moneytalks

About 3 years ago I used to drive up to Detroit from Cleveland (about a 2.5/3 hour drive) and gamble at either MGM or Motor City casino, usually MGM, every weekend. This was while they were in their temporary buildings. Since the new and nicer MGM opened up in 2007 I have never got a chance to go up and see it, that is until 3 weeks ago. Me and 3 friends headed up for a Saturday of gambling. The new building is only a few blocks down the road from the old one, that made it easy to find for me. Even if you’ve never been there before, it is situated right between 10 and 94. The hotel tower looked nice, but nicer in the pictures. The parking garage was easier with a straight shot up the ramp where in the old one you had to make multiple turns to get both in and out. Once inside I forgot that I was in Detroit. Some may say that a casino is a casino but I disagree. I’ve been to Vegas, Atlantic City, St. Louis, Niagara Falls and other places and I’ll tell you that a casino is not a casino. Casinos in those different places differ greatly. Anyways… the layout reminded me of the revamped Aladdin, now Planet Hollywood, in Las Vegas. It had a more trendy, contemporary look and feel to it. For you slot players (yuck) they have over 4,000 slots with limits ranging from $0.01 to $100.00. Table games reach numbers nearing 100. Watch out though, they have a lot of “carnival” games like 3 card poker and different variations of blackjack. The seasoned gamblers know to stick to blackjack and craps. One nice addition to the new MGM is a poker room, this was lacking at the old one forcing players over to Greektown or Motor City. Other additions include 5 lounges/clubs for some nightlife and entertainment. The only one that I entered was the U-Me-Drink, even though there was none of me drinking, unless you count my virgin strawberry daiquiri. This is their center lounge that is surrounded by the casino floor. They have two medium end shops that have high end prices. I guess if you win any of their money they want one last shot at getting it back before you leave. There are plenty of places to eat, for most. I’m vegan (don’t eat meat, dairy, eggs or any animal product) so it was difficult for me but most others should have no problem. They have an overpriced food court called breeze. The only food court where you’d spend over $10 getting a meal and drink. They also offer an upscale buffet called Pallete. Along with these they offer their signature restaurants including Saltwater, Bourbon Steak and Wolfgang Pucks Grille. With all of those choices you should be able to find a meal that will leave you cursing the bill when you receive it. As for the hotel, I did not stay in it but I spoke to people that have. And what I’m hearing is that it is very, very nice. But for the money it had better be. All in all you get away from the midwest when you enter the new MGM Grand Detroit and you enter an upscale, trendy environment. Whether or not that is what you look for in a casino is up to you. 

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