When you’re standing at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip, staring up at that shimmering gold tower, it’s hard not to feel a bit small. Mandalay Bay is massive. It’s iconic. But if you’ve ever hopped into one of the elevators or tried to count the rows of windows from the pool deck, you might have noticed things don't quite add up. People ask how many floors at Mandalay Bay all the time, expecting a simple answer.
It’s 43.
Well, technically. But also, not really.
If you look at the elevator buttons, you’ll see numbers that go way higher than 43. If you’re a fan of floor-numbering trivia (and honestly, who isn't?), this place is basically a playground of architectural quirks and psychological branding. The "official" floor count is 43 stories, but the way those floors are labeled is a whole different story involving superstitions, luxury sub-hotels, and a renumbering project following the darkest chapter in the resort's history.
The 43-Story Illusion
So, let's get the logistics out of the way first. Mandalay Bay stands 480 feet tall. In the world of Vegas mega-resorts, that’s actually a bit of a mid-weight. For comparison, the Strat towers over everything at 1,149 feet, and even the Fontainebleau hits 67 stories.
But 43 floors is still plenty of space to pack in over 3,200 rooms.
The building is shaped like a giant "Y," a design meant to maximize those Strip views that everyone pays the big bucks for. If you’re staying in the main tower, you’re basically in one of the three wings. However, the "how many floors" question gets tricky because Mandalay Bay isn't just one hotel. It's a "hotel within a hotel" situation.
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The Four Seasons "Secret" Floors
High up near the top of the tower—specifically on floors 35 through 39—you aren't actually in Mandalay Bay anymore. You’re in the Four Seasons Las Vegas.
It’s kinda wild when you think about it. You use a completely different entrance, different elevators, and a different lobby, but you’re physically inside the same golden glass skin. Because the Four Seasons occupies that specific chunk of the upper floors, the "regular" Mandalay Bay guest elevators skip them entirely.
What’s with the skipping numbers?
If you’ve ever been in a Vegas elevator and felt like you were teleporting, you aren’t crazy. Like almost every major hotel in the US, Mandalay Bay skips the 13th floor. Triskaidekaphobia (the fear of the number 13) is very real in the hospitality industry.
Nobody wants to sleep on the "unlucky" floor.
So, floor 12 leads directly to floor 14. But Mandalay Bay takes the numbering "inflation" even further. The top floors are often labeled in the 60s. Why? Because it sounds more prestigious. Telling your friends you have a suite on the 62nd floor sounds way cooler than saying you’re on the 41st. It's a classic Vegas marketing trick: make the building feel taller than the blueprints say it is.
The 2018 Renumbering: Why the 32nd Floor "Disappeared"
You can't talk about how many floors at Mandalay Bay without acknowledging the massive change that happened a few years ago. Most people remember the tragic events of October 1, 2017. Following that tragedy, the resort had a massive challenge: how do you move forward while respecting the gravity of what happened?
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One of the big steps MGM Resorts took was a literal "delete" key on the floor numbering.
In early 2018, the hotel officially renumbered floors 31 through 34. They didn't just change the room numbers; they changed the entire designation on the elevator panels.
- The old floor 31 became Floor 56.
- The old floor 32 (where the tragedy occurred) became Floor 57.
- The old floor 33 became Floor 58.
- The old floor 34 became Floor 59.
The room where the shooter stayed, suite 32-135, was permanently sealed. It’s not a guest room anymore. By jumping the numbers into the 50s, the hotel created a psychological break from the past. If you’re a guest today and you press the button for 57, you’re physically on the 32nd floor, but the visual and mental association has been shifted.
Comparing the Towers: Delano vs. Mandalay
While the main gold tower is the one everyone recognizes, the Mandalay Bay complex includes the Delano Las Vegas. This is the white tower standing right next to it.
The Delano is actually taller in terms of floor count, boasting 45 stories.
It’s an all-suite hotel, which gives it a different vibe than the main casino tower. If you’re looking for the absolute "top" of the resort, you’re usually heading to the Skyfall Panoramic Lounge at the top of the Delano. It’s on the 64th floor—again, using that "inflated" numbering system—but it offers arguably the best view of the planes landing at Harry Reid International Airport.
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Why Does Any of This Matter for Your Trip?
Honestly, knowing how many floors at Mandalay Bay helps you manage expectations for your stay. Vegas is a city of illusions, and the floor numbers are just part of the show.
If you want the best views, don't just look for a high number. You want to ask for a "Strip View" specifically. Because of that "Y" shape, one side of the building looks south toward the airport (which is cool if you like planes), while the other two sides look North toward the rest of the Strip.
A few pro-tips for navigating the floors:
- The "Ground" Floor is a Maze: In Vegas, the "Ground" floor is actually multiple levels. You have the casino floor, the beach level (for the pool), and the convention center level. Always check the signage before you just hit "G" in the elevator.
- The Foundation Room: This is a famous club/lounge at the very top of the main Mandalay tower. It’s on the "63rd" floor. If you want a view without paying for a Four Seasons suite, this is your best bet.
- Elevator Groups: Because there are so many floors, the elevators are split into "banks." One set might only go to floors 1-30, while another goes to 56-63. Look at the signs above the elevator doors before you step in, or you’ll end up on a very slow trip to the wrong floor.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you're planning a stay or just visiting for the day, here is how to handle the "floor fatigue" at Mandalay Bay:
- Check the Tower First: Make sure you know if your reservation is for Mandalay Bay, Delano, or Four Seasons. They are all in the same "complex," but they have different elevator systems and floor counts.
- Use the Tram: If you're staying on a high floor and need to get to Luxor or Excalibur, don't walk through the whole casino. Use the free tram located near the front of the property. It saves your feet for the inevitable miles you'll walk inside the building.
- Request a Renumbered Floor for Modernity: Since the renumbering in 2018, many of the rooms on those upper floors (the 50s and 60s) have seen various refreshes. They tend to feel a bit more "premium" than some of the mid-level floors.
- The Beach Level is the "Real" Level 1: Most of the fun—the wave pool, the lazy river, and the Moorea Beach Club—is accessed from the lower level. If you're on floor 60, give yourself at least 10 minutes to get from your room to the water. The elevators are fast, but the walking distance from the elevator bank to the pool gate is no joke.
At the end of the day, Mandalay Bay is a 43-story building that pretends to be a 64-story building, tucked inside a golden shell. Whether you're on the 14th floor or the 62nd, the experience is exactly what you'd expect from the south end of the Strip: big, gold, and a little bit confusing in the best way possible.