We Stayed at ALL 3 Mandalay Bay Hotels… and One Was Shockingly Bad
Mandalay Bay Las Vegas: W Hotel vs Mandalay Bay vs Four Seasons – Which One Is Actually Worth Your Money?
If you’ve ever stared at that massive gold tower on the south end of the Strip and wondered, “Wait…how many hotels are actually in there?” — you’re not alone.
Inside the Mandalay Bay complex, you’re really choosing between three different hotels:
W Las Vegas (formerly Delano/TheHotel) – all-suite, non-gaming
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino – the main casino hotel with the famous beach & lazy river (Mandalay Bay)
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas – a AAA Five Diamond, non-smoking, non-gaming luxury oasis tucked into the top floors of the tower (Four Seasons)
We did a split stay at all three in one trip so you don’t have to play hotel roulette with your vacation money. Here’s the full breakdown, plus pro tips and SEO-friendly nuggets for anyone planning a Las Vegas trip and trying to decide where to stay.
Stay at all 3 Mandalay Bay Hotels in Las Vegas - Full Review and Vlog
Why Stay at the Mandalay Bay Complex?
Before we rank the three hotels, it’s worth understanding why this corner of the Strip is such a strong home base:
Location: South end of the Strip, right by Luxor, Excalibur, and Allegiant Stadium (perfect for Raiders games and concerts). (Mandalay Bay)
Mandalay Bay Beach: An 11-acre pool complex with a wave pool, lazy river, sandy beach, multiple pools, cabanas, and day clubs. (Mandalay Bay)
Family-friendly options: Wave pool + lazy river + Shark Reef Aquarium make this one of the best Vegas resorts for kids and tweens, without feeling like a kids’ hotel.
Food & Drink: Irish pubs, Mexican restaurants, steakhouses, lobby lounges, coffee bars, and a rooftop cocktail bar with a jaw-dropping view of the Strip.
Three totally different hotel vibes stacked into one property.
Hotel #1 – W Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay: Big Suites, Low Energy
Best for: Travelers who want a quiet, all-suite stay with easy access to the casino and Mandalay Bay Beach, but don’t care about high-tech rooms or lots of on-site dining.
We started our trip at W Las Vegas, the rebranded Delano tower. The bones of the old Delano are still very much here:
All-suite layouts with a separate living room and bedroom
Non-smoking, non-gaming tower
Direct indoor access to Mandalay Bay and the casino floor
What We Loved
Space: Every room is a suite, which is clutch if you’re sharing with friends, need a work area, or like one person sleeping while the other watches TV.
Two bathrooms: A full bathroom plus a half bath made sharing way easier.
Franklin Bar & lobby spaces: Great for taking calls, grabbing a martini, or just hanging out in a quieter environment before heading into the chaos.
What Didn’t Work
Dated design: The style screams late-’90s/early-2000s. Furniture is showing its age, and nothing about it feels modern or “W-brand bold.”
Low tech: No tablet controls, no motorized curtains, nothing smart. You’re literally opening drapes by hand. What is this, the stone age?
No dedicated pool: Despite old signage for a “wet deck,” front desk confirmed W guests now use Mandalay Bay Beach instead.
Not much to do in the tower: No casino, limited restaurant options, and a lot of “empty hallway with a ‘great things coming’ sign” energy.
W Las Vegas Pro Tips
Book it if: You want a large suite at a lower rate than many Strip suites and don’t mind dated decor.
Skip it if: You crave modern rooms, lots of dining steps away, or want the hotel itself to feel lively and fully developed.
Hotel #2 – Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino: Best Overall Value
Best for: Most travelers. Couples, groups, and families who want the full “Vegas resort” experience, a great pool scene, and solid rooms at a reasonable price.
We moved to a standard king room at Mandalay Bay and were honestly shocked how much we preferred it to the W.
Why Mandalay Bay Wins on Value
Room comfort: Beds were super comfortable, the room felt fresh and more modern than the W, and the layout works well whether you’re on vacation or squeezing in laptop time at the desk.
Price point: Our nightly rate was roughly half of what we’d paid at the W, which makes the comparison a bit of a no-brainer.
Theming: The whole resort leans into a South Seas / tropical temple aesthetic. Walking the grounds feels like a mini escape vs. just “another casino hotel” on the Strip.
Service: Shout-out to the front-desk staff helping wrangle digital check-in issues and room readiness. Everything was handled quickly and kindly.
Mandalay Bay Beach: Is It Really That Good?
Short answer: yes.
11 acres of pools and sand with a legit wave pool, lazy river, multiple pools, and 2,700 tons of real sand. (Mandalay Bay)
Real “beach resort” vibes without leaving Las Vegas.
One of the most family-friendly pool complexes on the Strip – kids get the wave pool and lazy river; adults still get bars, day clubs, and lounger scenes.
Seasonal tip:
In the off-season (like November), parts of the complex may be closed. When we visited:
The wave pool was closed
The lazy river only ran on weekends
Two main pools were still open and not heated but totally manageable once you’re in
Pro Tip – Pool Packing Hack:
If you forget swimsuits (been there), there’s a Ross on the Strip where you can grab inexpensive swimwear so you don’t miss out on the lazy river.
Hotel #3 – Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas: Quiet Luxury on Top of Mandalay Bay
Best for: Honeymoons, splurge weekends, travelers who want Las Vegas adjacent rather than in-your-face, and anyone obsessed with service.
Tucked into the top floors (35–39) of the Mandalay Bay tower, the Four Seasons is a non-gaming, non-smoking sanctuary that still gives you direct access to everything at Mandalay Bay. (Four Seasons)
What Makes Four Seasons Special
Service level: This was, hands down, the best service we’ve ever experienced in Las Vegas. Warm, detailed check-in, complimentary welcome chocolates, spa & pool access keys while waiting for the room, and thoughtful little touches throughout.
Room quality: About 500+ square feet, beautifully designed, super quiet, and incredibly comfortable. Every category—bed, bath, decor, lighting—gets a 5/5 from us.
Private pool: A small, intimate pool deck with padded loungers, a hot tub, water, sunscreen, and a calm, bougie vibe. You can still walk over and use the full Mandalay Bay Beach complex whenever you want.
Breakfast at Veranda (currently operating out of Bourbon Steak during reno):
Weekend breakfast buffet (~$57 when we visited) with standouts like peppered bacon, crispy fried chicken, seafood, dim sum, and omelettes.
Smaller than the mega Strip buffets, but stronger hit rate on quality. Every item we tried actually tasted great.
Four Seasons Pro Tips
Book through Amex FHR or similar if you have it – perks like breakfast credits and late check-out can really soften the blow. (Four Seasons)
Use both pools: Start at the quiet Four Seasons pool, then wander over to the Mandalay Bay lazy river or wave pool for more energy.
Budget check: Expect to pay a premium versus Mandalay Bay. But if you’re celebrating something, the service + serenity + access to everything below makes it worth the splurge.
Where to Eat & Drink Around Mandalay Bay
One of the biggest perks of this complex is how many strong food and bar options are clustered in and around the property.
Ri Ra Irish Pub at Mandalay Place
Located in Mandalay Place, the shopping corridor between Luxor and Mandalay Bay.
Authentic Irish pub with a bar imported from Ireland and woodwork to match.
Great for:
Pints of Guinness (learn how to “split the G”)
Irish whiskeys & cocktails
Cozy, not-too-loud lunch or dinner
Food surprised us: better-than-expected pub fare with excellent chips, curry sauce, and friendly service.
Border Grill – Mexican at Mandalay Bay
Located near Shark Reef Aquarium, Border Grill is a fantastic choice if you’re craving Mexican that isn’t Tex-Mex:
Known for its weekend all-you-can-eat brunch, but dinner was a standout too.
Highlights:
Guacamole + salsa trio – super fresh, mild but flavorful
Smoked prime rib tacos – strong recommend
Enchilada trio – beef, seafood, and chicken with clean, bright flavors
Great option if you want a slightly more elevated, sustainable-ingredients-focused Mexican experience without going full steakhouse pricing.
Skyfall Panoramic Bar & Lounge (64th Floor)
For one of the best rooftop bar views in Las Vegas, head up to Skyfall Lounge at the top of the W tower: (wlasvegas.mgmresorts.com)
Glass elevator on the outside of the building up 64 floors (brace yourself if you’re scared of heights – the view is worth it).
Panoramic views straight up the Strip from the south end – you can literally see almost everything.
Vibe is laid-back but classy, not ultra-clubby or stuffy.
Cocktails run in the $22–$25 range, but they’re solid, crafted drinks (we loved the Sonoran Sky and mixed origins).
Don’t Skip Shark Reef Aquarium
If you’re traveling with kids, animal lovers, or just want a break from slot machines, Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is a must-do:
Theming feels like a sunken or lost city, with atmospheric lighting and ruins-style decor.
Features:
Komodo dragon, stingray touch pool, lionfish, and tons of tropical fish
A shipwreck-style shark tunnel with floor-to-ceiling windows and multiple shark species
Plan on 30–45 minutes to really enjoy it at a relaxed pace.
It’s popular, so expect school groups and crowds during peak midday windows—go early or later if you want it quieter.
So…Which Mandalay Bay Hotel Should You Book?
Here’s how we’d rank the three, based on our full stay:
🏆 Four Seasons Las Vegas – Best overall experience
For travelers who want AAA Five Diamond luxury, quiet, and top-tier service while still being attached to a major Las Vegas resort.
🥈 Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino – Best value
For most people, especially first-timers, couples, and families who want that iconic beach + lazy river + casino + restaurants combo without a sky-high nightly rate.
🥉 W Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay – Most skippable (for now)
Great room size and layout, but dated decor, limited energy, and no dedicated pool make it hard to recommend over the other two at similar or higher prices.
Practical Pro Tips for Staying at Mandalay Bay
Transportation: Being at the far south end of the Strip means you’ll likely use rideshare, the tram to Luxor/Excalibur, or taxis more often. Factor that into your budget.
Pool season: If the wave pool or lazy river are important to you, aim for spring–early fall and double-check hours; during shoulder seasons, they may be weekends only.
Family vs adults:
Families: Mandalay Bay + Shark Reef + Mandalay Bay Beach is a killer combo.
Couples / special occasions: Four Seasons is pure calm luxury with an easy escape route to the chaos below.
Budget hacks:
Look for MGM Rewards offers on Mandalay Bay. (Mandalay Bay)
Consider mid-week stays, which are often significantly cheaper.
Food planning: Don’t sleep on Ri Ra (Irish pub comfort) and Border Grill (Mexican with real flavor and great brunch). They’re both easy to reach from any of the three hotels.