You see it from the plane window. A giant, plastic-looking castle with red, blue, and gold spires that looks like it was ripped straight out of a 1990s Saturday morning cartoon. It’s kitschy. It’s loud. It’s unmistakably Excalibur. If you’re planning a trip to the Strip, you’ve probably stared at the price tag—usually the lowest in the MGM Resorts portfolio—and wondered, is Excalibur a good hotel, or is it a glorified dungeon?
Honestly, the answer depends entirely on what you value. If you’re expecting the Bellagio’s fountains and high-thread-count sheets, you’re going to be miserable. But if you’re a traveler who views a hotel room as a place to crash between $15 blackjack hands and wandering the Strip, Excalibur is actually a stroke of genius. It’s one of the last bastions of "Old Vegas" pricing in a city that has become increasingly corporate and expensive.
The Reality of the "Castle" Life
The first thing you’ll notice is the smell. Not a bad smell, necessarily, but that distinct Las Vegas mixture of industrial-grade floral scents and a hint of stale cigarette smoke that lingers in the carpet. It’s nostalgic for some, a turn-off for others. Excalibur opened in 1990. Back then, it was the largest hotel in the world. Today, it’s a budget-friendly titan.
The rooms are divided mostly between the Resort Tower and the Royal Tower. If you want a "good" experience, stay in the Royal Tower. These rooms were renovated more recently. They aren’t "luxury," but they are clean, functional, and devoid of the weird, medieval-themed wallpaper that used to haunt the dreams of guests in the early 2000s. You get a bed, a TV, and a bathroom. That’s it. No fancy tablets to control the curtains. No mini-bar that charges you $12 for moving a Snickers bar. Just a room.
Location is the Secret Weapon
People love to complain about the walkability of Vegas. They aren't wrong. However, Excalibur sits at the "Four Corners" of the South Strip. You have internal walkways and a free tram that connects you to Luxor and Mandalay Bay. Across the street? New York-New York and the T-Mobile Arena.
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Think about that for a second. You can pay $400 a night to stay at a "cooler" hotel, or you can pay $60 at Excalibur and walk ten minutes to watch a Vegas Golden Knights game or eat at a Michelin-star restaurant at MGM Grand. You’re paying for the dirt-cheap "base camp" while enjoying the amenities of the neighbors. It’s a classic Vegas hack.
The Pool and The Party
The pool situation is surprisingly decent. There are four pools, including an adult-only section. It isn't a "day club" with world-famous DJs and $3,000 cabanas. It’s just a place to soak in 105-degree heat with a frozen margarita. Families love it because of the water slides. If you don't like kids, the Royal Pool is your sanctuary. It’s quiet-ish. Well, as quiet as Vegas gets.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Food
Don't eat at the buffet. Just don't.
Vegas buffets have gone through a metamorphosis lately. Places like the Bacchanal at Caesars Palace are culinary masterpieces that cost $80. The Excalibur buffet? It’s... fine. It’s fuel. But if you're asking is Excalibur a good hotel based on its dining, look toward Buca di Beppo or Dick’s Last Resort. Dick's is a "love it or hate it" spot where the servers are intentionally rude and make you wear giant paper hats with insults written on them. It’s loud, obnoxious, and perfectly fits the castle’s vibe.
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For a real meal, walk over the pedestrian bridge to New York-New York. You can get a slice of pizza at Sirrico’s or a burger at Shake Shack. You aren't trapped in the castle.
The Tournament of Kings Factor
You cannot talk about this hotel without mentioning the Tournament of Kings. It is arguably the most successful dinner show in the history of the Strip. You sit in a dirt arena, eat a Cornish game hen with your bare hands—literally no silverware is provided—and cheer for a knight representing a country.
It’s ridiculous. It’s also incredibly fun. It’s the kind of thing that makes Excalibur "good" in a way that modern, sleek hotels like Aria can’t touch. It has a soul, even if that soul is wearing a suit of armor and smelling like horse manure.
The Elephant in the Room: The Fees
Here is where the "budget" label gets tricky. Vegas is the land of the resort fee. You might see a room rate of $28. Your heart leaps! "What a steal!" Then you get to the checkout page.
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- Resort fees are usually around $35 to $40 per night (plus tax).
- Parking is no longer free.
- The "cheap" room suddenly costs $80.
Is it still a good deal? Usually, yes. Even with the fees, it’s often half the price of the Flamingo or Planet Hollywood. But you have to do the math. If the price difference between Excalibur and the Park MGM (which is non-smoking and much modern) is only $20, take Park MGM every single time.
Gaming at the Castle
The casino floor is one of the more "approachable" ones on the Strip. You can still find $10 or $15 minimums on table games during the day, which is becoming a rarity. The atmosphere is casual. You’ll see people in flip-flops and cargo shorts. No one cares. It’s a low-pressure environment for someone learning craps or just wanting to pull a slot handle for an hour without losing their rent money.
The Verdict: Who is it for?
If you are a solo traveler, a group of friends on a bachelor party who plan on being conscious in the room for exactly four hours a day, or a family on a budget, Excalibur is a great hotel. It provides a roof, a bed, and a fantastic location.
If you are on a romantic honeymoon, looking for a luxury spa day, or sensitive to the smell of old casinos, stay away. Go to the Cosmopolitan or the Wynn. You will hate Excalibur. You will find it "dirty" or "dated." And you’d be right, by your standards.
Surprising Details You Should Know
- The Arcade: The Fun Dungeon is actually one of the best arcades in Vegas. It has legitimate carnival games and newer arcade titles. It’s great for killing time.
- The Walk to Luxor: It’s entirely indoors and air-conditioned. Use it.
- Mobile Check-in: Use the MGM Rewards app. The line at the front desk can sometimes look like a pilgrimage to Mecca. Skip it.
- The Pharmacy: There’s a CVS right outside. Don't buy your water or snacks inside the hotel gift shop unless you want to pay a 400% markup.
How to Actually Enjoy Your Stay
- Request a high floor. The views of the Strip from the upper levels of the Royal Tower are actually stunning. You can see the Statue of Liberty at NY-NY and the bright lights of the North Strip.
- Join MGM Rewards. Even if you don't gamble, you’ll get a discount on the room rate. It takes two minutes to sign up.
- Use the Tram. The tram to Mandalay Bay is free and saves your feet. Vegas miles are longer than regular miles.
- Check for conventions. If there is a massive convention at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Excalibur’s price will skyrocket. If the rate is over $150, it is no longer a "good" hotel. The value proposition vanishes at that price point.
Excalibur isn't trying to be the future of hospitality. It’s a themed relic of a time when Vegas wanted to be a family-friendly Disneyland in the desert. It’s quirky, it’s a little worn around the edges, but it’s honest. It’s a place to sleep. It’s a place to save money. And sometimes, in a city designed to take every last cent you have, that’s exactly what makes a hotel "good."
Next Steps for Your Trip
Check the MGM Resorts website for "flexible dates" to see when the rates drop to their lowest. Avoid weekends if you can; the price often triples on Friday and Saturday nights. Once you book, download the MGM Rewards app to handle your check-in and digital key, saving you an hour of standing in line after your flight. Finally, map out the walking bridge shortcuts to New York-New York and the MGM Grand to save on Uber fees while you're there.