Best hotel for pool/sportsbook combo

The ONLY place to watch March Madness is at Mandalay Bay...period. Especially the first weekend...forget the play-in games....the beach is excellent, "european with cabana" if you have the cash.

THE PROBLEM...They beach, usually, does not open until after April 1st....which puts you after the opening rounds. Frankly (at least for us locals), it can be pretty chilly in April here...very little, if any, pool action until May.

bronco...agree that Bellagio is more "refined" than the Mandalay Beach....although "european" at Mandalay is pretty good....

P4P....The crowd at Mandalay sportsbook for March Madness is very knowledgable...age group 25-45....It's not a "how much beer can we drink today" crowd....totally into the games..and betting full game and halves every 20 minutes. Week 2 is much more easy going than the first weekend. If you are somewhere in that 25-35 age group, I would do Mandalay before Bellagio....To me, it's a better set-up....more room, brighter, better screens

P4P.....Steve Wynn created Bellagio with a more "European theme".....The pools (plural) have that kind of setting...you can find families there also because of the way that they are set up and the size.

But, once again, remember...you are going when the pool scene is very quiet; it does not pick up until late May, especially the  pool scene that your age group likes.

No Mickey...just like to eat (and drink)

I work casino with one of the MGM properties....rather not say which one or what I do....have been with 3 so far and want to stay with them....

Quote Originally Posted by P4P:



I know the pool "parties" don't start until later on in the year, but the pools themselves should be open in late March, no?  I've never had a problem with this at Mirage; it's not the warmest time of year, but the pool has still always been packed.

What type of crowd are we talking about at Mandalay Bay? I don't expect a Hard Rock or Palms type atmosphere, but we're still looking to have a good time.

And we're definitely set on the second weekend of the tournament. We feel it strikes the best balance between everything that is Vegas; I know nothing beats the atmosphere of the first weekend in the sportsbook, but it becomes a little gambling heavy for some of the members of my group. Chilling at the pool until 4 and then going inside to watch a few hours of games is absolutely perfect for us

This is true, the new Pool Clubs are not open yet, but the pools are open for business.  I have been to March Madness for at least the last 10 years.  It is a beautiful time of year.  I prefer watching the games at a pool cabana, than a smoke filled sports book. 

Aria is a combination of very hi-tech and Euro.....there is serious $$$ there....sportsbook is, to me, not what people want in a sportsbook....more of a lounge atmosphere (with 100+ tv's) than what bettors are used to...

About the "pool thing"....Sure, there are people; but the "action" is not until the hot months...especially late afternoon, early evening...and, even moreso, at the European (topless) pools.Music, dj's, concerts are always in the summer...attracting much more action than early in the year.

Other than the fact that you're from Canada, I cannot see why the pool is so important to you (or anyone for that matter)....just my 2 cents....

Ur three choices should be Bellagio, The HOtel, and the Wynn, and not in any order considering where u have been, and what u are looking for. 

The Wynn/ Encore is the hottest casino right now.

Mandalay/ The Hotel is a nice set up for March Madness.

The Bellagio is the Bellagio.

If u decide to stay at Mandalay, stay at The Hotel, it BLOWS it away and it is right next door.  Better rooms, and right next to the sports book. 

I would Suggest staying at the Wynn, then the Bellagio, the Hotel, then the MGM.

U can't go wrong with all of them.