You’re driving down Las Vegas Boulevard. The neon is blinding, the music from the Bellagio fountains is echoing three blocks away, and every hotel looks like a giant, shimmering castle or a pyramid. Then you see it. The gold.
The Hotel Delano Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay stands out because it doesn't try so hard to be "Vegas." It’s a 43-story tower of burnished gold glass that feels more like a South Beach import than a desert gambling hall. Honestly, that’s exactly the point. When MGM Resorts rebranded the old THEhotel into the Delano back in 2014, they weren't just changing the signs on the door. They were trying to capture a specific type of traveler—someone who wants the chaos of the Strip within arm's reach but doesn't want to wake up in the middle of it.
The "No Casino" Paradox
Here is the first thing people get wrong about the Hotel Delano Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay: they think it’s a separate resort. It’s not. It’s a "hotel-within-a-hotel." It occupies one of the towers at the Mandalay Bay complex, but it functions with its own distinct personality.
Walk into the lobby. It’s quiet. There are no slot machines ringing. No cigarette smoke. Just massive, 10-foot-tall split boulders of meta-quartzite from the Nevada desert and a scent that smells like expensive lemongrass. It’s calming. You’ve got the Mandalay Bay casino just a short walk through a connecting corridor, but the Delano itself is a sanctuary. This is a huge deal for business travelers or families who need a break from the sensory overload of the casino floor.
What the Rooms are Actually Like
Every single room at the Delano is a suite. That’s the big selling point. You aren't cramped into a 350-square-foot box. The standard King Suite is about 725 square feet. That’s bigger than many studio apartments in New York or San Francisco.
The layout is smart. You have a separate living room with a 46-inch flat-screen, a wet bar, and a massive sofa. Then there’s the bedroom, usually with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over either the glittering Strip or the mountains. The bathrooms are heavy on marble with a separate powder room—meaning you have two toilets in one suite. It sounds like overkill until you’re getting ready for dinner with a partner and realize how much better life is when you aren't fighting for the sink.
The aesthetic is very white-on-white. It’s crisp. It’s clean. Some people find it a bit clinical, but most find it a refreshing change from the heavy, gold-and-purple "regal" themes found at places like Caesars Palace or The Venetian.
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Eating and Drinking Without the Crowds
Della’s Kitchen is the hidden gem here. They call it "historic farmhouse meets urban kitchen." Basically, it’s where you go for breakfast when you don't want to stand in a two-hour line at a buffet. They use regional ingredients. The eggs are fresh. The coffee is strong. It feels like a real restaurant, not a high-volume feeding station.
Then there is Skyfall Panoramic Lounge. Located on the 64th floor, it offers 180-degree views of the city. Honestly, it’s one of the best views in Las Vegas, period. Most people flock to the High Roller or the Stratosphere for views, but Skyfall lets you watch the sunset with a cocktail in hand and a DJ playing chill house music in the background. It’s sophisticated.
Right next to it is Rivea, Alain Ducasse’s restaurant. It’s French-Italian fusion. The small plates are the move here. Try the provencal caponata. It’s the kind of food that reminds you Las Vegas has become a world-class culinary destination, even if the guy at the slot machine downstairs is eating a 99-cent hot dog.
The Mandalay Bay Connection
Staying at the Hotel Delano Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay gives you a "key to the city" vibe for the rest of the property. You get full access to the Mandalay Bay Beach. This isn't just a pool; it’s an 11-acre aquatic playground.
- The Wave Pool is the centerpiece.
- The Lazy River is where you spend your Sunday morning.
- There’s real sand.
- You can access the Shark Reef Aquarium without leaving the climate-controlled indoors.
But here’s the trade-off: The Delano has its own private pool, the Delano Beach Club. It’s smaller, more exclusive, and much quieter. If you want to read a book, go to the Beach Club. If you want to see a frat party in the wave pool, head over to the main Mandalay area. Having the choice is the luxury.
Why Location Matters (and Why It Doesn't)
The Delano is at the far south end of the Strip. Let’s be real: you aren't walking to the Wynn from here. You’re not even really walking to the Bellagio unless you want a three-mile hike in 105-degree heat.
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However, the location has perks. It’s the closest hotel to the airport. You can be off your plane and in your suite in 15 minutes. It’s also right across the bridge from Allegiant Stadium. If you’re in town for a Raiders game or a massive concert, the Hotel Delano Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay is arguably the best place to stay. You avoid the gridlock of the mid-Strip and can literally walk to the game.
There’s also a free tram. It connects Mandalay Bay (and the Delano) to Luxor and Excalibur. It’s a bit kitschy, but it’s a lifesaver if you want to get a little further north without calling an Uber every five minutes.
The Bathhouse Spa
If you stay here, you have to look into the Bathhouse Spa. It doesn’t feel like a typical hotel gym/spa combo. It’s dark, slate-heavy, and very Zen. They have these "Global Journeys" treatments that are inspired by different regions like India or Asia. It’s expensive. But it’s also one of the few places on the Strip where you can genuinely forget you’re in a city built on gambling and desperation.
Logistics and Reality Checks
Let’s talk about the fees because Vegas loves a fee. Like almost every major resort, there is a daily resort fee. This covers your Wi-Fi, fitness center access, and local calls. It’s usually around $40-$50 per night on top of the room rate. Parking is also no longer free. If you’re driving, factor in another $18-$25 per day for self-parking or more for valet.
Also, keep in mind that because the Delano is a "boutique" experience, the staff-to-guest ratio is generally better than at the massive 4,000-room towers nearby. You get faster check-ins. The bellmen usually remember your name. It feels more personal.
Comparing the Competition
People often ask if they should stay at the Delano or the Vdara. Both are non-gaming, non-smoking towers.
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Vdara is more centrally located (near Aria and Cosmopolitan). It’s sleeker and feels a bit more "tech-forward."
The Hotel Delano Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay feels more like a resort. Because you have the massive Mandalay Bay infrastructure behind you—the concerts, the beach, the massive convention center—you get the "big Vegas" experience with a "small hotel" escape route. Vdara can sometimes feel a bit isolated by comparison.
Expert Tips for Your Stay
If you want the best experience, request a Strip-view suite on a high floor. The "scenic" side faces the mountains, which is beautiful at sunset, but the Strip view is what you’re paying for.
Use the Delano’s secondary entrance for Ubers. Most people get dropped off at the main Mandalay Bay entrance and have to walk through the entire casino with their luggage. Don’t do that. Tell your driver you want the Delano valet. It drops you right at the boulders.
Check out the "Franklin" lounge in the lobby at night. It’s dark, moody, and they have a great selection of craft whiskeys. It’s a great spot for a "nightcap" before heading upstairs. It feels very "old Vegas" in terms of class, but "new Vegas" in terms of the cocktail menu.
Is It Worth It?
Honestly, it depends on what you want. If you want to walk out of your room and immediately be greeted by the "ding-ding-ding" of a Buffalo Gold slot machine, the Delano will frustrate you. You have to walk about five minutes to get to the gambling.
But if you want a sophisticated base of operations—a place where the sheets are high-thread-count, the rooms are huge, and the air doesn't smell like a 1980s bowling alley—then the Hotel Delano Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay is a top-three choice on the Strip. It manages to be cool without being pretentious. It’s luxury, but it’s accessible luxury.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Event Calendar: Before booking, check if there is a major convention at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center or a game at Allegiant Stadium. This can triple the room rates overnight.
- Join MGM Rewards: Even if you don't gamble, joining the loyalty program often gets you a "member rate" that is 10-15% lower than what you’ll find on third-party travel sites.
- Reservations for Skyfall: If you want a window table for the sunset at Skyfall, book it at least a week in advance. It’s the most popular spot in the tower for a reason.
- Download the App: Use the MGM Resorts app for digital check-in. The line at the front desk can be short, but skipping it entirely and going straight to your gold-glass suite is even better.
The Delano remains a standout because it respects the guest's need for space and silence. In a city that never shuts up, that’s the ultimate luxury.