During my recent trip to Las Vegas, I wanted to indulge in some R&R after the chaos of the strip (and the wine!) from the night before. Booking a day pass at the MGM Grand Spa was the perfect way to get in some self care and recover!
I was staying at the MGM Grand Hotel, and I wanted to combine my spa day with some time at the outdoor pools and lazy river, so between the spa, the pools and the multiple eating options, I was set for the entire day.
Spending the day at the spa was actually part of a fabulous travel hack I just discovered: I was actually able to extend what would have been just a two-day trip — into an extra half day — because of the spa. Instead of flying home right after 11am checkout, we spent the entire day at the spa and pools, taking advantage of the spa lockers–and showers!–to freshen up after the pools. More on this travel hack later.
I spent several hours taking full advantage of the relaxation rooms, water therapy, sauna and other amenities. My time at the spa turned out to be the ultimate way to recharge in Las Vegas. Here’s a comprehensive review of my experience at the MGM Grand Spa.
Overview of the MGM Grand Spa
Overall, I really enjoyed my experience with a day pass at the MGM Grand Spa. It had a very tranquil vibe, was clean and peaceful, with some luxurious touches, and had all the amenities I was expecting.
Atmosphere and Ambiance
The front desk area feels very zen-like. Nice meditation music, minimalist yet beautiful. Very tranquil. I was there during the week, so there weren’t too many people, which made for a much more peaceful experience.
The lighting was beautiful – especially in the changing areas. I really loved the vanity area – this video doesn’t perfectly capture the golden glow – but I definitely felt like I was in a luxurious Vegas setting while doing my hair and makeup.
It’s like that upscale-Bellagio luxurious golden glow. You know what I mean?!
There were plenty of little touches that made the experience feel nice and peaceful. Including the natural color scheme of earthy-sand tiles in the showers, with with artsy-shaped sea-foam green glass containers that serve as used towel receptacles.
The whirlpool ambiance was nice as well. There was an interesting artsy glass privacy wall, as well and dim shifting rainbow lighting inside the pool.
Amenities
Amenities include a fairly large sized dry sauna, and equally large sized steam room, private changing areas with 3-way mirrors, 3 vanity sections, lockers, showers, and a lounge.
The heated whirlpool was a decent size – big enough to have your own little zone without feeling crowded if someone else gets in at the same time.
The lounge included around 8 comfortable couches and reclined couches for reading or checking your phone. The mini bar was stocked with apples, cucumber & flower water, assorted coffee and teas, granola bars, and some kind of m&m-looking candies.
When checking in, you’re given a plush robe (Oh! It was so comfy!) and plastic sandals to use. You’re also given a locker, which has a digital lock. The attendant will show you how to set the PIN when you check in. Towels are everywhere.
I will say that although they had all the basics, I still found it a bit lacking in products. The shampoos, conditioners and soaps smelled amazing. They provided hair dryers, lotion, razors, shaving cream, hairspray, tissues and one can of deodorant spray (despite 2 different vanity areas). But I didn’t see any Q-tips, cotton swabs, or anything else besides the basics. Although they did have a hair straightening iron available.
Additionally, the music wasn’t noticeable in many areas of the spa – until they turned the jets off at the end of the day.
There are spa products, and clothes, available for purchase at the outer front desk.
Services
The spa complex offers all the services you’d expect. On the first floor, there is a full-service salon that offers everything from nails, hair cut & color, blowouts, and makeup application.
There are also 30 treatment rooms for a variety of services: all kinds of massages, facials, body treatments, waxing, etc.
Layout
The entire spa & salon complex is quite large. You check in at the front desk near the outdoor pools, and walk past the gym and the salon before getting to the spa. They are on multiple levels.
It’s a moderately-large sized spa, but the layout feels somewhat maze-like, which was fun. It adds to the expansive other-worldly feeling.
Location
The Spa inside the MGM Grand is technically on the strip, but can be a pretty far walk, which is normal for Las Vegas. From the hotel front desk & rooms, you have to walk through the casino, past all the shops to the spa and pool area, which could take 15 minutes or more.
If you’re coming from somewhere else on the strip, the monorail ($15 for a day pass) stops near the front desk. Just be prepared with enough time for a walk if you’ve booked a service.
A Full day of Self-Care — Travel Hack
I just discovered the best travel hack that I’ll be definitely using again in the future, and I highly recommend it for maximizing your time while in Las Vegas!
So most hotels check out at around 11am, and – yes – you can use the pools for the day, but where will you shower before traveling home? The spa is the perfect solution! There are outdoor showers and (paid) lockers at the pool, but for $50, yes, I will opt for the spa.
And combine the spa experience with the outdoor pools and lazy river from 9am-6pm? Come home feeling clean and refreshed?! What a day. Fly home after dinner. I don’t want to waste a beautiful sunny day on the plane!
The Self-Care Day Itinerary
Here’s what you do: Stay at the MGM Grand Hotel so you can access the pools. Check out before 11am (earlier to avoid lines) and check your bags for the day for free at the bell hop. Bring a backpack for the day and check into the spa, storing your things in the locker.
You can go back out to the pool complex and get some sun in the lazy river. Bring your own floatie to avoid paying $30 for one at the shop. Beware – the day drinkers get more rowdy as it gets later, so I recommend lazy river around noonish – but it’s all fun. There’s also a restaurant at the pools that has a decent salad for lunch. If not, there are a few more restaurants between the casino and the pools.
Then go back to the spa, enjoy the whirlpool, sauna and steam room, and take your time cleaning up and getting ready before 6pm. Then grab dinner before your evening flight, feeling clean, beautiful, rested and rejuvenated!
What I loved most about the MGM Grand Spa
- I loved those curved chairs near the whirlpool. Having your feet above your head – oh, they are so comfortable! It’s a great atmosphere in that section.
- I also loved the lighting in the vanity areas – especially the one section tucked away in the back – I had so much privacy. Again, the golden lighting back there was exquisite and I had the whole place to myself.
- I also loved the 3-way mirrors in the changing room to check out my whole look.
What I didn’t love about the MGM Grand Spa
- The vibe was great but the music could have been more audible throughout the spa.
- Most of the staff – with the exception of one – was wonderful and had great energy.
- I’m gluten and dairy free, so I would have appreciated more than just apples as snacks. The granola bars were generic gluten ones – so maybe some gluten free bars would be great. And some nuts instead of candies.
