The last 2 times that I've overnighted in Vegas, I've stayed at the MGM. My most recent visit was for 3 nights over the 4th of July weekend; 03July-06July.  \n\nThis hotel is always \""poppin\"", and 4th of July weekend was insane.  If you're as big a fan as I am of people watching, then you're in luck. \n\nI didn't have to bother with the check-in process, someone else in my group handled that, so I cannot speak on that aspect.  We'd driven in from the Phoenix area, arrived around 5pm, I dropped them off at the front door to check in, and by the time I'd parked they were calling me from our room, so that was pretty fast IMO. \n\n\nHotel...\n\nlobby: \nHuge, bright lobby with large TVs over the check-in desks.  The TVs are usually playing music videos (to my delight, as I prance-dance through the lobby).  The large boxing ring, which houses a large gold lion statute, is a popular attraction for photo ops.  If you want a photo of the Lion in Ring sans a million strangers in your backdrop, I suggest getting down to the lobby before 8am...while everyone else is still hungover and asleep. \n\nNote: It was freezing in the hotel hallways!\n\n\nWorkout facility:\non the 4th floor, if I recall correctly.  You'll need your room key to enter.  Nice, clean, simple little workout room.  Lots of treadmills (I didn't count them; maybe a dozen?), stair-stepper, and other equipment. It was well stocked with lots of clean towels, and it had 2 filtered water coolers.  \n\n\nRooms:\nFollow the yellow brick road (overhead signs) to the guest rooms.  From the lobby, take a quick right, walk through a short hall (cupcakery to the left, convenience store to the right), until you reach the rotunda with the large fountain in the middle.  From here there are different pathways, above which you'll see where they lead.  Proceed accordingly.  (FYI If you are told to go to a room, for example, 401, do not assume it's on the 4th floor. Verify which floor, b/c there is a (for example) 401 on all the floors.)\n\nWe had a room on the 10th floor with 2 queen beds. The room was spacious, but not as large as the room we had here last year. Same comfy beds though!\nI'm not sure why the bathroom being at the door is such a focal point for some.  With as many people as I've seen stumbling through the lobby, barely making it to the elevator, I'd think the bathroom being at your instant disposal would be a good thing.\n\nThe bathrooms are large and clean.  I like that there is a wall separating the commode from the sink area.\n\nThe maid service was great.  She kept us stocked on extra towels.\nTip: Tip the maids a little every day ($2 per day if it's just you or +1; $1 per person if there's a group of you), especially if you're staying multiple days.  You'll be rewarded!  \n\nThe city lights can be bright at night, but they have blackout curtains in the rooms, so just close the curtains and nighty-night.  There is nothing that you can do about the noise in the halls though.  Dude; it's Vegas.\n\nI don't watch TV when I'm in Vegas, so I don't know what the TV service is like. \nHowever, there was an outlet center on TV stand, which included 2 USB ports; great for charging our iPhones. \n\nI wish they would switch from glass drinking glasses to individually wrapped, disposable plastic cups.  Those glasses are unsanitary. \n\nIf you call guest services to request they bring you anything, call WAY before you need it. It took them almost 2 hours to bring us extra blankets one night. \n\n\nCasino:\nI do not drink or gamble.  However, it was very smokey while walking through.  I wish they'd incorporate a no-smoking policy. But I know they're afraid to lose money.\n\n\nFood courtyard:\nMcDonald's and the pizza place (forgot the name) were open at 2:30am one night, and it was packed!\n\nOther options during the day were Asian (think Panda Express, but the name was different), Mexican (burritos, tacos, etc), Southern USA (fried chicken, mac n cheese, etc).  Aside from steamed veggies at the Asian option, nothing else was vegan-friendly.\n\nPool:\nYou'll need your MGM room key to enter, otherwise YOU SHALL NOT  PASS.\nClean towels available, so no need to bring your own.\nArrive early for a lounge chair (and some peace and quiet). Small humans (children) take over by midday. \nPool closes at 8pm, so no late night dips for you.\nThere are different areas, and they're all huge.  You have to pay extra to chill in the lazy pool. :(\nI think there were at least 2 restaurants inside the pool area. I didn't visit them, so I have no comment.\nYou can NOT bring your own water bottle into the pool area, so when (not if; when) you get thirsty, be prepared to spend $6 on a baby bottle of water. \n\n\nEntertainment:\nI went to see Cirque du Soleil's KA performance, which was outstanding!  Fun, truly entertaining, eye-catching performance.  Absolutely loved it!  The auditorium is lovely as well, and it wasn't too cold inside. There's a concession stand, but I didn't visit it.\n\n\nWe got to view/rate a TV pilot, which was cool.