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Aria vs. Bellagio

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by hokdo, Mar 14, 2019.

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  1. hokdo

    hokdo Tourist

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    We currently have our reservation for the Bellagio for 4 comped nights, we could also get the Aria comped for 4 nights. Last night while planning our Disney World trip of all things she drops on me she things the Aria is nicer. What does the board think? I like both, my only real draw back for the Aria is it's really far back from the strip, but the same could be said for the Bellagio getting around the fountains, it just doesn't seem that way. Both rooms are good and I've heard they remodeled some Bellagio rooms.

    Sorry for the long post, let me know your opinions.
     
  2. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    Here are my opinions:

    Rooms - Aria - fresher decor
    Restaurants - Haven't eaten at enough to make a decision, but as far as buffets go, Aria
    Walking distances (I have severe arthritis in both knees so this is important to me)
    Self Park - Bellagio
    Valet Parking - Aria - two valets, the North valet is closest to the room elevators
    Room elevators - Aria, slightly closer to the front desk
    Relative strip location - They're both set back from Las Vegas Blvd., so I judge this as "even"
    Shopping - I wouldn't shop in either location, so "even"
    Looking - Now this I would do, and you have Crystal's next door to Aria, so I would give a slight edge to Aria
    Exhibits - Bellagio you have the Gallery of Fine Art, at Aria you have an art exhibition at the Lousi Vuitton store in Crystal's

    Sorry for the long reply. I wanted to cover lots of things.
     
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2019
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  3. VegasBJ

    VegasBJ VIP Whale

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    Aria is more modern, great restaurants. Bellagio is more old school / old world. To each his own as to what you prefer
     
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  4. h0und10

    h0und10 VIP Whale

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    Can you do 2 nights at each?
     
  5. hokdo

    hokdo Tourist

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    I probably can, but I was hoping this trip we just have a home, I think the last couple of times we've bounced around to different hotels.
     
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  6. JRRestoule

    JRRestoule VIP Whale

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    I don't think you would be disappointed with either.
    I tend to shy away from Aria for the same reason you mentioned... it's a long walk to centre Strip.
    If you're booked in a Bellagio fountain view I'd probably stick with that over Aria.
    5+ nights I usually change hotels once, but on a 4 night trip or less I wouldn't change hotels.
     
  7. JosieCat

    JosieCat VIP Whale

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    I like the Bellagio. Being a solo traveler and not a foodie, I like the food options at the Bellagio. The buffet, Snacks and Cafe Gelato are three of my favorites.

    But I admit, it's mostly because I love the vibe in the casino. Laid back. They seem to have a bit more space between the machines. They play great music. Good drinks and they the give you a real, full size glass of soda. It feels like home to me. Of course, the fact that with two stays at the Aria, and many visits where I am staying elsewhere - that I haven't hit a plug nickel there, doesn't help.

    I also really enjoy the MGM Grand, as it's a slot lover's paradise, but after 3 days I want to rip my ears off with the music that they play. I guess I'm getting old :).

    I don't think either is a bad choice.
     
  8. AlwaysUpForFun

    AlwaysUpForFun VIP Whale

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    I like both equally.

    Aria gets the edge for the room and restaurants. I like the floor to ceiling windows in the room. Nice mix of restaurants. Casino tends to have a little quieter vibe. I have always had great service from all the staff their. Aria doesn't have a great Strip view.

    Bellagio just has a total Vegas vibe. It's almost always busy and vibrant. Fountain View is one of the best views you can get. One of the best advantages of staying there is having the opportunity to visit the Conservatory either late in the evening on way to bed or early in morning when nobody is around.Things I dislike about Bellagio are the crowded lobby and walkways.
     
  9. Laugh

    Laugh VIP Whale

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    Yup. Sometimes it's annoying walking through there. Everyone's stopping to take pictures of everything because it all looks so damn nice, lol.
     
  10. tmoney25

    tmoney25 High-Roller

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    I've stayed at Bellagio and it felt quite easy to get to the strip. Looking at the map, they're practically the same amount of steps from casino to strip, maybe 150 less steps at Bellagio. The walk from Aria just feels longer though.

    I haven't stayed at Aria but I attended a conference there (and stayed at NYNY). I did not mind Aria as a property but my preference is Bellagio. I haven't consumed foot at Aria's restuarants and even though I stayed at Bellagio I only ate at Snacks, which was good.

    Aria rooms are probably more updated and less worn. As mentoined before Aria is more modern and Bellagio is more old school. They are doing a refresh on the casino floor of Bellagio right now. I don't know how far along they are or when it will be completed. I saw it in the background of a Trooper97 vlog a couple of weeks ago.
     
  11. Fafa2e

    Fafa2e High-Roller

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    I prefer Bellagio. I like the center strip location. It seems like there is more action and more fun tables in the Bellagio casino. The Aria is a nice hotel, but I find the casino to be a bit stoic compared to the Bellagio.
     
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  12. Paul K

    Paul K VIP

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    There are aspects of each that I like.

    Aria is much less crowded while Bellagio feels like a madhouse. Aria has better room tech and their rooms feel more modern, because they are. Even though Aria was built in 2009 and hasn't been renovated, while Bellagio was built in 1998 and renovated a few years ago, you can tell which one is the newer hotel.

    I find the bars at Bellagio to be superior, as is the casino. I never win at Aria and always do well at Bellagio. I also prefer the common areas at Bellagio.

    Food depends on what you like to eat. For my tastes I prefer Aria. Javier's and Five50 Pizza are fantastic. Bellagio is really just high end, more stuffy options.

    If it helps, I have 4 nights booked at Aria Sky Suites and 2 nights in a Suite at Bellagio. This way I can get the best of both.
     
  13. meriH

    meriH Tourist

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    I wrote off Aria after desperately trying to love it--based mostly on the fact that their window coverings are not very effective. When the sun comes up--YOU ARE AWAKE. There's a 1-1.5 inch gap all the way around the entire curtains. Even at night, the room doesn't get completely dark. Also, the beds are squishy. I like a firm bed. It took me three trips to finally tell them what kind of bed I needed--and then I slept better (but not great because of the light).

    All of this being said--if you choose Aria, do the following:

    *Request a mattress that you like (soft, hard, etc), they will actually bring you one and make the bed again!
    *Make sure to request turn down service. They used to do it as the norm, but stopped doing it--UNLESS YOU ASK. Tell them when you check in that you'd like daily turn down service.

    :)
     
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  14. Ezzy711

    Ezzy711 VIP Whale

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    I started with Mirage, loved it. Stayed there maybe 3 years. Then I tried Bellagio just once. Loved it more. Stayed there maybe 4 years.

    Last trip I switched to Aria. I received the upgrade letter for $79/night to a corner suite. Grabbed that! It was a fabulous suite. Was excited about the lounge, view, bathroom, etc. However, after the upgrade and the resort fees, it was hefty bill when I checked out even though all my food was comp and I got a $2400 hand pay.

    I missed the fountain view, I missed the snack bar - although I really enjoyed 550 pizza, there weren't as many options for a quick bite, I missed the piano bar. I wouldn't stay at Aria in a regular room, another suite maybe. I rarely stopped in the lounge, it seemed far off as I was always going out the back. The machine selection was okay but I felt they aren't arranged as well. Casino bathrooms aren't situated as well as I like.

    I'm back at Bellagio next trip and and wouldn't be surprised if after 2 nights I think I should have stayed at Aria!

    I do have a 2 night Mon - Thur offer from Cosmo but not sure I want to jump the Mlife ship yet....I will seed them a bit more this trip to see if the offers get any better.
     
  15. spicole

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

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    As @VegasBJ said, I like to think of Bellagio as “old school” while Aria is “new school”. It is really going to be a matter of taste.

    My vote: Aria. I vastly prefer Aria for the vibe, rooms, and restaurants. Concerns about it being set too far back from the strip are waaaaaay overblown, in my opinion.

    However, we really liked the relaxed pool atmosphere at Bellagio. I would only ever stay in the main tower since I like how the elevators drop you off right in the middle of the casino. The biggest negative to me about the property is the “tourist” traffic that clogs the casino walkways.
     
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  16. SoulSonic

    SoulSonic Tourist

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    Aria

    Bellagio check-in service is a crap shoot.
    I was assigned a room that was occupied. I’m lucky I didn’t get attacked by the occupants.

    Then during another visit 2 months later both room keys didn’t work.

    Having to make the long walk back to the registration desk through the crowds made it even more frustrating.
     
  17. Patman

    Patman VIP Whale

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    If you haven't stayed at either one, I would stay at Bellagio first in the main tower with a fountain view. It is more classic and iconic. Aria could be any high end casino hotel, anywhere. Bellagio is much busier (which I actually prefer) but from your timer it looks like you will be there during the weekdays. so that won't be much of a factor. There a better pool options at Bellagio and the gaming floor is more open and brighter (I find Aria darker, but having said that it has grown on me and that is where I mostly play now). Generally on average, the table limits will be lower at Aria (lower , not low). I've stayed in the based rooms and the suites at both and if the room is important I would rate Aria a little higher since it is newer (especially if you stay in the Sky Suites which is my favorite).
     
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  18. Robertb1

    Robertb1 bon vivant

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    I enjoy both hotels but the Bellagio is still superior in my opinion. The place exudes that classic Vegas vibe. It’s classy yet very comfortable. Service on the casino floor (dealers and bosses), from VIP and the front desk is far superior at Bellagio. Much more personal in my view. The casino at Bellagio has more energy than Aria, which feels a bit sterile and generally uncomfortable. Can’t beat the Bellagio music in the casino either (40s-present but heavy on the 70s and 80s, except for the day shift which has more classic jazz/swing standards and Rat Pack stuff.)

    Food options are great at both. Hard to pick a clear winner there. Aria favs: Carbone, Bardot, Julian Serrano. Bellagio favs: Lago, Jasmine, Le Cirque.

    Rooms are more modern at Aria, which some may like more than Bellagio, which are more classic. As mentioned before, the Bellagio room’s blackout curtains are worth their weight in gold.

    In short, biggest takeaway for me: stark differences in casino energy, service and overall comfort. Bellagio > Aria
     
  19. waverunner

    waverunner ------VEGA$------

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    I would choose Bellagio over Aria simply because it's Bellagio. Stay at Bellagio and enjoy the rooms, dining, the Fountain Show, the Art Gallery, and the Gardens etc.etc. You can visit Aria by way of the Tram from Bellagio to Park MGM.
    You and your friends will remember forever that you stayed at Bellagio at least once and maybe many more times thereafter. Aria i'm sure is nice.........but Bellagio is IMO the cream de la cream of Vegas.
     
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