Best MGM owned hotel on the Las Vegas Strip?
 

Hey guys! So I'm planning a classic bachelorette trip for my roommate who's getting married next year (May), its a group of 8 of us, none of us have been to Las Vegas (or the west coast by that matter)
Itinerary:

Orlando > Las Vegas - Wed
LV > Grand Canyon > LV - Thurs (any recommendation on 1 day trips? helicopter? bus?)
LV - Fri, Sat (recommendation in general? best shows? reasonably priced restaurants?must sees etc)
LV > MCO - Sunday

So my brother actually moved to LV a year ago managing a bar at the Monte Carlos, and he gets anywhere between 25-35% off MGM owned hotels hence why we kinda want to stick to these :P

So! Which MGM owned hotel do you recommend? The bride realllyyy wants a strip view and possible a suite/penthouse for all of us but idk if i can swing it, how strict are they on the number of people sleeping (most are 1 king and its been hard to find 2 queens), do you think this is the best route? or should we just opt for two bedroom side by side? are they a stickler about these kinds of things?
Possible VRBO or AIRBNB? have you guys any experience with that?

Vegas properties have strict rules on number of occupants per room, last I heard. Finding a two-bedroom suite with fold-out sofas to accommodate eight bachelorettes will be VERY tough. Suck it up and get a couple of two-queen rooms. Or more. This is a special occasion, you might as well splurge a bit.

Of the MGM Mirage resorts, my first choice would be Bellagio:

http://www.bellagio.com/

Then Aria:

http://www.aria.com/

Then the Mirage:

http://www.mirage.com/

Of these three, the Mirage is dead-center Strip and it's always nice (it WAS the first Vegas Super-Resort, after all). However, Bellagio has the luxury, those fountains, onsite shopping AND the shopping at Caesars across Flamingo, great dining, etc., etc., etc. Aria is in City Center, and it's new and snazzy and lovely. It's also next door to Monte Carlo; if your brother's managing a bar (or bars) at that property, that could come in handy for your group of thirsty young women...!

Anyway, this is my view. I'm sure others will have a different opinion.

I think perhaps the OP could benefit more by doing some reading at Cheapovegas.com since "cheap" and will do or say anything hence the question about hotel rules seems to be in the mindset.

Aria is the best of the MGM properties IMO. I personally can't stand the Bellagio and the clientele skews much older than Aria, which might be a consideration. I also prefer the F&B options at Aria.

That being said... The MGM could be a good option. Hakkasan is one of the leading clubs in Vegas. They have one of the top party pools. They have some good F&B. And rooms will probably half the price or less than either Aria or Bellagio and they have rooms for 4 (two queens). A suite will also be much cheaper there if you wanted to get the bride a treat.

Also consider Mandalay Bay or Delano. It is at the far end of the Strip, but very nice and the pool complex is probably the best in Vegas. The Mandalay Bay, at least, will be less than the Aria and Bellagio, though probably $10-20 more than the MGM. Not sure about the Delano as I haven't looked since the re-brand.

Helicopter tours to the Grand Canyon do not go to the National Park but to tourist trap Grand Canyon West, operated by the Indian tribe there, it is a pricey visit (you cannot take your own picture, they will take it and charge you). So I'd rule that one out.
Bus trip will take 10 hours roundtrip, and you will get a couple of hours at the canyon. You can also fly to Grand Canyon airport but heard it is expensive.
I've only stayed at Mirage, and we liked it a lot.

Hey guys thanks for the great feedback!!

Update, I managed to get the discount link and they only offered me the following hotels: MGM, Signature, NYNY, The Mirage and The Bellagio.
So right now its a huge toss up between the Mirage and MGM, (I kinda wished aria was available since that was also my brothers recommendation and rjw_lgb_ca brought up the Great point of it being next to my brothers bar :P)but alas,

The mirage has bigger rooms/suites available, but MGM apparently has better clubs and pool parties...I guess the bride will have to decide!

Any must do things while there (there just seems to be SO much) and tourist traps we can avoid?

Alsoo thanks Jamie99!!! we were really considering the helicopter! I think we're just gonna stick to the bus :))

Area is definitely the best of the MGM properties. If you are choosing strictly between Mirage and MGM, then choose Mirage if you want the Strip views, but MGM is a better hotel by a mile. And if you choose MGM, look at rooms in the Signature. That's a better option with a large group.

You should consider the zipline at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown. The whole thing is worth seeing, probably not spending all that much time there.

We did not stay at MGM but took a friend's mother to breakfast there, she was staying there. It is huge so plan on a lot of walking. We met the friend in the lobby and it took a little less than 10 minutes to walk to the restaurant she had chosen.

Okay, I think the bride is leaning towards MGM too, we might just do two rooms, like probably 1 suite and an adjoining room? or two nice strip view rooms side by side :DD im so excited guys!lol

I think MGM is a good choice for an active, fun weekend. Better than Bellagio for your purposes, even if maybe not as "nice".

If you want to go to Hakkasan, I'd start looking around to figure out how to get on the guest list.

I think MGM Grand will be a good choice for you, actually, given its relative proximity to Monte Carlo and the great entertainment options onsite (including the pools and spa facilities). My two caveats are well-known; as jamie99 notes, the place is HUGE, and the casino is one of the smokiest on the Strip. But I think you'll all have a blast.

As far as getting on VIP lists at Hakkasan, Wet Republic and other clubs: if your brother bartends at Monte Carlo, I'd start by asking him if he can swing favors with the doorpeople at whatever clubs interest you. I'm pretty shameless as far as things like this go; I'd be working ANYONE I know in the Vegas nightlife scene. There are nightclub concierge services that are supposed to help partiers get into the hot joints-- but I've never used them.

You need to contact a promoter also. They will hook you up with passes and table service.. Trip Advisor has lots of threads about this.

Last year, my friend and I celebrated our birthdays in Light, in the Mandalay Bay. It was a magical night, and we were treated like celebrities. The hotel concierge played a role in it too.

Have a fabulous time!