Editorial Review

Straying from its original "Wizard of Oz" theme, this gargantuan mega-resort has been reimagining itself as a deco-styled celebration of Hollywood glamour past and future. Done in red and gold tones with bronzy scrollwork, the casino takes design cues from Radio City Music Hall. The MGM has acres of gaming, including daily and nightly tournaments in the poker room. Other entertainment options include Ka, one of the best Cirque de Soleil shows, and headliners at the Hollywood Theater and MGM Grand Garden Arena--the former has Tom Jones, the latter has Madonna. The vast water complex offers five pools, along with pingpong and volleyball, as well as hosting Wet Republic, a daytime nightclub where DJs spin and model-pretty servers bring pitchers of mojitos. Be warned that the walk from elevator to room is almost biblical in length. Once you arrive, you'll find a space that is definitively beige and adorned with black-and-white Hollywood glamour photos, ranging from stripped-down standards to spacious and elaborate suites featuring perks such as marble whirlpools, pool tables, private terraces, and personal butler/concierge service. Try the Skylofts, a separate boutique sub-hotel with rooms designed by Tony Chi expressly for swank Vegas living and entertaining.