Family Vacation Critic Favorite

MGM National Harbor

101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill, 20745-4731, MD

Courtesy of MGM National Harbor

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Overview

MGM National Harbor, which opened in 2016, is a resort casino hotel and a dining destination. Everything is housed under one roof; however, there is a clear separation between the casino and the hotel. The resort’s center conservatory welcomes visitors with giant art pieces and sculptures that change with the season. The casino and district area, which features numerous restaurants and high-end shopping, can be found on the ground level and the hotel lobby is on an elevated level above the casino.

Families will love the seasonal outdoor pool that offers great views of the Potomac River. The guestrooms and suites are modern and comfortable and the onsite spa is a welcome respite for adults looking for some pampering.

Our Editor Loves

  • Outdoor pool
  • Onsite event theater
  • Dining destination

Family Interests

  • Museum/Cultural

Family Amenities

  • Connecting Rooms
  • Cribs
  • Onsite Dining
  • Pool
  • Refrigerator

Room Information

Find the Best Price for Your Stay

There are 308 guestrooms and suites at this hotel. The rooms all feature a door bell that also functions for housekeeping so they know when not to disturb you. Connecting rooms, cribs and rollaway beds are available upon request.

Guestrooms
The comfortable guestrooms feature two queens or one king bed, a mini-fridge, coffeemaker, flat-screen television and outlets by the bedside. A stand up shower can be found in the bathroom. High speed Wi-Fi is also available.

Suites
The large suites feature a king bed with a separate sitting room area, a mini-fridge, coffeemaker, flat-screen television and outlets by the bedside. A stand-up shower can be found in the bathroom. High speed Wi-Fi is also available.

Reviews

Not my kind of hotel

by Kristen P

I’m here for a conference in National Harbor, otherwise I would not choose this hotel, since I don’t gamble. The hotel room itself is very nice, spacious, quiet and the bed is comfortable. The downside is that the thermostat in my room doesn’t work. When I got here, the room was 75, even though the thermostat said 68. Maintenance came and opened the panel on the wall, adjusted some valves, and now no matter what I do, the room is freezing, 65. I can’t turn the fan off or anything. I’m currently waiting for maintenance again. The thermostat in the bathroom works fine. Also, I can’t make the shower warm enough. Finally, the food choices are not my style. There is a big food court, but no place to get salads or healthy food. And the breakfast options are really limited. Even the starbucks doesn’t open until 7.

Worth every penny!!

by jenniferalfonso85

Beautiful hotel, friendly staff, clean, yummy restaurants. This hotel has everything!! You don’t have to leave for anything! So breathtaking and beautiful. I recommended this hotel to anyone. Every aspect of this hotel is amazing

Family Activities

Pool
The seasonal outdoor pool is a perfect spot for families to have fun when staying at the MGM. The large pool, always with a temperature of 84 degrees, offers views of the Potomac River and is surrounded by lounge chairs and umbrellas. The seasonal pool is open to guests only from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Shopping and Art
The District area of the resort features high-end shopping opportunities, a variety of dining options and art pieces throughout. Kids will love the illusion art in the flooring that looks like there’s a series of colorful tunnels below the hotel.

Theater
A 3,000-seat, rectangular theater is attached to the resort and is always featuring musical guests, comedians, Cirque du Soleil shows, and more.

Family Dining

There are numerous dining options inside MGM National Harbor. In fact, the District area of the resort is a dining destination, with everything from grab-and-go options to fine-dining experiences.

Osteria Costa
With tastes from Italy’s Amalfi Coast, families will enjoy wood-fried pizzas, handmade pastas, seafood and other Italian favorites here. Open from 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Voltaggio Brothers Steak House
The Top Chef brothers opened this steak house and serve delicious entrees sourced from the finest, fresh ingredients for dinners only. Open 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Fish by Jose Andres
The best of Maryland’s seafood and the Chesapeake Bay can be found here. Families will love the live seafood tanks and interactive cooking stations here. Open from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

TAP Sports Bar
This sports bar offers burgers and craft beers and 95 (!) flat-screen televisions to watch the game on. Open from 5 to 11 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

National Market
This open-concept, food court/market area offers something for everyone. There are a variety of quality food options like tacos, fried chicken, crab cakes, ice cream and sushi that can be ordered. Then grab a seat at one of the communal tables (more tables can be found on an outside terrace) and enjoy! Open for lunch and dinner.

Ginger
This Asian restaurant offers things like lobster, fried rice, soft shell crab, dim sum and more. Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday and until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Shake Shack
This burger shack is a great option for lunch or dinner. Burgers, chicken, hot dogs, frozen custards and more can be found here. Open from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Bellagio Patisserie
Located just outside the casino, families can’t miss the floor-to-ceiling chocolate fountain (yes, it is really chocolate). Satisfy a sweet tooth with chocolates, pastries, cakes, cookies and sandwiches here. Open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday.

Planning & Tips

All About the Extras

  • Parking
    Complimentary self-parking is available in an underground lot, connected to the resort. There is a charge for valet parking.
  • Fitness Center
    The fitness center features cardio and weight machines and is located near the spa area.
  • Essentials Shop
    A small gift/essentials shop is located just off the hotel lobby and has snacks, last-minute items and souvenirs available for purchase.

The Best Time to Visit
The hotel is busy year-round because guests don’t always feel a need to leave once checked in! However, the most crowded time of year is summer, spring and fall, when the area weather is at its most mild and most beautiful (think Cherry Blossom season!) and children are off from school. The least crowed time is winter from early January through mid-March.

Getting There
The resort is located about 20 minutes south of Washington, D.C. The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is situated 15 minutes away and the Dulles International Airport is situated about 40 minutes away. The Union Station train station in D.C. is located about 20 minutes away.

Getting Around
This resort is large and allows guests to walk from the hotel to casino to the district area all under one roof.

The Circulator shuttle bus is an easy and convenient way to get around town and it’s free for resort guests to use. The shuttle bus makes stops at the Gaylord and MGM hotels, Tanger Outlets and near the town center. Your room key card gives you free access to the Circulator bus. Otherwise there is a small fee to ride.

For Parents

  • Spa
    There are 11 treatment rooms, relaxing lounges, saunas and steam rooms inside the serene, onsite two-story spa. A full-service salon and barber are also located here so all hair, make up and nail services can be accommodated as well.
  • Bars
    Several bars can be found inside the restaurants in the District area or in the Casino, but there is also the Lobby Bar. It can be found on the elevated lobby area and offers a nice selection of cocktails. The Lobby Bar is open from 3 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday through Sunday.
  • Casino
    The adults can enjoy some time testing their luck at the onsite casino. Slot machines, card tables, roulette wheels and more can be found inside. You must be 21 years of age or over to enter the casino, which is located off the resort conservatory.