MGM Grand Las Vegas

MGM Grand Las Vegas. It is a major hotel and casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. Owned by VICI Properties and operated by MGM Resorts International, it is one of the world's largest hotels by room count and is renowned for its extensive gaming floor, entertainment offerings, and distinctive emerald-green glass exterior.

History

The property opened on December 18, 1993, on the site of the former Marina Hotel and Casino. Its development was spearheaded by Kirk Kerkorian's MGM Grand Inc., following the success of the original MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. A devastating fire occurred at the MGM Grand Reno in 1980, influencing stricter fire safety codes incorporated into this new Las Vegas Strip project. In 2000, the resort underwent a significant rebranding, removing the iconic Leo the Lion statue from its entrance and downplaying its original family-oriented MGM Grand Adventures theme park to focus more on adult casino patrons. The property was part of the merger that created MGM Mirage in 2000, a precursor to today's MGM Resorts International.

Features and amenities

The resort complex contains 6,852 rooms across several towers, including the main Emerald Tower and the more exclusive The Signature at MGM Grand condominium towers. Its casino floor spans over 171,500 square feet, featuring thousands of slot machines, a large race and sports book, and numerous table games. Dining options range from casual eateries to acclaimed restaurants by chefs like Tom Colicchio (Craftsteak) and Joël Robuchon (L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon). The resort also houses the Grand Pool Complex, one of the largest in Las Vegas, featuring multiple pools, a lazy river, and the Wet Republic ultra pool. Additional amenities include the MGM Grand Conference Center and the Grand Spa.

Entertainment and events

The MGM Grand has long been a premier venue for major entertainment and sporting events. Its Grand Garden Arena has hosted countless concerts by artists such as Cher, Madonna, and Lady Gaga, and was the site of high-profile boxing matches featuring fighters like Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Manny Pacquiao. The resort was also the longtime home of the famed Cirque du Soleil production KÀ, which ran from 2004 to 2022. Currently, the resort features the David Copperfield magic show and the Brad Garrett's Comedy Club. It frequently serves as a host venue for events like the Academy of Country Music Awards and professional mixed martial arts promotions such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

In popular culture

The resort's distinctive architecture and status have made it a frequent backdrop in films and television. It is prominently featured in the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye, and served as a key location in the 1997 comedy Vegas Vacation. The hotel and its casino floor appear in episodes of popular television series like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. The property has also been referenced in songs by various musical artists, cementing its iconic place within the cultural imagery of Las Vegas.

See also

* List of largest hotels in the world * Las Vegas Strip * MGM Resorts International * History of Las Vegas

Category:Hotels in Paradise, Nevada Category:Casinos in Nevada Category:MGM Resorts International