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Bellagio - first time

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by thestugot, Mar 20, 2015.

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  1. IvanBeausky

    IvanBeausky Low-Roller

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    Not to get in the middle of something here, but I stayed at the B for the first time in February. I am normally a PH/Rio/Gold Coast/Orleans type of guy. I want a solid room with a fun casino hooked to it. My wife was coming with me and I wanted something nice. We had a Premium Fountain View Room. The room was very nice. Nicer than I certainly deserve. The bathroom was way bigger than necessary, but a nice feature.

    I know some people have a much higher standard than I do. I do not fault them for it, but I do wonder what they would think about me (or other lowly schlubs) staying at inferior properties. I think some people just like to find fault. Some people truly are used to being pampered beyond any reason. Some people just have a different opinion. If you go and are reasonable and (at least fairly) easy to please, I think you will be very happy with your choice.
     
  2. Char1

    Char1 VIP Whale

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    We have stay there at 2-3 nights since 2008. We stayed last June 3 nights and we feel really comfortable, location, restaurants, casino all excellent. We really enjoy the Cypress pool lounge, it would be our Las Vegas Fave. Having said that the Encore is fast becoming a favourite as well.
     
  3. Jspigare

    Jspigare Low-Roller

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    For myself Bellagio is still tops in Vegas. Couple of quick hitter notes for you:

    Location: Easy access to Aria, Cosmo, PH, and Paris.
    Fountains of Bellagio: always fantastic.
    Botanical Garden: early morning, is one of the best places on the strip. That smell!
    Jean Philippe: outstanding cinnamon rolls and other delicious treats. Pro tip, if it's too busy, slider over to Aria (5 minute walk), same flavor, completely different atmosphere.
    Pools: I personally think are the finest in Vegas. No party scene, really relaxing.
    Fix: not as solid as it used to be but the Bobby Baldwins are still on point.
    Gaming:I'm a blackjack and carny game player. Most of the dealers are good, same with the pit bosses. IMO much better than before, felt like everyone was SO robotic.
    Petrossian:Great people watching spot.
    Rooms:Refreshed since my last stay. I thought they were solid before but that was a few years back.

    PH is my home base as they actually care about my play and reward me for it but I do spend a significant amount of time on property at Bellagio. You won't be disappointed.
    -
     
  4. disappearingdusk

    disappearingdusk Tourist

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    You know what I think of people who stay at the lesser starred properties?

    you're awesome!

    I have never, ever given it any thought about where people love to stay. I love luxury hotels and will only stay at luxury hotels. But that doesn't make me a better person or wealthier or kinder or more anything, really. It's just my preference. You're reading the writing of a woman who calls her apartment JankyTown, so any hotel in Vegas is a step up from my ghetto apartment.

    Do you like where you stay? Are you happy there? Do you have fun? Those things are what matter to me. :eek:
     
  5. franknic

    franknic Low-Roller

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    For someone who claims - - It's gone way down hill in the last couple of years. Why the hell does he use a photo of Bellagio in his profile?
     
  6. USCHawks

    USCHawks High-Roller

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    Maybe this is why.
     
  7. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    I think someone is talking but I don't hear anything. :yawn:

    /ignore
     
  8. franknic

    franknic Low-Roller

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    Yeah the fountains are pretty damn obviously there aren't they....and from another who has so many meaningless words to string together. what value
     
  9. lotso-bear

    lotso-bear VIP Whale

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    I don't like the Bellagio that much either but I still stay there. Why? The fountains, location on the Strip, and the benefits I get from paid reservations. If I didn't care about these things, I would never come back to this property except for a meal at Noodles.
     
  10. airball1996

    airball1996 High-Roller

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    I'll add my two cents worth.

    Rooms
    I stayed at Bellagio last June for three nights. I had a comp for Cosmopolitan but decided I'd rather pay for Bellagio as it is my favorite hotel on the strip. I'm of the opinion that their room prices are a touch high when compared to the quality.

    Their standard rooms are the only potentially negative thing I'll comment on. Yes, they're dated, and I'm not sure if their recent remodel will infuse the needed liveliness into the property. For me, it's adequate. Large bathroom, hot water in the shower, and comfortable conditions is all I need. The rooms lack the technology "wow" factor that Aria has, and for that reason alone, I'm a little surprised their standard room rates continue to be as high as they are.

    Restaurants
    If you're looking for fine dining, Bellagio can't be beat in my humble opinion.

    Le Cirque: Great meal, great experience, top notch all the way. If offered their signature "welcome cocktail" just note it's going to come at a cost at least $35 to your bill. Awesome wine pairings.

    Michael Mina: Another stellar option. The lobster pot pie is good, but if I had to pick a favorite, I'd go with the caviar parfait if it's on the menu. Certainly worth the up charge. Another great place to have wine pairings.

    Picasso: Another great option. Where else are you going to be surrounded by so much original artwork?

    Noodles & Snacks: Decent eats that are open later.

    Sensi: More casual, but their food hits the mark as well. Eaten here twice and plan on going back. (Get the Roll-Call sushi sampler.

    Jean Philippe: Just like the Aria location. Worth stocking up on a few sweet tooth snacks.

    Cafe Gelato & Palio: As others have mentioned, grabbing a quick gelato is a decent afternoon pick-me-up. I've hit up Palio for a morning breakfast and coffee, an although higher prices (as everything at B is), it still delivered.

    Casino Action
    In my opinion, Bellagio is where the casino action is. I'm not a high limit player, but have witnessed some near obscene things on the main floor. I can only imagine what happens in the high limit lounge. I've seen a mid 20's something betting two hands of $10,000 each, complete with his own private security guard. As I was wheeling my luggage through the lobby to leave last year, I saw a gentleman sitting with about $40,000 in purple chips betting two hands of $2,000 each....at 7:00 AM.... When stumbling back to my room around 4:00 AM, I saw a solo player at a roulette table BLANKETING the board with $100 chips.

    I like the fact that I can find some $10 blackjack tables, or a $15 pai gow table to spend my time at (usually in the early afternoon hours). I can't do that at Wynn, and like I mentioned....I'm a low roller.

    Their poker room is the best on the strip (sorry Aria, they still win in my opinion). I've almost been mowed down by Doyle Brunson more than once on his scooter heading back to the poker room (dick!).

    Service
    I've never had a horrible encounter with anyone. The ONLY time I thought "really?" about their service was during a blackjack session where the dealer exuded some sort of attitude when a player asked her to pronounce her name. He was a cowboy type from Texas (thick accent & cowboy hat and all) and seemed very polite. She just seemed very gruff, and I took my remaining chips elsewhere. Everyone else from the check in desk, security, restaurant staff, concierge, and all other dealers are nothing short of top notch.

    Miscellaneous
    Location is awesome. Tram going to Aria & Monte Carlo is a nice touch. The walkway over to CP is convenient as well.

    I'm planning on getting another shave at their Spa in May, and have never left there disappointed in my experience.

    For me, the fountains are "meh." After you've seen 'em a handful of times, they're not a drawing force for me. Yeah, they're cool, and I'll watch them if they're going, but I'm not going to go out of my way to wait for them. It is another experience to witness the show from your room, however.
     
  11. bwatson23

    bwatson23 High-Roller

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    airball had some great suggestions for nice dining, have to agree they have some of the best options in the valley.

    For what it's worth, we are regular visitors to Yellowtail. It can be a bit expensive but completely worth the time/money if you're into having nice sushi and specialty rolls.
     
  12. franknic

    franknic Low-Roller

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    Airball, you know your dining, great summary and well beyond my expertise. Certainly agree with you on the action and staff, indeed they are top shelve from my many experiences.
     
  13. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

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    In terms of the poker room I think that the Bellagio poker room has been the place to be at for years but I have found their staff to be a little rude at times to us low rollers.
     
  14. bwatson23

    bwatson23 High-Roller

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    Think this is a fair assessment as well. I've felt that at times, but maybe it's just an oversight or someone having a bad day.
     
  15. Reefer

    Reefer Low-Roller

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    Have to throw in Prime as a great steak joint...one of the best I ever had. For our anniversary last visit they set us up at a window over looking the fountains and we we treated like royalty.
     
  16. airball1996

    airball1996 High-Roller

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    I was thinking about checking out Prime on my upcoming trip. Only drawback is, I'd (most likely) be a single diner. Which by itself isn't too bad, but I live in Omaha NE, so for a steak house, it'd take a lot to impress me. Their prices are in line with what I'd expect for a Vegas steak house, but still on the fence on this one. I can get some fantastic moo meat nearly anywhere here.
     
  17. boogaloobboy

    boogaloobboy Tourist

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    Lots of butthurt people in here defending a property. Shifter didn't say Bellagio was a shithole, he said it was no longer top tier. And it isn't. There is simply no comparing it to Wynncore and Aria. There has been a notable shift in the service quality in the wrong direction, and newer/fresher/bigger/better properties have been built. The Cosmo has rooms who have much better fountain views, which was the major allure years ago.

    It is not a personal attack when someone doesn't hold the same opinion of a property as you do. It is simply assinine to compare Bellagio to Wynn.
     
  18. Nittany1

    Nittany1 VIP Whale

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    I stopped staying there several years ago after a host treated me like shit. Same trip I ran into a couple jerk dealers who felt comfortable badmouthing other players at the dice table.
    moved to Wynn for a while but their comps did not stack up.
    Settled at Aria and usually stay in SkySuites which kills Bellagio.

    I still walk there for the restaurants and will be trying the new Lago in a in a couple weeks.
    I won't stay or play there though.
     
  19. gritmonkey

    gritmonkey Tourist

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    When by myself I like to find steakhouses with good bars. Carnevino or delmonico would be good for a single. Great sides can be the diff between vegas and Omaha. Great steaks are still hard to find, but sides can set a place apart. I can tell you that no town has great steak everywhere. I'm in houston Texas and IMO only 2 of our steak places have truly great steaks.
     
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