I love Ballys. It's not the newest hotel on the block - but the rooms are always clean, we usually get a deal thru Total Rewards (players card) and it is an optimal central location on the Strip. The last time my husband and I were here, we were upgraded to a sweet suite. Also-they usually have new/fun slot machines (with the best bonus spins) and hands down, warmest bartenders in Vegas. We always-always visit Steve at the bar and its like visiting an old friend. I will continue to book at Ballys as long as those deals keep coming my way.

positive

MGM Grand Hotel and Casino INTRODUCTION When traveling to Sin City, what do you expect? Fun with friends or that special someone at the tables? A romantic dinner in a great atmosphere? Leaving your uniform at home and getting a tad loco? Well then read on. I hope these notes will help you decide whether a stay at the MGM Grand is worthy of your travel dollars. As with any review, take it with a grain of salt as EVERYONE on this earth is different, coming to town for different reasons and what you like may not be what I'm into. If you want to wake up in your vomit and not remember what happened last night, this review may not be for you. For me, I usually come to Vegas with someone that LOVES being here -- the city lights at night, the singing of the slots and walking through the amazing lobbies or taking in shows. I'm more detail oriented and like to focus on comfort, services and a nice meal experience. GETTING THERE Coming from Southern California, this first thing I hope for is good traffic and we left this time mid-afternoon Saturday. Normally, we take off early to mid-morning to pass through the desert part of the trip BEFORE the desert heats up. Traffic is usually the tangible and this trip (November 10, 2012) was very light and we breezed through. Usually more cars are physically on the freeway with you, so this was nice. It is a holiday weekend which made me think there would be more folks out. NICE. PARKING/CHECK-IN I injured my toe a week ago and getting from the parking lot to the main lobby is a hike. Unless you luck up and catch someone exiting new the elevators/escalators, plan on bringing comfortable walking shows and getting your walking exercise in. SPECIAL/CONCIERGE SERVICES My wife has a birthday this weekend and I'm hoping that I can plan a surprise for her special day. I got up early today and stopped down at the front desk for help. Too early for the Concierge (opens at 7am at the front desk and on the phone at 6:30am), the check-in staff was very helpful stating they may be able to do something special (heart shaped flowers on the bed, customized room service - a cake, etc). Depending on the cost, a good option. NICE. Last weekend I was at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront and they did not offer free internet service. Hotels have gone back and forth on this, but in Las Vegas this should be part of the Vegas experience. The MGM Grand offers Internet service bundled into your resort fee but I love being able to jump on, check mail or listen to or watch a stream without having to pay for the basics. EXCELLENT. ROOMS/GROUNDS Rooms are modern, spacious and have some niceties of note. Trendy wallpaper everywhere, sexy lighting and interesting lobbies make for a good visual. Being a first-gen resort/casino, the lobby where you check-in isn't as fancy as say, the Bellagio, and this visit has a boxing ring for the Manny Pacquiao's fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez encircling the golden lion. As you move out into and through the casino as mentioned earlier, the upgrades are present. Bathrooms a very bright and follow the trend of not having a fan circulate/clean to air but the semi-separate water closet, art on the walls, faux-marble suggest hip. Automated curtains are an entertainment point for the kids and climate controls are easy to operate. On the down side, I couldn't find the TV station listing (shouldn't have to channel surf to find what is where), more information on the concierge options should be listed on the website (self-service can drive more business) and the doors boom like live shells exploding if you don't handle with care. I'll test again as it may have been drunken gambler slamming their doors. OKAY to NICE. FOOD I don't really dig Las Vegas, so I look forward to a great meal or show each visit and the Top Chef celebrity Chef Tom Colicchio has a soup/sandwich and steak sit-down joints, two Asian (one Chinese, one Japanese) and other fine dining (translates into expensive) restaurants on resort grounds. You can offset that the fancy, upscale stuff with a food court with a Nathan's, McDonald's, Chinese, and Italian (pizza slices). I'd suggest heading away from the strip for all but the special occasion meal as everything inside, although convenient at 2am, is overpriced.

positive

I've seen the old show and the new show and I have to say that I still like the show. Jubilee is still unique and the big costumes and showgirls still perform on the big stage. The storyline at current I'll admit is very strange but the big sets and scenes still are present in the show. They did take out the variety acts and changed the music but again still very entertaining in my opinion. If you want an classic style vegas show this is still the only one available. I still like it.

positive

You would think fried chicken would be simple... Absolutely horrible. A night visit only added insult to injury. 3 waitresses and still had to return one drink for lack of alcohol. If you want to shoot pool, go during the day, otherwise, stay clear!!! PS: I had to remind them of the "drink" to get it removed from the bill.
negative