Marriott Bets on Las Vegas and Beyond

Leslie Carbone

9 months ago

My travel companion and I looked down from the floor-to-ceiling windows of our hotel suite. The Fountains of Bellagio shimmied and swayed in front of MGM’s premier property on the Las Vegas Strip.

After several delays and even a major hack, MGM Resorts International and Marriott International finally launched their oft-teased new partnership last month.

The hotel companies have joined to create the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, which encompasses 16 MGM properties in Las Vegas and other cities across the United States. Bonvoy is Marriott’s frequent-travel program.

What this means to you:

You can earn Marriott points at MGM properties by booking through Bonvoy.
You can redeem Marriott points at MGM properties. Bonvoy uses dynamic pricing for its redemptions, so there are no fixed points prices. You could pay as little as 5,000 points/night at mid-scale Excalibur or as much as 145,000 points/night at luxury Bellagio.
You can transfer points between the two programs.
You can enjoy Bonvoy elite benefits at MGM Resorts. Naturally, the benefits improve with status. Bonvoy Silver members earn earn 10% bonus points on qualifying charges at stays at MGM Resorts. Ambassador members receive a slew of valuable benefits including: early check-in and late check-out, room upgrades, and waived resort fees.
You can “match” MGM Rewards status to Marriott Bonvoy status throughout 2024. MGM Gold status matches to Marriott Silver; MGM Platinum matches to Marriott Gold; MGM NOIR matches to Marriott Ambassador.

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As of this writing, you can receive 2.5 percent cash-back on MGM bookings and 4 percent on Marriott bookings via Rakuten.

Casino hotels are an obvious choice for gamblers. But they’re also good for non-players, because they offer so much to do: shows and shops, spas and pools, bars and restaurants. And they’re safe: There are cameras and security personnel everywhere. To quote Terry Benedict in Ocean’s 11, “There’s always someone watching.”

MGM has a range of properties, including some beautiful resorts. Many have great restaurants. I’ve stayed and dined at several of them. The 16 resorts comprising the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy are:

Bellagio Resort & Casino

This luxury Las Vegas property is one of the most iconic on the Strip. Its famous Fountains and Conservatory and Botanical Garden both enjoy spots on TripAdvisor’s list of 25 “Best of the Best” attractions in the United States.

The hotel was the primary setting for the 2001 remake of Ocean’s 11. Amenities include a gym, a spa and salon, and valet parking; check-out time is an annoying 11 a.m. I have visited Bellagio many times, and enjoyed a fabulous dinner with a wonderful view of the Fountains. Bellagio has several acclaimed restaurants, including PRIME Steakhouse, Spago, and the Mayfair Supper Club. Bellagio is is good choice if you want luxury in the heart of the action. Bellagio joins Marriott’s “Luxury Collection”, which also includes the Royal Hawaiian at Waikiki.

ARIA Resort & Casino

This luxury resort is the primary property in the Las Vegas City Center. I have visited ARIA many times. I’ve seen a Cirque du Soleil show, indulged at its spa, which has among the best amenities on the Strip, and enjoyed dinners at its restaurants Bardot Brasserie, Jean Georges Steakhouse, and Carbone, where a bartender gave me a stack of branded coasters.

Other amenities include a gym and valet parking; check-out is at 11 a.m. ARIA joins Marriott’s “Autograph Collection”, which also includes a few of my favorites: the Brown Palace in Denver, the Mayflower in Washington, Casa Monica in Saint Augustine, and the Williamsburg Lodge in Virginia.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

This luxury hotel is also located center-Strip. Some of its rooms feature balconies, a rarity at casino hotels. Amenities include a casino, a gym, valet parking, and the Sahra Spa, Salon, and Hammam; check-out time is 11 a.m. I’ve visited Cosmopolitan many times; I’ve enjoyed burgers at Holsteins and drinks at Clique, but my favorite restaurant is Beauty & Essex, a semi-secret spot hidden behind a pawn shop. Cosmopolitan continues its affiliation with the “Autograph Collection”.

Park MGM

This boutique Las Vegas hotel took over the building that used to house the Monte Carlo. Amenities include a casino, a gym, a spa, and valet parking; check-out time is 11 a.m. The hotel is smoke-free. Park MGM becomes part of Marriott’s “Tribute Portfolio”, which also includes the Magnolia Hotel in Denver, where I once spent Christmas in a lovely suite.

Vdara Hotel & Spa

This upscale Las Vegas property doesn’t have its own casino, but it’s located in the City Center, so it’s the best of both worlds: a quiet and uncrowded space steps away from the action. I’ve stayed in a fabulous suite with a view of the Fountains at Bellagio and a kitchen — including a coffee maker, a rarity in Las Vegas. Amenities include a gym and valet parking; check-out is at 11 a.m.

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

This upscale Las Vegas property features a South Seas theme. Amenities include a gym, a spa, valet parking, and multiple pools, including a lazy river; check-out time is 11 a.m. I have visited Mandalay Bay many times. It is one of the best hotels on the Strip for happy-hour hopping, one of my favorite ways to dine. My go-to spots include: Hussong’s Cantina, Skyfall Lounge, and PRESS at Four Seasons, whose outdoor patio is one of the most serene spots I’ve found in Las Vegas.

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino

This mid-scale Las Vegas property fills the largest hotel building in the world. I stayed once in a cozy room and spent an afternoon at its spa and salon. Other amenities include a gym and valet parking; check-out is at 11 a.m.

The Signature at MGM Grand

This all-suites property is the MGM Grand’s hotel-within-a-hotel. Rooms have kitchenettes with coffee makers.

Excalibur Hotel & Casino

This mid-scale Las Vegas property has a medieval theme. Check-out time is 11 a.m.

Luxor Hotel and Casino

This mid-scale Las Vegas property has an ancient Egypt theme. Check-out time is 11 a.m.

New York New York Hotel & Casino

This mid-scale Las Vegas property has (you guessed it!) a New York City theme. Restaurants include a Bilt-affiliated Luke’s Lobster outlet. Check-out time is 11 a.m.

MGM National Harbor

This upscale property is in Maryland. I have visited this casino hotel across the Potomac River from Alexandria many times. I’ve enjoyed its spa and salon, gone to a concert in its Theater, and had wonderful dinners at Ginger and Voltaggio Brothers Steak House. Other amenities include a casino, a gym, and valet parking; check-out time is 11 a.m.

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