We booked our stay through the American Express Platinum Fine Hotel program but had multiple dialogues (all great) with management at the hotel to insure that our accomodations were as we requested and that any gift requests we had made would be honored without embarrassment. We had multiple rooms and suites as this was a family celebration visit. All was done to expectation.
Let me begin by saying that we paid for all of our accomodations, although most of us qualify for comped accomodations, it is easier to control what you get, especially if you book far enough in advance to get great pricing. Given the level of play, we always have VIP access and we did for the group of 12.
Our last stay was in the early spring of this year so we were not able to enjoy some of the options that we did this time.
Although it was over 105 degrees at the time of our stay, the construction of the pool area creates wind tunnels and breezes which made it most enjoyable. The cabanas at $450 a day are too pricey for what you get, avoid unless you are comped. The pool staff does check room keys (swipes them) on weekends but not other days.
The Bellagio buffet was as awesome as it was on our last visit and at $37 isn't such a bad price when you consider the offerings.
We did utilize our Amex lunch coupons to Sensi and I wish we had gone to dinner there instead of Shanghi Lily (at Mandalay)
on our first night. Sensi not only had spectacular food, but their booths for six have access on both sides, so only the middle person needs to slide. Service was incredible.
Elevators to the locked floors had problems and housekeeping needed to be reminded that in a 2 bedroom suite sometimes extra towels are necessary. The dust level in the suite was ridiculous, especially since the regular housekeeper was tipped in advance. Forget the complimentary slippers if you are a guy, they only go up to medium and most of the men in our suite had shoe size nine and higher. Beds are very comfortable and even the rollaway was more decent than most.
VIP lounge area gets boring after a while., except for the occasional celebrity who strolls through. Most of the VIP check in staff have a look down at you attitude if you are not a regular or a celebrity. Alcoholic beverages are available for free, but no beer. Soda and water are available as well. After 5 days, chocolate covered strawberries become routine.
If you have a special occasion, like a birthday or anniversaryand need a cake, forget ordering through the hotel. Although there were no complaints about the quality of the item, it fell apart when cut and we ended up giving the remains which we would have liked to have saved to hotel staff as the left over packaging provided was in no way adequate. No one apologized for the mistakes or corrected them. It was the "gee too bad" approach.
If you book through Amex, you do not get the airport pick-up.
If you book an airport pick-up through concierge, beware as it was double the price for the towncar that I had booked myself on our last trip. A $15 cab ride for 5 turned into an $85 town car ride for 1. Nasty pricing!
Much is shut down until 7am. A cup of coffee (nasty tasting, not Starbucks level or even Chock Full of Nuts level) only available at 5:30am was at the bar for a cost of $4 per cup. (We were not up all night, we were simply up early)
Concierge at the Bellagio is inconsistent. Some individuals are very informed, others wing it and then it becomes a disappointment. Restaurant referrals and suggestions do not necessarily follow what is best or most appropriate, more like a political party line (MGM properties) or one is given information that is downright wrong - simple questions, where is the closest video store or the closest Hollister store drew wrong information or puzzled looks. The bell station person at Treasure Island was more accurate!
Would we go back, yes, its a nice place. Would we try other options in Vegas, yes, we would.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
most likely
I recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Great pool scene, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
People with disabilities, Older travelers, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Other