MGM Grand opened in 1993 and has seen plenty of changes over the years. You probably already know that all 4,212 main hotel rooms are currently being renovated.
What you may not know is that the beautiful SKYLOFTS are also getting a makeover. MGM Resorts hasn’t released any official details yet, but judging by the sounds I heard last week, it seems like the suites are undergoing a full gut renovation—possibly including a new open-concept main floor.
Let’s take a look at how MGM Grand has changed over the years.
MGM Grand Studio Tower room (formerly West Wing)
When the current renovations are completed by the end of this year or early next year, there won’t be a room at the property that hasn’t been touched in the past five years. Before the current room renovations, the West Wing was renovated and renamed the Studio Tower in 2022.
The room updates were necessary for the MGM Grand. The last major update to the property was the Grand Renovation in 2012. The most memorable upgrade might have been the introduction of the Stay Well rooms that offered Vitamin C showers, air purifiers, and more.
In 1996, MGM Grand started a major room renovation that took four years. Prices and the value of money increase over time.
The 1996-2000 room renovation cost $85 million. This year’s upgrade of the same rooms will cost $300 million.
The Marina Hotel is now the Studio Tower
MGM Grand, as you know it today, began when the company purchased the 14-story Marina Hotel & Casino and its 714 rooms. That original structure is still part of the property—it’s now known as the Studio Tower. While the rooms have been modernized, they’re still small by today’s standards, nearly 100 square feet smaller than rooms in the newer main tower.
The first iteration of MGM Grand was a couple of blocks away at the casino now known as Horseshoe Las Vegas. The original MGM Grand in Las Vegas opened in 1973 and had a fire in 1980 that killed more than 80 guests.
Go VIP at MGM Grand
MGM Grand is a huge property, and that stands out since it’s one of the rare Las Vegas properties where budget-friendly and luxury rooms coexist. Most casinos cater to one or the other.
This is a good time to say that an expensive hotel room isn’t necessarily a true luxury hotel room with A++ service. Luxury is measured by service as much as it’s measured by price.
Most visitors at MGM Grand will stay in a hotel room in the Main Tower or Studio Tower room that has been renovated over the past few years, when the calendar hits 2026.
One of the great things about a huge hotel with such a diverse range of guests is that many people can sample some of the luxury experience they may not be able to afford normally.
MGM Grand Gold Lounge for Upper tier rewards members and credit card holders
Some of these guests can receive at least some level of VIP access simply by being an upper-tier member of MGM Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, or by having the MGM Rewards credit card.
The following upper-tier MGM Rewards members can use the MGM Gold Lounge and access the much shorter VIP check-in line all the way to the right of the main lobby desk:
- Gold
- Platinum
- Noir
The following Marriott Bonvoy tiers have access to the MGM Grand Gold Lounge and VIP check-in line:
- Platinum Elite
- Titanium Elite
- Ambassador Elite
While shorter check-in is great, the Gold Lounge isn’t much more than a place to grab chips, a granola bar, and water.
The more exclusive VIP Lounge at MGM Grand
MGM Grand has an even more exclusive VIP check-in experience that’s only available to MGM Rewards Noir and Platinum members or those who stay in a SKYLOFT duplex.
The SKYLOFT and VIP check-in room is about 50 steps beyond the main check-in area onto the casino floor. This area is NOT available to credit card holders or Marriott Bonvoy members.
This is a more traditional VIP lounge with fewer guests and more room to sit and snack and private access to more experienced MGM Grand team members. That’s my observation after visiting a few different MGM Resorts VIP lounges over the years.
This entrance also has direct access to SKYLOFTS, and there’s a door to the main hotel tower for those upper-tier MGM Rewards members staying in a basic room.
Buy MGM Grand VIP Access
Guests without status who reserve a suite can pay to upgrade their visit. Unlike the entry-level rooms at MGM Grand, there’s an option to add a $250 VIP Experience upgrade for those staying in a suite that includes the following:
- Round-trip luxury transportation to and from Harry Reid International Airport on arrival and departure dates
- Early Check In (as early as 11:00 AM)
- Late Check Out (1:00 PM) based on availability
- VIP Lounge access (during hours of operation)
- Concierge Pre-Arrival email
Paying for VIP access isn’t for everyone. The time saved from checking into the hotel and waiting for a car to the hotel can be much better used enjoying everything Las Vegas has to offer. Everything else is just a cherry on top.
I’ve purchased VIP access outside of Las Vegas for a couple of reasons. One time, my friends and I were visiting a new town that we weren’t too familiar with for a long weekend.
VIP access not only got us checked in quickly, but it also allowed us a place to snack, drink, and privately ask questions about the area. I’ve also done this for work, and having a relatively quiet place to work was also useful.
Like I said, this isn’t for everyone, but it can enhance the experience, especially for new visitors.
MGM Grand is the second-largest hotel in Las Vegas, with more than 6,000 rooms. The line to check in can be long.
There are scenes of ridiculously long check-in lines at various hotels on social media almost every week.
The VIP Experience is available as an add-on to suites at MGM Grand. This is also available at other MGM Resorts properties like the Aria SkySuites. Each property is different, so you might want to consider booking with the Vegas Experts at TravelZork Travel to help plan an awesome Vegas Vacation with VIP Perks.
Marc grew up on the mean streets of the South Bronx. He's the rare combination of Yankees and Jets fan which explains his often contrarian point of view. He learned about gambling at a young age working down the street from a bookie who took action on anything from the mainstream sports to the last three digits of the purse for certain horse races. Yeah, that's a thing. Today Marc is a freelance writer and social media consultant which allows him to work anywhere there's a wifi signal. This allows him to work from the sportsbook at Red Rock Resort or the food court at The Venetian where you’ll find fast and free wifi. Writing about steak, booze, gambling and Las Vegas is a tough job but somebody has to do it.
