After 2 straight stays at the new and updated Mandalay Bay, I decided to try The Mirage since other friends were staying somewhat nearby at the Bellagio. I am sorry to say I found this to be a major mistake.

First, I will acknowledge that when Steve Wynn created this hotel in 1989, it was at the top of its game. Vegas was full of cheap buffets and low-end hotel rooms.

But today, with other mega-resorts filling up the strip, the small rooms and extra small bathrooms in the Mirage just don't pass muster for the price. Blackjack tables have shuffling machines that hurt the player's odds for a traditionally player-friendly game. Also, it is nearly impossible to find a $5.00 minimum table, even during off-hours (Amazingly, the Bellagio always had $5.00 tables available.)

While impressive, the hotel pool was mobbed with people. The only time I was able to use a chair was when I went downstairs at 7:00-7:30 AM. The crowd is 40 , meaning it was difficult to find others around my age (I am in low-30s). Service was good, and housekeeping was always willing to bring up additional supplies when asked.

All in all, this hotel uses its 2 main shows (Danny Gans and Siegfried and Roy) to draw people to its hotel. Unfortunately, the rooms and casino really don't pass muster. From a rather mixed reputation, I skipped the Mirage buffet - instead happily visiting the Paris and Bellagio Buffet (Note: The Mandalay Buffet was given very mixed results by my friends). The California Pizza Kitchen located in the Mirage Casino was tasty, but lets get real...there is a CPK located in most major cities, no reason to travel to Vegas to eat here!

The Famous Volcano is also outdated...it seems to be an early incarnation of the Bellagio fountain show, which is much more impressive.

All in all, the small hotel rooms and even smaller bathrooms made me wish I had stayed in the Paris, Bellagio or Mandalay Bay. The bathroom mirror fogged majorly for about 1 hour each time I showered, making my morning shave an exercise in futility.

While nothing horrible occurred to me at the hotel, I kinda wished I had spent a little more (Bellagio or Mandalay) or the same (the newer Paris Hotel). If this isn't your first visit to Vegas, you will be unimpressed by the outdated Mirage.

Recommended: No