Aaah, the sand squishes between your toes, the calm water laps at the shore, and the sun beats on your shoulders. You must be in... Las Vegas?! That's right. There's no amenity too crazy for Las Vegas hotels (rollercoaster anyone?), and "beaches" are no exception -- even in the middle of the desert with the nearest ocean 375 miles away. But what happens when these so-called beaches are in the backyard of the biggest, most popular resorts in Sin City? As we showed you with our last busy beach fakeout, sometimes a beach is anything but a peaceful oasis.

Want proof? Compare the below photos: a marketing photo of the beach that conveys serenity, and our photo that shows the reality of the crowded sand.

Marketing photo of Mandalay Bay Beach

zzdtravel’s photo of Mandalay Bay Beach

Below you’ll find more photos that show just how crowded “the beach” at can be.

The beach at Mandalay Beach as seen by an zzdtravel reporter

The beach at Mandalay Beach as seen by an zzdtravel reporter