MGM Grand Detroit is part of the MGM family and is one of only seven US based MGM casino resorts outside of Las Vegas. 

With the MGM name comes an expectation. Visitors expect more than just a good casino with modern slots and varied table games, they want top entertainment, great bars and incredible food options too.

So does MGM Grand Detroit deliver? I went along to check it out for myself.

MGM Grand Detroit operated from a temporary location from July 1999 to 2007. When it finally opened in October 2007, in the location it is now, it was launched with a grand event attended by A-list celebrities and Hollywood stars.

Unlike many of the earlier MGM resorts, MGM Grand Detroit does not have a theme. It bears no resemblance structurally or stylistically to MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip. 

In fact, the only similarity I could find was the small replica bronze lion statue at the front entrance. 

However, there is definitely a distinct Vegas-style MGM feel about the inside of the resort. 

Walking into the casino, it already felt familiar to me. Maybe a touch of the old Mirage here, a bit of Park MGM there, and elements of Mandalay Bay dashed about too. I couldn’t put my finger on what it was exactly, but it just had that MGM signature to it which immediately made me feel comfortable. 

Location

MGM Grand is actually one of three casinos in downtown Detroit. MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown are only a mile or so away in each direction so there is a lot of competition.

Although public transportation is not great in Michigan, MGM Grand Detroit is easily accessed from the freeway. There is an eight-storey self-parking garage on site with complimentary parking too.

MGM Grand Detroit is situated right across from DTE Energy Headquarters. Although this bears no specific significance to the casino itself, the resort does benefit from its surroundings. 

DTE invested heavily into its headquarters making it into an urban oasis with parks, walkways, and a reflecting pool. All of which are adjacent to MGM Grand Detroit and add to its external aesthetics.

The casino floor at MGM Grand Detroit is around 100,000 square feet. If you’re familiar with Las Vegas, that’s similar to the Cosmopolitan casino floor in size. It’s large enough to have great variety of games but not too big you get lost. 

As I’ve already mentioned there is a definite MGM feel to the casino. It is laid out well with a circular casino in the middle and the shops, bars, restaurants and sportsbook around the outside.

The ceilings are high and well-lit with circular golden lights and coloured panel lighting giving off purples and deep reds. The carpet, of course, is colourful and patterned and for me, there was a really nice immersive feeling and vibrant buzz around the place.

I could see the casino was well-maintained and clean and the main casino floor was smoke-free which helped to make it feel fresh. 

I did see smoking areas though – Smoking Slots East and Smoking Slots West provide two designated slots playing areas for smokers. There’s also a smoking table games area too.

Table Games Selection

Table games are big here, and I found a huge variation of games as I walked around. There are over 150 tables in total including all the usual favourites – blackjack, roulette, craps, poker, and baccarat. But I also saw lots of different game versions too, certainly more than I’ve seen in some other casinos.

I do enjoy playing roulette so I played for half an hour or so, and the dealer was really fun and got everyone interacting at the table. The standard of the table was good and the seating comfortable. I wouldn’t expect any less from MGM.

A designated poker room is also available on the main casino floor and open 24 hours a day. No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em and Pot-Limit Omaha are the main games but there’s regular cash games and tournaments too. 

This can get really busy and I’ve been told that you often have to join the waitlist for a seat on evenings and weekends.

Classic table games:

• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Craps
• Baccarat
• Three Card Poker 

Variants:

• Free Bet Blackjack
• Perfect Pairs
• Four Card Poker
• Pai Gow Poker
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em
• Criss Cross Poker
• Let It Ride Poker
• I Luv Suits
• Mississippi Stud Poker
• Spanish 21
• Tri-Lux Blackjack

I could only see 6:5 blackjack tables on the casino floor, no 3:2 tables, and I’m told there is a single zero roulette too. This may be in the high-limit area as I couldn’t see it on the main floor.

Slots

For a casino floor this size, there are a lot of slots! Over 2,500 to be more precise - far more than I would expect and comparable with most of the best online casinos.

They do feel quite squeezed together and there isn’t a lot of space around each slot. But it’s not so cramped that it dampened the experience.

Much like Vegas, there are tonnes of variety in the slots. From traditional three and five-reel games, which are getting less and less in general, to the multi-sensory all-singing, all-dancing video slots of today.

All the usual favourites are here and I saw loads of progressive jackpots too. Some of the popular games right now include: 

• Huff N’ More Puff
• Dragon Link
• Buffalo
• Ultimate Fire Link
• Quick Hits
• Lighting Dollar Link
• Mystery of the Lamp

I personally can’t resist a go on Ultimate Fire Link – the China Street version. I just love the orange lantern symbols and the hot fiery balls. I’m pleased to say I hit the bonus on this and left $120 up which is always a nice feeling.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t as lucky as the winner who scooped $67,210 on Ultimate Fire Link just last month though.

Bar-Top Gaming

I found bar-top gaming in four places at MGM Grand Detroit. 

The Axis Lounge is a big, sophisticated centre bar in the casino and it has around 20 bar-top terminals. The BetMGM Sports Lounge has around 15 bar-top games and there’s another 10 or so at 32° frozen cocktail bar.

There is a dedicated Video Poker Bar in the casino which, you’ve guessed, it you can play video poker too.

Unlike MGM properties in Las Vegas, you do not get comped drinks while playing bar-top games at MGM Grand Detroit. Bear that in mind if you’re used to getting freebies and are waiting for one to arrive.

MGM Grand Detroit Sportsbook

The BetMGM sportsbook at MGM Grand Detroit offers a cool place to watch sports in comfort and bet on the big game.

With around 60 HDTV’s showing different sports, comfortable leather armchair seating and its own bar, it really is a great spot if you love your sports.

If you want to place a sports bet then there’s a counter with six BetMGM windows to bet in person. Alternatively, I noticed loads of BetMGM kiosks around the casino too.

I popped in here to take a look and get a drink. The bar staff were friendly and the place had a really nice atmosphere. 

Waitress Service 

There is waitress service at MGM Grand Detroit but it is spotty at best. 

Drinks aren’t comped so you have to pay when you order and then wait for your drink to arrive. Unfortunately, I found it hard to find a waitress at all, and when I finally ordered a drink it took a long time to arrive.

What I did like, though, was the self-service stations around the casino floor with free soft drinks, coffee and juice.

High Limit Gaming at MGM Grand, Detroit

There is a high-limit gaming area at MGM Grand Detroit but it’s fairly small.

I counted around 40-50 slots with a handful of gaming tables set back on the side. 

It’s actually quite hard to find and you probably wouldn’t notice it, unless you were looking for it. It’s beside the MGM Rewards desk and D. Prime Steakhouse, by the way.

Despite the high-limit label on this area, you can usually find games that can be played from $5 a spin. If this is in your budget, then give it a try. It’s certainly a lot quieter than the main casino. 

Cash and Payment Options

Cash is the only form of currency on the casino floor. You can’t use a debit or credit card for gambling, it must be cash.

If you don’t have cash on you, then there are ATM’s on site, but these charge a withdrawal fee.

When you play slots, you insert cash into the machine and any winnings or withdrawals are paid via a voucher known as a TITO (ticket in, ticket out). You can use that TITO to continue gambling at other slots by just inserting it into the machine. Alternatively, you redeem the TITO for cash at a redemption machine. 

When playing table games, cash is exchanged for chips at the table and then winnings are returned back in chips, which are then redeemed for cash at the cage.

One really positive impact of cash being king when you gamble in person is that you can get your hands on your money immediately. That’s quicker than even the best payout online casinos. 

Anything other than gambling can be paid by card - hotel stays, restaurant bills, drinks and shopping.

With just one hotel tower, MGM Grand Detroit has 400 rooms and suites. 

The outside of the hotel is nothing particularly special to look at, but it is pleasant, mixing stone brickwork and steel architecture to create a smart looking building. 

The interior is just as nice with cream polished floors, light coloured walls and lots of wood furnishings. It certainly wasn’t the most luxurious hotel lobby I’d seen, but it was bright and welcoming. 

This probably describes the rest of the hotel really. I saw some occasional bright coloured artwork, lighting and ornaments scattered about but generally it’s just a neutral, clean and pleasant place to be without any particular distinguishing features.

It’s important to note that MGM Grand Detroit is an adult-only resort, so only guests aged 21 and over are welcome.

MGM Grand Detroit Rooms

I booked a Luxury King Room which was a good size at 510 square feet, and it was really comfortable.

The overall colour palette was a mix of creams, dark reds, golds, browns and greys, but it felt spacious and light with a big window. I would say it had an executive type feel to the room, much like the rooms at the Las Vegas MGM Grand.

As well as the king size bed, there was a two-seater sofa and table beside the window and a chaise longue at the rear of the bed too. There were bedside tables, a separate desk and chair and a main unit with the large TV on. 

Although most of the furniture was in good condition, the dark wood TV unit looked old and had some markings on it.

The bathroom was a good size and had his and hers sinks with a large walk-in shower. 

All of the usual amenities were included – iron/ironing board, hairdryer, a safe, and bathroom toiletries.

The room I booked was the basic room, but I could have upgraded to one of the Grand View Rooms with windows overlooking the Detroit skyline. Or there’s the Stay Well rooms with various wellness technologies includes such as air purifiers.

If the budget is bigger, you can book Executive Suites from 750 square feet and Corner Suites from 1,000 square feet too.

If you want to bring along your furry friend to MGM Grand Detroit, dog-friendly rooms are available. Up to two dogs are allowed, with a maximum combined weight of less than 100 pounds.

If you’re staying in a room, there’s a charge of $100 per night, per dog plus tax and if you’re staying in a suite then it’s $150 per night, per dog plus tax.

Bars

MGM Grand Detroit can be quiet sometimes on weekdays, but on evenings and weekends it is bustling. 

The Axis Lounge in the centre of the casino is where most of the action happens. With high seating and plush sofas, the sophisticated bar serves signature cocktails and has regular live entertainment too. 

32° is a frozen drinks bar serving frozen daiquiris and margaritas and you can watch sports and play video poker while you drink.

Meanwhile, the BetMGM Sports Lounge is a sports lovers’ haven. With a TV wall showing all different sports, bar-top gaming and a nice food and drink menu, it’s a casual but lively place to go. 

You can also pop in to TAP Sports Bar for drinks and sit around the centre bar.

Buffets and Restaurant

MGM Grand Detroit has two main restaurants and lots of quick eat options.

D.PRIME Steakhouse is the main up-scale restaurant serving steak and seafood. I ate here during my visit and thought the food was very good. It is a bit on the pricey side for what I got, and while it wasn’t the best steak I’d had, it was still enjoyable. The restaurant was full so it is clearly very popular.

TAP Sports Bar is the other place to eat which is much more of a casual dining experience. Serving pub classics and plenty of beer on tap, it’s a fun place to stop and grab some food. On Saturdays and Sunday, TAP do a buffet brunch which the locals tell me is great value.

For quick eats, the Detroit Central Market is a food hall featuring Diablo’s Tacos, Grand Wok Noodle Bar, The Corners Detroit-Style Pizza plus Indulge desserts. There’s also another food court with Detroit Wing Company, National Coney Island and Red Sauce Express Pizza too.

It might look great in terms of quick eat options but it’s worth noting that Detroit Central Market is not open at all on Mondays and Tuesdays, while only National Coney Island is open every day in the food court – the others only open Thursday to Sunday. That means if you go on a quieter day, there may be limited choices.

Don’t forget you can also grab a bit to eat at the BetMGM Sports Lounge and the Topgolf Sports Suite too, though. 

Shows and Entertainment

The main entertainment at MGM Grand Detroit is Topgolf Swing Suite.

Ideal for groups, Topgolf Swing Suite is a virtual golf simulation game where you hit into a screen. You don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy it as it is loaded with fun games to play and anyone can hit a lucky shot and win.

There are four booths in total, each taking up to 8 players so it’s a really fun social night out for a family or group of friends. You can play games such as Baseball Pitching, Quarterback Challenge, and even Zombie Dodgeball.

For more serious golfers you can actually choose to play a virtual round at a PGA golf course if you fancy that.

Bookings are by the hour and are currently between $50 - $80 depending on which day you book. But remember, this is for up to 8 people.

You can also enjoy some drinks and snacks while you play as there’s a dedicated bar area.

The main other attraction of MGM Grand Detroit is the IMMERSE spa, where you can book indulgent treatments and relax in the heated infinity pool. 

Finally, the Axis Lounge has a weekly events calendar with live music on three or four nights a week. Acts include soloists, duets, DJ’s and Duelling Pianos. 

The IMMERSE spa at MGM Grand Detroit is on the second floor and offers an indoor heated infinity pool, as well as a fitness centre and spa treatment rooms.

The 20,000 sq ft space is available to all resort guests without reservation and you can even hire a private cabana around the pool if you choose.

If you want to keep up your fitness regime, then you’ll find all the latest cross-training machines, treadmills, stationary bikes, weight machines and free weights in the fitness centre. Meanwhile, the spa offers massages, facials, nail and beauty treatments too.

Although I didn’t use the facilities myself, I did take a look around and it was as stunning and serene as you would hope. The pool is surprisingly big and has comfy seating all around it.

There were also a few chill-out lounges situated around the spa with soft lighting and peaceful music to add to the tranquil ambience. 

MGM Grand Detroit Casino Bonuses and Promotions

MGM Grand Detroit is part of the MGM Rewards program, which goes across all of the MGM properties worldwide. 

The best part of this program is that it isn’t just restricted to one resort, so it means you can earn and redeem benefits in multiple places.

To join you must be 21 or over and will need photographic ID when you register at the MGM Rewards desk in the casino.

Once you’ve signed up, you’ll be given a Sapphire rewards card which you should then present whenever you spend money in an MGM resort.

That means inserting it into a slot machine or handing it to your dealer when you gamble. It also means showing it when you pay for hotel rooms, dining, drinking and shopping too.

Every time you spend money you will build up points which can earn you benefits such as complimentary rooms, discounts, freeplay, and more. 

There are various tiers of MGM Rewards that you can climb, the higher the status, the more benefits you can receive as follows:

• Sapphire: complimentary rooms
• Pearl (20,000 tier credits): as above with free self-parking and occasional complimentary concert tickets
• Gold (75,000 tier credits): as above with zero resort fees and free room upgrades (where available)
• Platinum (200,000 tier credits): as above with airline credit and priority lines
• Noir (Invitation only): as above with guaranteed restaurant reservations

Although the different tier levels improve your status and benefit eligibility, you don’t have to climb the tiers in order to start receiving benefits.

Should you join MGM Rewards?

I am an MGM Rewards member and I receive many benefits from the program, so it’s a big yes from me.

From my perspective, it’s just an easy way to get something back for money I would be spending anyway. The trick is to not get too distracted by the tier levels and spend more money than you intended just to try to build up status.

Personally, I’m a Pearl level member, and I receive complimentary hotel stays, slot freeplay and resort credit. Plus, I get resort fees waived in most cases which is a big plus.

You receive four tier credits for every dollar you spend on rooms, food, drink, and retail at MGM properties. It is more of a grey area when it comes to gambling spend but basically an algorithm looks at how much you bet and how long you bet for to determine your points.

All gambling spend also allows you to build up comp dollars and slot dollars which can be redeemed for freeplay and resort credit.

Overall, I think MGM Rewards is one of the best casino loyalty programs in the US. It also comes with a handy MGM Rewards app, where you can track your account in real time and make reservations. 

This was the first MGM resort outside of Las Vegas that I’d visited and I didn’t really know what to expect. The externals didn’t wow me if I’m honest, but I know I’ve been spoilt for that in Vegas, especially in the modern era when brand new casinos are seemingly popping up all over the place.

However, once I walked into the casino, I instantly felt a familiarity and recognition that surprised me. The casino floor is packed full of games and I found everything I wanted to play, both at the tables and at the slots. I also loved the smoke-free environment.

Food-wise, it’s very casual all-round with only the one exception of D.PRIME Steakhouse. I think it could benefit from another high-end restaurant judging from how busy that one was. 

But Tap Sports Bar and the BetMGM Sports Lounge were both great lively spots. And Axis Lounge was perfect for a cocktail with a touch of elegance. 

My room was comfortable and the hotel was pleasant. If I was being picky, I’d say that it maybe suffers from lack of personality. It’s all very nice and well-presented but there isn’t really anything that stands out or distinguishes it as a resort. That’s not a complaint, just more of an observation.

On the whole though, I do think MGM Grand Detroit is a great local casino. In my personal opinion it’s not a destination casino that’s worth making a specific trip for, but if you’re passing by Michigan it is definitely worth a visit.