MGM Grand Las Vegas
The MGM Grand Las Vegas is one of the largest hotel and casino complexes on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. Opened in December 1993 and developed by entertainment magnate Kirk Kerkorian through MGM Grand, Inc., it was the world’s largest hotel at the time of its debut, with over 5,000 rooms. Today owned by Vici Properties and operated by MGM Resorts International, the resort spans more than 100 acres and encompasses an arena, a convention centre, multiple entertainment venues and one of the largest casino floors in Las Vegas.
At a glance
- Type
- Hotel and casino resort
- Period
- Opened December 18, 1993
- Style
- Contemporary resort architecture
- Location
- 3799 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA
- Coordinates
- 36.1024° N, 115.1694° W
Overview
The MGM Grand is colloquially known as “The Grand Hotel” and occupies a prominent position at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard South and Tropicana Avenue — one of the busiest corners on the Strip. The property is instantly recognisable by its emerald-green exterior and the bronze lion statues that flank the main entrance. It functions as an integrated resort combining lodging, dining, entertainment and gaming under a single roof.
History
Kirk Kerkorian had previously operated an earlier MGM Grand that opened on the Strip in 1973; that property was sold and eventually renamed Bally’s in 1986. Kerkorian acquired a new site and broke ground on the current MGM Grand in 1991, completing it in time for a December 1993 opening. The resort was conceived to capitalise on the family-friendly entertainment wave that was transforming Las Vegas in the early 1990s. A major fire in November 1980 at the earlier MGM Grand was one of the deadliest hotel disasters in US history, a memory that shaped fire-safety standards in the industry.
What you see
The complex consists of four emerald-green towers ranging up to 30 stories, totalling more than 6,850 guest rooms and suites — one of the highest room counts of any single hotel property on Earth. The casino floor covers approximately 171,500 square feet (15,900 m²) and offers table games, slot machines and a dedicated poker room. The MGM Grand Garden Arena, with capacity for up to 17,000 spectators, hosts major boxing matches, concerts and award ceremonies. A dozen restaurants and nightclubs complete the entertainment offering.
Cultural significance
The MGM Grand’s 1993 opening marked a pivotal moment in the transformation of Las Vegas from a gambling destination to a global entertainment resort capital. Its sheer scale helped establish the template for the megaresort — an all-in-one destination where gaming is one element among many leisure offerings. The property has hosted some of the most watched boxing events in history, cementing its reputation as a live-entertainment landmark.
Practical information
- Address
- 3799 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA
- Hours
- Casino open 24 hours; hotel check-in from 3 pm
- Admission
- Casino floor free to enter for adults 21+; hotel and entertainment ticketed separately
- Website
- mgmgrand.mgmresorts.com
Getting there
The Las Vegas Monorail stops at the MGM Grand station adjacent to the resort. The Las Vegas Strip & Downtown Express (SDX) bus runs along Las Vegas Boulevard and stops nearby. McCarran International Airport (Harry Reid International) is approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) south; taxis, ride-share services and hotel shuttles connect the two. Self-parking and valet are available on site.