Bellagio
     

3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South
at West Flamingo
Las Vegas
NV 89109
+1 (702) 693 7111
Bellagio Las Vegas

  
     
Location Centre Strip, opposite Ballys.  
     
Theme Well it’s amazing! Theme based on a northern Italian Village on the shores of Lake Como, did I say on the shores? Well they built the lake as well but missed out the usual beaches that you would find in Italy. The theme doesn't stop at the village you can see across the lake; the shopping arcade has a very Italian feel to it. As does the pool that you would not be surprised to find in a very upmarket Tuscany Villa. The only thing that does not fit in with this theme is the completely over the top luxury, this is just not found in Italian Villages! I must admit though the two themes added together do work well for the well-heeled patrons of the magnificent Bellagio.  
     
Attractions Bellagio is stacked full of attractions all slightly different from the usual ones that are aimed at getting you through the doors of a Strip casino. You will not find a rollercoaster or a fire breathing dragon here, you will however see the Bellagio gallery of fine art holding some of the world's most expensive pictures in it including Van Gough's sunflowers. The biggest, most obvious and voted the best freebie on the Strip is the dancing fountains, these are brilliant. Over 1200 water cannons shooting water 240 ft in the air and "dancing" to a variety of music from Sinatra to Pavarotti. The glass mural roof above the check in desk is not to my taste, but I can see attraction, 3D flowers, which must have cost no small fortune. There is a lovely glass domed conservatory housing thousands of exotic flowers and plants.  
     
Shopping You have hit the bull's eye here as long as you credit card has a large amount of available space on it or you have just got three Elvis's on the slot machine of the same name. Every shop here is the crème de la crème; Hermes, Rolex, Armani, Gucci and Tiffany to mention just a few. It costs nothing to window shop and that lady in Hermes was very friendly and helpful, more than can be said for the staff in Rolex. Sporting red blazers and "Madonna" type microphones the place is crawling with security guards who take their crime fighting jobs just a little too seriously, It's obviously a tough dangerous job trying to enforce the "no stroller" rule and checking that any people under the age of 18 are residents of the casino but some one has got to do it.  
     
Dining The buffet has been crowned king of the strip but at $27.95 going up to $35.95 at weekends for dinner it crowns the pricing as well (B$14.95, L$19.95 and $28.95 for Sunday Brunch with champagne). The no children rule here is strictly enforced ensuring that little fingers are kept out of such delights as crab claws, venison and duck breast offerings. We did not find a food court as such but a very good coffee shop opposite the swimming pool. Bellagio has a host of gourmet restaurants with prices to match; many of these are situated around the lake providing the best possible view of the fountain shows. Bellagio Picasso’s Mediterranean restaurant must be mentioned as it has only original Picasso's on its walls, they are lesser known works and not anything special but its typical of the Bellagio “money no object” policy.  
     
Gaming It's big but seems quieter than most other Casinos on the Strip. The tables are canopied and the limits are higher than elsewhere on the Strip with the minimum often $25. There are not as many slot machines here and the ones that there are have the volume reduced on them and the pay out trays even seem quieter. The Bellagio does not have very many nickel machines but a does have a good selection of quarter upward machines. The casino, like the shopping arcade, is over run by security guards.  
     
Drinks Service We were playing on quarter and nickel slots and did not even see a cocktail waitress; I guess that the service is better if you are on dollar machines or playing the tables.  
     
Best Thing The dancing fountains, I could watch them for hours.  
     
Worst Thing The attitude of the security guards.  
     
Overall For well heeled patrons who want that ultimate luxury; this is your place. Everything here is the very best that money can buy. Great theme and magical fountains a very different affair from many of her rivals.

 
     
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