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MGM Gold Strike Casino: The Perfect Girlfriends Getaway Part 5

Karen · 44 Comments

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This post is sponsored by MGM Gold Strike Resort and Casino

GoldStrike_Exterior_low

On Saturday afternoon of our stay, Elaine and I were treated to a behind the scenes tour of the Gold Strike Casino and Hotel. We learned a lot from the tour and from various employees of the facility. We were introduced to the Director of Hotel Operations Craytonia Collins,  and Front Office Manager Kyle Buggs, by the Communication Manager Keisha Oliver.

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Craytonia Collins, Keisha Oliver, and Kyle Buggs

They all welcomed us to MGM Gold Strike Resort and Casino. Then we started on our tour. The first place we went was to the Presidential Suite. This is where the high rollers stay when they come to town to play at Gold Strike.

presidential suite mgm gold strike tunica
The Presidential Suite

This suite goes for about $800 per night if you were to pay to stay in it, but Mr. Collins told us that the usual guests are high rollers who are comped for the room. Can you imagine staying in such a huge suite? He also said that some of their guests who stay in this suite are flown in by private jet for the weekend. I guess that is how the other half lives!

The bedroom of the Presidential Suite has a huge king bed.
The bedroom of the Presidential Suite has a huge king bed.

Look how big that bed is! The whole bedroom is separate from the rest of the suite. I wanted to stay in that room for just one night.

More of the Presidential Suite
More of the Presidential Suite

The Presidential Suite also had a dining area with a dining table with six chairs, and a kitchen with a refrigerator and stove. I think the whole suite was larger than my house! One more photo of the Presidential Suite and we’ll move on: The bathroom!

The bathroom in the Presidential Suite. NICE!
The bathroom in the Presidential Suite. NICE!

From the Presidential Suite, we went to Housekeeping, where we met Carolyn Wright, Director of Housekeeping. It was so interesting to me to find out that housekeeping handles about 30,000 pounds of linens a day with 60% occupancy of the hotel. That is a lot of towels and sheets! They send all their linens out to a laundry service to be washed and folded. Even with that, they have 91 Guest Room Attendants, 10  Housemen, 13 supervisors, 5 managers and office staff, for a total of about 130 employees in the housekeeping department.

We left Housekeeping and went to Food Service. That was amazing to see. First, let me say, the kitchens here were very very clean. I was impressed. (Fabgrandpa and I delivered foods for a Hot Shot delivery company in the late 1990’s in a pick up truck, and we saw some really ugly kitchens.) The Executive Sous Chef, Anthony Cieplinski, took over as our tour guide for the kitchens.

The Executive Sous Chef, Anthony Cieplinski
The Executive Sous Chef, Anthony Cieplinski

Anthony showed us where the kitchen employees were making desserts and hors d’oeuvres for a private meeting that was to take place later in the day. They all looked awesome. There were little individual fruit tarts and crab cakes in progress when we were there. We also learned that everything they serve at the restaurants at MGM Gold Strike is made fresh on the premises.

Little Fruit Tarts being made up for  later in the day.
Little Fruit Tarts being made up for later in the day.
Look at all those delicious Crab Cakes! Someone was going to be very lucky later that night!
Look at all those delicious Crab Cakes! Someone was going to be very lucky later that night!
Executive Pastry Chef Mohamed Rojan
Executive Pastry Chef Mohamed Rojan

All of the employees we met along the way on this tour were so nice to us, and every single one of them was smiling. They all looked so happy to be working at MGM, and that says a lot to me about a business. When the employees are happy, they must be doing something right. By the way, did you know that MGM Gold Strike Resort and Casino employs a total of 1,357 people?

The employee dining room.
The employee dining room.

This is just a small part of the employee dining room. All employees of MGM Gold Strike can eat here for free. The food was the same food that is served in the restaurants on site, and all of it on the employee buffet the day we were there looked really good. There were several options, with healthy choices available. This is so unlike any employee dining room of any place I ever worked.

Boxes and boxes of snow crab legs!
Boxes and boxes of snow crab legs!

Next, we went to the kitchen where they were preparing the foods for the Saturday Night Seafood Buffet. There was a huge stack of boxes of snow crab legs, taller than me. Anthony said that all of those crab legs would be served that night, and they would probably bring more up from the freezer before the night was over. They serve between 3500 and 4000 pounds of crab legs in a weekend.

Making dressing for the chicken and dressing on the buffet.
Making dressing for the chicken and dressing on the buffet.

They will serve this huge vat of dressing on the buffet in one night.

Steamed crab claws
Steamed crab claws

In addition to the snow crab legs, there are also steamed crab claws, raw oysters, steamed shrimp, and so much more on the buffet. Even Sushi!

Sushi, made on site for the buffet.
Sushi, made on site for the buffet.

Finally, the last part of the behind the scenes tour, was the liquor vault! This is where they keep all the alcoholic beverages at MGM Gold Strike.

Assistant Beverage Manager Alex Thornton unlocking the gate to the liquor vault.
Assistant Beverage Manager Alex Thornton unlocking the gate to the liquor vault.

The Assistant Beverage Manager Alex Thornton took us into the area of the liquor vault. We didn’t actually get to go inside to take a look at the inside of the vault, because anyone who goes in there has to have a member of security with them to go in. We did get to see the liquor setup, and I was so amazed!

Familia Camarena Premium Tequila
Familia Camarena Premium Tequila

The open liquor bottles are all set upside down in the troughs. See the pipes on the left side of this photo? When a bartender in one of the bars in the casino or one of the restaurants pours a drink or mixes a drink, the liquor is pumped through those pipes to the bartender’s spigot. The spigot has different buttons on it to program in the correct drink, and mixes it automatically from the wells in the basement. COOL! There were rows and rows of these troughs and pipes, leading all sorts of liquor and mixers to the different bars throughout the property.

More liquor.
More liquor.

Alex explained that by using this system, all the drinks of the same kind have the same amount of liquor in them. From the beginning of the night, to the end of the night, from one bartender to the next, all the drinks are uniform, and liquor is not wasted. What do you think of this setup?

Here are some interesting things to know about the casino:

Table games in the casino
Table games in the casino

There are 1,325 slot machines. Table games available to play are Black Jack, 21 + 3 Black Jack, Lucky Ladies, Craps, Crapless Craps, Baccarat, Roulette, Mississippi Stud, Mississippi Stud Progressive, Three Card Poker, Three Card Poker Progressive, Four Card Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, and Let It Ride. Thereis something for everyone here.

Tomorrow, I will continue with the rest of the tour, where we met Jack Hanna of Into the Wild!

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Reader Interactions

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Comments

  1. Liz @ Yes/No Films says

    June 5, 2015 at 1:06 pm

    So I had to click on the link … this is in Mississippi? I’ve been to MGM Grand in Vegas and we also have one in Detroit, though I haven’t been. Looks beautiful!

    That’s pretty cool re: the alcohol spigots too.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 5, 2015 at 5:11 pm

      Yes, in MIssissippi, just south of Memphis Tennessee. It is a gorgeous location.

      Reply
  2. Catherine S says

    June 5, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    This looks like a wonderful place to stay. I would love the buffet with crab legs and sushi.

    Reply
    • Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says

      June 5, 2015 at 6:41 pm

      The buffets in Vegas are all awesome, but I have eaten at this one before and it was by far the BEST!

      Reply
    • Kim Delatorre (@shopwithmemama) says

      June 5, 2015 at 6:41 pm

      I know! The food does look amazing!! I would want to try those crab legs too!

      Reply
  3. Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says

    June 5, 2015 at 1:43 pm

    What a place! If you’re going to hit a casino for a getaway, this is the place! That’s amazing.

    Reply
  4. Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says

    June 5, 2015 at 2:41 pm

    How exciting to see the behind the scenes stuff. You must have felt like a real VIP!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 5, 2015 at 5:30 pm

      I really did feel special! Elaine and I had a wonderful weekend.

      Reply
  5. Mitch says

    June 5, 2015 at 3:17 pm

    This looks like a great venue! I love these quick, luxurious getaways!

    Reply
  6. Patty Leonard Woodland says

    June 5, 2015 at 3:38 pm

    Sounds like you had a great tour and an amazing getaway with your girlfriends. It’s always amazing to see a commercial kitchen in operation, isn’t it?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 5, 2015 at 4:52 pm

      Patty, yes it is. Especially when it is really clean and you know you are going to be eating the stuff they cook in there.

      Reply
  7. Jeannette says

    June 5, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    I just can’t get over how amazing this hotel looks and the food is just droolworthy! I wish I was close enough to zip on over!

    Reply
  8. Kim Delatorre (@shopwithmemama) says

    June 5, 2015 at 6:25 pm

    Whoa! That room, that bathroom, oh my goodness, yes please!!! What a beautiful place to stay at! Lucky you!

    Reply
  9. Pam says

    June 5, 2015 at 7:18 pm

    Wow, the setup with the alcohol is pretty cool. It’s very efficient!

    Reply
  10. Elizabeth @ Being MVP says

    June 5, 2015 at 7:19 pm

    Wow that crab looks great! Seems like you had a fabulous time 😉

    Reply
  11. Stefanie says

    June 5, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    Those crab claws look awesome! Girlfriend getaways are the best.

    Reply
  12. Avry says

    June 5, 2015 at 8:22 pm

    I absolutely love how you focused on the rest of the hotel. We don’t really gamble so when staying at Casino’s we like to see what else they offer. The food and rooms alone look nice enough that I would definitely visit! I didn’t see where this is located? I know there is an MGM grand in Vegas. Where is this one located?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 10, 2015 at 2:37 am

      This is located in Tunica, Mississipi.

      Reply
  13. Stillblondeafterall (@stillblondeaaty) says

    June 5, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    What Casino did this used to be? Is it brand new? I always like MGM properties.

    Reply
  14. Marcie W. says

    June 5, 2015 at 8:55 pm

    Between the bathroom in that suite and those crab claws I am ready to buy my ticket now. I think a girlfriend getaway is long overdue for my friends and I.

    Reply
  15. jasmine says

    June 5, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    Oh how I wish I was headed there right now! this is my type of vacation

    Reply
  16. Crystal From Tidbits of Experience says

    June 5, 2015 at 10:05 pm

    This looks like a fabulous location to get away to. I love the behind the scenes tour. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  17. @SensiblySara says

    June 5, 2015 at 10:11 pm

    I never would have guessed this was in Mississippi!! Looks like an amazing place to visit!

    Reply
  18. Toni | Boulder Locavore says

    June 5, 2015 at 11:36 pm

    How completely fun to get to see behind the scenes! The suite was awesome. Loved the liquor bottle set up. Who knew?!

    Reply
  19. Seattle Travel Blogger says

    June 6, 2015 at 12:15 am

    The resort looks gorgeous. I have always wanted to visit a casino.

    Reply
  20. Vanessa says

    June 6, 2015 at 12:24 am

    What an amazing place to visit! If you’re going to go on a girls trip to a casino this is surely the place.

    Reply
  21. Owen's Mom says

    June 6, 2015 at 1:02 am

    That is definitely and interesting bar set up. Very impressive! Those rooms are just gorgeous. What a great place to stay.

    Reply
  22. ascendingbutterfly says

    June 6, 2015 at 2:17 am

    I love gaming and I love the MGM Grand in Vegas if I ever get out to Memphis Tennessee I will definitely check out Gold Strike, thanks for sharing your behind-the-scenes tour. Do you like slots? Do you have a fave machine you like to play there?

    I am in NYC so I tend to go to Atlantic City in New Jersey, I love that they have a beach and boardwalk there so I can get out and a great selection of stores at the outlets too! 🙂

    Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 6, 2015 at 12:44 pm

      I love to play slots! My favorite is any one I’m playing that is paying! LOL

      Reply
  23. Alicia says

    June 6, 2015 at 8:17 am

    This looks like a really nice place to stay! I’ve never been to a casino, but this one looks like a great one to go to.

    Reply
  24. Jennifer H says

    June 6, 2015 at 8:25 am

    What a neat experience – it looks like a great place to visit!

    Reply
  25. yumeating says

    June 6, 2015 at 10:25 am

    If I went to a hotel with a bathroom like that, I would want to stay in the shower all day! Looks like a great getaway.

    Reply
  26. Carissa Pelletier says

    June 6, 2015 at 12:20 pm

    Thanks for the behind-the-scenes tour! It’s fascinating. I think I’d hit the seafood first, yum!

    Reply
  27. Michelle says

    June 6, 2015 at 11:02 pm

    Wow, that looks amazing. What a beautiful place to some fun.. and I want those crab legs!

    Reply
  28. Kiwi says

    June 7, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    You are makin me excited to go to Vegas in a few months! Looks like a ball I cant wait!

    Reply
  29. Dinner, then Dessert says

    June 7, 2015 at 5:07 pm

    Sounds like you had a great time on your Vegas trip!

    Reply
  30. Amy Desrosiers says

    June 7, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    Wow, this place looks awesome! I love that they allow employees to get in on the good food too!

    Reply
  31. Tonya says

    June 7, 2015 at 8:40 pm

    What a fun behind-the-scenes look at the casino! That Presidential suite looks awesome.

    Reply
  32. Debbie Denny says

    June 7, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    Spectacular tour. Looks like a great place. I am heading to Vegas next spring.

    Reply
  33. Beth@FrugalFroggie says

    June 8, 2015 at 12:57 am

    Looks like a great place to stay. Staying in the high rollers room would be so cool.

    Reply
  34. Jeanine says

    June 8, 2015 at 12:09 pm

    Wow this looks like an amazing place go stay. The rooms look amazing and that food? Yes pleas

    Reply
  35. Christie says

    June 8, 2015 at 3:17 pm

    I love that you got a behind the scenes look! That presidential suite is amazing!

    Reply
  36. valerieremymilora says

    June 8, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    That suite is HUGE! What a fun visit you had. All that food made me hungry and the bar… I want a margarita!!!

    Reply
  37. Michelle says

    June 10, 2015 at 12:02 am

    I totally would have thought this was in Vegas! Such a beautiful room. I’d love to try all the food.

    Reply

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