Fountain dreamsOcean's 11 made it famous, but its grandiose
Italian spirit made it the Bellagio
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THE LOCATION
The Bellagio is the ideal place to stay in Las Vegas if you are
planning to gamble, shop, eat or see a show at the MGM Grand,
Venetian, or Caesar's Palace. All are within walking distance - a
major plus since cabs are often hard to get at night or on busy
weekends.
THE GUESTS
Entertainment and sports stars, tech moguls and well-heeled high
rollers can be spotted among the doe-eyed honeymooners, boisterous
family groups and one-time splurgers. Don't, however, expect
to see much high-stakes gambling action in the enormous casino
unless you've got the cash to pass muster in the strictly private
gaming rooms where "whales"and "super whales"are known to
drop six (and sometimes even seven) figure sums.
THE DRAW
The "wow factor"starts with the famous "ballet of dancing
fountains"on the 8.5 acre lake facing the original Bellagio
Tower with 2,602 rooms and suites, and the newer Spa Tower,
with 928 rooms and suites. Superior service, luxurious appointments
and a lack of typical Las Vegas "theme park"garishness
have earned guest loyalty along with a AAA Five Diamond
Award for four consecutive years.
THE DRAWBACKS
The Spa Tower lacks its own separate entrance, which means
it takes a long time to reach guest rooms through the cavernous
lobby of the older building. If your room is located over the
construction site, forget sleeping in-even on the 30th floor-
until this summer when work is completed. There have been
complaints about mini-bar sensors which register a sale if you
move any of the (very pricey) items inside. And, think twice
about sending a fax. My fee for an 8-pager to Washington: a
whopping $22.
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THE ROOMS
Muted colors, handsome contemporary furniture, electric curtains,
queen or king beds covered in fine linen, plus Internet
access, multiple telephone lines and flat-screen TVs should impress
even the most discerning clientele. Most guests prefer "Lakeview”
rooms facing the fountains and Las Vegas skyline. Less expensiv
accommodations on the back side feature vistas of surrounding
mountains. You get both if you check in to a deluxe room at the
end of the Spa Tower's halls (the tubs have spectacular views).
THE BATHROOMS
Italian marble floors, oversized vanities, deep soaking tubs and
plush towels and robes are standard in all of the luxurious bathrooms.
Suites boast separate his-and-her facilities with a whirlpool
for Madame and a shower-cum-steam room for Monsieur.
WHAT TO DO BESIDES GAMBLE
Check out the "Fiori di Como"chandelier by renowned glass
sculptor Dale Chihuly in the lobby; admire the seasonal flowers
and plants in the Conservatory and Botanical Garden (maintained
by a horticultural staff of 140); tour the famous Bellagio
Gallery of Fine Art; stroll down Via Bellagio and do some
shopping (window or otherwise) at Hermes, Giorgio Armani,
Chanel, Christian Dior, Prada and Tiffany & Co. Above all, don't
fail to see Cirque du Soleil's "O."(Tickets $155-$350. Reserve
in advance for the best seats.)
THE SPA
If the quiet reflecting pools and candle-lit water walls of the
new, Zen-inspired Spa Bellagio don't inspire you to indulge in
something more than a facial or Swedish massage then nothing
probably will. The Indian head massage is particularly recommended
as a quasi trance-inducing way to de-stress after a bad
streak at blackjack.
WHERE TO EAT
There are more than a dozen restaurants and a variety of cuisines
from which to choose along with a steakhouse, Petrossian caviar
bar, noodle kitchen and patisserie. Highly recommended: Dining
on renowned chef Julian Serrano's fusion of French and Spanish
fare at Picasso in the presence of an eye-popping exhibition of
works by the modern art master.
ROOM SERVICE
It's round the clock in a town where people gamble and party
24-7. I enjoyed a perfectly-cooked hamburger sent up within
twenty minutes of placing my order at 1 a.m. Breakfast service
was equally punctual, with reasonably hot scrambled eggs (softcooked)
and bacon (very crispy) delivered just as requested.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Standard rates are among the highest on the Strip and range from
$159-$799 for a room and $350-$6,000 for suites. Prices climb
on weekends, major holidays and whenever there is a "major
event"(championship fight, headline act opening, etc.).