Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

We like the South-Seas themed Mandalay because unlike other properties, such as Excalibur or Paris, it has wide-open spaces and broad, pleasant walkways. We love the selection of trendy restaurants, the distinctive and offbeat upscale shops, and the dramatic Shark Reef aquarium and rollicking House of Blues music club and restaurant. The pool area, put simply, rocks. Mandalay Resort has three distinct hotel options: the main hotel tower; the independently operated Four Seasons; and THEhotel, an entirely separate all-suites property in its own massive tower. The hip, high-roller casino draws the rich and fabulous, while managing to feel more casual and lively than pretentious counterparts such as Bellagio and the Venetian. The huge sports book is one of the Strip's top hangouts for enthusiasts. For a break from the action, sit amid the virtual vegetation, rock waterfalls, and lily pond of the Coral Reef Lounge, one of the largest lounges in town.