The Ultimate Guide: Hotels Near Mandalay Bay Convention Center

Welcome to Las Vegas, a city built on calculated bets and engineered schemes . Your trip to a conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center will need its own plan. Deciding on the location of the hotel is the first step on the foundation of making the trip worthwhile and productive. This guide is more than a collection of names and addresses. It is an operational guide to overcoming the most critical logistical hurdles that each participant must grapple with to ensure that business goals, and not environmental distractions, are the primary focus. 

Solving Proximity: Walk vs. Tram Hotels

At a Las Vegas convention, proximity is the most critical resource. Any time not spent traveling can be spent meeting with a client and preparing a presentation. The hotels next to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center fall into two categories. The first are those with direct, controlled passage to the conference center. The second category consists of the hotels with tram service to the conference center. Your choice between the two will determine the tempo of your schedule.

The Walkers: Hotels of Unparalleled Convenience

These hotels offer the unique on-site benefit of being connected to the convention center, with the added bonus of being only a short indoor stroll from the room to the show floor. This is the ultimate in convenience, as no outside transportation is necessary.

1. Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

• Recommendation Focus: This is the best option for full immersion with maximum convenience.
• Details: The indoor 2-7 minute walk is unrivaled and since you live at the venue as the host hotel, the advantage is huge. This is for the people who desire a full-scale resort with immediate access to a convention and a huge variety of entertainment and dining.
• Price Range: $$$

2. Delano Las Vegas

• Recommendation Focus: The quiet sophisticated retreat with direct access is best served here.
• Details: Connected to the Mandalay Bay, Non-gaming all-suite Delano is a retreat from the busy casino floor. The 5-8 minute indoor walk is the same as Mandalay Bay offering convenience from a calm and stylish surrounding. This is best served to executives, or any people in need of a quiet work environment.
• Price Range: $$$$

3. Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas

• Recommendation Focus: Best for discretion, highest level of luxury, and elite service.
• Details: A non-gaming hotel, this one luxor hotel and casino provides a world-class luxury experience. Besides, guests love the serene 5-8 minute indoor, and insulated stroll to the convention center. The serene walk allows the guests to avoid the crowd. It serves best for hosting c-suite clients and for travelers with a high service expectation. 
• Price Range: $$$$$

The Tram Riders: Smart & Connected Hotels

These, connected by the free Aria Express Tram, smartly balance the the convenience and price. A few minute long tram ride, enclosed, and with climate control, will drop you off at the Mandalay Bay campus. It is just a few minutes 

1. Luxor Hotel and Casino

• Recommendation Focus: Most balanced value for a connected hotel. 
• Details:  It is smart choice for teams and individuals looking to balance budget and convenience. The total journey via a short indoor walk, and a 3-minute tram ride, is typically 10-15 minutes. It provides solid accommodations and amenities at a significantly lower price than the walker hotels. Besides, its iconic Pyramid design makes the stay memorable.  
• Price Range: $$

2. Excalibur Hotel & Casino

• Recommendation Focus: The best value option, along the campus tram line.
• Details: The most affordable hotel with a direct tram connection is Excalibur which is practical when maximizing your dollars spent. The ride which lasts for 12-18 minutes is direct & efficient. It serves as a base for meeting different attendee needs, especially for those with budget constraints. 
• Price Range: $ 

Proximity Comparison at a Glance

Solving Your Budget: From Suites to Savings

After determining your proximity to the event, the next filter for your choice is proximity. The hospitality industry in Las Vegas is known to have a wide range of pricing, from lavish suites to no-frill basic cabins. We have designed the most convenient hotel options into three tiers to help you devise an accommodation plan in accordance with your budget. 

Premium Tier: The Executive Experience

The hotels in this category focus on service, exclusivity, and luxury. They’re aimed at those who want to close business deals in peace and style, and are willing to pay for top-tier amenities and seamless service. 

1. Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas: Located in the southern strip area which is the most luxurious zone in the city, this hotel is top-rated for service in Las Vegas. It is regarded as a world-class establishment, and undesputably the best hotel in the area, known for its exceptional service in a non-gaming and non-smoking environment.
2. Delano Las Vegas: Offers an all-suite experience with adjustable perks where one can think the hotel to be a chic residential tower and not a sprawling resort. The calm aura in the minimalist design and the separate, non gamimg lobby is inviting with refined order.  

Mid-Range Tier: The Heart of the Action

This tier is more intermediate and provides classic median priced Las Vegas resort experience with plenty of amenities to offer. These hotels in its eclectic environment can spice up the dull days of a business trip as they serve as enjoyable pinch-me spots too.  

1. Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino: The epitome of a resort in the heart of the convention center. Make a splash with its massive pool. Grab a bite with its extensive dining, and order room service through the convention center. The quintessential choice with a perfect balance of amenities and proximity.  
2. The Signature at MGM Grand: This hotel is an all suite, non-gaming property. While there is not a direct tram connection, a short walk gets you to climate control and the MGM Grand and its Monorail station, where one stop from the MGM Grand station connects you to the south end of the strip. The hotel is quieter and more upscale with superb value for those who appreciate having a kitchenette in every suite and do not mind the longer stroll, as it is not on the tram line.

Budget-Smart Tier: Practicality and Value

For those focused on maximizing their ROI, these hotels provide comfortable accommodations and unparalleled convenience for their price point. They are the workhorses of the convention circuit, delivering exactly what you need without expensive frills.

1. Luxor Hotel and Casino: Offers a unique theme and solid amenities with the incredible advantage of the tram connection. The value proposition is difficult to beat.
2. Excalibur Hotel & Casino: The most budget-friendly option that is still directly connected to the campus. It’s a no-nonsense choice for attendees who plan to spend the majority of their time at the convention center and simply need a clean, safe, and convenient place to sleep.

Hotel Comparison at a Glance

An Exhibitor’s Guide to a Successful Show

For an exhibitor, a successful trade show is about more than just a convenient hotel. Your choice of room is a matter of personal logistics, but the design and execution of your booth is a matter of corporate survival on the show floor. In a space as vast and visually noisy as the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, your exhibit is your primary weapon in the war for attention. You have mere seconds to capture the interest of a passing decision-maker, and in those seconds, your booth must communicate your brand’s quality, message, and value proposition. It must be more than a space; it must be an experience.

A well-designed and professionally built booth is the cornerstone of that success. As you plan your trip, ensure your trade show partner can deliver your vision. Aplus Expo specializes in creating memorable trade show booths in Las Vegas and beyond. With roots in this city since 2008, we are a professional exhibition booth contractor, manufacturer, and builder providing specialized solutions from custom booths and modular displays to 3D designs and graphics printing. We handle the design, construction, and logistics, so you can focus on what matters most: your business. Think of us as your extended team, sharing the same objective of a higher return on investment. Learn more at www.aplusexpo.com.

Solving Your Schedule: Where to Eat & Meet

Choreographed timing is essential as your time at the convention includes a series of strategically planned meetings, a presentation, and finally the opportunity to network. Knowing where to go for a team huddle or a critical client dinner saves precious time and energy.

Pre-Show Briefings: Coffee and Strategy

You must leave your team’s prized convention rallying point. Ideally, all members will be able to huddle long before the convention floor opens.

1. Starbucks (Multiple Locations in Mandalay Bay): There is no need to explain why speed, consistency, and familiarity are valued. In the time you have to grab a coffee and confirm the talking points for the day, which is 15 minutes, Starbucks is very reachable and valuable. In these situations, coffee is inevitable, and the line to get your order is massive. What is your order from Starbucks. 

2. Seabreeze Cafe (Mandalay Bay): In the in-house meeting, the first place you turn to is for the rest of the meeting is the second part of the Mandalay Bay. It’s light on the madness of the convention. Goes with the Texas slogan of ‘breakfast tacos for everybody’. Not only is it a 20 minutes of light convention, it is a plus for people who are busy. 

Post-Show Networking: Cocktails and Contracts

When you walk outside the venue, the shows you will realize often concealed the truth. There is an ideal place for the guest where it starts to head to the truth and reveal it behind. It looks a bit golden hour: you get the sun and it looks from the behind almost two. Building a good mood to work with is important.

1. Skyfall Lounge (Delano): Sit back and have a quaint conversation on the 64th floor while admiring the stunning 64th floor views from the open air lounge. The melody of a soothing voice sung by a live performer can make the bar a perfect place for a cocktail. The lounge does not only offer cocktails, but a 360 view of the fabulous Las Vegas Strip. The view speaks for itself, and you can make use of the bar for the ease of shooting an amazing conversation starter.  

2. Foundation Room (Mandalay Bay): Enjoy an intimate, high-spirited atmosphere while you sip on cocktails on the balcony overlooking the city. The Foundation room is a relaxed yet high-energy venue surrounded by sophisticated elegance. Perfect for a celebratory meeting with long-standing business partners or networking events with industry peers. The decor shifts the atmosphere to a private club, making the room feel exclusive for your business meeting.  

Solving Vegas Transport: Airport to Aisle

Arriving to the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) marks the beggining of the trip. The tedious task of reaching a hotel can be the first victory of the trip.

Even though the airport is right next to the Strip, the drive time is unpredictable. Something that takes 10 minutes to do in the middle of the night could, during busy event times, take as much as 40 minutes. Always factor in additional time.

Here is the summary of the main options:

At Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, ride-hailing services have a designated pickup zone on the roof of the parking garage. Taxis can be obtained right outside of the baggage claim area. Shuttles are the cheapest method, but be ready to stop at various hotels before arriving at your destination.

Solving Downtime: Relax & Recharge Options

Remember, an exhibition is a race that takes the entire day. Getting time to rest is a powerful addition to help you perform better during the day. Numerous options are available on the Mandalay Bay campus to recharge your batteries to help perform better.

Find Sanctuary at a Spa: Spa Mandalay has a more open, tranquil setting and a more diverse approach. For more privacy and a quaint setting, the Bathouse Spa at Delano is demure. The Mandalay Bay Beach has a wonderful 11-acre water park. For utmost relaxation, however, renting a cabana at the adults-only Moorea Beach Club is suggested. This space is quiet, posh, and allows sunbathers to rest and eliminate the excess stimulation typical of the Vegas Strip.

Immerse Yourself in Entertainment: Just as work can be overbearing at times, a breather can be as simple as witnessing a phenomenon. One such attraction, and a resident show at the Mandalay bay, Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque Du Soleil, serves a stunning combination of dance, acrobatics, and music, making it a visual and acrobatic feast. Just as enticing but more subdued, the Shark Reef Aquarium offers a wandering exotic escape that offers some serenity. 

Final Checklist for Booking Your Stay

You have the options, the plan, and the strategy. It is time to put it to completion. With this last list, we can guarantee a seamless and flawless reservation experience.  

[ ] Confirm your exact conference and travel dates. Double-check any pre-show setup days or post-show travel plans.

[ ] Select your hotel tier based on your budget and strategic needs. Decide whether the absolute convenience of a “walker” hotel outweighs the value of a “tram rider.”

[ ] Book as early as possible. Hotel rates in Las Vegas are dynamic and escalate dramatically during large conventions. Securing your room months in advance can save you thousands.

[ ] Account for the Resort Fee. Nearly all Las Vegas hotels charge a mandatory daily resort fee (typically $40-$50 per night) that is not included in the initial room rate. Factor this into your final budget.

[ ] If you are an exhibitor, confirm your booth arrangements. Ensure your exhibit partner, like Aplus Expo, has your logistics handled, so your focus can remain on your business upon arrival.