We're going to Las Vegas in August with 2 boys ages 10 and 14. Narrowed down hotels to Mirage vs. Mandolay. Pool is important. Does the more central location of Mirage and the water slides in the pool tip the scales in in favor of Mirage? Mandolay is sooo.. south and the wave pool seems to have little waves..Thanks

I vote Mirage just because it is more central to all. However, there is a free monorail running from Mandalay Bay to Luxor and on to Excaliber, where you can cross over to MGM and take another monorail (also free) to Ballys, which will get you into the Mirage, Ceasars, Bellagio, Venetian neighborhood. Or from Excaliber, walk past NY-NY to Monte Carlo and catch monorail to Bellagio. But BEING THERE, at Mirage, so central, is easier. Don't rule out Flamingo (was a Hilton) Hotel. It is just as central and you can probably get a suite for the price of a room at the other two properties, and they have a VERY cool pool area: Slide, waterfall, upper & lower pools and very lush with tropical trees. Can be seen at Park Place website.

We went to Mandalay Bay shortly after it opened and really disliked it -- the rooms, service, ambience, etc. The pool area seemed really bleak compared to Bellagio and others. I couldn't understand how the rooms could be so dirty when they had just had their grand opening. Some people really rave about it though. We've stayed at Mirage as well, and it's fine, Though we prefer Bellagio. Mirage is probably more fun for kids.

We stayed at mandalay the day after it opened, and I thought it was dirty also. Went back last summer and it was a whole new place. I guess they realized if they wanted to compete with the big boys, they'd literally have to clean up their act. The rooms, service even cleaning the casino ashtrays was perfect. I'd go back in a minute.

Mandalay's pools are MUCH more entertaining for kids.
Mandalay is a MUCH nicer hotel (keep in mind it's been quite awhile now since it opened).
Mirage is battling to keep up with the 'big boys' and is slowly falling back. It's still a very good place, but MB has much more to offer.

The Mirage. Love the pool and there's a Wild Animal Zoo and a dolphin habitat behind the pool, and the location, the exploding volcano, the the white tigers,
and next door to the pirate battle ship of Treasure Island. Nice central location

Went to LV last August stayed at Mandalay Bay with our two teen daughters, they charged us $70 per night extra for the kids ($35 each). I knew they might, but thought it would be worth it anyway. It wasn't. It was INCREDIBLY hot and very very crowded at the pool area. Wave action was ten minutes or so every half hour, so it seemed like you were always waiting. Also, the room was laid out inconveniently for four people (shower was all glass, so modest girls couldn't shower while someone else did their hair in the bathroom...).

Mandalay Bay! The kids will love the pools there. The Mirage pool is nice but I think your kids would like the wave pool @ MB rather than a kiddie slide at the Mirage. Also, the pools @ the Mirage are ice cold. Both hotels have nice rooms. And Jill not everyone eants to be @ the stuffy Bellagio, come off it! Have fun, Vegas is a blast, been there 11 times in 3 years.
Ann

As a previous poster stated, there is a free monorail that connects the various hotels. But it should be pointed out, that it takes quite a bit of time to get from Mandalay Bay to the middle of the strip using the monorail. And you have to walk through all of the casinos to get to the monorail stations. So while it's free, it's not necessarily quick and easy to use.

I have a few friends who swear by the pool area at the Flamingo for summer entertainment. Check it out before you book anything else.