Is the MGM Park in Las Vegas the hotel of the future?
On my most recent trip to Las Vegas, I chose MGM Park and was surprised at what I found.
For starter, instead of the usual check-in desk, there’s automation. No friendly folks to ask your preference here. Instead, there’s one person who directs you to one of twenty check-in stations.
From there, check-in is entirely automatic.
The kiosk will ask you for your registration information and your credit card. Then, it spits out your room keys and room assignment.
No Arguments No Adjustments!
You’re welcome to check-in
On the plus side, if you travel to big Las Vegas casino hotels, you know that check-in lines can be very long. After travel, it can be a drag to wait in a long line with your luggage.
But on the other hand, since MGM Park has no check-in desk, there is also no negotiation if you are unhappy with your room assignment.
I booked a lesser priced king-sized room, and got a double queen (which is more expensive), so I guess I won?
*there is a desk that can handle problems if you need it.
More Automation
card, please!
Unlike other hotels in Las Vegas there is no security on the elevator bank.
This becomes very apparent when you get in the elevator.
The elevator will not move until you show it your room key and press the proper button.
Go to your room, which is moderate in size. Again, your wave it in front of locked room key opens the door.
This is fairly common now in big hotels, but if your key card fails, it can be very frustrating.
Inside the Room
Once inside the room you start noticing things.
First, it’s cozy. there is only one two foot round table and a single chair. However there is also a couch, which would seat three people.
The beds appear to be a bit lower than standard but well… there are a lot of short people in the world.
Perhaps too, after a night of Las Vegas style revelry the hotel doesn’t want people to fall out of bed and land hard on the floor with a thud!
Also, late nights mean no wakeup call (unless you have to get to the airports) so there is no clock or clock radio in the room.
Double Duty
slide to the left, slide to the right, but on door remains open
One interesting fact is that the door to the closet doubles as the door to the bathroom.
It’s on a slide, so if you want privacy in the bathroom your closet is open, and vice versa.
The closet is ridiculously small and most of it is taken up by a small stack of drawers.
Note too, that the safe is ridiculously small. It is only 4” deep but two of those are taken up with the locking mechanism so you only have 2” of space behind the door.
Although the bathroom is nicely appointed, there is only a shower with a control that allows you to do temperature but not water pressure. This means if you don’t’ like a strong shower, you’re out of luck.
The other amenities are a bit stingy in that even though there are two double beds, you get two towels, two washcloths, and two hand towels.
One bar of soap for both the shower and the sink is all that is provided (but you can request more).
However the Wifi is free.
Good Things
One good thing is that the guest elevators are very close to the can entrance to the hotel and the casino is in the back of the property.
All in all, there are twenty restaurants and one coffee shop plus two bars/lounges.
There is also a fairly well-stocked convenience store at the base of the elevators and the famous “Eataly” similar to the ones in NYC.
Overall, there’s nothing to hate about the Park MGM but in my opinion, there is certainly nothing to love.
The rooms are plain but functional.
The DIY automation may be the wave of the future, but it can be a benefit or a pain in the neck, depending upon how you view it.
Elegant, it isn’t, but since these are newly-renovated rooms, there are discount sales at this point. For more information visit the Park MGM Hotel Web Site
*opinions, review and photos courtesy of Anthony Sabatini.