M casino

The M Pool, the larger and more family-oriented of the two pools, is pretty shallow but fine for a quick dip. Lifeguards are on duty, drink service and food is available from the Piazza Grille, and there are plenty of lounge chairs -- which can be scarce at hotels like the MGM Grand or the Mandalay Bay. In addition to the pool, there are two large hot tubs on the pool deck. The atmosphere here is fairly relaxed -- more so than at the adult-only pool -- though there is still the universal "hotel house" soundtrack that pumps out over the pool area from plastic speakers around the grounds.

DayDream is the seasonal adult-only pool club. Only open on the weekends and holidays, the DayDream can become a hard-bodied party scene akin to the ones on the Vegas Strip. Expect a few G-strings, a live DJ, and lots of drinks. But the pool area is fairly small -- only 12,000 square feet -- and it can get packed pretty easily. An open lounge chair can be hard to come by, unless you book one of the 10-person cabanas, which have private lounge areas with ceiling fans, refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, and iPod docking stations (though it would be hard to hear your own music over the DJ's loud speakers). There is an extra fee to enter the DayDream pool.

The fitness center is clean, bright (it's surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows), and modern (the Cybex cardio machines come with private TV monitors). Spa Mio facilities include steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools, and locker rooms. Like the gym, the spa facilities are well maintained, and unlike most other luxury hotels in Vegas, there are locker room attendants who regularly brings chilled bottled water to guests in the steam room. There is an access fee for both the spa and fitness center.

The 92,000-square-foot casino is modern and well-designed. Nonsmokers will appreciate the effective air-filtration system, and sports fans will appreciate the TVs that hang over some of the gaming tables. The poker room has 12 tables -- some with limits, some without -- and holds tournaments daily. And, like the hotel, there are an additional four gaming tables poolside, so pool guests can continue to gamble. 

Although in-room Wi-Fi costs a daily fee, it's available for free in the hotel's coffee shop. A concierge is available to help with standard requests, like dinner reservations, shuttle services, and show tickets.