Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

THE CASINOS 221
completely remodeled and, in our opinion, improved immeasurably. You enter
through a giant temple gateway flanked by massive statues of Ramses. Gone is the
space-wasting central area that used to contain the bathrooms, cashiers, and casino
offices. This additional space gives the casino a much more airy feel, which produces
a low claustrophobia level—in parts, you can see all the way up the inside
of the pyramid. King Tut heads and sphinxes adorn slot areas. The “One Club,” a
Mandalay Resorts slot-players club, also valid at sister properties such as Excalibur,
Mandalay Bay, Circus Circus, and others, offers rewards of cash, merchandise,
meals, and special services to slot and table players. Sports action unfolds on 17
large-screen TVs and 128 personalized monitors in Luxor’s race and sports book.
We already felt inclined to like this casino thanks to a good run at blackjack, but
the redesign has made it even more inviting. 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/262-4000.
Mandalay Bay You’ll find “elegant” gaming in a pre-fab, deliberate way, with
a very high ceiling that produces a very low claustrophobia factor. It’s definitely
the right place to gamble if you’re looking for less hectic, less gimmick-filled
play. The layout makes it look airy, and it’s marginally less confusing and certainly
less overwhelming than many other casinos. Because it is so far down the
Strip, there are fewer walk-in players, but the presence of the House of Blues and
the increasing popularity of the rumjungle nightclub can mean a late-night
influx of customers. There’s a big, ultracomfortable sports book (complete with
armchairs that could well encourage a relaxed gambler to fall asleep), including
a live daily sports-radio show. Players can sign up for the One Club, a Mandalay
Resorts player-reward system also valid at sister properties like Luxor, Excalibur,
Circus Circus, and others. 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/632-7777.
MGM Grand Las Vegas’s largest casino at 171,500 square feet—we’ve been to
countries that were smaller!—is divided into four themed areas, in a futile
attempt to make it seem smaller. Most of the Wizard of Oz decorations have been
removed, but spend an hour in here and you may feel like Dorothy after she was
whisked away by the twister. You will get lost at least once. One section features
a high-roller slot area with machines that operate on coins valued at $100 and
$500! The sports casino houses a big poker room, a state-of-the-art race and
sports book, and the Turf Club Lounge. And the French Riviera–themed Monte
Carlo casino has a luxurious marble-columned and gold-draped private high-end
gaming area. Carousels of progressive slots unique to the MGM Grand include
the very popular Majestic Lions high-frequency $1 slot machines that pay out
more than $1 million daily, and the Lion’s Share $1 slots, which are capable of
jackpots exceeding $1 million each at any time. This hotel takes part in the
MGM MIRAGE Players Club, which is also valid at sister properties like The
Mirage, New York–New York, and others. 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/891-7777.
The Monte Carlo This place is all huge ceilings and white-light interior:
Obviously, they’re trying to evoke gambling in Monaco. While the decor shows
lots of attention, it perhaps had too much attention. Bulbs line the ceiling, and
everywhere you look is some detail or other. It’s busy on both your eyes and your
ears. So despite the effort put in, it’s not a pleasant place to gamble. However,
there is a large and comfortable race and sports-book area, with its own cocktail
lounge. This casino takes part in the One Club player-reward system, also valid
at Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and others. 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. S. & 702/730-7777.
New York–New York Another theme-run-wild place: tuxes on the backs of
gaming chairs, change carts that look like yellow cabs, and so forth, all set in a
miniature New York City. It’s all fabulous fun, but despite a low claustrophobia