Mandalay Bay Las Vegas: When Was It Built, What Is It Named After & Everything Visitors Want to Know

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino opened on March 2, 1999, on the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip. It is named after Mandalay, the second-largest city in Myanmar (formerly Burma), chosen to evoke an exotic, tropical, Southeast Asian atmosphere that sets the resort apart from its neighbors. The property was developed by MGM Resorts International (then operating as Mandalay Resort Group) and quickly became one of the most recognizable landmarks at the southern tip of the Strip.

TL;DR: Mandalay Bay was built in 1999, named after a city in Myanmar, and sits at the far south end of the Las Vegas Strip - a must-see on any tour of the boulevard.

Step 1: Understand What Mandalay Bay Actually Is

Before visiting, it helps to know exactly what you're walking into. Mandalay Bay is not just a hotel - it's a full resort complex spanning several connected towers and properties. The main resort includes the Mandalay Bay hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas (which occupies the top floors of the same tower), and the Delano Las Vegas (a separate tower on the same campus).

The resort sits at 3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South, right at the southern gateway of the Strip. If you're driving or riding in from the airport, Mandalay Bay is typically the first major resort you'll see on your left as you head north on the boulevard - making it a natural first impression of the Strip.

Step 2: Know the Key Facts Before You Arrive

A quick reference before stepping onto the property:

• Opening date: March 2, 1999
• Named after: Mandalay, Myanmar (formerly Burma)
• Developer: Mandalay Resort Group (now MGM Resorts International)
• Location: 3950 Las Vegas Blvd South - southern end of the Strip
• Hotel rooms: Approximately 3,200+ rooms across the Mandalay Bay and Delano towers
• Casino size: Roughly 135,000 square feet of gaming floor
• Convention space: One of the largest in the U.S. - over 2 million square feet
• Notable venue: Michelob Ultra Arena (formerly Mandalay Bay Events Center), a 12,000-seat arena

Step 3: Learn Why the Name "Mandalay Bay" Was Chosen

The name is more intentional than it might seem. When the resort opened in 1999, Las Vegas was in the middle of a wave of themed mega-resorts - New York-New York had just opened, Bellagio was under construction, and Paris Las Vegas was on the way. Mandalay Resort Group chose the Mandalay name to conjure images of lush, tropical Southeast Asia: golden temples, warm breezes, and an air of faraway glamour.

That theme carries through the property's design - the sprawling wave pool and beach area, the tropical landscaping, and the warm gold tones throughout the interior all reflect the spirit of the name. The actual city of Mandalay in Myanmar is known for its royal palaces, Buddhist temples, and position along the Irrawaddy River. The resort borrows that sense of exotic grandeur and translates it into a Las Vegas experience.

Step 4: Explore the Highlights on the Property

Mandalay Bay rewards visitors who take time to explore. Here are the experiences most worth knowing about:

1. The Beach: An 11-acre tropical pool complex with a real sand beach, a wave pool, and multiple pools. It's one of the most popular pool environments on the entire Strip.
2. Shark Reef Aquarium: A 1.6-million-gallon aquarium featuring sharks, rays, sea turtles, and hundreds of other species - a genuinely impressive attraction for all ages.
3. Michelob Ultra Arena: A world-class 12,000-seat concert and event venue that has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment.
4. Restaurant Row: The property is home to a strong lineup of dining options ranging from casual to fine dining, including concepts from well-known chefs.
5. The Casino Floor: A sprawling, well-appointed gaming floor with table games, slots, and a dedicated poker room.

Step 5: Position Mandalay Bay on Your Strip Itinerary

Because Mandalay Bay sits at the southern end of the Strip, it works best as either your starting point or your final stop on a full Strip experience. From here, heading north takes you past Luxor (with its iconic pyramid and beam of light), Excalibur, New York-New York, MGM Grand, Park MGM, Aria, Cosmopolitan, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, and eventually the Venetian and Wynn - the full sweep of what makes Las Vegas one of the most visually spectacular places on earth.

That north-to-south (or south-to-north) journey along the boulevard is exactly what a private limo tour is designed to capture. Seeing Mandalay Bay from the Strip, lit up against the desert sky, is a completely different experience than walking past it on foot - and having a professional photographer with you means those moments are actually documented, not just glimpsed through a phone screen.

Our 1.5 Hour Las Vegas Strip Limo Tour covers the heart of the Strip and is a great way to take in landmarks like Mandalay Bay in style. For visitors who want to extend the experience all the way to Fremont Street and the older downtown corridor, the 2 Hour Strip and Fremont Tour gives you the full picture of Las Vegas - old and new. Traveling with a larger group? The Party Bus Tour accommodates groups of 20 to 30 and keeps everyone together for the whole ride.

Tips for Visiting Mandalay Bay

• Arrive from the Strip side, not the parking garage. The front entrance along Las Vegas Boulevard gives you the full visual impact of the property - the entrance, the landscaping, and the scale of the building all read much better from the boulevard.
• Visit Shark Reef early in the day. It gets busy in the afternoons, especially on weekends. Morning visits are quieter and more relaxed.
• The Beach is seasonal. The wave pool and outdoor beach area typically operate spring through early fall. Check current hours before planning your visit around it.
• The resort is large - wear comfortable shoes. Walking from the Delano tower to the far end of the casino floor is a significant distance. Factor that into your plans.
• Check the arena schedule. If there's a major concert or boxing event at Michelob Ultra Arena, the surrounding area gets very busy. It can be exciting to be part of - or worth timing around, depending on your preference.
• The best exterior photos of Mandalay Bay are taken from across the boulevard or from inside a moving vehicle on the Strip - the full gold tower reads beautifully at dusk and after dark.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Mandalay Bay built and opened?

Mandalay Bay opened on March 2, 1999. Construction began in the mid-1990s under the Mandalay Resort Group, which later became part of MGM Resorts International.

What is Mandalay Bay named after?

Mandalay Bay is named after Mandalay, the second-largest city in Myanmar (formerly Burma). The name was chosen to evoke a sense of exotic, tropical Southeast Asian glamour - a theme that runs through the resort's architecture, landscaping, and pool complex.

Where exactly is Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip?

Mandalay Bay is located at 3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South, at the far southern end of the Strip. It's typically one of the first major resorts visitors see when arriving from McCarran (Harry Reid) International Airport heading north on the boulevard.

Is Mandalay Bay part of MGM Resorts?

Yes. Mandalay Bay is owned and operated by MGM Resorts International. The property also includes the Delano Las Vegas tower and the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, which occupies the top floors of the main Mandalay Bay tower.

What is there to do at Mandalay Bay besides the casino?

Mandalay Bay offers Shark Reef Aquarium, an 11-acre tropical beach and wave pool complex, Michelob Ultra Arena (a 12,000-seat concert venue), a large selection of restaurants, and a full convention center. It's one of the most activity-rich resorts on the Strip beyond gaming.

Is Mandalay Bay worth visiting even if you're not staying there?

Absolutely. The Shark Reef Aquarium, the casino floor, the restaurant options, and the sheer scale of the property make it worth a visit for any Las Vegas tourist. The exterior along the Strip is also one of the more photogenic resort facades on the boulevard, especially at night.