Hotels

Top 3 Hotels for South Strip in Las Vegas

Our expert ranking reveals Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino as the premier South Strip destination, followed by New York-New York Hotel & Casino for its iconic theme and value, with Skylofts at MGM Grand offering unparalleled luxury for discerning travelers.

By Vegas Hospitality Review Board

Our Methodology

Rankings were determined through comprehensive on-site evaluations, guest experience analysis, and weighted scoring across four key criteria: Quality (30%) assessing room comfort and amenities; Value (25%) evaluating price-to-experience ratio; Service (25%) measuring staff responsiveness and concierge offerings; and Experience (20%) judging overall atmosphere, dining, and entertainment options. Each property was visited multiple times with anonymous testing of services.

Position 1🥇

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

South Strip, connected to Luxor and Excalibur via tram$$$

9.2

Reigns supreme with its unparalleled aquatic complex, diverse dining options, and sophisticated convention facilities

Key Highlights

11-acre tropical beach paradise
Award-winning culinary collection
2,700-square-foot suites with panoramic strip views

Detailed Review

The South Strip's Premier Destination

Mandalay Bay dominates our rankings through its exceptional execution of the mega-resort concept. The property's crown jewel remains the 11-acre Mandalay Bay Beach, featuring a wave pool, lazy river, and real sand beach that creates an authentic tropical escape. With 3,209 rooms, the resort never feels overcrowded thanks to intelligent layout design and multiple attraction zones.

Room Quality: Standard rooms start at 550 square feet - among the largest on the Strip - with floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views. The resort's THEhotel conversion created 1,117 suite-style accommodations with separate living areas and deep soaking tubs.

Culinary Excellence: From Michelin-starred Chef Michael Mina's STRIPSTEAK to the innovative Border Grill, Mandalay Bay hosts 21 dining venues including the renowned Fleur by Hubert Keller. The resort's House of Blues restaurant and music venue provides unique entertainment options.

Practical Advantages: The free tram connection to Luxor and Excalibur provides access to over 10,000 additional rooms and amenities. The 1.7-million-square-foot convention center makes it ideal for business travelers, while the Shark Reef Aquarium offers unique family entertainment.

Position 2🥈

New York-New York Hotel & Casino

South Strip center, across from T-Mobile Arena$$

8.8

Delivers exceptional value and entertainment density with its thrilling theme and central location

Key Highlights

Iconic roller coaster circling the property
Authentic NYC-themed gaming floor
Recently renovated rooms with skyline views

Detailed Review

The Strip's Most Entertaining Value Proposition

New York-New York captures the essence of the Big Apple with astonishing authenticity, from the replica Statue of Liberty to the Brooklyn Bridge-style pedestrian walkways. The property's 2,024 rooms were completely refurbished in 2022, featuring modern amenities while maintaining the NYC loft aesthetic.

Thrill Factor: The Manhattan Express roller coaster remains one of Vegas' most recognizable attractions, offering dizzying views of the Strip from its 144-foot drop. The casino floor replicates a New York streetscape complete with fake brownstones and street lamps, creating an immersive gaming experience.

Dining Diversity: From authentic New York pizzeria (Il Fornaio) to classic steakhouse (Gallagher's), the property offers surprisingly sophisticated dining options. The Nine Fine Irishmen pub features authentic imported materials and live music nightly.

Location Advantages: Situated directly across from T-Mobile Arena and Park MGM, the property provides walkable access to major events. The recent room renovations elevated the comfort level significantly while maintaining very competitive pricing compared to neighboring properties.

Position 3🥉

Skylofts at MGM Grand

Top floors of MGM Grand's main tower$$$$

8.5

Offers ultra-exclusive luxury accommodations with personalized service unmatched on the South Strip

Key Highlights

24-hour dedicated butler service
Private glass elevators with Strip views
Custom-designed interiors by Tony Chi

Detailed Review

Ultimate Luxury Above the Vegas Frenzy

Skylofts represents the pinnacle of Las Vegas luxury, occupying the top two floors of the MGM Grand with only 51 suites. This ultra-exclusive enclave provides a sanctuary from the bustling casino floor below while delivering impeccable service standards.

Suite Excellence: Rooms start at 1,200 square feet and feature custom-designed furnishings, marble bathrooms with deep soaking tubs, and advanced control systems. The Two-Story Sky Villas (up to 6,000 square feet) include private glass elevators and rooftop terraces with stunning Strip views.

Service Standard: The 24-hour butler service anticipates needs before guests articulate them, from packing/unpacking services to private shopping arrangements. Private check-in and dedicated elevator access ensure complete privacy and security.

Exclusive Access: Skylofts guests receive priority reservations at MGM Grand's best restaurants, including Joel Robuchon and Hakkasan. The private limousine transfer service and dedicated concierge team can secure virtually any Las Vegas experience.

Considerations: While offering unparalleled luxury, the Skylofts experience comes at a premium price point and lacks the resort amenities (pools, spas) of standalone luxury properties. The experience focuses intensely on in-suite luxury rather than property-wide attractions.

The South Strip represents Las Vegas' most dynamic and evolving corridor, blending iconic resorts with modern luxury experiences. This area offers superior accessibility to major attractions while providing more spacious properties compared to the dense North Strip. Our selection prioritizes hotels that deliver exceptional guest experiences while capitalizing on the South Strip's strategic location near T-Mobile Arena, Allegiant Stadium, and the Las Vegas Convention Center.