Bellagio, Very Nice, classiest in Vegas
Written: Feb 26 '04 (Updated Sep 24 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Beautiful, classy and clean
Cons: A bit pricey compared to other Vegas hotels but worth it
The Bottom Line: You won't be disappointed at the Bellagio. The nicest Hotel in Vegas
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| stripminer's Full Review: Bellagio Hotel |
My wife and I travelled to Las Vegas during February of this year. I originally wrote a review kind of giving the reader a cursory view of our trip, this is an update or an edit.
My wife decided to surprise me for Valentine's day and take me to Vegas, big points to the little lady !! We knew that we wanted to stay at either the Bellagio or the Venetian hotels. It was, in our minds, a toss up at the time. We chose the Bellagio over the Venetian by recommendations from friends who have been to Vegas.
During the time before our trip I read many a review here at Epinions about the Bellagio. Some were very positive while others were less than glowing. As my marketing teachers taught me, people love to complain but fail to commend. I believe this adage to be true but still the negative reports about the Bellagio caused me great consternation before our trip. There seemed to be a consistency among the unhappy reviewers. These complaints were in no order 1. a slow check in process 2. The size of the soap provided in the rooms 3. An unfriendly or snobby staff. I will during this review touch upon these complaints and trust me, I will put them to rest.
So, my bride and I flew to Vegas during February of a nasty CT winter. We escaped the winter and parental duties to play in the desert. We arrived in Vegas with plenty of daylight left. We went straight from the airport to the hotel,, sharing a club wagon with other travellers who were headed to their respective hotels. While riding in the wagon we started to realize we were going to a special hotel when others onboard asked us where we were staying. We told them the Bellagio and one couple paused, the envy obvious. "Ohhhh the Bellagio,,,, it's beautiful. " Everyone in the club wagon agreed that we would love the hotel. First vegas tip, don't buy prearranged transports from the airport, all the hotels are close by and a taxi is not much more than the club wagons that make you wait until they are loaded and then cart you from hotel to hotel. Fortunately the Bellagio was the first stop on our "route". Whew !!!
We pulled up to the entrance to the Bellagio and up its main driveway, there is a ten acre lake in front of the hotel which is right on the Vegas strip. The lake has a music choreographed water fountain that goes off at intervals all night long. It is very impressive and is listed at the top of the "free things to see in Vegas". The hotel's lobby is impressive to say the least, ornate and lavish. The ceiling is a collection of blown glass flowers created by a world famous artist. It is truly beautiful.
We were met at the door by a very attractive young lady who brought us to the check in counter. We started our process of checking in after about 30 seconds of arriving. Dispel complaint Number 1 on the list. We arrived on a Wednesday just after lunch, I am sure Friday and Saturday arrivals take longer but ours was painless.
We were given the option to upgrade our room to a fountain view for $25.00 a night. We took this option and it was worth every penny. Our room was on the 28th floor and the view was incredible. The Eiffel tower at the Paris hotel was across the street and the fountain show was great from up there, they actually have a TV channel you put on in your room that plays the choreographed music. Real nice, romantic even.
The room. Impressive, luxurious, spacious, grand, comfortable. I loved the room, a king sized bed with the most inviting comforter and smoothest sheets ever. Our first night in vegas we stayed up til 1 am Nevada time, which was 4 AM NY time, a 22 hour day. I felt as though I was back in the womb sleeping in that big old Bellagio bed. I hadn't slept that well in 3 years ( since the birth of our son ) There was a HUGE armoire that held a nice big TV and his and hers closets on either side. To the left side there was an electronic safe where I kept my gambling money.
The bathroom, WOW, can we have one like this at home ? It was large, all tile with a frameless shower stall that could hold two comfortably ( what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas ! )double sinks and a separate tub with a tile enclosure. The soap was standard hotel soap, plenty of it along with shampoo, conditioner and lotions. There was no problem with the soap,especially coming in such a GREAT bath. So, don't worry about item Number 2 on the list, you will love the bathroom, little soap or not.
All of the furniture in our room was new and very classy, I wish my home had a master suite like the one I lived in for those three days. As a matter of fact if I could I would duplicate it at my home.
We went to a bunch of hotels while in Vegas and none compared in elegance and style like the Bellagio. The museum and restaurants were top notch. Our first day we ate lunch in the Buffet, it was excellent ! I wanted to go back for dinner one night but got vetoed by my better half.
The casino at the Bellagio was very different from what one thinks of as a casino. It was more sedate, not so gaudy with fewer flashing lights replaced by fabric awnings around the gaming tables. It was very James Bond, classy and refined. The only complaint was the slots seemed a bit "tighter" than other casinos and the blackjack tables used an automatic card shuffler. YUCK, I didn't like that at all.
We bought tickets to see "O" the Cirque Du Soleil "water show". Two tickets cost us $300 but were worth every penny. I was the first on my feet for the standing ovation. It was incredible, a must see. I said to my wife that it was worth the travel simply to see the show. I highly recommend splurging on this show.
While at the hotel I felt comfortable and secure, there were two security guards at the elevator banks that wanted to see your room cardkey. Some people thought that silly but I found comfort in knowing that no one would be wandering my floor at 3 in the morning that didn't belong there.
I thought the staff at the Bellagio was very courteous to us the entire time we stayed there. My wife and I are not high rollers, we are middle class people who needed a vacation but we were treated as well as could be. We were met by smiles and "yes sirs" and "yes maams" wherever we went. Not once did the staff seem snobby or condescending. Now I must mention that my wife and I did dress well our entire time in Vegas. I.E. you are treated as you are perceived. If you must wear your best torn jeans and tank top you might not receive the welcome we did. That's life. So much for concern Number 3, the staff was great.
So, if you go to Vegas and I think you should it's great. you should stay at the Bellagio, it was classy, clean and a cut above every other hotel there. From the lobby, to the restaurants, the feel of the casino and the lush rooms it was top of the line. Thats why it was in the movie "Ocean's Eleven" Do I need to say more ?
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
stripminer
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Reviews written: 5
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