"The best beach in Las Vegas — 11 acres of sand, a lazy river, and a wave pool. The furthest south you can go on the Strip before you fall off the edge."
Overall Rating
Mandalay Bay opened in March 1999 at the southern end of the Strip and immediately distinguished itself with the best pool complex in Vegas — 11 acres of sand, a wave pool, a lazy river, and the Mandalay Beach Club. Twenty-five years later, Mandalay Beach is still the best pool in Vegas.
The resort is at the far south end of the Strip, which is either a feature (quieter, less crowded) or a bug (far from center Strip) depending on your priorities. The free tram connects Mandalay Bay to Luxor and Excalibur, and the Four Seasons and Waldorf Astoria are connected via internal walkways. The Michelob Ultra Arena hosts major concerts. The casino is 135,000 square feet of solid gambling.
If the pool is your priority, Mandalay Bay is the answer. The south Strip location is the trade-off.
Mandalay Beach is the best pool complex in Vegas. 11 acres of sand, a wave pool, a lazy river, and the Mandalay Beach Club. If the pool is your priority, there is no better option on the Strip.
Mandalay Bay is at the far south end of the Strip. Center Strip is a 20–25 minute walk or a $12–15 rideshare. The free tram connects to Luxor and Excalibur but does not get you to center Strip.
The Four Seasons occupies the top five floors of the main Mandalay Bay tower. There is no resort fee, no casino, and exceptional service. If you want the Mandalay Beach pool without the resort fee, book the Four Seasons.
Solid rooms after the 2020 renovation. The views from upper floors are excellent. The Four Seasons rooms (top five floors) are exceptional — separate check-in, no resort fee, exceptional service. The Delano rooms are well-designed and slightly more boutique in feel.
Mandalay Beach is the best pool complex in Vegas. 11 acres of sand, a wave pool, a lazy river, and the Mandalay Beach Club (party pool). Seasonal — typically May through September. The wave pool is genuinely impressive. The lazy river is excellent. Book a cabana in advance.
How this resort holds up in peak Vegas summer (June–September)
Mandalay Beach is the best summer pool experience on the Strip — a genuine wave pool, lazy river, and beach area. The south Strip location means it's less crowded than center Strip pools. The indoor tram connecting to Luxor and Excalibur is a summer essential.
The Hacienda Hotel stood on this site from 1956 until its implosion on New Year's Eve 1996 — a fireworks show that attracted 100,000 spectators. Mandalay Bay opened March 2, 1999. The Four Seasons occupies the top five floors of the main tower. The THEhotel (now Delano) opened in 2003. MGM Resorts acquired the property in 2005.
Pool enthusiasts. Concert-goers at Michelob Ultra Arena. Guests who want a quieter south Strip experience. Families who want the wave pool. The vibe is more relaxed than center Strip.
One of the largest dayclubs in Vegas, operating at Mandalay Beach. DJ sets, cabanas, and a massive outdoor space. The wave pool is adjacent. One of the best dayclub settings in Vegas.
Uber / Lyft
Rideshare — fastest option
Taxi (Metered)
Metered. Mandalay Bay is one of the closest Strip resorts to the airport.
Shared Shuttle
Shared shuttles available ($10–$15/person). Multiple stops.
Mandalay Bay is the right call if the pool is your priority. Mandalay Beach is the best pool complex in Vegas. The south Strip location is the trade-off. If you are attending a concert at Michelob Ultra Arena or want the Four Seasons experience, it is also the right call.
Hacienda Hotel (demolished 1996)
MGM Rewards
BetMGM Sportsbook
Michael Jackson ONE, David Copperfield
Mandalay Bay–Luxor–Excalibur Tram
Spa Mandalay
135,000 sq ft
2020
The most technologically sophisticated resort on the Strip. The rooms are exceptional. The casino is serious. The pool is excellent. The location is slightly south of center.
The biggest casino resort in Vegas. The biggest casino floor. The most restaurants. The most rooms. The most everything. Also the most walking.
The Manhattan skyline replica is the best exterior on the Strip. The interior is a labyrinth. The roller coaster is still running.