Mirage or Mandalay Bay
 

We're undecided on which hotel to stay at. We like the pool area at Mandalay, but with the July heat, how long can actually be out there in it? We also like the fact that the Mirage is more centrally located. Any suggestions? Which would you chosse?

We stayed at the Mandalay last August and loved it. Do spend the money on Shark Reef!<BR><BR>Like you said, it will be hot, so you're probably going to be cabbing it for the most part. Mandalay has a monorail that takes you a bit down the strip, to Luxor and beyond, I believe, and that will save some walking.<BR><BR>Never been to the Mirage. My understanding is that the crowds are down, so you won't be sitting still in a cab if you go that way.

Thank you for the info gc. Can you tell me, when you were there last August do you remember if there is any shade around the pool area. My wife sunburns easily, and is concerned about being in the sun to long, but she wants to stay out in the pool area. So shade is a concern for us. Any additional info is appreciated.

Mandalay Bay is fabulous. Must stay there over the Mirage. you won't be sorry.

undecided,<BR><BR>The Mandalay pool area, I think, has a swimming pool....I'm not being a wise guy here...they have a big wave pool with a beach, a river country-like flowing river...and I do not remember a regular old pool, but there must be one there 8^)<BR><BR>Lots of palm trees and umbrellas for shade, water misters all over the place, guys in bermuda shorts delivering pina coladas, etc.<BR><BR>I can be very crowded, and it's first come, first served for chairs in the shade. Also, the one thing I did not like about MB, they tried to rip you off for about $20 for a tube in the river...that was a little over the top.<BR><BR>Overall, however, we loved the resort, and would stay again.

I cannot comment on MB since I've never stayed there. However, I recently spent 6 nights at Mirage. Overall this hotel is just average and was quite crowded when I was there. The rooms were okay, but I hated the bathrooms. They were poorly designed and had terrible lighting. The pool area was really nice and lush. There is a huge winding pool with waterfalls and bridges, plus two oversized hot tubs tucked away in shady coves. There were tons of lounge chairs (plenty in shaded areas) and poolside bar service. This was probably the best part of the Mirage. Well, that and it's central location.

I stayed at MB in March for 4 nights - we WISHED the weather was better and the pool/beach were open at that time. It's a beautiful hotel and I highly recommend it.

I would stay at Mandalay Bay, Wife and I spent our honeymoon in vegas and we stayed at Venetian too (Highly recommend). We preferred Mandalay Bay because it is at the end of the strip and walking is what Vegas is all about! (There is this train that will take you from MB to NY NY) The pool area at MB is fantastic! The rooms are fantastic! The food is expensive! Oh well 2 out of three aint bad! Also enjoyed the house of blues they have some great concerts there. Great choice if you go there.

Undecided just got back from M.B. Picked it because of the pool area. Like your wife I burn easily. I couldn't stay out later than 1. Not enought palm trees or unbrellas. If you want a shady spot get there early because it does get crowded. Room were nice, bathrooms were big. I like that the M.B is the last hotel on the strip the crowds are down. Good luck and have fun.

i personally would choose the mirage over the mandalay bay. but i would also recommend looking into the rio. its across the freeway from the strip but the rooms are great. the buffet there is also good. the only thing i am not sure about is the shade at the pool. i know they have some nice pools but never really looked for shade. i do believe that the tropicana has a indoor pool tho if you would like that. they had it last time i was there, but its been a while...could be gone now.

Never stayed at Mandalay Bay. One reason for that is it's location. If you are going during hot weather, walking any great distance can really wear on you. I thought I could handle heat, until being in Vegas when it was 116. I did stay at the Mirage last year and loved it. Great pool area, nice rooms and great service. Can't beat the location, next to Ceasar's, Treasure Island and the venitian.

Both are very nice establishments, but I would vote for Mirage. I would choose this one only because of LOCATION! They are located right and center of the strip. You won't have much walking (especially in July heat), plus you'd save on cab fares.

Is this your first trip? If so, I would go with the Mirage but be sure to reserve a MINI-SUITE (first tier suite) so you don't end up with those tiny bathrooms!

I'd choose the Mandalay over the Mirage because the Mirage is crowded next to the Mandalay. I thought the pool areas at the Mandalay were far superior to other casinos. They have some shade at different pools and you can rent cabanas with table and chairs and TV inside. The demand for the cabanas will be high and a certain number are reserved for the casino to give out to the big gamblers. However, if you tip the cabana guy at the reservation window at the entrance to the pool area, you'll be likely to get a cabana the next day or VERY early the same day. Having the cabana made all the difference for me because, even in May, I couldn't sit out in the sun for more than an hour at a time. Frankly, the heat will be so intense in August, that I wouldn't try to sit out! The Mandalay is at the end of the strip but I think you'll be taking cabs anyway so it won't make much difference to you. Have a great time.

I can't say about MB, but we stayed at the Mirage and had a great time. The pool area is beautiful. We were satisfied with our rooms. The service was great. You have to try their Grand Buffet.....awesome!

got back from MB today, loved it. the pools rule during the week. the walk to the rest of the strip is enough to give blisters.

Undecided, if you want the crowds my advice is to stay at the Mirage. M.B. is a lot less crowded being the last hotel on the strip. I must have got the smaller room a previous poster spoke about Whereas at the M.B. I got a spacious room. If it is too hot to walk the strip use the tram or the trollys that go to the other hotels. Have fun.

We're going to the Mirage in 3 weeks.<BR>We've stayed there before and just love it! The rooms are not too small, and the bathrooms are basic or average, but not THAT bad, and this is coming from someone who has stayed at Caesar's a couple times and they have gigantic bathrooms. Stayed at the Rio before too and they have average sized rooms too. The Mirage has newly decorated rooms too. We have only walked around the grounds at Mandalay Bay and we didn't care for its remoteness. Seemed like it was right next door to the airport. Actually, we felt like we were at the airport. I do remember making that comment when i was therre.\<BR>That is not to say that it's not a great place, but row upon row of pool chairs in the blazing sun. The Mirage has lots of lush greenery about its pool.<BR>

dana, you stayed at the rio and thought the rooms were just average? you must have gotten a regular rooom, not the next size up. the suite, not mini suite, is pretty big. living room area, dining room area, 1/2 bath in the living room, 2 tvs, a huge bedroom with a king sized bed, and a large bathroom with a jacuzzi spa tub, seperate shower, toilet in its own room, and makeup table. not to mention a 180 degree view. the room as nothing but windows for half of its walls.

Even if Dana stayed in a regular mini-suite, she's incorrect in saying that the room size was average. WHile the rooms are not true suites, they are definitely bigger than the average room (significantly bigger than a standard room at the Mirage).