HotelChatter

This was a dawn simulator alarm clock designed to wake you up with soft soothing tones rather than a jarring BEEP BEEP. Not ready to get up? Just slap the thing with your hand and it'll go into snooze mode. Five more minutes, pleeeasse.

Peeking into the bathroom, we saw a bright white line border around the mirror frame. This is the wellness lighting which provides a shot of melatonin to improve your sleep/wake cycles. Round of shots for everyone!

Other technology that you can't see but should feel the effects of include:
· Water Filtration System which reduces disinfectant byproducts, chlorine (especially useful during Vegas' crazy pool season) and pesticides
· EMF (Electromagnetic Fields) Protection from electrical equipment and wireless gadgets.
· Photo-Catalytic Coating that breaks down bacteria, virus and VOCs on bacteria-susceptible surfaces.
· Aromatherapy (this is optional)

Beyond technology, the Stay Well rooms have their own healthy additions to the room service menu. Guests are also offered complimentary access to the Cleveland Clinic for 60 days after their stay, where they can learn stress management techniques, sample a sleep or nutrition program and peruse their healthy food and drink options.

Now the question you are all asking--Does all this wellness technology work? And to that, we say, YES. We headed to Vegas feeling a little run-down. We were actually frightened for this trip. If we were feeling sickly going to Vegas, no doubt we would have left there with a full-blown head cold. But that did not happen. We could actually breathe better on our trip home. Our hair and skin felt silky smooth after the shower, instead of flaky and dry. We got a rather good night's sleep even though we slapped the alarm clock thingie a bunch of times.

But please remember, if you go to Vegas and drink all night, spend hours gambling in a smoky casino and eat crap, you will still get sick. No amount of air purifier or wellness lighting is going to prevent that. But if you're looking for a relaxing way to kick it in Vegas without having to splurge for a suite or an overpriced spa treatment, these Stay Well rooms are the way to go.

There were, however, a few room quirks. We didn't like how the night light in the wall near the bed was so bright (we needed shades? ha!) and we definitely didn't like that it was automatic, meaning it turned on when the room was dark and there was no way to pull it out. We loved the dresser with the TV included one of those technology panels which allow you to plug in and charge all your gadgets, but it was at a weird height. It would work better on the desk. And MGM Grand now charges a $25 resort fee, per day, plus tax. It does include high-speed WiFi strong enough to let you stream episodes of Downton Abbey but just remember to add this fee to your total room cost.

There are only 42 of these rooms in the entire hotel so booking in advance or during off-peak times (during the week, during the winter) is recommended. Rates for the rooms vary on the day/season but expect to pay about $30 more than a regular room.