In years past, a good friend and former colleague of mine sold me on the Prestige level suites at the Palazzo on the Las Vegas Strip. And, when I tell you that I loved it, I mean it. A private check in (read: so many less people)? Sign me up. Reserved pool chairs? Absolutely. Lounge access with a complimentary evening light bites and drinks? It’s basically paying for itself.
However, the Palazzo was just a fling because I have since found my true Las Vegas love: the Park MGM.
My husband and I first stayed at the Park MGM in November of 2021. We were coming off COVID and in town for a college basketball tournament. Well, he was in town for college basketball, I was there for the vibes. Our alma mater was playing at T-Mobile Stadium and the Park’s walking distance convenience is hard to beat if you are in town for an event at T-Mobile.
And so it began.
Not only did I immediately drink the Kool-Aid, I keep going back to the Park MGM for more.
The Park MGM: Foot Loose + Smoke Free
Right off the bat, the Park MGM is a smoke-free property. There are only a few hotels on the strip that are smoke-free, and the Park is the only hotel that is both smoke free and has a casino. Ya girl loves the casino. My lungs and eyes appreciate the clean environment, and while it doesn’t completely stop people from vaping – it makes a huge difference in the air quality.
Next up, I am past my clubbing days – the big clubs like Tao or XS were for mini skirt days, which are long gone. I still love to dance in my sensible but cute shoes and On the Record is great for the oldies but goodies like me. There are multiple rooms and music-styles, there’s an outdoor section to cool down (and keep dancing) and it’s just right there at the Park. My feet couldn’t be happier.
The Park MGM: Best of Friends
Walking back to the restaurant you’ll pass through plastic strip curtains that makes you feel like you are going into a commercial freezer. Instead, you are met on the other side by a vibrant restaurant with a DJ, live plants on the ceiling and a waitstaff in retro jumpsuits.
When it comes to dining experiences, Best Friend by Roy Choi is right there at the top for me. The bodega-style entrance is quirky and colorful with neon signage (who loves neon? This girl.) There are retro products for look and no touch, a bar for walk-ins and limited seating.
And that’s just the atmosphere. The menu is simple but everything boasts deep flavors dripping with Korean street culture. You cannot go wrong with the Chef’s Menu, which I recommend for first-timers.
Reservations are recommended, and I suggest when you book your next Las Vegas trip you also get yourself a seat at Best Friend. Better to have and cancel than the miss out.
The Park MGM: A Poolside Spritz Life for Me
Now, I am on the mindset that the Las Vegas Strip is not a place for kiddos; however I know many, many families travel to Las Vegas for a variety of reasons. And thus, I bring you the adult-only pool.
The Park MGM has an 18+ pool with great sun and even better spritzes (IYKYK). Reserve front row lounge chairs or a cabana and you’re guaranteed the best of both worlds: sun and shade. Lounge chairs come in pairs, with a guaranteed umbrella. There are other seats available, however, umbrellas are a commodity and the reserved loungers are worth the shade, I promise you. You can reserve seating ahead of time here, or purchase them same-day when you arrive at the pool depending on availability.
If you’re me (which you’re obviously not), you maximize your sun time and eat two meals poolside: avocado toast with an egg (fyi: it’s hardboiled) and spicy tuna poke bowl, with a sizable Aperol spritz to hydrate.
The Park MGM: Easy, Peasy – Walkable, Not Sleazy
If a smoke-less casino and adult-only pool with delicious food isn’t enough to convince you, let me wrap up with the Park MGM’s convenient location. I typically arrive first when meeting friends in Sin City, and make the 10 minute walk over to Target for snacks and beverages, specifically sparkling water.
I rarely leave the Park MGM during my stay, as my attention is held by the green striped pool umbrellas, smoke-free casino and plethora of Aperol spritzes. If yours isn’t, and you’re looking for more, you are a quick jaunt to the Cosmo and Aria for more restaurant options, bigger clubs and casinos.
Or, in the opposite direction, you can pop over to the NYNY and, while not smoke-free, typically offers lower table minimums (def. not a guarantee) and a rollercoaster for the thrill seekers.
Oh, and before I forget, while I love almost everything about the Park MGM, there are no coffee makers in the rooms (suites, yes, rooms no.) If you’re like me and survive on caffeine, you can usually mobile order from the Park MGM Starbucks, or go extra bougie and order coffee from room service.
Have you stayed at the Park MGM? Give them a shout out in the comments – and let me know if you loved your stay at much as I always do.