It may be a relatively recent addition to the hotel scene in Las Vegas, only opening in 1998, but Bellagio is firmly among the world's most famous mega-resorts. Inspired by the design of the Italian town Bellagio on Lake Como, it has achieved legendary status for its 7-acre lake, dazzling illuminated fountains, and its lobby ceiling decorated with Dale Chihuly's splendid Fiori di Como installation a structure made of hand-blown coloured glass, containing over 2,000 flowers.
If you've seen the 2001 film Ocean's Eleven, you may feel like you know the place already, as this hotel served as its setting. The splendid casino is famous across the world. It is a loud and busy yet glamorous haunt for the glitterati, taking up an entire floor and containing over 2,000 different slot machines.
If you're a serious gamer, head for Bobby's Room – named after Bobby Baldwin who became the youngest Main Event champion at the World Series of Poker in 1978. Here you'll often find professional poker players testing their skills and their wits against one another in a superb setting, but visitors are welcome too.
Of course there is much more to Bellagio than its poker tables and slot machines. The circus troupe Cirque du Soleil's O production is based here. You'll also get to explore the wonderful conservatory and botanical gardens which are decorated seasonally, as well as a truly divine spa and salon.
Outside the entrance to the hotel you can't miss the spectacular Fountains of Bellagio. This is where the famous choreographed water show takes place, set to music that includes some of the best-known Vegas standards, with over 1,200 illuminated jets of water shooting into the air. Shows run throughout the day, sometimes as regularly as every 15 minutes. Ask at your hotel for details about the shows and their timings when you arrive.
Situated right in the middle of The Strip, Bellagio is easy to reach by monorail, public bus and mini-bus shuttle, all of which stop here. Ask your hotel concierge for details of day passes for the bus and monorail.
