MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

A regal, bronze rendering of the roaring MGM lion mascot fronts the four emerald-green, fortresslike towers of the MGM Grand, one of the largest hotels in the world. The self-proclaimed "City of Entertainment" is loosely based on Oz, though it comes off as having a bit of an identity crisis because it tries just a little too hard to be something for everyone. Tony bars, trendy nightclubs, knockout restaurants, and the impressive Grand Garden Arena -- which hosts big-name music concerts and championship boxing matches -- attract well-heeled and expense-account travelers as well as conventioneers from the adjacent convention center. When it comes to dining, MGM ranks among the city's top casino-resorts, with eateries run by such noted chefs as Emeril Lagasse, Joël Robuchon, and Michael Mina. Kids enjoy the lion habitat on the casino's west perimeter; there's also a complete day-care facility for the kids. There's a fairly short corridor of shops between the hotel and garage for the Strip monorail.