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Any Advice for 1st Time at Bellagio?

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by snapcat, Aug 24, 2014.

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  1. snapcat

    snapcat Low-Roller

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    We're just 15 days away from actually staying at the Bellagio. We've got a Fountain View room. I've been TO the Bellagio several times, but this is the first time actually staying there. Any advice for us noobs?

    Here's what I gather so far ...
    $20 Sandwich sometimes works; we'll give it a shot. We arrive on a Tuesday, might pay off.
    O Tickets are rare at Tix4Tonite, so we're expecting to pay full price

    Any affordable to mid-range dining options? We have a car for the week. Any info on the restaurants by the fountain?

    Does the music from the fountains also play in the Fountain Rooms? I had heard that it did.

    We'll be spending one night downtown, prolly Golden Nugget, on Friday. We're going to Kinky Boots at the Smith Auditorium, and want to check out Fremont Street.

    Any advice on anything MUCH appreciated! We don't get many vacations, so this is a bucket list thing for us.
     
  2. kevstf

    kevstf Low-Roller

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    I think they still offer 20% off for ''O'' shows if you buy the tickets online? Could be something you can look into :)
     
  3. jr7110

    jr7110 VIP Whale

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    You get 25 MLIFE tier credits for every dollar you spend at most MLIFE establishments - this includes hotel stay, most restaurants, most of the shops etc. If you have to pay anything for your "O" tickets and you are unable to secure a discount, you might want to purchase them at the box office. You can charge the tickets to your room and the points will be automatically added. Another tip - make sure you give your MLIFE card at check in so that your MLIFE card is linked to your reservation. That is how the points get added to your card from the room stay and any charges made to the room.

    Some of the restaurants that have great fountain views are Jasmine (upscale Chinese), Circo and Olives. I haven't eaten at Olives in quite a while, but I think it is probably the least expensive of the three. You can find the menus online. Another great option that won't break the bank is Café Bellagio.which has decent food, but is more like a diner/café and has a view of the pool not the fountains. With any of these choices, there is no guarantee of a fountain view table - it is first come, first served. There is also a small place near "The Bank" called Snacks that is not bad - I had a Cubano sandwich there that was really delicious.

    The fountain music does play on the television in the room - you can tune to the channel to hear it play.
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2014
  4. ND80

    ND80 Low-Roller

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    I love the Bellagio but in terms of less than expensive quality dining options it lags behind many of the other MLife properties.
     
  5. jr7110

    jr7110 VIP Whale

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    This is true - but Bellagio is so close to many things that it is not a far walk to find something for every budget. You can look up any of the surrounding hotels online - Planet Hollywood, Caesars Palace, Monte Carlo, Paris etc and click on dining to see what options they have that would appeal to you. There is everything from Michelin Star restaurants to a Denny's and a McDonald's on the Strip, and some like Monte Carlo even have a food court.

    * One important thing to note - you should call the hotel and add a request to your reservation for the MAIN tower - they have "fountain view" rooms in the adjacent Spa Tower but the views are partial and not as good. It is important that you ask for the main tower and not the Spa tower. Ask for as high a floor as possible if you want the best view of the fountains that you can get. You might want to mention that it is a special occasion, like an anniversary (even if it isn't!) just in case. The best views of the fountain are in the center of the main tower of course. When they are assigning you your room, you can ask them to show you a diagram of where your room is located. Since you are there for a week, you want the best experience you can get for the entire week. Often when I have arrived early, if there is not a room available that is on a higher floor etc I ask If any guests are checking out of a room on a higher floor and tell them I am willing to wait until it becomes available. Then I check my bags with the Bell Desk and go and do whatever until the room is ready. It all depends on what time you are arriving, but it has worked for me almost every time, as I usually arrive very early in the morning.
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2014
  6. dannyocean

    dannyocean High-Roller

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    You can definitely get the Fountains music on the TV in your room.
     
  7. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    Sounds like you have it "dialed-in"... though it's been several years since I've stayed there, I still think if anyone asked me what one-(1) property represented what Las Vegas is "all about", I'd send 'em to The Bellagio. I do still make it a point to wander through for a meal or drinks several times a year. I also like your intent to stay downtown for a night as well... You've good a GREAT trip comin' your way!!!
     
  8. spicole

    spicole No shirt, no shoes... NO DICE!

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    We stayed at the Bellagio for the first time in June. We had a good visit - I wrote a trip report if you want to look it up.

    Michael Mina had a reasonably priced, very good prix fixe pre-theater dinner menu. I spent the extra money to upgrade to the Lobster Pot Pie. WORTH EVERY PENNY. I think most places at the B are a bit overpiced, though. There are plenty of really good dining options next door at Cosmo.
     
  9. billduhcat

    billduhcat Low-Roller

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    I think the Bellagio cafe is both very good and reasonably priced, at least relative to other choices on the property.

    Many other excellent choices at cosmopolitan and aria, both very quick walks.
     
  10. Aces and Eights

    Aces and Eights VIP Whale

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    Across the street Mon Ami Gabi at Paris is reasonably priced and has outdoor dining. You can see the fountain, but it can be obscured due to sidewalk traffic and traveling billboards advertising evening girls. The music seems to be at a lower level than I remember from a few years ago. Maybe it's my hearing.

    Places to go inside Bellagio just for enjoyment and relaxation are Palio or Jean Philippe for coffee and snacks, and Petrossian Lounge for Champagne and a charcuterie plate while listening to the piano and people-watching.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Across the street Mon Ami Gabi at Paris is reasonably priced and has outdoor dining. You can see the fountain, but it can be obscured due to sidewalk traffic and traveling billboards advertising evening girls. The music seems to be at a lower level than I remember from a few years ago. Maybe it's my hearing.

    Places to go inside Bellagio just for enjoyment and relaxation are Palio or Jean Philippe for coffee and snacks, and Petrossian Lounge for Champagne and a charcuterie plate while listening to the piano and people-watching.
     
  11. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    Cafe Bellagio has the best fish and chips I've had in Las Vegas. Completely unexpected, but fantastic.

    Others have nailed most of the salient points (and I've had great luck upgrading from a standard room to a fountain-view room in the main tower, with a dead center view of the lake), but I'll add one more: don't eat at Fix. I don't know what it is about that place, but I've never had a good meal, which is especially surprising considering how much I like Stack. The other restaurants are all very good, and Picasso is among my top 10 all-time meals. There are plenty of mid-range dining options next door at Cosmopolitan and Aria, and Aria in particular is great for decent restaurants open during lunch hours, an area where I think Bellagio is somewhat lacking.
     
  12. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

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    This may sound like a silly suggestion but if you just need a break and a snack then go to Cafe Gelato and get a gelato. Then you can take a walk back by the meeting rooms if you want.
     
  13. snapcat

    snapcat Low-Roller

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    I appreciate all of the great tips! Sounds like there will be plenty to eat around me. I did call and confirm that we are in the main tower. Open Table also has a couple of restaurants at the Bellagio in their 1000 point bonus. I had no idea the Cosmo had such affordable dining options. Looks like no restaurant lets you make reservations on the patio by the fountain.
     
  14. snapcat

    snapcat Low-Roller

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    So I should call and ensure robes are available in the room. No one special is in town that week, and some of the shows are dark. We'll have a limo for a night, and I am proposing somewhere along the ride. The ride was free, I forgot how I even won it. I'm sure there will be pictures to sell us, but that's cool.i need to go twice a year, because I have so much Vegas trapped in me the rest of the year!
     
  15. Vegasworm

    Vegasworm Finger Clicker Extraordinaire

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    My husband and I will also be at The Bellagio in September for the first time....and The Golden Nugget too (3 nights at each). This is for my 40th birthday, so we have some special things planned including: a pool cabana, dinner at Picasso, and afternoon tea at The Petrossian Bar. We have seen O, which is fantastic, so this time we're seeing LOVE.

    Downtown we are trying out The Mob Museum, The Neon Boneyard, and several speakeasy type lounges. We've been to Vegas several times, but it's been 7 years since our last visit, so we are excited to try some new things.

    Hope you have a wonderful trip!

    Vegasworm
     
  16. amk121

    amk121 VIP Whale

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    This is a small recommendation compared to the others- but the gelato at Cafe Gelato is so good! The panini's are also good. Also, Palio has great breakfast food that you can bring out to the pool in the morning if you like to do something like that.
     
  17. gradytripp

    gradytripp High-Roller

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    I actually preferred my 14th floor room to the 21st floor room--the fountains just sort of "filled" the window from anywhere in the room.

    I second the recommendation for "Snacks" (terrible name, actually pretty good cheap(ish) food).

    Bellagio was the first Vegas casino--indeed, the first casino of any kind--that I ever visited or stayed at. It's not necessarily a "relaxing" property (except for the pools, which are lovely). But it's a special place and the essence of Vegas for me--a must-visit on each and every trip. Have fun!
     
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