We have stayed at this hotel numerous times since it opened and it is the hotel that we continue coming back to. We have tried others on the stip but still love going back to Mandalay Bay as our first choice.

I have read the other reviews and thought I should finally contribute our opinions. We travel quite a bit and stay in numerous hotels throughout the year.

We have always been able to check in before the official time. We usually arrive mid week. Front desk staff aren't the most friendly but I figure you don't have to deal with them once you've checked in.

Over the years we have stayed in a wide variety of rooms here. Overall the rooms are in good shape and the beds are comfortable. Maid service was excellent. We saw her on the first day and told her we would be out of the room early in the mornings. The room was always clean by at least 10 am.
Room service is good.

The pool is one of the reasons we go. Our kids are 2 and 4 and love the lazy river and the side of the wave pool not to mention playing in the sand. We usually rent a cabana because it is too hot to stay outside all day with the kids. Cabanas have a mini fridge, tv, fan, chairs, lounge chairs and some even have a change area. They are a a bit pricey but well worth it for us. Food and drink prices are comparable to other hotels.

We have been to the spa on previous visits and were very happy with both the Mandalay and The Hotel spas.

Kids always love the Shark Reef. NY NY has a great arcade for them too.

I have rated the location a 4 only because it is at the end of the strip which may not be great for some people. For us it is one of the pluses for this hotel. It is much quieter than some of the hotels mid strip. It is very easy to catch the tram or a taxi to get where you want to go. We love the scent in the air and the lack of smoke in the casino.

We are already planning our next trip back.

My friends and I stayed at MB for three nights (Sun-Wednesday). It has a great physical presence and is generally well maintained. Even given the cheap rate of $70/night, I got a good room on a high floor with a nice view of the strip and the airport. I think MB is a good place to stay, but I will detail the problems I had as it appears numerous others have already covered its good points.

1) if you are coming for the pool or pool area, reconsider. All the chairs are taken minutes after they open. You can sit/lay around and wait for someone to leave but that is not my dream of a great LV trip. The pools are wall to wall people and intertubes. Lots of families having fun, which is great, but both the wave and lazy river pools where just too crowded for me to enjoy.
2) restaurants are good, but Raffles and many of the others are really overpriced for what you get (but I guess I wouldn't lower Raffles' prices if I owned the place, it was always busy).
3) a taxi driver tried to rip off my friend on a 3am trip from Venetian to MB and their taxi dispatcher/loader, the front line MB employee for such situations, was totally unhelpful or supportive. My friend said to take the strip and the driver took the freeway and overshot MB for good measure. When they arrived at MB my friend got the doorman/taxi dispatcher and said he was only going to pay the $14 of the $18 meter and explained why. MB's dispatcher said something to the effect: "why don't you just pay the guy, you don't want to escalate this do you?" So much for MB taking care of their guests. My friend then asked for security. After about 20 minutes and a call for the taxi commission to send someone over, my friend settled for $12 total and a wave of foreign obscenities barraged at him. The security guy told my friend he was happy to see someone finally stand up to those taxi driver criminals.

I understand the taxi dispatcher's incentive: he gets a cut of taxis' strip club "commissions" and other "third party payments" and so wants to stay on good terms with taxi drivers -- doesn't want to get a bad rep. in taxi land. But it is indefensible of MB to tolerate its employees not assisting its customers in clear cut cases of ripoff. The driver didn't dispute picking my friend up at the Venetian, taking the freeway, or even overshooting the MB exit. The dispatcher should have said "yes, $18 sounds like too high from the Venetian. If the driver won't take your offer of $14, let's call the taxi commission -- but you should know it will take X hours or minutes."

I accompanied my husband on a business trip to Vegas for 3 nights. This was my first time in Vegas & I was very pleased at where we stayed. Mandalay Bay was chosen due to a conference my husband attended. From the time I landed at the airport, I noticed how hospitable most of the service employees were (from car rental to hotel).

Mandalay Bay is classy; not over the top or pretentious yet comfortable and beautiful. I noticed it is a resort that caters to every type of person - from singles to couples to families with children.

The first day I arrived I enjoyed the room. It was on the 25th floor & had a nice view of the pools. I greatly enjoyed the bathroom - having a large space with seperate tub & shower is something I look for in a resort. The one strange thing I will mention, quite simply because it's odd but funny to me, is that when you first enter the room, there is a beveled glass window to the left that looks into the bathroom. While sitting in the tub, you can look out the glass at the hotel room door. I was peacefully enjoying my bath, eyes shut, when I heard the door open. I hadn't secured the permanent lock because my husband was due to return to the room. Of course I thought it was him, but it wasn't! To this day I don't know who it was.. I'd like to think it was the maid! The water was running and again my eyes were closed so all I heard was the sound of the door opening - I called out for my husband, turned off the water & of course heard no response. The door had shut as quickly as it had opened. I actually got out of the tub to check - needless to say I was weirded out! But hey, they deserved to see whatever it is that they saw is my thought.

We ate at China Grill that first evening. It was of course pricey but on par for eating in a Vegas resort. I had a tasting option which allowed for samples from all courses. The food was awesome - eclectic Asian. It was worth the price but let me mention that there was A LOT of food. Two people could very easily split that meal. I had a mixed drink that was called Pear Iced Tea - it was very tasty!

I enjoyed the beach & pool area - I've read many reviews that said it was difficult to find a lounge chair. I didn't encounter this at all but maybe it had to do with time of year? Anyways, again the service was awesome. Drink girls were prompt & very friendly. The bar & grill on site had a wonderful pita & hummus appetizer that paired well with the turkey avocado on pretzel roll sandwich. Pina coladas were yummy! I had one both on the beach & at a little bar outside the spa area - that one seemed stronger :)

I took advantage of some of the Mandalay Spa amenities - please see my review in that section. Also, my husband did decide to eat off site at a local restaurant called Off The Strip - Just Real Food. Please read my review there as well!

Overall the Mandalay Bay had everything you'd want in a Vegas resort. I would stay here again.

We got a great deal on room rates. Stayed for 4 nights. Walked into the room and previous guests had evidently come back to use the room after cleaning service. So we called front desk. They apologized, changed our keys as we spoke, and moved us to another room within minutes. Our K bedroom was large with two sectionals, desk, lg flat screen tv, lighted his and hers closets, inroom safe. Bathrooms have Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, separate room for toilet, separate shower, large tub, and marble floors and counters with double sinks. We found it to be very quiet. People using the sand beach & pool area can buy tubes for floating, but sometimes you can get a tube from someone cking out. The resort is on the south end of the strip. After walking thru several other casinos, Mandalay is definitely brighter & cheerier than most. The staff was always very friendly and helpful to us.
Don't expect complimentary coffee makers, frigs, water bottles etc. There is a daily charge for refrigerator use and all beverages can be purchased at any of the 14 restaurants downstairs, or at the pop machine on the floor. Internet was one dollar per minute or fifteen per day in room. Charge to use fitness area. Free valet parking with complimentary waters, but tipped the staff.