Marj

We'll be spending 3 night in LV in mid-March. We do not plan on gambling at all. We are a family of 4 (kids ages 10 & 13) and are interested in shows, pools and hotel lobby attractions.

KathyH

Don't know about the Mirage, but Mandalay Bay has a great swimming pool area.
KathyH

Patrick

Mandalay Bay may be the higher rated hotel, but I'd much rather stay at Mirage for the things you mention, other than the pool--depending upon how important that is to you. It is quite a trek from Mandalay Bay to the major attractions and shows -- O or Mystere, the Pirate ship thing in front of Treasure Island, the shops and "rides" at the Venitian, the attractions at Caeser's forum shops including all the free things, and more. The location of the Mirage is far superior.

x

may be a little chilly swimming in march.....was there quite a few times and I don`t know if I`d swim..I didn`t..from a cold weather state too...know Tropicana has a half indoor pool...ask what weather is usually like(call hotel)...

Vicki

We were in Las Vegas in midFebruary a few years ago. It warmed up to low 70's and was actually very pleasant to swim in a heated pool. I think you will swim. Both hotels are lovely, but location of Mirage is better.

Carol

I loved the Mirage. I really don't think the swimming pool was a problem. The water falls are there. Great patio, location is great, rooms are clean. Of course I was there when it was 107 out so the pool was a blessing. Treasure Island is right next door. I vote for Mirage

xxx

Having stayed at both hotels, I also agree with everyone who voted for the Mirage. It is a much better location since it's more or less in the middle of the strip. It will also be better for the kids. However, I think that the Mandalay Bay is a much more plesant hotel...the colors are more subdue, less crowded, more like a tropical vacation. But it is a hike to get to where the action is.

Monique

Since your goig with kids why not stay at the Circus Circus or Excalibur or some other hotel more geered towards kids? March is chilly for the kids in the pool IMO.

klam

Never stayed at Mandalay Bay before but when we went to see it when it was brand new, it had a "river" around the pool area that people could inner tube float for quite some distance...it looked pretty fun! Was in Vegas again in early Oct. 2001 and stayed at the Mirage. The pool was good--out of the shadows of the buildings, but the water was cold! Too cold for me at least. There's also a small waterslide at the pool that kids (and my husband!) enjoyed. Mirage def has the better location. If you don't stay at Mandalay, at least try their restaurants. We went to Red Square, which has an amazing vodka collection, and the food was incredible too...watch out for that Siberian Forest!

ryan

I'd go with the one that offers the best rate.

Chances are, you'll be spending most of your time away from your hotel, anyway.

With two kids, you will probably want to see NY/NY (with the roller coaster), the fountains at Bellagio, maybe the MGM amusement park, the Pirate Ship Battle at Treasure Island, the Venetian, Paris, etc.

As you'll probably be on each end of the strip equally, I'd go with the one that has the best rate.

Have fun.

p.s. You should definately think about one of the Cirque Du Soleil shows. "O" would be my choice. You'll need to call ahead of time.

Marj

Thanks for the info. Currently Mirage has the better rate of the two although the prices seem to change daily. We narrowed it down to these from other people's advice and my kids like the idea of the rain forrest lobby. Much of the advice we did get though was from people who have been there without kids and do gamble. As far as some of the other choices, we live in NYC so the NY hotel would be kind of silly. My kids have been to the real Venice and Paris so I thought something else would be fun and we can always check them out. I'm looking at this as the 'tacky' part of the vacation, kind of a disney experience. The rest of the trip we'll be driving through arizona. I'm hoping my kids will be able to use the pool but I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Allan

I would go with the Mirage because of the location. Even "jaded" travelers like yourself will appreciate the central location to the newer hotels, esp. Bellagio and Venetian (and DON'T sneer when you see the sanitized "canals" at the Venetian, as the whole area, I feel, is really quite nice and your kids will really enjoy it as I'm sure you will, too, IF you take your nose out of the air and enjoy it for what it is! The replica of St. Mark's square is really very nice, not cheesy at all!). As for the so-called "rainforest" lobby, well, that's not much to write home about either! It's just a very small section of floor to ceiling plants (nice, though) that you cross over from the lobby into the the casino which takes about a minute to walk through, so DON'T expect much in that department either! It's still pleasant, though. Your kids will also enjoy viewing the white tigers in the lobby as well as viewing the spewing "volcano" out front. By the way, as far as accommodations are concerned, since you'll be with your family you might consider one of their "jr. suites" (can't recall the EXACT category name but it's the next notch up from the standard room (which is rather disappointing and SMALL!) and I believe it's close to 800 sq. ft. with TWO bathrooms! I would STRONGLY consider this particular room! Hope you'll post a trip report upon your return! Have fun!

thereuare

Mirage... hands down!

MB gets lots of votes for its pool (which IS very nice) but the Mirage pool is VERY nice as well, and even has a waterfall in it.

Also, since you plan on "seeing Vegas", MB would just be a hassle since it's so far on the south part of the strip.

I have also compiled a list of free/cheap things to do for when my sister traveled to Vegas with her kids, if you'd like it, let me know by posting here and i'll email it to you.

Monica

i'll caveat this by saying i'm not a vegas fan, & wouldn't take my kids there. but i used to go there alot on business, & have stayed at both.
i hate the mirage. the service is indifferent at best, obnoxious at worst. at mandalay bay, it's gracious. they're both easily accessible to shows & the whole strip.