We selected the Bellagio for this trip because we received an offer for a low rate based on our Player's Club membership. After they comped our meals based on our play, we really felt like we got a really good deal.

The rooms at Bellagio are immaculate - spacious and beautiful, the beds are comfortable and the amenities are first class. The bathroom is HUGE and luxurious with two sinks and a make-up mirror.

Housekeeping was great and they left plenty of towels and even came back to our room to tidy it up for a second time sometime in the afternoon while we were out, and left chocolates on the nightstand.

The pool area was clean and lush and for the most part, child-free – not that I am a crabby old lady but sometimes it’s nice to relax by the pool without the squealing of someone else’s kids. Poolside servers were prompt and the Bloody Mary I had for breakfast was perfect.

That said, I guess that the low rate was what got us the arms-length attitude from the front desk clerk upon check-in, a room on the 5th floor of the Spa tower right above the hustle and bustle of the hotel’s convention center area that obviously works overnight, and a view of the rooftops and air conditioning system. If we craned our necks, we got a glimpse of the pool. But hey, we snagged a room a Bellagio, right?

I used to travel a lot for work and I am of the thought that you can judge a hotel by the number of beer coolers you see the clientele hauling into the elevators. Before checking into the Bellagio we stayed down the street and one of the budget hotels on the strip where there were beer coolers aplenty. At the Bellagio, there were none.

The Bellagio is a first-class hotel geared toward gamers and luxury seekers and I will definitely make plans to stay there again.

With over 3,900 rooms, we were amazed there were no problems parking, waiting for elevators or taxis, etc. Hotel very pricey with mostly friendly and accommodating staff. Make sure you don't get a room with an adjourning door to another room - you'll hear every word and sound from that other room. Non smoker's beware - cigarette smoke is everywhere! But that's Vegas. We changed rooms to the spa tower and found it more pleasant. Hotel very clean, room was a decent size, loved to watch the dancing fountains and enjoyed wonderful gelato at the Gelato Cafe.

We spent three nights in the Bellagio over a weekend in June. We’d always wanted to try it after seeing so much of it on the TV and movies, and we weren’t disappointed.

We wanted a good view of the fountains so chose a Salone Lakeview suite. These rooms are up the two front sides of the hotel - you have views out the front over the lake and fountains, and from the side to Caesars Palace (or the City Centre buildings if you’re on the other side). You really do get a commanding view of what Vegas has to offer from here. The bed is placed in the corner between the front and side windows. As a result of all the windows the room is bright and airy - even the bath has a full length window overlooking Caesars (I just hope that the one way glass works).

The room was one of the cleanest I have ever stayed in. Every surface and bit of fabric was spotless. Even areas that sometimes get neglected had been cleaned - no unsavory stains anywhere.

Due to the positioning of the room there was no noise at all from adjoining guest rooms. The emergency exit stairs (which nobody ever used) are on one side and you’ve got the bathroom to shield you on the other side. The air-con was also one of the quietest I’ve encountered in a hotel. However, there was a bit of noise from the construction work taking place on the massive extension to Caesars across the street. Can’t blame the Bellagio for this though, and it shouldn’t put you off choosing one of these rooms - I would gladly check in again tomorrow if I had the chance.

Lifts - never had to wait more than a minute for a lift, and there was never a queue. There were six lifts covering a small range of floors (single figures), so the lift to floor ratio was very high.

Obviously there are a few more negatives, but they didn't detract from our stay there at all.

1. Check in was a bit of a free-for-all. Other hotels have a nice roped off line so it’s quite clear who is next in the queue. Here you just have to take your chances. The lobby always seemed to be very busy, more so than other hotels. Not sure why that was.

2. I wouldn't recommend the buffet if you just want a normal breakfast. If you're hungry and in need of a big meal then it's the ideal place to gorge yourself, provided you can wait for the enormous queues to go down. We only ate there once - the Bellagio cafe was a much nicer proposition - excellent service, great food and reasonably priced.

3. The pool was quite busy (but then it was the weekend so what did I expect). However if you get there early enough and get a decent spot then it's a pleasant environment.

4. Lastly, you can’t expect a five star hotel to be cheap, so it is a bit pricey, but it’s well worth it.

Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Bellagio and would recommend it.

I stayed at the Bellagio June 28-30, 2009 in the Spa Tower, Room 28605. The Good:
Check in line was long, but the staff was handing out cold bottled water and thanking us for our patience. We asked the girl if there were any upgrades and she put us in the spa tower at no extra cost! Just ask, it can't hurt. Everything about this hotel is super clean. The room is big and very welcoming. The bed is the most comfortable bed in Vegas. Eat at the buffet but be prepared to wait in line. If a staff member comes out, ask if you can sit at the bar. I did and saved at least 30 minutes wait time. Go see O. It is unreal. Get tickets early though, the stand by line is long and not guaranteed. There were not any working girls that I could see. The dealers are nice and funny and welcoming. The location is of course the best on the strip. I highly recommend this hotel. Check Travelocity for deals, you never know what you'll find!