MGM Grand review: a vast Las Vegas resort with plenty inside

The overall verdict

MGM Grand has a Google rating of 4.3 from 112684 reviews. Across the supplied public feedback, it comes through as a resort that can serve as a destination by itself. Size defines the stay: there is a lively casino, an extensive pool area, plenty of places to eat and enough entertainment that guests do not have to leave the property.

For families, groups and first-time Las Vegas visitors, that range is practical. Everything is close at hand, at least by the standards of a huge resort. Reviewers also like the Strip location, which feels slightly removed from the busiest sections but still works well as a base for exploring.

There is a cost to all that scale. MGM Grand can be overwhelming. The walking comes up again and again, including in positive reviews, and travellers hoping for a quiet or intimate hotel may find the large public areas too much.

Pools, casino and entertainment

Reviews consistently put the pool complex among MGM Grand’s strongest features. Families travelling with teenagers are especially positive about the lazy river and waterfall area. Other guests use the pools to slow down between busier Las Vegas activities, and poolside food makes it easy to spend much of the day there.

The casino gets similarly good feedback. Guests describe it as lively and one of the more appealing casino spaces on the Strip. Poker players find the room friendly, though some warn that the indoor temperature can feel cold. A jacket or hoodie may be useful.

Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club is another recurring highlight. Located near the food court, it earns praise for the comedians appearing there and gives guests a straightforward evening option after a day at the pool or in the casino, with no need to travel elsewhere.

Dining and getting around

According to public reviews, MGM Grand combines a wide range of restaurants with a food court. That flexibility helps when a group cannot agree on what to eat. Even with so much available inside, some guests prefer to dine elsewhere on the Strip.

Direct access to the Las Vegas Monorail is a major convenience. Reviewers appreciate reaching mid-Strip casinos and shopping without facing a long outdoor walk, particularly in extreme summer heat. One family who stayed during the first week of August encountered temperatures around 120 degrees. Even with handheld fans, they found being outside uncomfortable.

The monorail does not remove the need to walk inside MGM Grand. Far from it. The sprawling layout can place rooms, pools, restaurants, entertainment and transport links farther apart than guests initially expect.

Arrival and practical considerations

Digital check-in and check-out are available. Some travellers consider the process efficient, while others find it less personal. Queues vary considerably: one reviewer reported waiting 15 to 30 minutes at a favourable time and noted that delays could be longer when lines grow and guests require assistance.

Taken as a whole, the public feedback suggests MGM Grand works best as a high-energy, self-contained resort, not merely somewhere to sleep. It fits travellers who want pools, gaming, comedy, dining and transport within one enormous complex. Guests who are sensitive to crowds, long corridors or impersonal service may be happier at a smaller property.