Viva Las Vegas! Read on as Farrah blogs about her stay at the MGM Grand Casino hotel…

Years and years ago when plots of land (or sand, rather) were being sold for next to nothing in quiet Las Vegas, little did the entrepreneurs of yesteryear dream of what the city would look like today!

A parade of glitz, glamour, sparkles and over the top demeanour; Las Vegas is now known to me by the name of ‘Las Hotels’. The Strip is an electric buzz of numerous talented and seductive hotels, all waiting to lure you with their charms. And the biggest of them all? My second hotel, The MGM Grand Casino – fantastically placed in the middle of all the seduction and charm.

It is the daddy of all daddies here, in that it was one of the very first ‘themed’ hotels back in the early 90s. And to this day, not a single hotel across the globe has taken its crown when it comes to size – we’re talking rooms in the thousands!

My first impression of the hotel was that of bewilderment. How was I in a room on the 25^th floor? Such floors don’t even exist in the UK let alone for pure entertainment purposes! Do they even have that many people stay in these rooms? Yes, and didn’t I know it today when checking in. I made the mistake of lining up at 3pm (the rush hour for check ins) and it took me 30 minutes to be seen to and checked in. Time I’d rather spend in the giant mall or indeed my lovely bed after a long flight. But on a more positive note, after making banter with the lovely hotel staff and upon cheekily asking for a nice room, they changed my room to one with a view. If you don’t ask…!

The lobby was huge and wondrous, I felt like a little girl at a sweet shop with a pound coin… where to begin? The Casino, the theatres, the zoo (yes, they have a lion habitat here!), the spa, the outdoor pool or kids’ play areas (after all we are all kids at heart!). There’s even a wedding chapel for those who are feeling a little romantic!

The 17 restaurants boast cuisines from around the globe, Mexican, Chinese and Thai to name a few.  If you want to go for something a little more special, try Seablue Restaurant for contemporary cuisine by American masterchef Michael Mina, the Chilean Sea Bass being a favourite with locals.

My room was spacious and of course the views were stunning. The furniture was a tad dated, as were the amenities. I wanted tea, but there wasn’t a kettle in sight – be warned. The colour scheme was a little old fashioned and at times I felt like I was on the set of a 70s American series, Charlie’s Angels or something… but alas I have always wanted to be Farrah Fawcett so it wasn’t all bad.

There’s no mini bar either so you’d have to upgrade to a suite or do without. I must admit though, I felt like a bit of a rock star sitting on my bed and looking out to the strip. That energy counteracted the average room decor for me; well worth it! So, in such a big hotel with so many people, does this quantity compromise quality I hear you ask? Sometimes, yes. It will take longer to be seen to and queries are always in a queue but when it’s your turn, the service is impeccable.

This is the grandest hotel I have ever been to; this Hollywood themed gem is hard to shake off once you’re in it. And it isn’t just a hotel. No. It is a world of pure entertainment – be prepared to be very entertained!