Key Points:
- Bellagio’s Premier Room starts at around $215/nt after fees and is both spacious and aesthetically pleasing.
- The resort experience ranks among the best in Vegas with a luxurious pool scene, free conservatory, and iconic fountains.
- My biggest gripe is the lack of budget dining options within the resort, but there are plenty nearby.
As a low/medium roller, complimentary rooms at low and mid-tier properties within the MGM and Caesars portfolios are easy to come by, but deep deals at upper-echelon properties are more elusive.
I recently logged into MGM Rewards and saw I could score a room at Bellagio for free (minus the $55 resort fee), so I jumped on the opportunity.
Specifically, I was able to book a Premier King Room, which has been recently renovated and tends to be the cheapest room type at Bellagio.
Needless to say, I was excited to stay in Terry Benedict’s place.
Check-In Experience
Checking in at MGM Properties, like Bellagio, is seamless via the mobile app, and it’s so slick that it often sways my booking decisions toward an MGM resort over the competition.
Simply check in via the app the night before your stay.
You’ll then be alerted the day of your stay when your room is ready. Your phone acts as your room key, allowing you to skip the hotel lobby entirely.
Although Bellagio’s standard check-in time is 3 pm, I received an email around noon letting me know my room was ready.
A huge perk, MGM properties often grant you access to your hotel room before the standard check-in time, even if you didn’t pre-pay for that perk. I’ve gotten into rooms as early as 7am.
Although you don’t need to visit the hotel front desk to obtain room keys, ensure you swing by to see Dale Chihuly’s “Fiori di Como,” which comprises 2,000 backlit, hand-blown glass flowers.
Bellagio Premier King Review
On the way up to my room, I always like to scope out common areas like elevator lobbies and hotel hallways. Their condition often hints at what you can expect.
As you’d imagine, Bellagio’s were gorgeous and in fantastic shape.
The room is fresh and modern.
The decorative accent wall and the woodwork behind, surrounding, and above the king bed made it the room’s focal point and gave it an elegant look.
Flanking the bed, both nightstands offered USB charge ports and traditional outlets.
Bellagio’s Premier King is 510 square feet, which is sizable for a standard room in Las Vegas. That space is used to provide a living area with a swanky-looking couch and a small table.
There was also a separate table with a chair and a padded stool/ottoman next to it.
While lesser Strip resorts employ trendy furnishings with an “Ikea-vibe”, that certainly isn’t the case here. This is top shelf stuff.
The TV was mounted in the middle of another decorative wall above a modern, stylish TV stand.
Inside the TV stand was the mini-bar, stocked with food and cold drinks.
Hilariously, there was a “personal shelf” in the fridge… but only enough space to lay 2 bottles of beer on their side. Cute.
Just outside the bathroom was a closet equipped with a safe, 2 robes, and an iron/ironing board.
Additional “bells & whistles” offered in Bellagio’s room included a bedside clock with wireless and USB charge ports and drapery controls on the wall beside the bed.
The bathroom was a stone-cold stunner. Just look at this thing.
Immediately grabbing your attention is the illuminated mirror, which sits above a marble dual-sink vanity.
The shower is cavernous, extending the length of the bathroom, and the water pressure was borderline painful (in a good way).
I’ll never understand the “toilet phone” concept… but it’s there if you need it.
What’s Not To Like?
When I do hotel room reviews, I don’t just share the good; I aim to give you the whole story so that you can make a more informed decision.
There isn’t much to scoff at here. This was a clean, quality, and modern room. I was impressed.
That said, I always chuckle and shake my head when there are one or two grimy reminders of yesteryear in an otherwise fresh room.
In this case, a light switch and one of the drape controllers were clearly yellowed originals… Why not just swap those bad boys out for fresh ones (like the drapes controller near the bed was)?
While they didn’t negatively affect my stay, they stick out like a sore thumb.
There were also some baseboard scuffs, although that was the only cleaning/maintenance deficiency I could find, which is pretty impressive.
Bellagio Resort Experience
The Pool
Bellagio’s pool is easily one of the best on the Strip, provided you’re looking for a calm, quiet, relaxing scene vs. a pool party.
There are multiple pools, some equipped with fountains, and it feels like you stepped across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe for the afternoon.
Free Things To Do
For an upmarket resort, Bellagio has a pair of impressive freebies. The 14,000 square foot conservatory & botanical garden display is swapped out seasonally, meaning there’s a reason to visit every time you return to Vegas.
And the iconic Fountains of Bellagio, which dance to a variety of classic & modern songs.
Gallery of Fine Art
Commonly overlooked, Bellagio has a small Gallery of Fine Art with a rotating collection of works. Tickets start at $29, and it should appeal to the more cultured among us.
I’m not an “art guy” per se, but I really enjoyed my visit a couple of years back.
Dining Options
I mentioned it earlier, but I’m a budget traveler.
Fine dining isn’t really my jam, but Bellagio has restaurants with various global influences that cater ot an affluent crowd, many of which overlook the Fountains of Bellagio.
The cheapest option is Snacks, which serves burgers, chicken fingers, etc., for around $20-$25. Not terrible, but certainly not inexpensive.
Fortunately, Bellagio is close to plenty of cheap restaurants at surrounding resorts.
In between Snacks and the ritzy restaurants that line the Fountains is The Buffet at Bellagio, which is a tier below Bacchanal at Caesars Palace, The Buffet at Wynn, and The Cosmopolitan’s Wicked Spoon, but is still a solid option, costing $45-$70 depending on the day and meal.
They serve premium items like prime rib, and my favorite menu items included the bacon mac & cheese and mini-gyros, which were plated individually with visual appeal.
Humorously, they also had a guy frying up “Uncle Buck” style pancakes, which were then cut into square pieces like a bar pizza.
Verdict on Bellagio’s Premier King Room
While Bellagio isn’t a resort I’ll always pay up for (I’m too cheap), it’s definitely one I’d consider for a special occasion or date night. Obviously, if it’s complimentary based on my casino play, I’d jump on it any day of the week.
I was impressed by the room and found it to be absurdly comfortable. It had a classy vibe, was in great shape, and had some unique amenities. My stay was fantastic.
I loved the furnishings, how the bed was framed in, and how gorgeous the bathroom was. Aside from a few scuff marks, the room was clean and expertly maintained.
It’s simply an elegant resort. The Conservatory is a must-see, the pool is awesome, and you just feel like a “somebody” walking the casino floor.
If you’re on the fence, I say book it.
See Also: Check out my Premier 2 Queen Room, and my thoughts on Bellagio compared to peer resorts, which have evolved a bit.
See my related Vegas hotel reviews:
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.