Review of the Mandalay Bay's breakfast buffet - was it worth the upgrade?

Mandalay BayBreakfastReviewDining

Registration:
12.09.2023
Messages: 1161

Raven_X Topic author

14.03.2025 03:49

We stayed last weekend and I wanted to share our experience, specifically regarding the breakfast. The location itself is stunning, and the staff were very attentive, but the buffet felt a bit overwhelming in terms of variety. While the selection of pastries and juices was excellent, the main hot food stations seemed understaffed during peak hours. I found the live carving station to be a highlight, but overall, I felt the buffet was slightly overpriced compared to the quality of the food volume. Has anyone else noticed the service dipping during the 9-10 AM rush? I'm curious if others felt the same way.

16 Answers

15.09.2022
Posts: 1427

CyberNinja

15.03.2025 05:39

I agree about the staffing. We noticed the hot food stations were swamped around 9:30 AM. It was hard to get refills quickly.

13.04.2021
Posts: 1204

CyberNinja

15.03.2025 16:56

The pastries were divine, no doubt. But yes, the overall cost feels excessive for what you actually eat.

05.01.2022
Posts: 955

Cousin_C

19.05.2025 17:05

Definitely felt overpriced. I spent $65 and left feeling like I only got enough for two meals. Maybe check out the hotel's smaller, less advertised local spots instead?

24.10.2024
Posts: 27

MoonShadow

12.06.2025 00:04

The live carving station was amazing! Worth it just for that alone.

07.08.2022
Posts: 868

Rosenthal_C in response

29.06.2025 00:37

Was it really that bad? I found the variety excellent, and the staff seemed quite efficient even during rush hour. Maybe you went on a particularly busy day?

03.04.2023
Posts: 694

Hicks_C

26.07.2025 03:35

Short and sweet: Good location, mediocre value.

10.07.2025
Posts: 1063

Hudson_W

10.08.2025 03:34

Totally noticed the dip in service. It was like everyone suddenly decided to take a break right when the crowd peaked. It really impacted the flow of the buffet line.

01.02.2022
Posts: 531

Ripley_E in response

14.09.2025 11:21

I had a different experience. We went on a Sunday morning, and the staff seemed perfectly adequate. Maybe it's just the day of the week that makes a difference?

12.04.2024
Posts: 1420

Cole_C

24.09.2025 05:42

Has anyone tried calling ahead or booking a slightly earlier time slot? Maybe that bypasses the 9-10 AM chaos.

09.01.2023
Posts: 184

TitanX

02.11.2025 13:52

I think the problem isn't the food itself, but the sheer volume of options. It's overwhelming, and you end up grazing instead of having a satisfying meal.

25.12.2021
Posts: 191

Gorman_S in response

02.01.2026 16:10

Replying to the user who said the staff was fine: I disagree. It wasn't just 'fine,' it was noticeably slow. Getting coffee refills felt like a major undertaking.

22.12.2023
Posts: 1172

Andrews_C

08.01.2026 06:20

The juices and fruit selection was top-notch. I wouldn't complain about those items at all.

11.08.2023
Posts: 1294

Piper_W

15.01.2026 02:49

My biggest complaint was the lack of vegetarian options beyond just salad. It felt limited for non-meat eaters.

19.08.2024
Posts: 883

PacketSniffer in response

19.01.2026 09:50

I think the price is justified if you consider the overall luxury experience of staying at Mandalay Bay. The ambiance alone is worth a premium.

07.10.2022
Posts: 805

FalloutBoy

29.01.2026 15:50

I agree with the initial poster. It's a beautiful place, but the buffet needs better crowd management or staggered staffing shifts during the peak morning hours.

24.03.2024
Posts: 949

Veteran_C

27.02.2026 12:01

If you are going, maybe skip the main buffet and just grab coffee and pastries from the dedicated cafe area. It's cheaper and less stressful.

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