text: The MGM Grand Hotel & Casino has my all-time favorite pool. Some don't like the pool because it is crowded and can be loud in certain areas (namely, around the lazy river). I, however, love the lively energy of the pool. The music, the people, the lazy river and flowing drinks all add up to a great day in the sun. Besides, if you really do want a quieter lounging experience, stay in the first pool to the right. The music is more mellow there (a lot of Classic Rock and Oldies) and the crowd isn't there for the party so you won't be disturbed while taking your sun-induced naps. And, if you do choose to drink, the cocktail servers are more attentive in this section since they don't have 20 drunk frat boys yelling for another round constantly.\n\nAlso, this pool is one of the best places to people watch. I have seen crazy, gross, hilarious and sad all in one day before.\n\nNow for the rooms. The beds here are the most comfortable beds I have slept on in Vegas. They look nice too, with white comforters accented by navy blue (in most rooms). I am often times tempted to go to Vegas just to sleep all weekend in one of those beds. The standard rooms aren't anything spectacular, but those beds make up for the lack of pizazz. \n\nThe rooms in the towers are nicer and more spacious than the rooms in the main hotel. Regardless of what room you stay in, YOU WILL GET LOST the first 5 times you try to get there. \n\nThe MGM is massive. One of the biggest and most spread out casino/hotel/entertainment centers in Vegas. You can follow the signs all you want but you will still get lost. After a day or two you should get used to walking around and will only have to use the signs as a basic guide. You will know to stay to the left of such and such restaurant to get to the side of the casino that leads to the pool. You will know that if you can find the \"walk\" then you can find the pool and the chain restaurants. So on and so on. The most difficult part of navigating the MGM is realizing that despite the MGM's strip location, their lobby/valet/taxi area is relatively far off the strip on Tropicana. So if you try to find the \"front\" of the hotel by using your natural sense of direction, you will end up in the sports book. \n\nMGM also houses Studio 54 nightclub which is a great club several nights a week. Tuesdays and Fridays have both been fun there. \n\nI rarely play the table games at the MGM. The $10 tables are usually too crowded and I refuse to EVER play more than that as a minimum bet. What's the point? I can bet $50 a hand at a $10 table, but don't have to if I'm not feelin' the cards.\n\nIf you like slot machines, you will be in heaven. There are more slot machines than people on the casino floor... and the casino floor is always busy.\n\nThe dining options at MGM are varied. You can get McDonald's, greasy chinese, pizza, starbucks/cafe food or you can go to one of their many sit down restaurants. They have a buffet which is pretty decent. Coupons are always floating around for the buffet and I would definitely suggest finding one first unless you want to pay $25-$30 for brunch. The cheapest sit down is the Rainforest Cafe. \n\nThe only \"upscale\" restaurant I have eaten at in the MGM is Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill. It was OK but definitely not worth the [moderate] price tag and the service was far less than stellar. We actually had to send our water and glasses back because they had a weird fishy/river/mildew smell. The wine selection for \"by the glass\" was lacking. We left full, but not satisfied and vowed to go to a non-hotel restaurant the next time. Also, they claim to be a casual attire restaurant but nobody (including us because we were heading to a club afterward) was dressed casually and I'm sure anyone who did dress casually would have felt under dressed. \n\nThis hotel isn't intended for children. It has more upscale restaurants, shows and entertainment options that most kids would not enjoy. Also, they will get tired just walking from one end to the other. I always say Circus Circus is the best kid-friendly hotel anyway (see other review). Kids will likely enjoy the lion habitat but not for long as the lions don't do much most of the time... so don't make any special trips if you are short on time. Of course, M&M World is just a few minutes walk down the strip so you could always park at MGM, hit the lion habitat and then head to M&M World for some colorful browsing.