If you’re looking for an honest MGM Grand Detroit review before booking a stay in Downtown Detroit, this one is from a teen perspective. We stayed at the MGM Grand Detroit for one night after scoring tickets to see AC/DC, and while the location worked well for a concert trip, the overall hotel experience felt way more built for adults than teens or families. The room had a cool city view and a huge bathroom, but the slow Wi-Fi, no Nintendo Switch hookup, and casino-heavy vibe made this a tougher stay for me.
MGM Grand Detroit First Impressions & Check-In
We rolled in just after 1:30 p.m. and pulled into the valet area, where the staff was friendly and quick to help. Since we arrived ahead of the concert crowd, check-in was fast and our room was ready—which is always a win.
There was one hiccup: my dad has a feather-free request on his Marriott profile because of allergies, and the pillows in the room didn’t match that request. Thankfully, the front desk team handled it quickly. Pro tip: If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member with allergy needs, call ahead to double-check.
MGM Grand Detroit Room Review: Big Bathroom, Sweet View, But Some Snags
We stayed in a 2 Queen Luxury Guest Room on the 8th floor. The room itself was big and had two comfy beds, a pair of chairs, a desk, and a decent-sized TV. The view from our window? Awesome. We could see both the Ambassador Bridge and the new Gordie Howe Bridge.
The bathroom was probably the most impressive part—super spacious with double sinks, a massive mirror, a private water closet, and a huge shower with two showerheads. The water pressure and temperature were perfect.
But the room wasn’t flawless. Housekeeping missed a couple spots—we spotted some candy on the carpet (someone had a sweet tooth battle, maybe?). And the in-room safe didn’t work. We called a few times, but no one ever came to fix it. Also, the room had a stocked mini bar and snack bar—which my parents had to remind me NOT to touch. 😂
MGM Grand Detroit Wi-Fi and Gaming Setup: Major Letdown
This one hurt. The Wi-Fi was super slow—easily the slowest I’ve tested so far. It’s currently dead last on my Hotel Wi-Fi Speed Leaderboard.
Worse? No HDMI ports on the TV. Like, zero. So there was no way to hook up my Nintendo Switch. I guess they really don’t want guests staying in the room for long. Definitely not teen-gamer-friendly.
For this MGM Grand Detroit review, the Wi-Fi and gaming setup were easily the biggest disappointments.
Pool, Gym & Vibe Check
I didn’t end up using the pool or gym—we got back late from the concert, and to be honest, the vibe at the hotel just wasn’t very teen-friendly. Most guests seemed to be adults heading to or from the casino. It didn’t feel like a place for families or teens looking to hang out.
Where to Eat
Inside the MGM Grand Detroit, most restaurants are inside the casino, which means you have to be 21+ to go. The one exception is TAP, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is open to guests of all ages.
We skipped breakfast at the hotel (not included with our rate) and grabbed food on the way home. FYI for Marriott Platinum members: this hotel doesn’t offer breakfast as a welcome gift either.
As always, we made our traditional stop at Buddy’s Pizza on Broadway Street. Their Detroit-style pizza never misses. If you want more food options, head over to Woodward Ave or Greektown for a ton of restaurants—just be ready to walk 15–30 minutes.
Things To Do Nearby
If you’re staying here for an event, the location is great. Here’s what’s walkable:
- Ford Field – 20 mins
- Comerica Park & Little Caesars Arena – 15 mins
- Campus Martius Park – Recently ranked #1 public square in the U.S.
- Detroit Riverwalk – Scenic views across to Windsor, Canada
- Greektown – Fun, lively food scene
Explore MGM Grand Detroit and Nearby Attractions on the Map
Planning a stay at MGM Grand Detroit? I added the hotel and nearby Downtown Detroit spots to this map so you can see how close it is to places like Comerica Park, Little Caesars Arena, Ford Field, Campus Martius Park, Greektown, and the Detroit Riverwalk. For a concert or game night, the location is one of the stronger parts of the stay.
Final Verdict: Is MGM Grand Detroit Teen-Friendly?
So… after this MGM Grand Detroit review, do I think it is a teen-friendly hotel? Not really.
Sure, the location is solid and the bathroom was a nice surprise, but the slow Wi-Fi and total lack of console access made it a no for me. And while adults might love the casino vibes, there just isn’t much for teens to do on-site.
It worked for our one-night concert stay, but I wouldn’t pick it for a teen-focused vacation.
— Mateo
This Teen Travelz
FAQ: MGM Grand Detroit Review
Is MGM Grand Detroit teen-friendly?
Not really. Based on my stay, MGM Grand Detroit felt more adult-focused because of the casino atmosphere, limited teen-friendly spaces, slow Wi-Fi, and no easy way to connect a Nintendo Switch to the room TV.
Is MGM Grand Detroit good for families?
MGM Grand Detroit can work for families if you are staying one night for a concert, game, or Downtown Detroit event. But I would not choose it as a family-focused hotel because most of the vibe is built around adult guests and casino traffic.
Does MGM Grand Detroit have good Wi-Fi?
In my experience, the Wi-Fi at MGM Grand Detroit was very slow compared to other hotels I have tested. It ranked at the bottom of my Hotel Wi-Fi Speed Leaderboard at the time of my stay.
Can you connect a Nintendo Switch at MGM Grand Detroit?
I could not connect my Nintendo Switch during this stay because the TV did not have accessible HDMI ports. For teen gamers, that was one of the biggest downsides of the room.
Is MGM Grand Detroit a good hotel for concerts or games?
Yes, the location is one of the best reasons to stay here. MGM Grand Detroit is close to major Downtown Detroit venues like Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park, and Ford Field, so it can work well for a short event-based stay.
Does MGM Grand Detroit offer free breakfast for Marriott Platinum members?
During our stay, breakfast was not included, and the hotel did not offer breakfast as a Marriott Platinum welcome gift. That was another downside compared to many other Marriott-family hotels I have stayed at.
What was the best part of the MGM Grand Detroit room?
The bathroom was the best part of the room. It was spacious, had double sinks, a large mirror, a private water closet, and a huge shower with two showerheads.
Would I stay at MGM Grand Detroit again?
I would only stay again for a specific concert, game, or one-night Downtown Detroit event. For a teen-friendly hotel stay, I would personally choose somewhere with better Wi-Fi, easier gaming setup, and more family-friendly spaces.
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Michigan Hotels – Teen Hotel Reviews