On a recent week-long trip to Zion National Park, my wife and I had the opportunity to spend a couple of nights in Las Vegas. Those who have visited Las Vegas before know that there are numerous hotel options all over the Las Vegas Strip. If you are open to an off-strip location, there are even more accommodation options. We were looking for something on the strip so that we could walk everywhere we needed to go. In order to save some money, we also wanted to use the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts/Hotel Collection credit. All of this led us to stay at the Park MGM resort. The following is a complete review of our experience staying at the Park MGM Las Vegas in July 2022.
Location
As previously mentioned, the Park MGM Las Vegas is located on The Strip. It is located just a little to the south of the midpoint of the Las Vegas Strip. This means that more of the Strip is accessible than if you were staying at either end. However, The Strip is so long that in reality you will probably use an Uber to anything not close to your resort.
The resorts immediately around the Park MGM include New York-New York, Excalibur, ARIA, MGM Grand, Vdara, Planet Hollywood, Paris Las Vegas, and the Bellagio. A little further away (but still within walking distance) are Caesar’s Palace, the Flamingo, LINQ, Harrah’s, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. This long list of nearby resorts should make obvious the fact that the Park MGM has a relatively good location. However, being near to all the above only makes a difference if these are the places that you want to go. Therefore, check where you are wanting to spend time to make a decision for yourself. In my case, we spent all of our time on The Strip between the furthest extents of Mandalay Bay and Caesar’s Palace so this worked well for us.
Guest Rooms
Like most of the resorts in Las Vegas, there are a bunch of room types and categories that guests have to choose from. The standard room options include the Park MGM King and Park MGM Two Queen. Upgraded room types include Strip View versions of both of those rooms. Additionally, there are several suite options. While we booked a Park MGM King (the base room), we were “upgraded” to a Strip View Park King. I say “upgraded” as there really isn’t any special about the rooms except the view of the Las Vegas Strip. It’s nice if you get upgraded to one, but I wouldn’t pay anything extra for that upgrade. What follows is a review of the Strip View Park King room (although it is identical to the base Park MGM King except for the view out the window) and the rest of the Park MGM property.
Bedroom
When guests come to Vegas, they often expect the glitz and glam that has become synonymous with the Las Vegas name. While the lobby of the Park MGM does this well, the guest rooms leave a little to be desired. While I understand that there may be some individuals and groups who like the décor of the Park MGM, I felt that it left some to be desired. The Park MGM used to be the Monte Carlo hotel a few years ago so it has been renovated relatively recently. Therefore, I have to assume that the design choices were intentional, but they just weren’t my cup of tea and didn’t say “Las Vegas”.
The design style could be described as somewhat “mid-century”. After entering the room, a non-descript king bed anchored most of the room. The room places nightstands and charging plugs on each side of the bed. Each side of the bed also offered a lamp. These were particularly good for reading because of the amount of light that they put off. However, typical visitors to Vegas probably don’t do a lot of reading in bed anyway.
Opposite the bed was the window in the room. The window did feature a good blackout shade and a screen depending on how much light and sun you want to let through. The blackout shade is necessary to block out the lights of The Strip. The screen is also helpful during the day when you want to let in light but not too much where the room heats up rapidly. Below the window was a couch, a round table, and a leather armchair.
The final wall of the bedroom contained the closet, storage drawers, minifridge, snack bar, and television. The closet area is sufficient for a couple of people for a long weekend. For any longer stay, the small size of the closet would be a challenge. As with most Vegas hotels, the in-room snacks cost extra. The hotel places these on a pressure-sensitive mat that purchases items when they are removed from the tray. Therefore, if you have children in the room, secure these items before they get ahold of them.
Bathroom
In my opinion, the bathroom matched the vibes of the bedroom. Unfortunately, given the décor of the room, this meant there wasn’t anything special in the bathroom. It was a standard bathroom containing a single sink, a bathtub/shower combination, and toilet. The single sink did have a nice-sized mirror and a fair amount of countertop space which was nice. However, there wasn’t any shelving in the bathroom so the stack of clean towels had to take up some of the countertop space.
The bathtub/shower combination was fine, but again most modern hotels feature a glass-enclosed shower. The green tile gave the tub & shower a little character, but it was hard to not feel like you were missing out. For example, the cloth shower curtain worked just fine, but it didn’t live up to the expectations of a Vegas hotel. I have seen some pictures of glass-enclosed showers at this hotel so this may be a case of not all the rooms being upgraded. For those who bathe small children or like to take a bath, the tub/shower arrangement will work out well. However, for those who prefer a shower, hopefully, you will end up in one of the rooms renovated with that fixture. Lastly, the showerhead sat low on the wall. For reference, I am 6’2″ and barely fit under the showerhead. Taller guests won’t have the most enjoyable shower experience.
Restaurants
Almost all the resorts on the Las Vegas Strip have a multitude of restaurants within their walls. The Park MGM is no different. The restaurants at the Park MGM include: NoMad Library, Bavette’s Steakhouse, Toscana Ristorante, Eataly, Best Friend, Nusr-Et, Beerhaus, The NoMad Bar, Side Betty Grill, La Pizza e La Pasta, La La Noodle, Primrose, Starbucks, and The Crack Shack. Obviously, with a list this long I was not able to visit all these restaurants. There would be something for almost any desire without having to leave the resort (even if walking to the other side of the resort feels like you walked two blocks in Vegas). During our travels, we visited Bavette’s, Eataly, and Primrose. My review of these restaurants is below.
Bavette’s Steakhouse
Bavette’s is the prototypical dimly-lit Las Vegas Steakhouse. Many visitors may want to eat at a steakhouse and have a nice meal while in Vegas. This is a place to do just that. The décor is a throwback to several decades ago in traditional Las Vegas steakhouse style. The tables are small and generally intimate (although there are a few larger tables for groups). All the waiters wear tuxedos to complete the ambiance. As the entrance to Bavette’s is located just off the gaming floor in the Park MGM this change in ambiance can be a little jarring.
Bavette’s may be a name you are familiar with if you have been to a few steakhouses in Chicago. Bavette’s is a renowned steakhouse from the Windy City. This Las Vegas location is the second location in that brand. In order to dine at Bavette’s, guests should get a reservation. While availability changes based on the season, reservations can fill up far in advance. For example, as I write this review the first reservation available is 19 days out from today. That reservation is on a Tuesday at 8:45 PM. The first-weekend reservation availability is 30 days out but at 9:30 PM on a Saturday. It’s not always this busy, but keep that in mind when making your plans.
Since this is a restaurant at an MGM property, some VIP reservations are held for MGM Gold and higher loyalty program members. Using a login as an MGM Gold member, there are reservations available for the next weekend (although there isn’t anything earlier than 9:30 PM available). More standard 6 PM – 8 PM reservations are available about 3 weeks out.
Assuming that you are able to get a reservation, the experience and food is great. While the menu prices are expensive, they tend to be aligned with almost any upscale sit-down dinner on the Las Vegas Strip. They have a wide selection of bourbon, whiskey, and scotch. They also have several takes on an old-fashioned that are all fairly good.
When it comes to dinner, most people will end up with a steak. The steak options range from 6 oz filets to 16 oz New York strips and 22 oz ribeyes. Both my wife and I had filets of different sizes. These were very tender and melted in your mouth. The bearnaise sauce and steak salts provided were great complements to the dish. Bavette’s offers other steak preparations such as peppercorn crust, roasted bone marrow sauce, and king crab oscar. While I am sure these are superb, the steaks don’t need anything else to make them great.
For those not interested in steak, there are chicken, salmon, lobster, and pork chop entrees. There are also cheeseburgers and a prime beef French dip sandwich on the menu. To round out the meal, there are several great salads, hors-d’oeuvres, sides, and desserts available. All in all, the dining experience at Bavette’s was excellent. I wouldn’t hesitate to return.
Eataly
Eataly is a completely different experience from Bavette’s. It provides elevated food but is bright, airy, and mostly-counter serve. Eataly is a collection of Italian-style restaurants and shops arranged to mimic a traditional Italian market. The facility is quite large and contains over twelve different restaurant options. Each of the restaurants in Eataly operates independently. There are a number of seating areas spread around so it is generally not difficult to find seating. Because it is counter-serve, it is going to be more casual than your Las Vegas steakhouse; however, it is still appropriate for those dressing a little classier before a night out. As an added bonus, guests eat first-come-first-serve (no reservations required).
Some of the options at Eataly include a wine shop, a pizzeria, an Italian street food stall, a fresca pasta stall, a fish market, a salami and cheese market (think charcuterie), a gelato shop, a coffee shop, and a chocolate shop. There are also a number of bars with spirits, beer, and wine throughout. We only visited the pizza shop while we were there. It was pretty good, and it was a simple meal that didn’t require any planning.
Eataly also offers some classes and events throughout the week such as Pizza Lab every Thursday and Oyster Hour every Saturday from 1 PM – 4 PM. There are also special events like Negroni Week and Summer Wine Specials during September at the bars. Definitely check out Eataly’s website to see if there is anything of interest while you are there.
Primrose
The final restaurant that we visited at the Park MGM was Primrose. Primrose is a breakfast and brunch spot located in the lobby of the hotel. Befitting a brunch spot, the décor is light and airy. There is also indoor and outdoor seating available. The menu offers several light breakfast items like granola & yogurt, fruit, and avocado toast. They also offer full brunch meals such as eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, pancakes, French toast, salmon bagels, omelets, and eggs benedict. Finally, if you are feeling more in the mood for lunch, they offer salads, sandwiches, and some lunch mains like chicken, salmon, and ravioli.
Many who visit Primrose are likely to enjoy the extensive beverage list. This includes a wide range of cocktails, wines, and beer. All-you-can-drink mimosa and rosé are also an option (although it is somewhat expensive). Finally, for those looking for non-alcoholic options, there is a wide range of juices, coffees, and teas.
Those interested in visiting Primrose should consider a reservation. The prime slots of 11 AM – 1 PM generally fill up a couple of weeks in advance. Reservation availability typically fills up about a week in advance. Primrose does still accept walk-ins so if there aren’t reservation spots available don’t lose hope. You may just have to wait in line for a little while to get a seat. The restaurant will send a text to your phone when your table is ready so you don’t have to wait in the immediate area for the table. This makes any potential wait easier to endure.
Amenities
Pool
The first amenity that most think about at a Vegas resort is the pool. The Park MGM has three pools. The south pool (which will be the first pool on the left as guests enter the pool area) is the most family-friendly. This pool also has the most available free seating but the least amount of shade. It can get more crowded and have more noise from children. The other two pools (north pool and east pool) have more cabanas and loungers for rent and tend to have a more Vegas atmosphere. One of the two pools generally has club music running pretty loud, and the other pool has a quieter atmosphere.
Waiters are constantly moving around the pool deck to offer food and drinks. This is nice but expensive like everything in Las Vegas. For example, an 8-ounce strawberry daiquiri was $17. Coolers spread around the pool deck provide water for free. For those interested in a cabana or daybed, they are available for rent. There are 13 cabanas located around the north and east pools. The cabana capacity is 10 people. Book these in advance as they can sell out. Prices range between $500 and $625 for daily rental. This is obviously a huge expense if you have a small group. However, if your group is 8 – 10 people, the split of the cost isn’t as bad.
If cabanas aren’t your style or they are too expensive for your group, there are several other reserved seating options. Daybeds are available at the north and east pools for $125. These are advertised to hold up to 4 people; however, in my opinion, that might be a little tight. The Park MGM also offers shaded pods for $75 that can hold up to three people. These are only located at the family-friendly south pool so keep that in mind. Finally, cushioned pool loungers and an umbrella are offered for $75. It would be hard for me to pay $75 for this since you can get the same thing without the cushioned top (and possibly not poolside) for free.
With that being said, there are ample amounts of free loungers on the pool decks; however, umbrellas are more limited. If an umbrella is important to your experience, you may want to arrive at the pool before the crowds to select your spot. The Vegas heat and sun should not be underestimated so plan accordingly.
All in all, the pool is nice. However, if you are looking for a statement pool experience you will have to go somewhere else. Pool areas like The Beach at Mandalay Bay or the Wet Republic Ultra Pool are known for the pool party atmosphere and the huge amenities. However, these pools make you pay for that experience so there is always that trade-off. For those who don’t have to have the over-the-top pool experience, the Park MGM pool is a good space. It satisfies the desire to enjoy a sunny Las Vegas day. It can even be suitable for the person who wants to go to a pool to sunbathe and enjoy a book if you pick the quietest of the three pools. Not many pools in Las Vegas can say that.
Fitness Center
The Park MGM also offers a large fitness center to the guests of the resort. While the Park MGM is a very large resort, I have to admit that I haven’t known too many people to go to a gym while in Las Vegas. Therefore, there should be plenty of room in the gym for those who want to work out.
While many hotel gyms have a complement of cardio equipment and a small subset of strength training equipment, the gym at the Park MGM is fully equipped. There are no fewer than 9 machines for isolated muscle strengthening exercises. The gym also has a complete bench and squat rack along with three adjustable benches. The gym has a complete set of dumbbells ranging from 5 to 100 pounds. From a cardio perspective, there are eight treadmills, four stationary bikes, two standing bikes, four ellipticals, and a stair stepper machine. This should cover almost anything you want to do.
Finally, there is a complete range of yoga equipment and a whole separate yoga studio off the gym. The yoga equipment includes medicine balls, floor mats, yoga balls, rollers, plyometric boxes, and yoga sticks. The gym provides water and towels to those who are using the equipment. At the end of the day, I’m not sure how many people will use it, but it is a very nice gym. I would be surprised if you couldn’t complete your normal workout with the equipment available.
Parking
Parking can be fairly expensive while in Las Vegas. It is possible to walk among the blocks immediately adjacent to the Park MGM hotel. However, the distances on the Las Vegas Strip are deceiving. For anything further, you will want to drive, get a taxi, or Uber/Lyft. If you decide to come to Las Vegas with a car, parking will be of concern.
All MGM resorts operate parking in the same manner. This means that you can leave one resort and park at another one without having to pay another parking fee (as long as you are staying at an MGM property). At the time of writing, parking is $18 per day for self-parking. If you are interested in valet parking, prices change based on the hotel and weekend vs. weekday. The range of prices for valet is between $26 – $35 per day.
A great perk for the MGM rewards members with elite status (Pearl, Gold, Platinum, and NOIR) is that self-parking is complimentary. Valet parking is also complimentary for Gold, Platinum, and NOIR members. This can be a great saving for those with this status.
Casino
As with most Las Vegas hotels, the Park MGM is built around its casino on the ground floor. The casino floor is fairly large. In comparison to other casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, it is nowhere near the largest or smallest, but it has a little of everything. This part of the Park MGM was newly renovated in the past few years so everything has a modern and fresh look. Slot machines make up a large part of the floor space as is customary for Vegas casinos. There are also a number of table games including blackjack, craps, roulette, and various poker games. Finally, there is a sports book on the casino floor for sports betting and watching games.
The Park MGM casino will fit the bill for those wanting to bet or gamble without leaving the hotel. There is a little bit of everything available. However, this casino won’t provide the same ambiance or experience as the Bellagio, Aria, Wynn, or Caesar’s Palace. In somewhat of an anomaly in Vegas, the Park MGM is a smoke-free casino. While smoking isn’t as prevalent in other casinos as it once was, it can still be found. If you want to guarantee that you won’t be sitting beside someone smoking at a table or slot machine, the Park MGM casino is the place for you.
Cost
Prices at most Las Vegas resorts vary widely. While people come to Las Vegas year-round, there are definitely high and low seasons. There are also numerous ways to get deals on hotel rooms that come and go throughout the year. For the most part, the Park MGM will be available for the mid-$200s per night year-round. Weekdays tend to be a little less expensive with mid-$100s per night. Unfortunately, the resort fee trend is alive and well in Las Vegas. When staying at the Park MGM, you should expect to pay $39 per night in resort fees. See our post on How to Book a Las Vegas Hotel.
There are often different packages available that include cheaper prices from those with MGM Rewards elite status. There are also other packages that add daily food and beverage credits or other amenities. Carefully consider your plans before selecting one of these offers. If you are sure to use it, those packages can save some money. However, they often have terms and conditions that limit their usefulness. For example, the food and beverage credits are only valid daily and do not carry over. If you don’t use all of the $50 credit on day one, you lose the leftover.
A final note on cost is that the MGM resorts are partnered with Hyatt. That means that Hyatt points can be redeemed for a free stay here. The Park MGM requires 15,000 Hyatt points for each free night. During standard times, this typically isn’t a great deal. However, if you are there during peak season or when there is a special event, the 15,000 Hyatt points can be a great deal as compared to the elevated nightly rates.
Bottom Line
The resort areas of the Park MGM are nice. There are tasty restaurants, the casino is adequate for normal play, and the pools are enjoyable and cater to different preferences. Overall, the amenities are good for the price point. Talking about the price point, the cost is unlikely to make you feel like you need to sell something in order to enjoy the resort as some other Las Vegas hotels will. However, the downside in my opinion is the rooms. They leave a little to be desired in terms of décor. They tend to not feel very Las Vegas-esque. In fact, they almost border on a dark and dated feel. For that reason, when I return to Las Vegas I will likely stay at another resort.
