The MGM Grand is one rocking Las Vegas hotel. Sure, they gave me a kickin’ room and access to a ton of amazing stuff.

1. Las Vegas hotel - MGMMMMMM
Kristin Flickinger – Gay Travel Guru Finalist
The MGM Grand is one rocking Las Vegas hotel. Sure, they gave me a kickin’
room and access to a ton of amazing stuff. But you know I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t
true. Honey, this place is unreal - in the best way possible.
So here’s how the gay friendly MGM rocked my world. I woke up in the super-
comfy bed in my West Wing room, looking out over the strip. After I headed down the
elevator to one of the three Starbucks on the property for my morning cappuccino, I did
a spot of work at the comfortable desk in my room (the hotel provides wireless and high
speed internet). Before my evening packed full of exciting shows and events at the Las
Vegas hotel, it was off to the Spa.
The Grand Spa has luxurious treatments like hot stone massages, which is what
I had. First, though, I was shown to my private locker, handed a bottle of water and an
enormous, fluffy robe and guided into the Jacuzzi/cucumber steam/sauna area, then
told to wait in the “relaxation room.” The dark, warm room had overstuffed chaise
lounges, magazines, and orange-infused water. It also had granola bars. Which made me
extremely happy.
May, my massage therapist quietly called my name and then gently guided me
down the hall into a wonderfully warm room, where she tucked me under the covers and
asked me if the music, temperature and lighting were okay. Then she started.
When the stones touched my skin, I think I made a little noise. They were on
the verge of searing, for one, brief moment, and then they were melting into my skin,
releasing the tension and stress of the past 24 hours.
I walked out of the spa energized, relaxed and ready for the rest of the day.
Which was good, because my day included pool parties, dinner at Fiamma, the Crazy
Horse Paris show, and the Restaurant Week event, Wet Your Appetite at Wet Republic,
part of the enormous pool complex at the MGM Grand.
Let’s talk a moment about Fiamma, MGM’s Italian entry in the Las Vegas
restaurant scene. No, let’s talk about my love of food. Italian food, specifically. It’s deep
and it’s real, people. So when the general manager came by to suggest that we have the
chef prepare his choice of dishes for us, I was intrigued.
“Bring it on,” I thought to myself.
And he did.
When the pizza margharita arrived, I could tell just by looking at it that it was the
real deal.

2. “Do you have a forno? A wood fired oven?"
He smiled as he placed a piece gingerly on my plate. “Yes, we do.”
Excellent.
Course after course came: caprese salad with colorful, heirloom tomatoes, and
bufala mozzarella; eggplant Parmesan; lasagnette of artichoke; house-made linguine with
fresh, black truffle that we could smell as it approached the table.
This meal was seriously good. I discovered that there is a fine line between
needing to eat in order to fuel your body, and eating so much that your body demands
sleep. I danced a delicate dance at Fiamma, aided by an espresso lovingly prepared and
greedily consumed.
And when we thought we could eat no more, a delicious plate of dessert was
placed before us. Two diners…three desserts. Perfect.
We had a bomba of crema and raspberry gelato coated in crisp, dark chocolate, a
Hazlenut torta, and, of course, tiramisu. All of which were delightful. Delicate, chocolate,
and delicious.
And thus began my love affair with the MGM Grand, a truly grand Las Vegas
hotel.