Bellagio is designed around the idea of thinking big. The lake, the fountain, the casino, the decorations, and the level of ambition are all huge.

From the bellboy to the concierge, everyone is polite and makes the most of a computerized system where your name is available at all times.

We stayed in a suite for $500 per night (plus taxes). The suite was nice and spacious. The marble bathroom is luxurious with steam-bath, jacuzzi, two robes and one set of slippers. The furniture is a little on the cheap side - think a standard-$150-per-night-suite-hotel. Surprisingly, there was only one queen size bed. In a suite with three televisions - whereof one in the bathroom visible from the jacuzzi - I would have expected at least a king size bed. At $500 per night, I would also have expected the two potted plants in the room to be real live plants, not just silk. I may even have expected the conspicuously empty vases to be filled.

The hotel boasts a series of very good to excellent restaurants, pools, spas, gym, conservatory, bars, entertainment, and shows, and it is perfectly possible and could be very satisfying to stay at the Bellagio for days without venturing outside. The shopping mall requires a well-stocked credit card, allowing you to seriously contemplating the diamond jewelry and overprized brands. The restaurants are mostly upscale. We tried Picasso - extremely good, Le Cirque - very good, though don't compare it to New York, Circo - very good, more informal, excellent for lunch, and Prime - go for the steak.

Regrettably, the hotel directory may very well be the most useless directory ever published. The "pool opening hours vary by season", leaving you guessing. The location of the gym is a mystery. The schedule for the attractive and fun dancing fountains is omitted. Of course, there is a video channel with the music - but even here there is no information about the shows or the music, only the sound itself. Overhearing a tidbit of conversation from a neighboring table, we learned that there were six different shows, and we were gratified to see five different shows - but entirely unable to figure out when the last show would play.

Extra charges must be a gripe for almost all guests. In going to the gym, I was shocked to learn that I would have to pay $25 for EACH visit - a charge which has been included in the room charge at all other hotels I've stayed at. There is also an art exhibition at the Bellagio with a $12 entrance fee. Given the approximately 20 pieces of art, the comparable entrance fee for the Metropolitan Museum of Art would be $700,000. You have plenty of time to contemplate this fact, since the staff for unknown reasons keep you waiting outside until the "magic" time (which turns out to be :00, :15, :30, :45). The theory seems to be that there will be fewer crowds if people are allowed access in batches....

Service varies from absolute great to average. In general, the staff seems truly interested in the well-being of the guest. They greet you by name all the time. Given the size of the hotel, maintaining the interest in the guests' well-being is no small feat. Elevators were plentiful and always there. However, at check-in, the clerk didn't know how to use the system and was constantly waiting for a supervisor. At check-out there was a line. Bath-salts, which we used the first day, were never replenished. Out of the three nights we stayed at the hotel, we got turn-down service one night. Since the drapes are pulled by pushing a button, we survived. However, we have certainly stayed at considerably cheaper places with more reliable maid service.

While it may be the "most romantic hotel" on the Strip, the sheer size weighs against intimate romantic settings. You will find romantic settings in "Prime", one of the excellent restaurants in the casino.

The Cirque du Soleil show "O" plays in Bellagio, and as a hotel guest you can pre-reserve tickets. The $110 ticket will treat you to 90 most entertaining minutes with surrealistic overtones and excellent acrobats.

In spite of the minor flaws, you can count on having a great stay at Bellagio. I rate it five stars, because it probably is the best hotel in Las Vegas. However, seen from an objective rating, and to set the expectations of future hotel guest, a four star rating may be just as justified when taking the price tag into account.



Recommended: Yes