Last Updated on September 21, 2023
For those with the faintest interest in Vegas, you will have probably heard of the Bellagio Hotel. If anything, you know it as one of Terry Benedict’s hotels in Ocean’s 11 (it stars again in Ocean’s 13). Although being in the middle of The Strip, the Bellagio stands out of the typical Vegas hotels with its unique Italian theme and elegance.
The Bellagio Las Vegas: Fun Facts
The hotel was originally planned and conceptualized by Steve Wynn, who owns a number of hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, and who initially had a French-themed resort, the Beau Rivage, in mind, for the spot in which the Dunes Hotel stood in the early 90s. After it was demolished, construction of the Bellagio began in 1995.
Inspired by Lake Como in Italy, the entire building is built in the style of Italian architecture, including an eight-and-a-half-acre lake featuring the famous fountains and more than 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers on the ceilings of the lobby. The glass flowers were designed by Dale Chihuly, an American artist known for his incredible glass art.
Visit the Bellagio
The Chihuly glass sculpture in the hotel lobby is the largest of its kind in the entire world. You can admire it for free – in fact, taking a stroll around the lobbies and the casinos along the Strip is one of the best free things to do in Las Vegas. Especially if you’re not into gambling!
At the time of opening in 1998, the Bellagio Las Vegas was the world’s most expensive casino hotel that was ever built (up to that point) – it cost $1.6 billion to build the Bellagio.
With 3,005 rooms in a 36-story tall tower, the Bellagio was one of the biggest and most elegant hotels on The Strip. It has since expanded to 3,933 rooms, after an additional tower was built (and opened in 2004). The hotel includes 401 suites.
The Bellagio Fountains
The dancing water fountains in front of the hotel, that move synchronized to music, are the most iconic feature of the Bellagio. More than a thousand fountains sway in accordance with the music playing, and the fountain display spans more than 1,000 feet with water soaring up to 460 feet into the air.
Every day, thousands of spectators gather outside the hotel in order to watch the famous water show, which takes place in a 8.5-acre man-made lake.
If you want to see it: The fountain display happens every 30 mins from 3pm to 6.30pm and every 15 minutes from 7pm till midnight on weekdays. On weekends and Holidays, you can see the fountain show every 30 minutes from noon to 6.30pm and every 15 minutes from 7pm till midnight.
The Botanical Gardens
The flowers in the botanical garden are arranged creatively, in different forms every season – in the form of snails, frogs, and other colorful displays giving off a wonderful scent.
Jumping water fountains and never stopping watering cans add to the beautiful atmosphere.
The hotel is also home to a large shopping area known as “Via Bellagio“, which includes luxury brands such as Prada, Gucci, Tiffany & Co, and Chanel. The Bellagio was the first hotel in Las Vegas to include high-end retail brands.
There’s also a 1,800-seat theater inside the hotel, where you can watch O, a water-themed Cirque Du Soleil show.
Of course there are also a number of restaurants at the Bellagio, including Julian Serrano’s Lago, Prime steakhouse, Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge, Mayfair Supper Club and Wolfgang Puck’s Spago. You can make a reservation to eat at any of the Bellagio restaurants here.
In addition to the world-class restaurants, the Bellagio is home to several bars.
If you’re staying at the Bellagio (see more details below), you also get to enjoy the five courtyard pools, which are said to be some of the nicest swimming pools in Las Vegas.
There is also a Fine Art Gallery inside the hotel, a conservatory and botanical gardens.
The world famous chocolate fountain
Leave the botanical garden on the left side and you will come to what is called ‘the world’s largest chocolate fountain’ in The Jean-Philippe Patisserie, a European-style pastry shop that not only spreads the appealing smell of chocolate but also offers fabulous Italian ice cream. Make sure you bring your credit card though, if you want to try it.
Stay at the Bellagio Las Vegas
Rates at the Bellagio start at $199 per room per night, but they vary drastically throughout the year – depending on the time of year, if you’re staying on a weekday or a weekend, and if it’s a Holiday. Events in Las Vegas also impact hotel rates.
Note that in addition to the room rate, you’ll have to pay a $45 daily resort fee plus applicable taxes.
Check Booking.com for the cheapest rates.
David
Thursday 29th of December 2022
Stayed at the Bellagio in June 10 nights, best stay of any Hotel in Vegas pool was fantastic, stay their every time ( if I could afford it ).