My husband and I are going to Lv next week and leaving the kids with grandma. I have reservations at both Paris and Mandelay bay. Both have great deals going, but Mandelay Bay will end up costing us $80.00 more total for the 3 night stay. We don't get away much without the kids, so I want to stay @ the nicest place. Which is better between these two? Is MB much nicer to justify spending the extra $$.

I haven't stayed at either hotel, but if it were my choice, I would choose the Paris. It is in a much better location, if you can't stay at the Bellagio, I think it might be great to be across the Strip from the Bellagio. You get to see the fountains for free, and access to the Strip. MB is a little too far away from things, especially if you only have 3 nights.
Have a wonderful time!

If it were summer I would go with MB, but it might still be a little cool to take advantage of the great pool at MB.
Paris is very nice, and right in the middle of the action on the strip.
Its true that MB is a little out of the way, but I wouldnt let that be a factor, since there is a tram that takes you down to Excaliber, and from there you can go over to the MGM and catch another, which will take you down to Paris..

I've stayed at both hotels. I agree that if you could use the pool, I would go with Mandalay Bay. It really is great. We've had a regular room (over 500 square feet) and a suite. Both very nice!

That said, I think you would also be happy at Paris, especially since it will probably be too cool for the pool. Paris is in a great location! I think I've read on this board that you should ask for a "P" room when you check in. Better room. Also, ask for a room with a view of Bellagio.

Either way, you are going to have a great time.

As for the hotel itself, MB is simply better. Paris has a better location. One thing, the pool at MB is the big attraction, check and see if it will be open during your stay. It typically opens sometime in March.

All things being equal, I would choose MB, but all things are NOT equal. The location of MB is a big negative. I agree with Scarlett, you will waste lots of time navigating the strip if you stay at MB. Taxi's are expensive, we found it cost $10 to get just about anywhere. Try for an upgrade at the Paris to a strip/fountain view. The location of the Paris can't be beat.
If you stay at the Paris, use the $80 you save for dinner at Provencale in the Paris. Very good country French/Italian at a reasonable price, $80 should cover dinner for 2, don't miss the dessert crepes.

Thanks for all the great tips! You've been a great help.

Another vote for MB. I don't consider the location that much of a negative. Between visiting all of the casinos you'll be surprised how far you will have walked by the end of the day. You can walk one way and take a cab/tram back. The rooms in MB are great, plenty of restaurants, bars, a nice spa, and, of course, the pool.

I'm a big Mandalay Bay fan and the location never bothered me but if the pools aren't open, I would recommend Paris, especially with the better rate. You will be very happy with either choice so it doesn't matter really.

Miss -- people who are telling you to go to Paris are WRONG! Mandalay Bay's casino is better and spa is WAY better. If you're leaving the kids with grandma, get ready for LOTS of kids at Paris. And I mean LOTS. Mandalay Bay is quieter. you have to walk or cab it to other casino properties, BUT SO WHAT! The fountains at bellagio are SO overrated. What you want is a beautiful hotel and casino and that's MB. Unless you're 600lbs and don't like to walk around a bit, it makes absolutly no difference that the hotel is at the south end of the strip. Your room will be nicer, and the $80 difference is well worth it. if you do wind up staying at MB, request Fiji Wing/Strip View and you'll see the entire strip.

I visited Las Vegas 2 weeks ago and one thing to note is that the tram from Bally's to MGM is closed. I think it said it was closed until 2004.

I would choose Paris. It looked very nice and the casino was one of my favorites. MB was also nice but I do think the location is a negative if you plan on visiting the other hotels and casinos.

Enjoy your trip whichever you decide.

Eric

I think the location is important. The first time I stayed at MB, I thought, this is it, I will never stay anywhere else. It is beautiful. The next time we visited Vegas, we again stayed at MB. However, this time the location started to bother me. It is a long way to the center of the strip. You can take the tram from MB to Excalibur. From Excalibur walk to Monte Carlo and take the tram from Monte Carlo to Bellagio. At this point, you are in the center of the strip. It is time consuming and LOTS of walking. Obviously, you can take a taxi, but that will add up and gets old after a while.

Is there any chance you can stay at Bellagio? That would solve all your problems.

If, in the end, the choice is still between MB and Paris, you want the most luxurious hotel and you don't think the location will matter, then choose Mandalay Bay.

oy veh what's with the people on this site not wanting to WALK 1/2 mile for HEAVEN'S SAKE gimme a break, these people don't even have their KIDS with them! the time you spend walking, getting fresh air into your lungs, is also time you're not throwing away your money! And query: what exactly does being in the center of the strip get you? NOTHING. you still have to -- yes you got it -- WALK to different hotels. Even on a cold, wet rainy day its a $5 cab ride to the center strip. that's half a bet at a bj table. People please, give me some more faith in our species, if we hope to keep our appendages in the next 10,000 years, we ought to keep using them!!!

Well, flop has a point but then if you only have 3 mights, you will want to spend all the time doing fun stuff and not wasting it walking long distances from one sight to another.
Sort of like going to NYC but staying in NJ-if you get my drift
For a first timer, the Paris is really the better hotel. Good location, a couple of good restaurants, but also right in the thick of things! Walk across the street to Ceasars or Bellagio, next door to Ballys..MB just doesn't have that.
BTW-Miss, we usually go to Las Vegas every March and the weather is always good In the low-mid 70's and sunny. Aahh, no snow!

I don't care what Flopmeister says, it is a lot of walking. The hotels are huge and I have never talked to anyone who has visited LV who hasn't said there is a lot of walking. I think Flopmeister needs to relax about the future of the species. Why do you think they have trams to get you from one end of the strip to the other. Obviously, the center of the strip has appeal to most people - you have options that way.

This is not a big deal - you are going to have a great time no matter what you decide!

Hey Flop: The map in the Frommer's guide shows close to 2 miles to get from MB to the Venetian. Close to a mile to Bellagio. When you consider all the walking you will do just getting around the properties, it can wear you out. Also $5.00 for a taxi is low, particularly if you have the bellman at MB get the taxi, we found that it was rarely under $10 with tips.

I wholeheartedly agree with flopmeister. MB is better. Simply better. Paris is a HACK hotel with a couple of good restaurants and a view from the tower (eiffel, that is).

So what if you have to walk? And what about taking a cab here and there? You're on vacation. Suck it up and walk, or dole out the $ for a quick cab.

The rooms at MB are better. Cleaner. More spacious. The spa is UNBELIEVABLE.

The "family" factor at Paris is a MAJOR FREAKING DRAWBACK. For that reason alone, my husband and I abhor Paris.

Flopmeister is right. MB for sure.

paris!! NO!!!! MB.. NO!!!!!! PARIS!!!!!
NO!!!!!!!! LOL..see what you started Miss ..*W*

The bottom line is this, friends... If I were able to get to vegas with my wife alone (hey, just did that in December) i'd stay AWAY from the Great Unwashed, not "in the thick of things". At MB it's like being away from Vegas, in Vegas. If you want to deal with all the people clogging the sidewalks, you can always walk. And, gee, walking a grand total of 4 miles,FRANK, puts you just about where you should be in terms of exercise each day. Basically we all know what happens, you walk the strip one day, and then you just want to...RELAX. If the ONLY thing working against MB is its location I can't believe that would tip the scales to make anyone say they'd rather stay at Paris. Oh, and I should point out that I'm visiting MB with my buddies for March Madness at the end of this month. It'll be my 5th stay at MB -- each time has been great. We're renting a car from Hotwire -- parking is free at every hotel on the strip -- and between the 4 of us we're talking $20 each for the weekend. Sooooo... You park at MB, get on the 15 north, exit at the north strip (don't ever drive the strip) and park at Ballys, all the parking is free, and you can even valet it for a $1 tip.

Just to add my two cents - I think it really depends on your interests. Mandalay Bay is far hipper than Paris and has very good restaurants - 3950, Aureole, Shanghai Lilly, etc. and cool nightspots - Red Square (for martinis), rumjungle (restaurant/nightclub), House of Blues (live music). The crowd tends to be somewhat younger than Paris.

On the other hand, Paris also has some good restaurants and is in a relatively better location (if you plan on walking up and down the strip every day).

Personally, I would choose MB over Paris but I go to Las Vegas a lot so I don't do as much sightseeing as a first time visitor would do.