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BOTTOM LINE
Excalibur is the medieval castle at the south end of the Strip, and it is one of the most budget-friendly, family-friendly picks in town. The rooms are simple but many are refreshed, and the Tournament of Kings dinner show is a real draw for kids. There is no hotel points program to earn here, but MGM Rewards status can waive the resort fee, which matters more when the base rate is this low.
Excalibur has been part of the Vegas skyline since 1990, back when it opened as the largest hotel in the world. That castle silhouette is pure early-90s Vegas, and there is something charming about how unapologetically themed it still is. I booked a stay to see how the old fortress holds up against newer competition. My expectations were modest, and that turned out to be the right frame of mind.
This review comes from my own night on property, with current details verified where I could. If you are traveling with kids or watching your budget, Excalibur belongs on your shortlist.
Booking the Excalibur
Excalibur is part of MGM Rewards, where points are worth roughly one cent each, so 10,000 points equals about $100 toward a stay. Mid-tier and higher status can waive the resort fee, which matters more here because the base rate is so low. Cash rates at Excalibur are among the cheapest on the Strip, which is exactly why it stays popular with families and budget travelers.
Because the nightly rate is low, the resort fee is a larger share of your total, so include it when you compare. There is no transferable-points hotel currency to earn on the room itself, so I book a value stay like this on a premium travel card that earns flexible points and offers travel protections. Look at the full cost before you decide.
Best cards for booking
To get the most from a stay here, the cards I would reach for are the The Platinum Card from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Capital One Venture X.
Location
Excalibur sits at the south end of the Strip, right at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana. That corner puts you within an easy walk of New York-New York and the MGM Grand across the intersection via pedestrian bridges. The location is central to the south-Strip cluster, so you are never far from something to do. For a budget hotel, the address punches above its price.
A free tram runs from just outside Excalibur down to Luxor and Mandalay Bay, which makes hopping between those three resorts effortless. I used it more than once to reach a wider set of restaurants and pools without walking in the heat. The airport is only a few minutes away by car, so late arrivals are painless.
If you are the type who likes to walk the whole Strip, Excalibur is a smart southern anchor for that plan. You can start here in the morning, work your way north, and use rideshare or the tram to get back at night. Being at the end of the walkable stretch means you are rarely fighting the thickest center-Strip crowds right outside your door.
Lobby and Check-In
The property is large, with almost 4,000 rooms, so the casino floor and public spaces are sprawling and lively. Learning the layout takes a beat, and the walk from the room towers through the casino to the exits can be longer than you expect. I would budget a few extra minutes on your first trip out until you have it mapped.
The whole property has an arcade-friendly, family-forward feel compared to the sleeker resorts, and that approachability is part of Excalibur's charm. It never tries to be more than a fun, affordable castle on the Strip, and check-in fits that easygoing tone.
The Room
Excalibur's rooms are straightforward, around 350 square feet, with either a king or two queen beds. Many have been renovated, so expect clean, contemporary decor rather than the heavy castle theme the exterior might suggest. My king room was comfortable, functional, and exactly what I wanted at this price point.
You can pay up for a room with Strip views or step into one of the suite categories if you want more space. Do not come expecting plush bedding or a spa-like bathroom, because that is not what Excalibur is selling. One tip worth knowing is that not every room here has been touched by the renovation, so it is worth requesting a refreshed room when you book or at check-in. The updated rooms feel noticeably more modern, and staff were accommodating when I asked.
Pools and Amenities
Excalibur has four pools plus a fitness center and a spa, giving you a proper resort pool day without a resort price. The pool area is a comfortable place to cool off, and the multiple pools help spread out the crowds. It is not a wave-pool spectacle like some south-Strip neighbors, but it does the job well, and families in particular will appreciate the space.
The signature attraction is Tournament of Kings, the dinner-and-a-show experience based on the legend of King Arthur. You eat a hearty meal with your hands while knights joust and battle in an arena, and it is a big hit with kids and first-timers. If you are traveling with children, this alone can justify a night at the Excalibur. The casino floor is large and lively, and the energy is welcoming rather than overwhelming.
Food and Drink
Dining at Excalibur is casual and varied, built for feeding groups quickly and affordably. You will find familiar names like Dick's Last Resort and a TAP sports bar, plus a large food court with a wide spread of quick options. It is comfort food and crowd-pleasers rather than fine dining, and for a family trip that mix works perfectly.
If you want a more upscale meal, the free tram puts Mandalay Bay's broader restaurant lineup a couple of minutes away. I liked treating Excalibur as my affordable home base and venturing out for bigger dinners.
For families in particular, the on-site food court is a practical win, since you can feed picky kids and hungry adults from different counters without a sit-down commitment. Buca di Beppo has also been a longtime family-style option on property, which works well for groups splitting big plates. Prices across the casual spots are reasonable by Strip standards.
Service
Service at Excalibur is what you would expect from a high-volume value property, functional and friendly rather than white-glove. Staff were accommodating when I asked for a refreshed room, which is often the case at these value hotels if you are polite about it. For the price, the team handled the basics well and the stay ran smoothly.
Who Should Stay Here
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Excalibur good for families?
Yes, it is one of the more family-friendly hotels on the Strip. Affordable rooms, four pools, the free tram, and the Tournament of Kings dinner show make it easy with kids. The overall vibe is casual and approachable rather than upscale.
What is Tournament of Kings?
It is a dinner-and-a-show experience at Excalibur based on the legend of King Arthur, where knights joust and battle while you eat a hearty meal with your hands. It is a favorite with kids and first-time visitors.
Is there a tram at Excalibur?
Yes. A free tram connects Excalibur with Luxor and Mandalay Bay and runs throughout the day. It is a quick, air-conditioned way to reach more dining and pools nearby.
What loyalty program does Excalibur use?
Excalibur is part of MGM Rewards, where points are worth about one cent each. It also sits in the Marriott Bonvoy MGM Collection, so you can earn or redeem Bonvoy points on stays at the Excalibur. Compare both programs before booking.
Does Excalibur charge a resort fee?
Yes, like nearly every Strip hotel it adds a nightly resort fee. Because the room rate is low, the fee is a bigger share of your total, so factor it in. Mid-tier and higher MGM Rewards status can waive it.
How old is Excalibur?
Excalibur opened in 1990 and was once the largest hotel in the world. It has been refreshed over the years, with many rooms renovated, but it retains its classic medieval castle theme.
Also in Las Vegas, I have reviewed the Cosmopolitan, the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, the Wynn Tower Suites, and MGM Grand.
Bottom Line
Excalibur is a fun, affordable Vegas classic that knows its audience and serves it well. For families and budget travelers, the combination of low rates, a great south-Strip location, and the castle theme is a winning formula. It is not fancy, and it does not try to be, which is part of why it works.
My recommendation is to book a room that fits your group, use the tram to sample the neighbors, and grab Tournament of Kings tickets if you have kids. Done right, Excalibur is one of the best-value ways to stay on the Strip. Reach out if you want help pulling the trip together.
