Excalibur Las Vegas Review (2026): Rooms, Dining & Is It Still a Budget Steal?
Las Vegas is renowned for luxury resorts and over-the-top glamour, but when you simply want a clean, comfortable home base without spending hundreds of dollars a night, Excalibur Hotel & Casino remains one of the most intriguing options on the Las Vegas Strip. With iconic medieval architecture and room rates that often drop below $20 to $35 a night (before mandatory resort fee), this castle-themed property is a staple for budget-conscious travelers and families.
However, online opinions about Excalibur are famously polarized. Some travelers dismiss older budget resorts out of hand, while savvy Las Vegas veterans regularly book Excalibur to save their cash for world-class dining, shows, and casino action.
So, what is the honest reality of staying at Excalibur in 2026? In this comprehensive review, we break down the recent operational changes, evaluate the difference between room towers, share insider dining deals, and explore why Excalibur’s strategic South Strip location makes it a phenomenal value.
📍 Why Location is Excalibur’s Greatest Asset
Before looking inside the rooms, it is essential to understand why Excalibur’s physical placement on the Las Vegas Strip is such a massive advantage for budget travelers.
Excalibur anchors the bustling intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue. One of the property’s biggest pros is how effortlessly accessible the rest of the South Strip is via overhead pedestrian bridges:
- Strategic South Strip Anchor: Want to see how Excalibur’s prime southern position compares to Center and North Strip properties? Check out our comprehensive walkthrough: The Ultimate Guide to Navigating the Las Vegas Strip: South, Center & North Explained.
- Direct Access to New York-New York: Step out of Excalibur and cross the dedicated elevated pedestrian bridge directly into New York-New York Hotel & Casino (read our comprehensive review: Is New York-New York Hotel & Casino Still Worth It in Las Vegas 2026?). New York-New York acts as a central hub on the South Strip, surrounded by high-energy bars, Shake Shack, Hershey’s Chocolate World, and immediate access to T-Mobile Arena and The Park.
- Direct Access to MGM Grand: Cross over Las Vegas Boulevard to enter the massive MGM Grand, giving you seamless connectivity to monorail stations, top-tier nightclubs, and fine dining.
- Free Tram to Luxor & Mandalay Bay: Just outside Excalibur’s front entrance is the station for the complimentary Mandalay Bay – Luxor – Excalibur Tram. Running daily (typically 8:00 AM – midnight Mon–Fri, 10:00 AM – midnight Sat–Sun) in air-conditioned comfort, this express tram connects you to Luxor and Mandalay Bay in minutes. If you prefer walking, climate-controlled interior walkways link all three properties 24/7.
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Should You Upgrade to New York-New York? If you have a slightly higher accommodation budget, paying a little more to upgrade your stay to New York-New York is highly recommended for its elevated dining variety and modern room design. But if keeping your room rate as low as possible is your priority, Excalibur puts you right next door to all that action for a fraction of the cost.
🚨 Important 2026 Operational Updates & Service Changes
As part of ongoing operational streamlining across budget resorts, management has introduced several service updates. Knowing these details in advance will ensure a smooth, surprise-free arrival:
- Self-Parking Only (No Valet): Traditional valet parking service has been discontinued at Excalibur. Guests utilizing a vehicle will self-park in the secure garage located at the rear of the property. The parking structure is well-lit, straightforward to navigate, and offers easy elevator access near the casino floor.
- Self-Service Luggage Carts: Traditional bell desk luggage assistance (where staff transport bags directly to and from your room) is no longer standard. If you have heavy luggage, self-service luggage carts are available near the registration entrance for you to transport your belongings. Secure luggage storage remains available for verified registered guests before check-in or after checkout.
- Streamlined Digital Check-In Kiosks: The traditional front desk registration line has been replaced with a modern bank of automated self-check-in kiosks. Unless you hold premium MGM Rewards elite status, you will scan your identification and credit card at a kiosk. The system processes your reservation in minutes and sends a text message when your room is ready, allowing you to print physical key cards directly from the machine.
🛏️ Rooms Breakdown: Resort Tower vs. Royal Tower
When booking Excalibur, you will notice two primary room categories: the Royal Tower and the Resort Tower. Choosing the right tower is the single most critical decision you will make for your stay.
| Feature | Resort Tower King (Recommended) | Royal Tower King (Budget Basic) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Nightly Rate | ~$25 – $45 + Resort Fee | ~$16 – $35 + Resort Fee |
| Room Condition | Refreshed decor, bright, clean carpet | Older, traditional, unrenovated |
| Bathroom Setup | Modern glass stand-up shower | Traditional bathtub/shower combo |
| Work Desk & Outlets | Dedicated work island with built-in plugs | Basic table, limited accessible outlets |
| Refrigeration | Empty personal mini-fridge included | No refrigerator provided |
Why You Should Upgrade to the Resort Tower
For a modest upgrade fee—typically only $10 to $20 more per night—the Resort Tower transforms your experience. These rooms have been noticeably refreshed with brighter lighting, crisp modern carpeting, full-body mirrors, and granite bathroom countertops.
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The Recycled Luxury Secret: Here is an interesting piece of Las Vegas trivia: much of the upgraded furniture inside Excalibur’s Resort Tower—including the comfortable work desk islands, ergonomic rolling chairs, and wooden dressers—was actually repurposed from high-end rooms at MGM Grand during their recent luxury renovations! You are getting upgraded, sturdy resort furniture at a budget price point.
Room Amenities & What to Pack
Resort Tower rooms provide excellent practical comfort, including a personal mini-fridge (perfect for storing bottled water and snacks without sensor triggers) and highly responsive heating and air conditioning. However, keep these practical tips in mind:
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Important Room Gotchas to Pack For:
- Bring Your Own Hair Conditioner: The bathrooms feature convenient wall-mounted pump dispensers for shampoo and body wash, but hair conditioner is not provided. Be sure to pack your travel bottle!
- Air Conditioning Noise: The air conditioning units in the Resort Tower are located directly beneath the window. While they cool the room rapidly, they produce a noticeable fan hum when cycling on. If you are a light sleeper, packing earplugs guarantees a restful night.
🍽️ Dining Guide: Smart & Affordable Eats
While Excalibur no longer operates a traditional 24/7 sit-down coffee shop, the property offers an abundance of satisfying, budget-friendly dining options across two levels:
The Castle Walk Food Court (Mezzanine Level)
Located on the second floor above the casino, this expansive food court is a lifesaver for quick breakfasts and casual lunches. You will find reliable name-brand favorites including:
- Krispy Kreme: Ideal for quick morning coffee and fresh sweet doughnuts.
- Einstein Bros. Bagels: Excellent fresh bagels and breakfast sandwiches.
- Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen & Fatburger: Perfect for hearty afternoon comfort food.
- Jimmy John’s: Fast, fresh sandwiches when you are on the go.
Standout Restaurants & Value Deals
- The Buffet at Excalibur (Open Daily 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM): One of the few remaining traditional casino buffets on the Las Vegas Strip, offering a clean, bright atmosphere and a massive spread of American, Latin, and Asian specialties. Exact 2026 pricing breakdown:
- Weekday Brunch (Monday–Thursday): Adults $32.99 | Children (ages 5–11) $18.99
- Weekend Brunch (Friday): Adults $38.99 | Children (ages 5–11) $19.99
- Mimosa Brunch (Saturday & Sunday): Includes full brunch & bottomless mimosas for $43.99
- Daily All-You-Can-Drink Upgrade: Add bottomless alcoholic beverages to any brunch for $19.99 per person (90-minute limit).
- Buca di Beppo (Mezzanine Level): Famous for family-style Italian dining, Buca di Beppo also offers fantastic individual Weekday Lunch Combos for exactly $10.99 (available Monday–Friday until 3:00 PM), which include your choice of pasta, a side salad, and garlic bread.
- TAP Sports Bar (Casino Level): A lively sports bar serving elevated pub burgers and cold draft beers. Look out for their fan-favorite deal: add Bottomless Fries to any meal for just $5!
- Dick’s Last Resort: If you enjoy interactive, rowdy dining where sarcastic servers intentionally roast guests and make hilarious paper hats for your table, this spot delivers unforgettable vacation laughs.
(Need a 24/7 sit-down meal? Simply walk across the pedestrian bridge to America inside New York-New York (open 24/7). Alternatively, for a classic sit-down breakfast or lunch between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM, take the indoor walkway to the Pyramid Café at Luxor!)
🍹 Casino Atmosphere & The $3 Margarita Special
Excalibur’s casino floor is laid out in a bright, circular design that makes navigation simple compared to sprawling mega-resorts. The table games offer approachable minimums, frequently featuring $10 to $15 Blackjack tables and interactive hybrid electronic Craps terminals.
For drink hunters, Excalibur boasts one of the best ongoing happy hour deals on the South Strip:
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The $3 Margarita Special: Head to the newly refreshed Center Bar in the middle of the casino floor (which features a lively evening DJ) or surrounding resort lounges (like Sherwood Bar on the casino floor or Thunder Bar upstairs on the Castle Walk level) to grab a delicious $3 Sauza Margarita. For just $2 more ($5 total), you can add an extra Sauza Gold tequila float!
🎮 Entertainment & Pools: The Family Playground
The Fun Dungeon & Tournament of Kings
Venture downstairs beneath the casino floor to discover the Fun Dungeon, a sprawling arcade and carnival midway filled with classic video games, prize booths, and a Dairy Queen.
Directly adjacent to the Fun Dungeon is the entrance to Excalibur’s crown jewel entertainment: Tournament of Kings (~$65 per ticket). This action-packed dinner show transports you to King Arthur’s arena for live horse jousting, pyrotechnics, and a hearty medieval banquet eaten completely with your hands.
Pool Complex Perks
Excalibur features a four-pool complex surrounded by tropical palms, including three family pools (one equipped with a water slide) and an adult-only pool area.
During the cooler off-season months when Excalibur’s pool deck undergoes maintenance or seasonal closure, guests receive a remarkable perk: complimentary entry to Mandalay Bay’s world-famous 11-acre pool complex, featuring real sand beaches and a massive wave pool!
🏁 Final Verdict: Who Should Stay at Excalibur?
Excalibur Hotel & Casino knows exactly what it is: a fun, unpretentious, and affordable resort that delivers reliable comfort in a prime Las Vegas Strip location.
If you expect white-glove bellmen, automated drapery, and marble spa tubs, you should look toward high-end luxury properties. But if your goal is to score a clean, air-conditioned room, enjoy great drink specials, and spend your budget exploring the vibrant South Strip, upgrading to Excalibur’s Resort Tower is an absolute budget steal for 2026.