MGM Resorts hotels rated: 4.8/10 for how they treat paying guests

Rank 21 of 21 · Book as a last resort · Updated October 27, 2026

4.8/10

Book MGM for the resort, not flexibility or low fees

Our take: We'd book MGM for a specific resort, not for low fees or forgiving cancellation terms[1][2][3][4]. It suits travelers with firm plans, especially MGM Rewards Gold members booking directly with MGM, but resort fees, parking and channel-specific benefits can change which offer is cheapest[5][6][7][8].

Best for

  • Firm-date resort trips
  • Gold members booking with MGM
  • Travelers choosing a specific property

Watch out for

  • Nightly resort fees plus parking
  • 72-hour general cancellation deadline
  • MGM versus Bonvoy booking trade-offs

Scorecard

Total-price honesty (20%)
3.0

Nightly resort fees cover the checked U.S. resorts, reach $55 before tax in Las Vegas, and usually leave Las Vegas parking extra.

Cancellation flexibility (15%)
4.5

The general 72-hour deadline and first-night booking deposit restrict flexibility, although several regional hotels allow cancellation 24 hours ahead.

Repriceability (15%)
5.0

Refundable reservations offer a route to rebook before the deadline, but MGM ended its guarantee and Marriott excludes MGM Collection.

Channel and member-rate fairness (10%)
4.2

Direct-only room earnings, advertised member savings up to 15%, and conditional resort-fee waivers create substantial booking-channel penalties.

Loyalty value and fairness (10%)
5.4

Fixed-value points and Gold fee waivers help, but Sapphire balances can expire after six months and room upgrades remain conditional.

Gotcha fees and terms (10%)
4.5

Early-departure assessments, daily card holds and extra-occupant charges demand close reading, with costs varying substantially by property.

Consistency of the stay (20%)
6.6

Across Axel's small sample of 19 reviewed hotels, the average is 8.06/10, with a small weaker tail; independent evidence distinguishes individual properties rather than proving uniform quality.

The room rate is not enough

Published terms put nightly resort fees at $45 to $55 plus tax across 13 checked Las Vegas hotel identities[1][2][3]. The five checked regional hotel resorts also charge them, ranging from $20 to $30 plus tax[9][10][11][12][13].

Federal rules have required prominent mandatory-fee-inclusive lodging prices since May 12, 2025, but do not ban resort fees[14]. The rule applies to lodging advertisements on websites and mobile apps, but the cited evidence does not establish whether MGM consistently complies[14]. Travelers United sued over alleged resort-fee advertising in 2021; MGM's disclosure lists the case as closed on January 4, 2023[15][16]. That disclosure does not identify a payment or agreed pricing changes[16].

Rates Axel's suppliers quoted from September 26 to October 25, 2026 covered 4,204 rates at 16 U.S. hotels: 97% carried a mandatory property fee, typically $57 per night where charged[Axel data]. All 16 hotels had such a fee on most quoted rates, but this is a small hotel sample. Fees can be missing from supplier quotes, so that share is a floor, not a ceiling.

MGM's published Las Vegas parking schedule adds $20 daily self-parking for registered hotel guests or $40 daily valet at listed locations, with possible special-event increases[6]. Pearl-and-higher members and MGM Rewards Mastercard holders receive complimentary self-parking; Gold-and-higher members also receive complimentary valet, subject to availability[6].

Refundable still means an early deadline

MGM's general policy takes the first night's room charge and tax at booking and refunds it when cancellation reaches Room Reservations at least 72 hours before arrival, unless the offer excludes a refund[4]. Among the same rates at 16 hotels, 67% were refundable[Axel data]. Of those refundable rates, 62% required cancellation at least 72 hours ahead, while just 2% allowed free cancellation inside 24 hours.

Regional policies can be more forgiving: for example, Beau Rivage and MGM Grand Detroit normally use 24-hour deadlines, subject to offer exceptions[9][11]. MGM's September 1, 2026 advance-purchase promotion required full prepayment, prohibited modifications and forfeited the room charge plus tax on cancellation or change[17]. Its advertised saving was up to 20%, not a typical saving to assume[17].

MGM discontinued its Best Rate Guarantee on August 5, 2022[18]. Marriott's Best Rate Guarantee also excludes MGM Collection properties, even when booked through Marriott[19]. MGM still advertises 'Guaranteed Lowest Room Rates' as a Sapphire benefit, but that wording does not provide a published price-match remedy[20].

A refundable booking gives you a route to cancel and rebook a cheaper available rate before your deadline, rather than a guaranteed automatic adjustment[4]. MGM documents online reservation modifications, but we could not confirm an explicit promise of self-service repricing to a lower rate[4]. Allow for overlapping deposits: Bellagio, for example, advises that banks can take up to 10 business days to post a credit-card refund, and international banks can take longer[1].

Pick your benefits before your channel

MGM Rewards is free to join, although membership is generally restricted to guests aged 21 or older[21][22]. Direct-booking member savings are advertised at up to 15% off the Flexible Rate, not 15% on every reservation[20].

On every third-party booking, the nightly room rate earns no MGM Rewards points or Tier Credits, and MGM Gold's direct-booking resort-fee waiver does not apply[7][5]. You may still earn on eligible resort fees and add-ons, and MGM permits third-party guests to use its mobile check-in[7][4]. Reservation changes must go through the third party that took the booking[4].

Bonvoy requires a different booking route: qualifying channels include Marriott's website, app and customer centers, plus selected rates through MGM's call center or participating travel agents[23]. Bookings through MGM's own websites or MGM Rewards app do not earn Bonvoy points, Elite Night Credit or membership-tier benefits[8]. Ordinary OTA bookings also lose those Bonvoy benefits, and incidental spending does not restore points eligibility[8].

Useful status, a short expiry clock

Sapphire members can forfeit MGM Rewards points and Slot Dollars after six months without qualifying activity; Pearl-and-higher members are exempt from inactivity forfeiture[22]. MGM also reserves the right to change the program and point values without notice, despite a reasonable-efforts commitment to post generally adverse changes 30 days ahead[22].

MGM Rewards points offset eligible property spending at 1 cent each, with base earning of one point and four Tier Credits per eligible dollar on stays and dining[24]. That makes the base points return about 1% of eligible spending, separate from status credits[24].

Gold-and-higher members get the most concrete hotel saving: resort-fee waivers on up to two qualifying rooms per trip when booked directly with MGM[20]. Enhanced-room assignments remain discretionary and within the booked category[20]. Platinum and NOIR members separately receive one availability-dependent Las Vegas standard-suite upgrade annually for a directly booked stay of no more than three nights[20].

Bonvoy room awards are separate from MGM's spending-offset points and use dynamic prices that can change when a reservation is modified[8]. MGM Collection can limit standard-room award inventory on a limited number of days, and most award guests still pay resort fees[8][23]. Bonvoy late checkout is availability-dependent here, while Marriott's Elite Benefit Guarantee, guaranteed room type and Nightly Upgrade Awards are excluded[8].

Budget for holds and departure penalties

MGM's general policy charges the quoted rate and taxes for the departure night when you shorten a stay after check-in[4]. Changing your departure date at check-in may avoid that assessment, depending on the booked rate[4]. Other timing requests can cost money: MGM National Harbor, for example, charges for availability-dependent early check-in and late checkout without publishing a fixed tariff in its FAQ[25].

Incidental requirements vary materially by property and room type[26][27][3][28][29]. Examples include Luxor's $50 daily authorization and ARIA's $150 daily authorization for Deluxe Rooms, in addition to room charges, taxes and resort fees[3][27]. These authorizations reserve spending capacity rather than automatically becoming final charges for an undamaged stay[26][27][3].

Extra occupants also change the bill: MGM Grand charges $40 plus tax per person per night above two guests, regardless of age[26]. Bellagio charges $50 plus tax per occupant per night above two[1]. MGM Grand also charges $35 plus tax nightly for a requested refrigerator, subject to availability[26]. Bellagio's minimum smoking-related cleaning charges are $500 for a non-smoking room and $1,000 for a non-smoking suite, including vaping violations[30].

Choose the property, not the logo

Among 19 hotels Axel has reviewed, the average take is 8.06/10, 79% score at least 8 and 5% fall below 7[Axel data]. Each hotel is judged against its class and price, so simpler accommodation is not automatically marked down. The small hotel count makes this a guide, not proof of uniform quality.

ACSI's 2026 tables provide no separate MGM score, and J.D. Power's 2026 brand list has no standalone MGM Collection or principal MGM hotel entries[31][32]. Broader Four Seasons and Marriott-affiliated brand results should not be read as scores for individual MGM resorts[32][33][34].

Two properties we'd shortlist are Vdara and Beau Rivage: their Tripadvisor listings show 4.4/5 and 4.5/5 respectively[35][36]. Vdara's review summary praises its peaceful, smoke-free atmosphere and spacious rooms, while Beau Rivage scores 4.7 for cleanliness and 4.6 for service[35][36]. Vdara still attracts housekeeping and maintenance complaints, so neither rating is a guarantee[35].

Luxor and Excalibur need more careful screening: their Tripadvisor listings show 3.4/5 and 3.3/5, with recurring dated-room and inconsistent-housekeeping themes[37][38]. Excalibur's Expedia listing is more positive at 8.0/10 overall and 8.2 for cleanliness, a useful counterweight to treating it as an automatic skip[39]. These platform ratings are not class-adjusted comparisons between MGM's budget and luxury properties[37][38][39].

  • Axel's take, 19 MGM Resorts hotels reviewed: average 8.1/10; 79% score 8 or higher, 5% score below 7. Each hotel is scored for what it is, against its class and price. Across all hotels Axel has reviewed, the average is 8.1 and 8% score below 7.
  • Rates Axel's suppliers quoted, September 26 to October 25, 2026: 4,204 rates at 16 hotels. 67% were refundable, and 2% of those could be cancelled free until less than 24 hours before check-in. 100% of hotels added a mandatory resort, destination or similar fee to most rates (typically $57 a night where charged).
BrandHotels reviewedAverage Axel's takeBelow 7
MGM Resorts168.16%

How these figures are made: How Axel rates hotel chains.

Which MGM Resorts brands to book

  • Bellagio (Mixed): A property-specific choice rather than a low-fee one: the nightly resort fee is $55 plus tax, and occupants above two cost $50 plus tax each per night[1]. Its ninth-place finish in Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Las Vegas readers' ranking provides some positive context[40].
  • ARIA (Solid): We'd consider ARIA for its stronger guest scores, including 8.8/10 on Expedia, while allowing for recurring maintenance and housekeeping complaints[41][42]. Forbes Five-Star recognition belongs to ARIA Sky Suites, not automatically to standard ARIA rooms[43].
  • Vdara (Our pick): Our Las Vegas pick for a quieter atmosphere: guest-review summaries praise its smoke-free setting and spacious rooms, though housekeeping is not uniformly praised[35]. Budget $55 plus tax nightly for its resort fee[1].
  • The Cosmopolitan (Solid): Worth shortlisting for its sixth-place finish in Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Las Vegas readers' ranking, but not a low-fee escape[40][1]. Ordinary accommodations require a $150 daily incidental authorization[28].
  • MGM Grand (Solid): We'd favor checking the remodeled main-tower inventory: MGM announced in November 2025 that it had completed a renovation of 3,969 rooms and suites[44]. Expect a $50-plus-tax nightly resort fee and a $100 daily card hold capped at $400[2][26].
  • Beau Rivage (Our pick): A regional pick for stronger guest-review results, including 4.5/5 overall and 4.7 for cleanliness on Tripadvisor[36]. Beau Rivage publishes a $21-plus-tax nightly resort fee, and its normal 24-hour cancellation deadline is more forgiving than MGM's general 72-hour rule[9][4].
  • Luxor (Mixed): Check recent room reviews before choosing Luxor: recurring guest themes include dated rooms and uneven housekeeping[37][45]. Its $45-plus-tax nightly resort fee limits what a low room rate tells you[3].
  • Excalibur (Mixed): A price-led choice, not an automatic skip: Expedia rates it 8.0/10 despite weaker Tripadvisor results and recurring housekeeping concerns[38][39]. Add its $45-plus-tax nightly resort fee before comparing prices[3].

How to book MGM Resorts well

  • Choose a refundable rate if your plans may change, because MGM's documented advance-purchase promotion prohibited modifications and forfeited the full room charge plus tax[17].
  • Book directly with MGM if you hold MGM Rewards Gold or higher and want the qualifying resort-fee waiver on up to two rooms[5].
  • Choose a qualifying Marriott channel if Bonvoy points, elite nights and Bonvoy benefits matter more to you than MGM's direct-booking benefits[23][8].
  • Before using a debit card, check the property's incidental authorization and release timetable, since The Cosmopolitan warns remaining funds can take up to 30 business days to return for international travelers[46].
  • Compare the Luxor and Excalibur All-Inclusive Experience with room-only pricing if you will use its included dining, entertainment and self-parking, but budget separately for dining gratuities[47].

MGM Resorts hotels Axel has reviewed

What would raise the score

  • Fold mandatory resort charges into standard room pricing and make fee-inclusive totals consistently visible from the first rate screen.
  • Make 24-hour free cancellation the default on flexible rates and remove the routine first-night booking deposit.
  • Restore a published best-rate guarantee with a clear claim process and remedy, or remove the unsupported guarantee wording from member marketing.
  • Extend Sapphire point expiry beyond six months and count both earning and redemption as qualifying activity.

Questions about MGM Resorts

Can I avoid MGM resort fees?

MGM Rewards Gold-and-higher members can receive waivers on up to two eligible reservations per trip when booking directly with MGM and holding qualifying status during the stay[5]. Bonvoy award stays generally still carry resort fees, although Ambassador Elite members receive waivers on up to two rooms, including their own[23].

How late can I cancel an MGM hotel?

MGM's general rule requires at least 72 hours' notice to refund the first-night room-and-tax deposit, unless your offer excludes a refund[4]. Property rules differ: Beau Rivage normally uses 24 hours, while Borgata uses 48 hours[9][48]. Check the deadline on your own reservation rather than assuming the general rule applies[4].

Will MGM refund the difference if my room price drops?

Do not count on a guaranteed price adjustment: MGM ended its Best Rate Guarantee in August 2022, and Marriott's guarantee excludes MGM Collection[18][19]. A refundable reservation may let you cancel and rebook before its deadline, but MGM does not explicitly promise self-service lower-rate repricing[4].

Do Bonvoy Platinum members get breakfast and late checkout?

The listed welcome choice is 1,000 points per stay or a $20 nightly food-and-beverage credit, increased to $30 at W Las Vegas, rather than a specified breakfast entitlement[49]. Platinum and Titanium members may request 2 p.m. checkout, subject to availability, on qualifying stays[8].

How much money will MGM hold on my card?

It depends on the hotel and room type: examples include Luxor's $50 daily incidental authorization and ARIA's $150 daily authorization for Deluxe Rooms, both additional to room charges, taxes and resort fees[3][27]. Check your specific property's terms before arrival rather than treating either amount as chain-wide[26][27][3][29].

Are Delano and NoMad still MGM hotels?

Those Las Vegas names have changed: Delano became W Las Vegas on December 18, 2024, and NoMad became The Reserve at Park MGM on December 17, 2025[50][51]. They are renamed hotels, not additional properties to count alongside W and The Reserve[50][51].

Sources

  1. Hotel Reservation Terms and Conditions, Bellagio / MGM Resorts International, 2026-08-26
  2. Hotel Reservation Terms and Conditions, MGM Grand / MGM Resorts International, 2026-08-26
  3. Hotel Reservation Terms and Conditions, Luxor / MGM Resorts International, 2026-08-26
  4. Frequently Asked Questions, MGM Resorts International
  5. Daily Resort Fee Waiver, MGM Resorts International
  6. Parking at MGM Resorts, MGM Resorts International
  7. MGM Rewards - What You Can (and Cannot) Earn On, MGM Resorts International
  8. MGM Collection | Supplemental Terms, Marriott International, 2026-01
  9. Hotel Reservation Terms and Conditions, Beau Rivage / MGM Resorts International, 2026-08-26
  10. Hotel Reservation Terms and Conditions, Borgata / MGM Resorts International, 2026-08-26
  11. Hotel Reservation Terms and Conditions, MGM Grand Detroit / MGM Resorts International, 2026-08-26
  12. Hotel Reservation Terms and Conditions, MGM National Harbor / MGM Resorts International, 2026-08-26
  13. Hotel Reservation Terms and Conditions, MGM Springfield / MGM Resorts International, 2026-08-26
  14. The Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees: Frequently Asked Questions, Federal Trade Commission
  15. Travelers United v. MGM Resorts International — Complaint, Travelers United, 2021-02
  16. EvalEconFinance22A.MGM.Legal — Legal Actions, MGM Resorts International; hosted by New York gaming authorities
  17. Lock in Your Exclusive Vegas Rates Today, MGM Resorts International email, archived by Milled, 2026-09-01
  18. Best Rate Guarantee, MGM Resorts International
  19. Best Rate Guarantee, Marriott International
  20. MGM Rewards Tier Benefits, MGM Resorts International
  21. Transportation & Parking, MGM National Harbor
  22. Program Rules, MGM Resorts International, 2026-03-05
  23. FAQ's to MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International
  24. MGM Rewards: What To Know, NerdWallet, 2026-10-13
  25. Frequently Asked Questions, MGM National Harbor / MGM Resorts International
  26. Frequently Asked Questions — MGM Grand Las Vegas, MGM Grand / MGM Resorts International
  27. Hotel Reservation Terms and Conditions, ARIA / MGM Resorts International, 2026-08-26
  28. Hotel Reservation Terms and Conditions, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas / MGM Resorts International, 2026-08-26
  29. Frequently Asked Questions, MGM Grand Detroit / MGM Resorts International
  30. FAQs, Bellagio / MGM Resorts International
  31. ACSI Travel Study 2026, American Customer Satisfaction Index, 2026-04-21
  32. North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study, J.D. Power
  33. 2026 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study — Luxury Ranking, J.D. Power, 2026-07-14
  34. 2026 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study — Upper Upscale Ranking, J.D. Power, 2026-07-14
  35. Vdara Hotel & Spa — Reviews, Tripadvisor
  36. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino Biloxi — Reviews, Tripadvisor
  37. Luxor Hotel & Casino — Reviews, Tripadvisor
  38. Excalibur Hotel & Casino — Reviews, Tripadvisor
  39. Excalibur Hotel & Casino — Reviews, Expedia
  40. Top 10 Hotels in Las Vegas: Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, Condé Nast Traveler, 2026-10-06
  41. ARIA Resort & Casino — Reviews, Tripadvisor
  42. ARIA Resort & Casino — Reviews, Expedia
  43. MGM Resorts International Earns Five-Star Recognition with 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Awards, MGM Resorts International, 2026-02-11
  44. MGM Grand Completes $300 Million Room and Suite Remodel, Welcoming New Era for Iconic Las Vegas Resort, MGM Resorts International, 2025-11-13
  45. Luxor Hotel & Casino — Customer Reviews, Better Business Bureau
  46. Frequently Asked Questions, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas / MGM Resorts International
  47. MGM Resorts International Launches All-Inclusive Experience on Las Vegas Strip, MGM Resorts International, 2026-03-25
  48. Frequently Asked Questions, Borgata / MGM Resorts International
  49. Member Benefits - MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International
  50. 1,117-Room W Hotel Las Vegas Now Open (Delano Rebrand), One Mile at a Time, 2024-12-18
  51. The Reserve at Park MGM — Rebrand FAQ, MGM Resorts International