Guys Weekend @MGM Grand & Luxor

GUYS WEEKEND AT THE MGM GRAND AND LUXOR

MGM Grand

The MGM might not seem like the obvious spot for a guy’s weekend but it really hits all the marks. Tons of restuarants? Check. Great gambling? Check. Nice, new nighclub? (haven’t been in Hamasaku yet but check). Great beach club? Wet Republic might be the best one right now – check.

Also, the MGM Grand’s general pool area is (IMO) one of the best in Vegas. I mean, look at this thing!

Still, the great hidden secret of the MGM Grand are the Executive Queen Suites (once upon a time known more charmingly the Bungalow Queen Suites).  These do not have separate rooms but they are a large 675 square feet of relaxation space with a huge couch and even two separate TVs.

Knock on wood as you read this because I still don’t think the MGM has caught on…the difference in price between a standard ‘grand’ room and the executive suite is less than 10%. Even if you are going with just ONE guy friend spring for the bigger suite. 3 guys? Bargain shopping.

 LUXOR

I have stayed at the Luxor far more than I care to admit. The main reason? It always came up as the cheapest MGM strip hotel not named Excalibur. And Excalibur is a bounce house

There is nothing wrong with Luxor as much as there is nothing undeniable about it. It has a bunch of cool places to eat (Burger Bar on the walkway to Mandalay Bay is a favorite) but nothing that you would travel elsewhere to find. It has a pool area but it is essentially two large pools without much design. It has cheap gambling with $5 tables but the action is generally a bunch of 22 year olds acting drunk. It has a club but LAX is a place where you are either cramped on the dance floor or sitting at a table looking at the people cramped on the dance floor. The crowd is younger and generally looking to be on the strip without spending a lot.

 Luxor pool area – adequate, not spectacular.

Which is I guess is the point; the Luxor is like the best grind joint around. If you are in your 20s, on a budget but want to be on strip the Luxor is your ticket. Their Pyramid Suites technically offer the two queen beds / couch format we desire but it is extremely crammed in thanks to the slanted ceilings.

 Looks ok...but note how those ceilings are slanted. 

We will close out our discussion on guys weekends with Mandalay Bay next week…