reported in September 2026.
• In-and-out: a guest’s 24-hour charge covers the same parking type at every MGM Las Vegas resort.

MGM also sells prepaid reserved parking here for select stadium events, and EV charging is valet-only, at $15 per vehicle plus the valet fee. More in our Las Vegas parking fees guide.

Getting around: transportation

• Free tram: to Luxor and Excalibur, daily 10 a.m. to midnight per Mandalay Bay’s page (Excalibur’s page shows 8 a.m. starts on weekdays).
• Walk to Luxor: indoors through Mandalay Place.
• Rideshare: drop-off at the porte cochere on the main drive; pickup is south of the lobby, down the escalator at beach level. Uber is MGM’s official partner.
• Airport: about 2 miles, per Mandalay Bay’s FAQ (Four Seasons, in the same complex, says 3.2 miles). There’s no shuttle; the taxi flat fare is $22.25 (as of October 2026), plus $3 by card. Our guide to getting from the airport to the Strip compares the options.
• T-Mobile Arena: 1.1 miles and 20 to 25 minutes, partly by tram, per MGM; the arena’s archived guide put a rideshare at about 6 minutes.

Resort fee

The resort fee is $50 per night plus tax (as of October 2026), about $56.69 with the Strip’s 13.38% room tax ($50 × 13.38% = $6.69). Per MGM’s reservation terms, updated Aug. 26, 2026, it covers in-room Wi-Fi, calls, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, boarding-pass printing, digital newspapers and the fitness center for guests 18 and over. MGM Rewards Gold members and above can have it waived on eligible direct bookings.

Drivers pay $76.69 a night in fee, tax and self-parking before the room rate ($56.69 + $20). Our Las Vegas resort fees guide covers every Strip hotel.

Booking through MGM Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy

You can book Mandalay Bay through MGM or through Marriott. Marriott’s MGM Collection FAQ lists Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino among the Las Vegas hotels in MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, under its own name rather than a Marriott brand (checked Oct. 13, 2026). MGM still operates it.

• For Bonvoy points and perks: book on Marriott.com, the Bonvoy app or by phone with Marriott; stays booked on MGM’s website, in the MGM Rewards app or on third-party sites don’t earn Bonvoy points.
• Award stays: Bonvoy members still pay the resort fee, except Ambassador Elite members, who get it waived on up to two rooms.
• For the MGM fee waiver: MGM Rewards Gold members and above need a direct MGM booking with their MGM Rewards number attached.

Mandalay Bay vs W Las Vegas vs Four Seasons

Three hotels share this campus, and guests of all three can use Mandalay Bay Beach. The difference is what surrounds your room.

	Mandalay Bay	W Las Vegas	Four Seasons
Casino	Yes	No	No
Smoking	Designated casino and bar areas	Smoke-free hotel	Non-smoking hotel
Entry-level room	550 sq ft	725 sq ft suite	500 sq ft
Extra pool	Moorea and Tailgate (21+)	WET Deck (W guests)	Private seasonal pool
Resort fee	$50 plus tax	$50 plus tax	Not verified
Our price level	Upscale	Upscale	Luxury
Book through	MGM, or Marriott (MGM Collection)	MGM, or Marriott (W Hotels)	Four Seasons

W Las Vegas, the former Delano, was renamed on Dec. 18, 2024; MGM runs it under Marriott’s W brand within MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy. Its 1,117 suites have no sofa beds, an arrival-area overhaul is under way, and Skyfall Lounge and 3940 Coffee and Tea are closed. Reviews, many from the Delano years, mention slow staff responses and noise from parties in some suites.

Four Seasons fills five dedicated floors of the complex, with its own entrance and elevators. The 424-room hotel is non-gaming and non-smoking, and Forbes Travel Guide rates it Four-Star and its spa Five-Star. We couldn’t verify its resort fee or parking.

Pick Mandalay Bay for the casino, restaurants and arena under one roof; W for a casino-free suite at the same price level; Four Seasons for quiet and service at a higher one.

Is Mandalay Bay closing?

No. As of October 2026, Mandalay Bay is open and operated by MGM Resorts, with events booked into 2027. The closing rumor recycles old news: pandemic-era midweek hotel closures in 2020 and the 2022 sale of the real estate to VICI Properties. MGM still runs the resort under a lease.

We found no reputable report of a planned closure. MGM updated its reservation terms on Aug. 26, 2026, opened Tailgate Beach Club in May and lists events into March 2027, and CES has scheduled its 2027 media days here for Jan. 4 and 5. A proposal to take MGM Resorts private was withdrawn on Sept. 24, 2026, and MGM said it will continue as a standalone company.

Nearby attractions

• Allegiant Stadium: less than half a mile on foot, per MGM.
• Luxor: Blue Man Group and museum-style exhibitions, one tram stop or an indoor walk away; see our Luxor Las Vegas review.
• Excalibur: Tournament of Kings and the Fun Dungeon arcade at the end of the tram line; see our Excalibur review.

Who should stay here

• Pool-first travelers and families in season, with Shark Reef for the hottest hours; more ideas in our family hotels in Las Vegas guide.
• Raiders and Aces fans: the stadium is a short walk, and the arena is on site.
• Convention-goers headed to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, which is on the campus; our guide to hotels near the Mandalay Bay Convention Center compares the closest options.
• Food-focused travelers: Michael Mina, Wolfgang Puck and Border Grill under one roof.
• Adults who want a 21+ pool club, in or out of summer.

Who should avoid it

• Center-Strip sightseers: guests say it feels removed, and the Monorail starts at MGM Grand.
• Anyone who hates long walks inside a big complex.
• Smoke-sensitive travelers: W Las Vegas and Four Seasons on the same campus are smoke-free hotels.
• Light sleepers: some guests report noise from vents and from outside.
• Winter swimmers: beach areas and hours contract after summer, and the year-round pool club is 21+.

Pros and cons

Alternatives nearby

W Las Vegas and Four Seasons, compared above, share the beach without a casino. Luxor fits a tighter budget, with a resort fee of $45 plus tax (as of October 2026) and an indoor walk to Mandalay Bay’s restaurants. If you’re choosing between the two, our Mandalay Bay vs Luxor comparison weighs the beach and bigger rooms against the lower fee.

Torn between this resort and MGM Grand? Our MGM Grand vs Mandalay Bay comparison lines up the pools, rooms and costs, and the MGM Grand review covers its remodeled rooms and Monorail station.

Is it worth staying here?

Yes, if the pool or a stadium event is the point of the trip: the beach, 550-square-foot rooms and a short walk to Allegiant Stadium earn the $50 fee for families, pool lovers and game-day crowds. It’s a harder sell for a center-Strip trip, a winter weekend or anyone who wants a recent, documented renovation.

Why it can look cheap some nights: rates vary by day of the week, events and season. Add the fee, tax and parking before comparing it with our best hotels in Las Vegas.

FAQ

How much is the resort fee at Mandalay Bay?

It’s $50 per night plus tax (as of October 2026), about $56.69 with the Strip’s 13.38% room tax. It covers Wi-Fi, calls, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, boarding passes, digital newspapers and the fitness center (18+), and MGM Rewards Gold members and above can have it waived on eligible direct bookings.

Does Mandalay Bay have free parking?

Not for most guests: self-parking is $20 per 24 hours for registered guests and valet is $40 (as of October 2026). Self-parking is free for MGM Rewards Pearl members and above and MGM Rewards Mastercard holders, and Nevada residents get three free hours outside special events.

Is the Mandalay Bay pool open year-round?

Not in full. MGM trims beach areas and hours after summer: on Oct. 5, 2026, the wave pool and lazy river ran 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but the East Lagoon opened only Friday to Sunday. The 21+ Tailgate Beach Club, with three heated pools, is listed as open year-round, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Can you swim at Mandalay Bay without staying there?

Possibly, but confirm first: the official answers differ. Mandalay Bay’s FAQ says a limited number of day passes may be sold, while W Las Vegas’s FAQ says the beach is for registered guests, with cabana rentals for non-guests Monday through Thursday. Adults can try Tailgate Beach Club, where general admission is free except during special events.

Is Mandalay Bay part of Marriott?

Yes, through Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott lists Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, so Bonvoy members get their benefits when they book through Marriott’s channels. MGM Resorts still operates it, and the MGM Rewards resort-fee waiver needs a direct MGM booking. W Las Vegas next door carries Marriott’s W brand.

Why is Mandalay Bay so cheap?

It isn’t always, but it often prices below the center-Strip luxury resorts: it sits at the far south end, we rate it upscale rather than luxury, and its $50 resort fee is $5 under the $55 at Bellagio, ARIA and The Cosmopolitan (as of October 2026). Rates vary by day of the week, conventions, stadium events and season, so add the fee, tax and parking before comparing.

More guides for choosing your hotel

• W Las Vegas Review: Former Delano Suites, Beach Access and Booking Tips
• W Las Vegas vs Mandalay Bay: Is the Suite Upgrade Worth It?
• Four Seasons Las Vegas Review: A Casino-Free Retreat With Beach Access

More planning help for your hotel stay

• Hotels Near Michelob ULTRA Arena: Mandalay Bay and Alternatives