M Resort Casino & Spa - East Tower (Las Vegas) | Full Stay Review

Introduction

The M Resort Casino and Spa has been a Las Vegas staple, but this visit covers the brand new East Tower — the newest hotel opening in Vegas, which launched on December 1st. Located about 20 minutes south of the Las Vegas Strip, this property is considered more of a locals casino, though it delivers a luxurious, resort-style experience. This is a first impressions and full stay review covering the suite, amenities, dining, and overall vibe.

The Suite – Room Tour

Checking into the East Tower feels like stepping into something truly fresh — everything is brand new, smells great, and has a sleek, modern energy to it.

Design & Décor The room leans into a navy and brown color palette throughout, with minimalistic artistic touches that give it a boutique, upscale feel. Vertical lighting runs up the walls and through the ceilings, making the space feel bright and airy — a big plus, since you can always dim lights but you can't add them. Abstract art pieces carry the navy and brown theme consistently across both the bedroom and living areas.

Bedroom The king bed is firm with a slight bounce — not too soft, no sinking — and delivers a genuinely great night's sleep. There's a working desk and makeup vanity with a large mirror, ample storage and closet space, plus plush M Resort robes and slippers. Thoughtful extras like complimentary lip balm round out the experience, a nod to Vegas's dry desert climate. A high-tech digital AC thermostat and multiple USB and USB-C charging ports reflect the room's modern, tech-forward design.

Bathroom The his-and-hers bathroom is spacious, featuring large vertical vanity mirror lighting, a navy pull-out chair for getting ready, and a walk-in shower with wood-panel-style walls. The oversized soaking tub fits up to four people comfortably. Pumped body wash, shampoo, and conditioner are included and smell excellent. A second private toilet area and an LG HD TV round out the bathroom suite.

Living Room & Kitchenette The suite's living room adds meaningful extra space with another LG HD TV, additional abstract art, a center dining table, and a small kitchenette equipped with a Keurig coffee maker, complimentary water, and a mini fridge — a big plus for locals who like to bring back food and drinks.

Views Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a dual perspective: distant views of the Las Vegas Strip on one side and the natural beauty of the Vegas Valley — mountain terrain and the surrounding valley — on the other.

Room Rating: 10/10

Hotel & Common Areas

Lobby & Check-In The main lobby is grand and spacious, featuring large open-air glass windows — uncommon for Vegas properties, which typically keep things sealed and windowless. Holiday décor including Christmas trees, wreaths, and a nativity scene added warmth to the visit. A Ferrari on display near the entrance sets a luxury tone right away, alongside Raiders memorabilia throughout, fitting for the official team headquarters hotel of the Las Vegas Raiders. Check-in was smooth, seamless, and took about five to ten minutes with friendly, attentive staff.

Hallways Wide, clean, and fresh-smelling with the same navy and brown accents, plus glass windows at the end of each corridor offering Vegas Valley views.

Pool Area The pool is large and multi-area, though closed for the winter season at the time of the visit. It reopens in April. Even drained, the scale of the space is impressive, surrounded by palm trees and outdoor fireplaces. A lawn and outdoor lounge area remains accessible year-round.

Parking One of the best parking situations in Vegas — multiple lots and a garage with direct casino access. An easy A+ for commuters and locals.

Dining

Jade 16 – Asian Fusion Restaurant Located upstairs with panoramic views of the Las Vegas Valley and the Strip, Jade 16 is a standout dining experience. The green-accented décor, cherry blossom artwork, and digital aquarium wall create a distinctive atmosphere. A long horizontal bar offers Strip-facing dining — romantic, unique, and memorable.

Dishes ordered:

• Chili Wontons – Thin wonton skins in a lemony, zesty Sichuan-influenced sauce. Dense, porky-shrimpy filling with a Thai-Chinese fusion flavor profile.
• Thai Beef Jerky – Crisp on the outside with a surprisingly tender interior. Southeast Asian rubs with lemongrass notes, served with a sweet and sour Thai chili dipping sauce.
• Duck Red Curry with White Rice – A northern Thai specialty, rarely found on menus. Fall-off-the-bone duck legs in a rich, creamy coconut milk red curry. Mild in spice, deeply flavorful.

Raiders Tavern & Grill A fully Raiders-themed bar and restaurant decked out in black and silver, with jerseys, memorabilia, and a Raiders store on-site. Great for sports watch parties, with a Chill Zone event space for groups of 70+. Weekly dinner specials offer strong value (e.g., prime rib for ~$29.95 on Mondays).

Dish ordered:

• Braised Short Rib Rigatoni – A generous skillet of rigatoni topped with melt-in-your-mouth braised short rib and a layer of melted mozzarella. Mild, cheesy, and satisfying. Priced at $24 — strong value.

Baby Cakes Bakery A quick-stop bakery near the casino floor offering handmade gelato, croissants, cinnamon buns, muffins, cheesecakes, eclairs, and more — all at reasonable prices (around $8). A great grab-and-go option.

Vig Deli Casual quick-bite spot with breakfast, lunch, and late-night options at better-than-strip pricing.

Anthony's Buffet (previously visited) One of the best buffets in Las Vegas. The Sunday brunch and lobster buffet remain highlights at $99 — consistent, high quality, and a longstanding reason to visit the M.

Overall Food Value: Prices across the board run approximately 20–40% lower than comparable Strip options while maintaining high quality and generous portions.

Spa & Fitness

Spa Mio The Spa Mio charges $35 for hotel guests and $75 for non-guests. Amenities include two large soaking tubs (hot and cold), a sauna, a steam room, multiple shower areas, lounge chairs, and a full complimentary spread of lemon water, tea, sodas, cool towels, and fresh fruit. Hair dryers, mouthwash, and additional toiletries are available in the locker room. A Forbes-rated spa with a thoroughly relaxing atmosphere.

Fitness Center Compact but well-equipped, with treadmills, stair master, cardio machines, free weights up to 75 lbs, kettlebells, medicine balls, a Smith machine, and a bench press station. Complimentary water and towels provided.

Entertainment & Nightlife

AMP A colorful, multi-use music and event venue with a large stage and a tucked-away back bar. Hosts parties and DJ events periodically — best visited on weekends when events are scheduled.

Hōnoka Patio Bar An outdoor center bar open select evenings with live DJ sets on Fridays and Saturdays. Spacious lounge seating and strong sports TV coverage make it a solid nightlife option.

William Hill Sports Book A large, well-equipped sportsbook with plenty of seating, multiple TVs, and a full bar. Strong spot for watching games, especially Raiders matchdays. Rating: 8.5/10.

Raiders Tavern (see Dining) Doubles as a sports bar and unofficial Raiders fan hub, with memorabilia, a Raiders store, and a dedicated Chill Zone party space.

Overall Impressions

The M Resort East Tower delivers a luxurious, relaxing Vegas experience that stands apart from the Strip in the best possible way. The staff went above and beyond, the food value is exceptional, the room is stunning, and the spa and fitness facilities are top-tier. The trade-off is its location — 20 minutes south of the Strip means less walkable entertainment and no hotel-hopping. But for a focused, comfortable, resort-style stay, the M more than holds its own.

Highlights: Brand new suite, exceptional dining value, Spa Mio, Anthony's Buffet, friendly staff, open-air windows throughout, and strong parking.

Considerations: Off-strip location limits surrounding entertainment; AMP nightlife venue was quiet during this visit.

Overall Stay Rating: 9.5/10