“The cat is sleeping on the couch.”
BetMGM has established itself as the dominant force in the Michigan online casino industry, while MGM Grand Detroit has long held the reputation for excellence in the physical casino realm.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the traditional brick-and-mortar existence, causing MGM Grand and the two other downtown Detroit casinos to temporarily suspend their resort operations. However, in the summer of 2021, they have resumed and revitalized their resort activities.
In a world where vaccines are widely accessible, does MGM Grand Detroit have any distinctive features that set it apart from others? During my three-day visit, which included stops at MotorCity Casino Hotel and Greektown Casino-Hotel, I had the opportunity to personally explore the property in late June.
Please note that due to the rapidly changing COVID-19 recovery situation, hotel services and features may undergo alterations. The information provided in this report accurately represents the available amenities, operating hours, and price ranges at the time of the author’s visit.
MGM Grand Detroit ambience
Arriving at 1777 3rd Ave. on a Wednesday, just before noon, I parked my vehicle at the casino space. Unlike the other two properties in town, MGM Grand Detroit provided a restricted valet parking service exclusively for hotel guests and VIP members. Nevertheless, I was curious to explore the self-parking structure utilized by the majority of attendees.
Maybe I should have prioritized dropping off my luggage first. It was quite a hassle to carry my bags all the way through the main casino floor, which felt like dragging them for a couple of blocks. However, this layout is unlikely to bother the majority of casino-goers since they can simply take the west elevator and reach the far end of the casino floor within minutes.
As I approached the front desk, I was met with an elegant and simplistic atmosphere while receiving my room key. A security guard stood watch at the entrance of the hallway that led to the hotel elevators.
The standard room boasted the features one would anticipate in a high-end establishment: stylish yet understated furniture, a cozy bed and television setup, and a bathroom equipped with double sinks and a luxurious double-head walk-in shower.
Fitness center, pool and spa
MGM Grand Detroit distinguishes itself from other downtown competitors primarily through its array of amenities. Unlike any other resort in the area, it offers a fully-equipped fitness center, an exquisite pool, and a luxurious spa setup.
Despite its limited operating hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., which may seem inconvenient for regular workout routines, the facilities offered are impressive. Although the fitness center is somewhat small, it exceeds expectations with two complete sets of free weights and a versatile station for lats and triceps exercises.
In the corner, there were multiple medicine balls and workout mats. The center of the room featured approximately 10 leg and arm curls and extension machines. Along the sides, there were four operational treadmills, three stair climbers or standing bikes, and two spin bikes. Additionally, all the cardio machines were thoughtfully stocked with unopened water bottles and individually wrapped towels. Whether it was due to COVID precautions or not, this attention to detail was a pleasant surprise.
The entrance to the pool and spa center was situated close by. During the center’s operating hours, customers had the option to indulge in massages and treatments. However, appointments were necessary, and visitors were required to wear masks during their visit. Inside the men’s locker room, I found a wooden-finished locker where I securely stored my belongings. It was protected by a personally chosen four-digit key code.
As soon as I stepped into the pool area, a sense of relaxation instantly embraced me. Soft background music played on repeat, inviting me to the seven spacious circular chairs and four recliners, all ready to aid in my unwinding. The infinity edge saltwater pool offered a delightful combination of coolness and refreshment.
If I had wanted, I could have had almost exclusive access to all these areas during the afternoon. The features, at least for me, added a touch of sophistication to the property.
Food and beverage scene
As the final stages of the pandemic continue, MGM Grand Detroit is gradually reintroducing its dining options in a phased manner, similar to other entertainment venues reopening.
When I was at the property on Wednesday, there were a few dining options available. The upscale D.PRIME Steakhouse, although not fully occupied, had around two-thirds of its tables occupied by 5:30 p.m. Another option was The Roasted Bean, which served coffee, pastries, and limited breakfast in the mornings. Lastly, there was the Breeze food court.
There were three restaurants in operation at various times within the last set of items. The most flexible in terms of operating hours was the National Coney Island station, which was open from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Despite my temptation for a Coney Dog, I managed to resist. The Detroit Wing Company operates every evening from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., while the Red Sauce express pizza outlet is available from Wednesdays through Sundays, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
To my disappointment, when I visited the MGM Grand Detroit sports bar, I discovered that the TAP was not available on Wednesdays or Thursdays. This meant I couldn’t enjoy a meal while watching Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final or the decisive Game 6 of the NBA’s Western Conference Finals featuring the Phoenix Suns. Fortunately, the bar is open from 4-11 p.m. on the remaining five days of the week for those looking to indulge in on-site dining.
In addition to the mentioned food closures, please note that D.PRIME is not operational on Mondays and Tuesdays. The Topgolf Swing Suite, including its food offerings, is currently on hiatus. Furthermore, the Palette Dining Studio buffet remains closed as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus.
Consequently, the food court queues were excessively lengthy, leaving me with no option but to quickly grab a breakfast sandwich, hot chocolate, and a morning dessert cookie from The Roasted Bean as I exited the premises. Even when I finished my evening activities close to midnight, the wait for the food court line was so long that it almost extended out onto the casino floor.
MGM Grand Casino floor
The casino floor of MGM Grand Detroit is capable of accommodating a large number of visitors, unlike the two downtown Detroit casinos. While it is located on a single level, this does not affect its capacity to house an impressive 2,800 gaming machines. Although the property may be slightly confusing to navigate, it does not hinder the overall experience.
During my Wednesday stay at the casino, I dedicated most of my time to the early evening. As I embarked on a walking tour, I was pleasantly accompanied by a delightful atmosphere. The speakers filled the air with an interesting blend of music, ranging from big band-style pieces to classic rock, current top-40 hits, and even a hip-hop song, all within a span of 25 minutes.
I had anticipated a consistent buzz leading up to the long weekend. In areas with sought-after machines, a little over half of the seats were occupied. The most popular slot game, 5 Treasures, had all 12 stations filled, while several others were patiently waiting for an available seat.
The live table-game scene remained steady as well. There were two baccarat tables in operation, although I observed from a distance for approximately 10 minutes and still didn’t fully grasp the game as I should have. Additionally, there were four craps tables and around twelve spots available for different versions of blackjack.
To my surprise, considering the current time and global situation, the poker room stood out as the unexpected highlight. It caught my attention as I strolled through the property with my luggage in the middle of the day, witnessing an unusual sight of several active tables. As evening approached, the number grew to a remarkable 11 tables, each separated by dividers. Even as the clock neared midnight, I couldn’t resist stealing another glimpse of the room’s bustling atmosphere, still witnessing around eight tables in use.
In its initial months, the online poker scene in Michigan has been quite a roller coaster ride. However, on this particular day, there were no disruptions in its smooth flow.
BetMGM Sportsbook
I’ve always considered the BetMGM Sportsbook product on mobile to be decent, but lacking any standout features. While it’s not necessary for it to be flashy, I’ve always expected some additional elements to come with that device and product.
Strangely, upon observing the sportsbook at MGM Grand Detroit, I am inclined to believe that BetMGM is content with being just okay.
In the casino, this arrangement is quite convenient as the TAP sports bar is located fairly close to the sportsbook (when it is open). The majority of seats at the bar inside the sportsbook were occupied, with customers enjoying video poker, placing sports bets, and sipping on their drinks.
At any given time, two prominent games were showcased on enormous screens, while another set of tables near the back wall of the sportsbook area held five additional games within sight.
To the left of the sportsbook, there were several vacant kiosks that were mostly ignored. However, as I made my final rounds close to midnight, I noticed that the sportsbook was still occupied by more than half of its capacity.
However, the prevalence of mobile gaming has reached a point where the physical sportsbook space is primarily focused on providing experiences with others and offering additional amenities, rather than solely focusing on bet transactions.
Overall impressions
I’m not entirely convinced that there is a single aspect in which the MGM Grand Detroit outperforms either Greektown Casino-Hotel or the MotorCity Casino Hotel. All three establishments offer enjoyable entertainment experiences.
However, the MGM Grand distinguishes itself by offering guests a high level of personalization and a wide range of options. This sets it apart in a competitive market, even at a slightly higher price point of $200, regardless of whether the property is still recovering from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic or not. The combination of quantity, variety, and a touch of uniqueness or exclusivity greatly contributes to its appeal.
The MGM Grand Detroit appears to be in a favorable position for complete normalization, whenever it may occur.
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Can you please rewrite the following sentence? <br><br>”The cat is sitting on the mat.”