Las Vegas Bellagio

[Nick A]

I have been invited to join friends next December for a week in Las Vegas. Having never been there before, any recommendations would be great and if anyone has experience of the Bellagio that would help.

 

[Kiwi Man]

They have the best buffet in the town. There was one TV show on Travel Channel. They claimed that they have the best Buffet in the country. I was there earlier this month and they have lamb, ribs, steak, snow crabs, Alaskan King crabs, sushi, all kind of seafood. They were so popular that there were so many people lined up and it was so crowded to the point where there was somebody fainted when I was waiting in line.

Cirque's O is a must. I really like it! However, the price of the ticket can be pricey, but it is a great show!

 

[pebblegrain]

You should set aside funds for the buffet as mentioned. Other than that, Bellagio is a fairly standard "top" Vegas hotel. Nothing spectacular about the hotel itself.

 

[Xericx]

I always find it comfortable there. I like the steak and eggs late night/early morning at their 24 hour coffee shop. I love their pool, but it will be too cold...the jacuzzis are nice.

 

[ChicagoRon]

Some fun stuff I tell people about the Bellagio

There's a shuttle / tram to get to City Center, which gives you easy access to lots of stuff

You can get a reservation outdoors at Mon Ami Gabi across the street in Paris, and get one of the best views of the fountains (which is by far the best "free show" on the strip).

You can't use MGM comps earned at any other hotel there, but can use Bellagio comps at any MGM property

Depending on how busy the week you are going will be, I've heard people have had very good results with the $20 trick there (just slip a $20 tip behind your license/credit card when you check in - often resulting in an upgrade).

The noodle shop is pretty decent, and I believe it is open all night (or at least very late).

Best poker room in town. If you're there on a Sat afternoon, you may see some of the top pros playing in "Bobby's Room". Bobby Baldwin (one of the alltime greats) is still the manager of the poker room there.

Picasso (Juian Serrano) is one of the best restaurants in Vegas. Also home to the Vegas "Le Cirque" and the Petrossian Caviar lounge.

The Chihuli glass sculptures and the garden are very beautiful. When looking at the glass, be sure to enjoy the staircase that Julia Roberts walks down in Oceans 11.

Not specific to the Bellagio, but if you have a good group of people and plan to spend any time at the pool, I highly recommend a cabana rental.

 

[Nick A]

Thank you all for this. I appreciate your input and I'm already excited about it now. Just tried to book for the Cirque's "O" but it's too far in advance to book for December. Will definitely see this. Thanks for the heads up for places to eat. We're there for a week so will be able to find these places....Thank you.
Good idea about the $20.00 upgrade. Will be my first "gamble" of the trip!..If it works, a big thanks to you Ron.

 

[SField]

Originally Posted by Nick A

I have been invited to join friends next December for a week in Las Vegas. Having never been there before, any recommendations would be great and if anyone has experience of the Bellagio that would help.

Originally Posted by Kiwi Man

They have the best buffet in the town. There was one TV show on Travel Channel. They claimed that they have the best Buffet in the country. I was there earlier this month and they have lamb, ribs, steak, snow crabs, Alaskan King crabs, sushi, all kind of seafood. They were so popular that there were so many people lined up and it was so crowded to the point where there was somebody fainted when I was waiting in line.

Cirque's O is a must. I really like it! However, the price of the ticket can be pricey, but it is a great show!

Originally Posted by pebblegrain

You should set aside funds for the buffet as mentioned. Other than that, Bellagio is a fairly standard "top" Vegas hotel. Nothing spectacular about the hotel itself.

Originally Posted by Xericx

I always find it comfortable there. I like the steak and eggs late night/early morning at their 24 hour coffee shop. I love their pool, but it will be too cold...the jacuzzis are nice.

Sorry, don't get all the noise about the buffet. It's disgusting. It's extremely expensive, the place is filled with revolting people, and it's still a ******* buffet.

Vegas has great dining options. I have no idea why you'd pass up delicious, sophisticated food for a place you have to stand in line for and pay way too much for overcooked dreck meant for obese americans. If the Bellagio has the "best buffet in town" then I am terrified to know what some of the worse ones look like.

Their 24 Hour Cafe sucks. It's like a Denny's.

If you need to stay at a gargantuan hotel, stay at the Wynn. Much, much better.

 

[verrive]

Not sure what your budget is like but I am always a fan of the Venetian. Wynn as mentioned is also a really nice place.

Any ideas of what you plan to do while you are there? Might help with other recommendations

 

[NH_Clark]

O is a definite "must see" Not sure if it's still there, but try and take a look at Steve Martin's art collection. Phenomenal collection. Otherwise, as stated above, same 'ol same. I stayed at the Wynn a couple of months ago... took a course side room and had a beautiful view..including a gorgeous sunrise. What I thought was really funny was how permissive the Wynn was to the "working girls" coming in and hunting. There's a carpeted "track" going by one of the corner bars (closest to the craps tables).. it became fondly known as the "Ho Track" .. now that is a must see

for steaks I can strongly recommend the "The Steak House" at the Circus Circus... amazingly awesome aged steaks and a superb wine list

 

[alan]

Venetian rooms > bellagio rooms

Venetian poker room > bellagio poker room (unless you play >5-10 blinds)

I liked the casino though, loved the fountain (i dont care how silly it is but i spent 2 hours first trip there waiting every 15 minutes for it)

Loved the buffet but im not a very picky eater.

20$ trick worked for my friend, (he gave 40$ to make sure though), but be specific and ask imo. If you dont theyll give you a slight upgrade which will be most convenient for them, but if you inquire about whats available theyll give you the best they can.

Bellagio has a great location though which is essential.

 

[scurvyfreedman]

The Bellagio has the top poker room and it's not even in question. But, it's cramped because everyone knows it's the best. But, it's also pretty tough because the player quality is also pretty high compared to everywhere else. They offer more games and more limits than anyone else, but the limits start relatively high. The dealers all know every game and are quick, plus they know the rules and won't let a loud table player dominate the play/pace, etc.

The buffet is good, but I still like Paris buffet the best. Try a slightly off time or get a line pass from one of the pit bosses after playing for a while. Otherwise the wait can be very long.

The coffee shop is the best in town. It's better than some of the restaurants elsewhere.

The table games start higher than most other casinos. If you're a low roller you may want to play elsewhere. All of the dealers are quality, unlike other places where they may not even know the game they're dealing.

My wife and I fell asleep during O.

Michael Mina was a huge disappointment.

If you're going for the first time don't confine yourself to one hotel. See everything.

 

[ChicagoRon]

Scurvey - we are two peas in a pod. I thought O was tripe, and I too fell asleep.

The limits at the Bellagio have gone down significantly since the economic slump. Easy to find $10 craps and $10-15 ** now, which used to be unheard of there.

And you're right about Mina.

 

[itsstillmatt]

Wait. People go to the buffets?

 

[culture]

my meal at yellowtail was one of the best ive ever had.

 

[ChicagoRon]

I eat lunch at the buffet when I'm in the poker room. It's fast, they give me a line pass, and it's relatively cheap. There is some great stuff on that buffet. Their beef wellington is actually really good. THey do spit-roast suckling pig occasionally. I dunno

maybe I'm still too much of a small timer to be offended by it