Skyline Terrace Suite private party

[EmilyB]

Hi All,

My friend has the Skyline Terrace Suite at the MGM Grand booked in a few months. She is getting married elsewhere and then we were planning a cocktail/canape soiree out on the terrace of the suite. The MGM people are being totally unhelpful and we feel as though every time we speak to them there are more and more costs for this. There will only be 19 of us there but we are being charged a fortune for everything and they are being difficult to work from afar (we are based in Australia).

My question is, if we have booked the suite anyway, can we just make our own party and not worry about having MGM involved? We are thinking about a private dinner elsewhere after the ceremony and then just partying back at the suite. But, do they limit the number of guests in these suites or is it restricted entry in any way? We'd hate to plan our own thing and have it ruined on the night.

I'd really appreciate some advice on this or any recommendations on hotels with great party suites that would be more accommodating.

[Chuck]

Unless you need food catered to the suite don't bother dealing with mgm. Bring your own booze and have fun. They shouldn't limit the number of people in your suite. Not sure if mgm checks keys at the elevators though.

[EmilyB]

Unless you need food catered to the suite don't bother dealing with mgm. Bring your own booze and have fun. They shouldn't limit the number of people in your suite. Not sure if mgm checks keys at the elevators though.

Thanks Chuck - my friend has also been told if they find out we are bringing in drinks we will be charged a corkage fee for each bottle. This just sounds like crazy talk to me! We are ditching the food and bringing in our own drinks..

[Chuck]

Yeah every hotel's official policy is "no outside food or drinks"...but they know everyone does it. I still try to be somewhat discreet about it, but I've had catered events in suites where we've bought some booze from the hotel and brought some of our own. Haven't had a problem.

[anarick]

I have stayed in the skyline terrace suites twice recently. Great balcony, one king bed in a loft. you don't need keys to get up to the suite as they are the last rooms on the floors with the regular rooms. Have also stayed at cosmo in the penthouses 4 or 5 times. Much more room inside but the terrace isn't as wide as mgm. mgm has a large table, music, and lights on the terrace. Refrig in the mgm is of no use as its full of minibar stuff. There is a wet bar sink though.

[Chuck]

Whilst there is no balcony...the Executive Hospitality Suites at Aria are awesome for parties. Full bar with seating, huge living room, and the "board room" has audio visual, table that seats around 12 and some extra chairs. Have had parties with around 20 people in them with plenty of room even with a buffet setup. They're damn nice.

[EmilyB]

Whilst there is no balcony...the Executive Hospitality Suites at Aria are awesome for parties. Full bar with seating, huge living room, and the "board room" has audio visual, table that seats around 12 and some extra chairs. Have had parties with around 20 people in them with plenty of room even with a buffet setup. They're damn nice.

Thanks so much for the advice! It's much appreciated and has put my mind at ease. It's time to focus on bachelorette party planning now!

[EmilyB]

Thanks Anarick - invaluable information. Cold drinks and ice are important!

[Tori Skye]

hotel unhelpful? As stunning as the skyline terrace suites looks on the website, I wouldn't spend a dime on an event in a facility where staff is not putting their best foot forward to help.

[EmilyB]

That's exactly how I feel Tori. They've been totally unhelpful but it's al; a bit too hard and too late to cancel. My friend has her heart set on that balcony!

[Cle]

you need to contact your VIP host. I stayed, and am staying there again next week, at the skyline suite and it's amazing. Your host will do anything for you after booking.

[EmilyB]

you need to contact your VIP host. I stayed, and am staying there again next week, at the skyline suite and it's amazing. Your host will do anything for you after booking.

Cle - VIP host? She has had this room booked for months and hasn't heard from anyone at MGM! When we finally got in contact with someone to discuss catering etc they were totally unhelpful and every time we ask questions we get a copy & paste reply. As you can imagine this is painful from the other side of the world and in very different time zones. Are we supposed to have a VIP host assigned by default?

[Cle]

Yea if you book a higher end suite at the hotel they will set you up with a "premier suite" host. You should have received an email about a month after your booking if you stay is within 3 months. The normal email people are just reservation specialists, they really can't do anything. Tell her to check spam, or anything of that nature for premier suite.

[Chuck]

I've booked two large groups at Aria twice. Each time we had a Hospitality Suite and a block of around 10 rooms. However, one time I booked through convention services, and the other time I booked through the hotel desk. Both times I was assigned someone specifically to deal with my booking. However, the experience upon arrival was very different.

The first time I used convention services. They provided limo transportation from/to airport and a personal concierge that met me upon arrival and for which I had a direct line to should I need anything my entire stay. When we got to our room, champagne and trays of fruit, charcuterie, and bread assortments were set out along with a personal thank you note. Very personal service...was blown away.

The second time I booked through the usual hotel desk (mainly b/c I didn't want to sign a contract this time). No limo, no personal concierge, no champagne & fruit, no personal service. The difference in experience were night and day.

[EmilyB]

Yea if you book a higher end suite at the hotel they will set you up with a "premier suite" host. You should have received an email about a month after your booking if you stay is within 3 months. The normal email people are just reservation specialists, they really can't do anything. Tell her to check spam, or anything of that nature for premier suite.

Thanks Cle - I will get her to look for an email.