Bellagio Las Vegas – Boring, No-Frills Luxury (Yawn)

Key Points:

• I paid $155.27 for my 1-night stay, and it was great, but I prefer other hotels for the money.

• Bellagio’s resort experience is what makes it special, with unique freebies, art, and a relaxing pool scene.

Bellagio Las Vegas is one of the most instantly recognizable resort properties in the world, thanks in part to Daniel Ocean & Terry Benedict, two important historical figures who helped solidify Las Vegas as a premier travel destination.

It’s iconic. Hell, the word Bellagio is synonymous with luxury. Ask anyone, and they’ll tell you it’s among the best Vegas has to offer.

Or is it?

My recent stay at Bellagio was spectacular – No major complaints. I even got a free toy out of the deal!

But after experiencing some of the most luxurious hotels on the Strip this past year, I gotta say… I’m not sure the hotel product stacks up.

You can get more for your money elsewhere.

Room, Cost & Check-in

I reserved a Premier 2 Queen room for a grand total of $155.27 after fees & tax.

That rate was discounted thanks to my play in the MGM Rewards loyalty program, but this room type starts at around $300/nt after fees, though it can be significantly more.

As always, I used the MGM Resorts app to check in, received an email when my room was ready, and used my phone as a room key, allowing me to skip the front desk – A process I recommend.

That said, the introduction to the property, from the porte cochere to the lobby with Dale Chihuly’s backlit glass flowers on the ceiling, is nothing short of elite.

Bellagio Premier 2 Queen Room

The Premier 2 Queen at Bellagio offers a generous 510 square feet of space and fashionable decor.

Drapes can be controlled via a wall switch, bedside charging options are ample (outlets, wireless pad, USB-A), and the beds are fantastic.

This is a comfortable, clean room.

There was a dry minibar, glassware, and a metal ice bucket under the TV, and a refrigerated minibar that disappointingly offered just a small shelf for personal items.

I also love it when hotels provide some light reading material.

The bathroom had a modern vibe, and I loved the illuminated mirror above the dual sink vanity.

The shower was unnecessarily long, and the absence of a tub and a separate water closet for the toilet could be a disappointment to some.

What’s Not To Like?

When I review hotels, I give you the whole story, not just the good, so that you can make a more informed decision.

This room was immaculate and in pristine condition, but I did find this guy hiding out behind the curtains.

Housekeeping also left a rag in the bathroom for me.

One other gear-grinding quirk I have is when hotels renovate their room product, but don’t swap out old, discolored switches.

Most importantly, I want to touch on the value proposition (ie. what you get for the price, compared to other resorts).

2 Things are true about Bellagio’s base hotel product.

1. It’s genuinely nice & comfortable.
2. It’s not as exciting or luxurious as similarly priced peer resorts on the Strip.

I’ve recently stayed at a handful of high-end Las Vegas hotels, including Crockfords at Resorts World, a Terrace Studio at The Cosmopolitan, Fontainebleau, and a renovated suite at The Venetian.

All of which delivered (what I deem to be) a more desirable room than Bellagio at a similar price point, many offering “extras” such as more space, empty fridges, complimentary toiletry kits, slippers, digital room controls on a tablet, and/or free (sometimes high-quality!) in-room coffee.

Not every one of those resorts offers every one of those amenities, but you get the idea.

While my bathroom at Bellagio was aesthetically pleasing, most upmarket hotel rooms have a tub and a separate water closet. Both of which are absent at Bellagio.

Heck, there are even specific dates when Wynn, Encore, and Waldorf Astoria are cheaper, and their rooms are in a different league entirely.

While Bellagio’s base room product is of high quality, it lacks “bells & whistles” for the price. It’s a “boringly nice” room. A yawner, if you will.

Bellagio Resort Experience

The casino level and general resort experience are where Bellagio shines, starting with the Conservatory, one of the top free attractions in Las Vegas.

Bellagio’s Pool

The pool scene at Bellagio is chill, relaxing, and segmented by plant life. I enjoyed the fountains and the sounds of moving water, and there were plenty of loungers.

Uniquely, Bellagio keeps a portion of its pool open year round.

Gallery of Fine Art

While Bellagio isn’t known for affordability, its Gallery of Fine Art costs just $19. There, you’ll be treated to a rotating collection of works.

It isn’t huge, so take your time reading up on everything. These pictures are from my visit a couple of years back.

Food & Drink

Restaurants at Bellagio get all sorts of buzz, especially the ones perched along the fountains. A more budget-focused traveler, I’ve never eaten at any of them.

You’ll have to look elsewhere for intel.

Snacks

My historic go-to at the resort has been Snacks, the cheapest option… albeit far from cheap. These chicken tenders cost $20.95, and the fries are $8.95.

OOF.

The Buffet at Bellagio

In the past, I’ve also splurged on The Buffet at Bellagio, which is fine, but firmly behind Bacchanal at Caesars Palace and The Buffet at Wynn. While totally acceptable, it isn’t a buffet I go out of my way to experience.

I paid $54.99 for my weekday brunch buffet, but the price escalates to $74.99 for dinner.

The brunch menu is a solid collection of traditional breakfast & lunch fare, and prime rib was available at the carving station.

My favorite “non-premium items” were the mini-gyros and bacon mac & cheese.

Bellagio’s Casino

This is an upbeat, luxurious-feeling gaming floor, and I love pecking away at slots there. During my recent mid-week visit, the minimums for table games like 6:5 Blackjack and Roulette (both 00 & 000) were $25.

The sportsbook could use an upgrade, however.

Is Bellagio Las Vegas Worth the Price Tag?

This is a luxury room, at an upmarket resort, and the experience is spectacular.

That said, there are a handful of hotels out there that I prefer to Bellagio if priced similarly.

While I’d happily stay again on a comp or deep discount (like I had on this occasion), I’d opt for Crockfords at Resorts World, Fontainebleau, The Venetian, Palazzo, The Cosmopolitan, Wynn, Encore, or Waldorf Astoria instead at a similar (or cheaper) price point.

Am I crazy to say that at Bellagio, you’re paying for the name “Bellagio” rather than a superior hotel product?

Related Las Vegas Hotel Reviews:

Mandalay Bay Review

Nobu at Caesars Palace Review