text: [I should have written my review right after I stayed at Mandalay but I'm a bit delayed on my blogging.]\n\nI have thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Mandalay Bay in the early part of December 2010.  Over the many visits I've made to Vegas, I never intended to stay at Mandalay due to its location but because the room was comped and didn't feel like paying up to stay closer to the strip, I went with Mandalay.  \n\nFirst impressions:  beautiful exterior and interior architecture throughout the property.  Attributes both theme and classic Vegas styles.  \n\nCheck-In\n\nI arrived at the resort on a Friday late afternoon right around the time when check-in generally begins.  It wasn't as crowded as I was expecting so maybe I just got lucky.   The agent clearly directed my way toward the elevators and a few great tips and onward headed toward the room.\n\nThe Room\n\nBefore heading my way toward Vegas, I took a sneak peak at oyster.com website where it shows the actual picture of the room I had reserved.  Clearly, it seemed right on so I wasn't disappointed when I entered.  Nice layout and fairly spacious.  \n\nThe Gaming Area\n\nPretty spacious and large.  Seemed pretty ordinary compared to the other properties.  Definitely more high limit than others but that's definitely expected.  \n\nRestaurants\n\nCan't say at all because I didn't dine at any of the restaurants on-site.\n\n... now, the negative comments\n\nI love everything about Mandalay after my first experience, HOWEVER it's pretty far from the center strip area (4 corners--Caesars/Bellagio/Flamingo/Bally's-Paris) area.  I really don't spend much time in the room unless I'm with a significant other :p  but besides that, I'm usually hanging out toward the center strip area so the walk/cab ride is a bit unfriendly.  I also wish there was some sort of direct monorail system from Mandalay to City Center or to Bellagio instead of taking the tram from Mandalay to Luxor, walk across to MGM and take the tram from thereafter.  \n\nSo the question is would I stay there again?  Perhaps if I'm able to get it comped.  Location is far more important for me than the quality of the room or hotel.  I'd have to weigh all of the options then.\n\nOverall Grade: A / A-