Though people don’t seek out Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino specifically for things to do, there are a variety of activities worth checking out beyond the excellent dining choices, hot nightclubs and a variety of entertainment. Those who are guests of the resort have the greatest array of activities available to them.
Shark Reef Aquarium
Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium is a popular attraction on the Las Vegas Strip, particularly for families. With more than 2,000 animals and 1.6 million gallons of seawater, it is North America’s only predator-based aquarium and exhibit. Along with many varieties of sharks, visitors can also watch endangered green sea turtles, piranha, sawfish and rare golden crocodiles in their authentic man-made environment.
If you are a certified diver and stay at Mandalay Bay, you have the opportunity to SCUBA dive in the 1.3 million-gallon, 22-foot-deep Shipwreck Exhibit. The 3-4 hour activity runs $650 per diver or $1000 per couple.
The aquarium is open Sunday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Admission is $16.95 for adults and $10.95 for children (4-12); children under 4 can visit the aquarium for free.
The Gyms at BATHOUSE and Spa Mandalay
There are two fitness facilities available to visitors who are not staying at Mandalay Bay. They offer a variety of weight and cardio equipment, including treadmills, elliptical machines and free weights. Soft lighting and motivational music help put guests in the mood to burn off those calories accumulated from last night’s dinner. On-site trainers are available for one-on-one sessions, or you can use the equipment at your leisure.
The gym affiliated with BATHHOUSE, located at THEhotel, is open 6:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Guests to the hotel can purchase a day pass for $15. Non-hotel guests can use the gym if they purchase a spa or salon treatment. The fitness facility associated with Spa Mandalay is located on the beach level of the resort. It is also open from 6:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Guests at the hotel can purchase a day pass for $15; non-guests can purchase a day pass for $25.
Mandalay Bay Beach
The Mandalay Bay Beach is one of the most popular pool areas on the Strip, and guests to the resort should take advantage of it if they can. Located on 11 acres, it includes a wave pool, lazy river, three swimming pools and a jogging track. Of course, it wouldn’t be a beach without sand … 2,700 tons of it!
If swimming isn’t your forte, check out The Beachside Casino, a three-story, climate-controlled environment that includes a restaurant, several table games and private cabanas.
Adjacent to Mandalay Bay Beach is Moorea Beach Club, a private, adults-only, European-style pool club. Private attendants, poolside massages and club music provide the sophisticated vibe that sets Moorea apart from the rest of Mandalay Bay Beach.
If you’re not staying at Mandalay Bay but are interested in checking out the pool area, your best bet is to catch a concert through the Beach Concert Series, which occurs every year from May through September. The resort books a number of big-name bands throughout the summer; check the concert line-up schedule before you arrive, and book tickets well in advance.
Mandalay Bay Beach is open daily from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (depending on the weather). Moorea Beach Club is open seasonally.
>>Read more about entertainment at Mandalay Bay
The BATHHOUSE
It is nearly impossible not to relax and let the stress melt away with a visit to the bathhouse, Mandalay Bay’s elite bathhouse spa, which consists of pools of varying temperatures, exotic baths, a waterfall, steam rooms, saunas and treatment rooms, where guests can enjoy facials, massages and wraps.
Guests must be 18 or older to take advantage of the 14,000-square-foot facility. Reservations are recommended.
Spa Mandalay
This 30,000-square-foot Spa Mandalay offers an extensive list of services, including massages, body treatments, body wraps, skin care services and facial enhancements. An on-site foot fitness center has equipment for all fitness levels. Prices at Spa Mandalay range from $35 for facial enhancements to more than $600 for the ultimate spa experience, which includes a body scrub, massage, facial and other services. Basic body massages start at $85. There is also a selection of services for young adults (ages 14-17), including manicures, pedicures and facials.
A spa facility day pass is available for guests over the age of 18 who have purchased a spa service priced at $60.00 or more. This includes access to the redwood sauna, heated whirlpools, relaxation lounge, vanity amenities, eucalyptus steam room, cold plunge, aromatic shower facilities and the exercise room.
Mandalay Bay’s salon is located adjacent to the spa area. This is where guests can indulge in manicures and pedicures.
Spa Mandalay is open daily from 6:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; spa services are available from 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. daily. Reservations are recommended at Spa Mandalay.
The Resort Fee Complimentary Fitness Facility
In addition to the health clubs associated with THEhotel and Spa Mandalay, there is a fitness facility available only to guests of Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino. Located on beach level, this facility has standard workout equipment and is open from 5:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. daily. Guests at the hotel do not need to pay extra fees to use the facility.
Photo credit: Mandalay Bay Beach (MGM Mirage)
