Walk down the Las Vegas Strip at night and you’ll see plenty of glass towers. They’re sleek. They’re modern. They’re also, quite frankly, a little bit boring after a while. Then you hit the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas Boulevard and there it is: a giant, multi-colored plastic castle that looks like it was plucked out of a child’s sandbox and inflated to a massive scale.
The Excalibur Hotel and Casino Las Vegas is weird. It’s loud. It’s unapologetically kitschy. While newer resorts like Resorts World or Fontainebleau try to out-luxury each other with $20 cocktails and minimalist marble, Excalibur stays rooted in 1990, back when Vegas decided it wanted to be a family-friendly theme park.
Some people hate it. They call it "The Dollar Store of the Strip." But honestly? If you’re looking for the soul of "Old New Vegas," this is where it lives.
The Architecture of a Fever Dream
When Circus Circus Enterprises opened this place in June 1990, it was the largest hotel in the world. Think about that for a second. Over 4,000 rooms. At the time, it cost roughly $290 million to build, which sounds like pocket change in today’s economy where a stadium costs $2 billion, but it was a massive gamble back then.
The design is meant to evoke Camelot, but it’s more "Saturday Morning Cartoon" than "Historical Britain." You’ve got the primary colors—bright reds, blues, and golds—shining under the desert sun. It’s easy to poke fun at the aesthetic. However, there’s something deeply nostalgic about crossing that drawbridge. You aren't just checking into a room; you’re entering a time capsule of an era when Vegas wasn't trying to be chic. It was just trying to be fun.
The property is currently owned by Vici Properties and operated by MGM Resorts International. It sits on about 50 acres. That’s a lot of land in one of the most expensive real estate corridors on the planet. Critics have been predicting its demolition for a decade, yet it remains. Why? Because it’s one of the few places left where a middle-class family can actually afford to stay on the Strip without needing a second mortgage.
Staying at Excalibur Hotel and Casino Las Vegas: What to Actually Expect
If you book a room here expecting a Five-Diamond experience, you’re going to be disappointed. Let’s be real.
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The rooms are divided mostly between the Resort Towers and the Royal Towers. The Royal Tower rooms are generally considered the "fresher" option because they saw some renovation work more recently. You’ll get basic amenities: a bed, a TV, a bathroom. Don't expect a rain shower or a motorized curtain.
- The Price Point: This is Excalibur’s superpower. You can often find rooms for $30 or $40 a night during the week.
- The Resort Fee: Like every other MGM property, there is a mandatory resort fee. In 2024 and 2025, these fees have hovered around $35 to $40 plus tax per night.
- The Crowd: It’s a mix. You’ll see bachelor parties on a budget, families with three kids in tow, and international tourists who spent all their money on flight tickets and just need a place to crash.
It’s noisy. The hallways are long. You might have to wait a while for an elevator during check-out. But you’re also right in the middle of the action, connected by pedestrian bridges to New York-New York and Luxor. It’s a prime location for a fraction of the price of the Cosmopolitan across the street.
Tournament of Kings and the Survival of Dinner Theater
Most Vegas shows nowadays are high-tech spectacles with drones and Olympic-level acrobats. Then there’s Tournament of Kings.
This show has been running in the basement—the "King’s Village"—since the hotel opened. It’s one of the last true dinner shows in the city. You sit in a circular arena divided into sections representing different countries. You cheer for your knight. You boo the Dragon Knight.
And the best part? You eat with your hands.
The menu is famously consistent: a Cornish game hen, a potato, broccoli, and a dinner roll. No silverware allowed. It’s absurd. It’s messy. It’s also one of the highest-rated family activities in the city because it doesn't take itself seriously. In a city that is increasingly becoming "look but don't touch," Tournament of Kings invites you to scream and throw bread.
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Gaming and the Casino Floor
The casino floor at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino Las Vegas covers about 100,000 square feet. It feels different than the high-limit rooms at the Bellagio.
The ceilings are a bit lower. The carpets are busy. But the energy is approachable. If you’re a novice gambler, this is a great place to learn. The table minimums are often lower than at the neighboring "luxury" properties. You can still find $10 or $15 blackjack games here on certain days, which is becoming a rarity on the South Strip.
The Fun Dungeon is another quirk. It’s a massive arcade located on the lower level. While most casinos try to hide the fact that children might be in the building, Excalibur leans into it. It has carnival midways, arcade classics, and the "World's Largest Pac-Man." It’s basically a distraction center for kids while the adults lose twenty bucks on the slots upstairs.
Eating at the Castle
Dining here is a "greatest hits" of casual food. You aren't coming here for a Michelin star.
- The Buffet: It’s one of the few traditional buffets left that won't break the bank, though post-pandemic prices have risen everywhere.
- Dick’s Last Resort: This is the place where the servers are paid to be rude to you. They’ll put paper hats on your head with insults written on them. It’s a specific vibe. If you have thin skin, stay away.
- Buca di Beppo: Massive portions of Italian food served family-style.
- The Food Court: It’s a standard food court. Krispy Kreme, Popeyes, the usual. It’s reliable when you’re hungover at 2:00 AM.
Why It Hasn't Been Torn Down Yet
There is a lot of talk about "Project Evolution" and MGM’s long-term plans for the "Tropicana Triangle." With the Tropicana recently demolished to make way for the new Oakland A’s baseball stadium, the land Excalibur sits on is more valuable than ever.
But Excalibur serves a specific market segment that MGM needs. They need a "value" entry point. If every hotel on the Strip is $300 a night, you lose the massive segment of the population that drives in from Southern California for a quick weekend. Excalibur is the "gateway drug" to the MGM rewards ecosystem. You stay here at 22 because it’s cheap, and hopefully, by 35, you’re staying at the Aria.
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Also, the infrastructure is a beast. Tearing down a 4,000-room castle with two massive towers isn't just an afternoon job. For now, the castle stands.
Navigating the Logistics
Getting around is easier than it looks. There is a free tram that connects Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. It saves a lot of walking in the 110-degree summer heat.
If you’re driving, be prepared for parking fees. MGM changed the game a few years ago by charging for parking, and Excalibur is no exception. The fees vary based on whether you’re a hotel guest or just visiting for the day, and your tier status in the MGM Rewards program can waive these costs.
Checking in can be a headache. I highly recommend using the MGM Resorts app for digital check-in. It allows you to skip the massive line at the front desk and use your phone as a digital key. It works about 90% of the time, which is better than standing behind a youth soccer team for forty minutes.
The Verdict: Who is Excalibur For?
It isn't for everyone. If you want luxury, quiet, or "sophisticated" nightlife, you will hate it here. It is loud. There are kids everywhere. The smell of popcorn and floor cleaner is omnipresent.
But if you are a sports fan wanting to be near the new stadium, or a parent who doesn't want to worry about their toddler scuffing a $5,000 sofa, it’s perfect. It’s also great for the "no-frills" traveler. You get a clean-ish bed in a fantastic location for the price of a nice dinner elsewhere.
There is a strange honesty to the place. It doesn't pretend to be something it’s not. It’s a giant castle in the middle of a desert. It’s ridiculous. It’s Las Vegas.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
- Avoid the "Resort Tower" if possible: Aim for the Royal Tower. The walk to the casino is slightly shorter and the rooms feel less like a dorm room from 1994.
- Use the Tram: Don't walk to Mandalay Bay. The tram station is located at the front of the property near the sphinx of the Luxor. It’s free and runs frequently.
- Eat early at Tournament of Kings: The later shows can get rowdy. If you have younger kids, the first showing of the day is usually a bit more controlled.
- Join MGM Rewards: Even if you don't gamble. You’ll get a slightly better rate on the room and occasionally get the resort fees waived if you stay enough.
- Walk the Bridge: The pedestrian bridge to New York-New York is one of the best spots for a photo of the Strip skyline. Go at sunset.
- Check the Calendar: If there is a major convention at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Excalibur prices will spike. If you see it’s $200 a night, look elsewhere; it’s not worth $200. It’s a $60 hotel that sometimes costs more due to demand.