Mandalay Bay

Mandalay Bay opened on March 2, 1999 at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, establishing a new anchor for a stretch that had previously been dominated by Luxor and Excalibur. Developed by Circus Circus Enterprises (later acquired by MGM Resorts), the resort introduced a tropical Southeast Asian aesthetic — teak, lush greenery, and a colour palette based on warm golds and greens — that distinguished it from the hard-edged themed resorts nearby.

The casino floor spans approximately 135,000 square feet with over 2,400 gaming positions, including a high-limit gaming area and a race and sports book. The property is particularly associated with poker — the Poker Room has hosted World Poker Tour events and continues to draw serious players. The resort's showpiece is Mandalay Beach: a 2,700 square metre sand-based wave pool and lazy river complex that functions as a genuine beach environment in the Nevada desert.

The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay houses over 2,000 animals including sharks, rays, sawfish, and sea turtles in 1.6 million gallons of salt water — one of the most substantial aquarium attractions in the American West. The Michelob Ultra Arena (formerly Mandalay Bay Events Center) is a 12,000-seat multi-purpose arena that has hosted major boxing, UFC, and music events. A roster of celebrity chef restaurants includes Aureole and Stripsteak.