What is this ''no kids''policy I keep hearing about Bellagio Hotel and it's pool area in Vegas?we have 2 kids 9-13,does this mean we are not welcome to this hotel?does anyone have any info?we couldn't find any availability for our stay at the Mandalay Bay,we need to pick between the Venetian and the Bellagio,which is better?pools?rooms?

I'm no Vegas expert as I've only been there a few times, but I suggest if you want to know their exact policy, you should call them up and ask them to be sure to get the most accurate info. I do know they are a very upscale hotel who wants to maintain a certain image and ambience and clientele and it should be clear from their pricing and other policies that you are correct in assuming that you are not welcome with children. This is not a family-oriented hotel/casino, they don't want that market, and you should go elsewhere. People who are paying to stay there don't want to be around kids, either, that's probably one reason they've chosen that hotel, so give them a break. The Venetian isn't really kiddieland, either, though. There are many other places that would be far better for kids, although I personally don't think Las Vegas should be viewed as a family resort, anyway. I know kids are only allowed in the Bellagio's art gallery area at certain times of day, and then I think they must be accompanied, of course, but I don't know about age limitations on their pool use. I know they don't allow unaccompanied kids in the hotel at all who are not registered there, but I think that is true of other hotel/casinos, also. You seem to be very interested in the pools, so I really think you should go elsewhere with children as you are going to have to figure out what to do with them the entire vacation; in fact, I've often wondered what people do with their kids in Las Vegas at night as the whole point of the place is to stay up late, gamble, drink, go to terrible shows, etc. Bellagio is one of the worst hotels for children, but there are many hotels in Vegas other than those two. Among the better hotels for children are MGM Grand, Luxor, NYNY and Treasure Island.

I agree, Vegas is not Disneyworld, nor is it meant to be. It's meant to be a playground for adults - the nickname "Sin City" ought to be your first clue. There are all kinds of resort destinations all over the country that cater to families (yes, they even have pools!), I can't for the life of me understand why people insist on bringing their children with them to Las Vegas. Is it really what you want to expose your kids to?

If the Bellagio excludes children, they have more sense than the parents who bring the children there.

This is just too much! The post attributed to me above is a total fake.

Geez, now I know how Noach felt.

Hey, Cindy, take credit for the posting. It really says a mouthful!

I could be mistaken but I think I remember having heard when the Bellagio first opened that they have a "no children" policy. I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem to find out, and like the other posters I wouldn't want to subject my children to a hotel that didn't welcome them anyway

Here's their policy, and it was certainly easy enough to find, right on the front page of their web site. I have a feeling though, that Jeff was more interested in creating one of those "I have the right to take my kids anywhere" controversies here than in actually researching the information on his own. Wasn't Jeff the name of the guy who created the troll about taking all the kids to Hawaii first class? Anyway, from Bellagio site:


"You must be 18 years of age or a registered hotel guest to enter Bellagio.

The following exceptions apply to minors who are at least 5 years of age and accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age:

Restaurant reservations for Aqua, Circo, Jasmine, Le Cirque, Picasso, Shintaro or Prime Attending a wedding in our Wedding Chapels

Attending a convention function

Attending a performance of "O"

Gallery of Fine Art: Children of hotel guests and non-hotel guests under the age of 12 are allowed between the hours of 8:00 am and 10:30 am, if accompanied by an adult.

Non-hotel guests with children must have their tickets in hand prior to arriving to Bellagio.

Visiting a Via Bellagio shop by appointment only

Strollers are allowed for hotel guests only."

Glad to know there's at least one place in Las Vegas where adults can go to enjoy a vacation around other adults, instead of around people who lack the common sense to leave their babies, toddlers and children at home when they want to visit adult-oriented places.

Bellagio has a no children policy?
Wonderful! It's good to hear that there is a place for adults to stay.

For those who have children, there's plenty of places that cater to you and your children.

It's true! I checked the site. If you doubt it, visit their site yourself:

http://www.bellagiolasvegas.com/

Wow, wish more hotels had that kind of policy! What a treat to go to a place that caters to adults for a change. That's worth whatever price they are charging.

When we were in 'Vegas last Christmas even the Bellagio had a million kids all over the place. True, they may have a policy but if the child is with it's parents and the parents are guests and/or "visiting" the hotel, i.e. gambling, shopping the kids were there. There were plenty of strollers ramming into ones ankles believe me. Sure they ask if you are a guest but you can be and have 5 screaming kids in tow so you are entitled to be there. I loved the "old days" when 'Vegas did not cater to families personally, it was an adult place where one could escape kids, now children seem to be encouraged everywhere. We talked to Security at the MGM and at the Mirage and they told us it was a losing battle keeping kids out of the casinos, etc. You ask one to leave and 3 more pop up someplace else. Parents argue with the security people too saying that "my kid is not doing anything, he can stand here" (next to slot machines, etc.). We saw a lot of this last year, much more so than we had in previous visits.

I'll stick up for parents to make one little point. The casinos have been marketing Vegas as a family destination so that they can make more money. So if anyone is to blame for the increase in inappropriate age patrons in Vegas, the casinos have themselves to blame.

Personally, I think kids have no reason to be in Vegas and I would never take mine there because they would get in the way of my having fun, but I think the problem should be laid mostly at the feet of the marketing departments of the casinos.

So you want to blame marketing for encouraging children in Vegas? What, did they hold a gun to parents' heads and say come here or else? Did they change casino age limits to anyone 13 months old or older? Do they serve liquor to 12 year olds now? Can an 8 year old get into the strip clubs?

The adult nature of Vegas hasn't changed, anyone can gather that, if people are taking their kids because Treasure Island puts on a show, then shame on THEM. They're trying to justify their own selfish and irresponsible behavior. Will they let their kids smoke because there was a Joe Camel billboard outside the schoolyard and the marketing strategy of the tobacco industry encouraged it? Oh wait, people got upset about that and had them banned, didn't they?

This is yet another instance of people trying to blame everyone and eveything for their own choices and their own behavior.

Sorry that we disagree, Joe. I'm not saying marketing excuses bad parenting. Heck, we all should be able to resist marketing, but we all get sucked in at one time or another. I'm just posing an explanation for the increase of kids in Vegas. After all, if you pitch your establishment as being appropriate for kids, some people might actually believe you. For instance, the Disney cruise line pitches itself as being just fine for adult childless couples, and guess what? Some adult couples buy it, only to discover it is a dreadful place for childless adults couples and that they've been had.

I'm with you, though. Kids don't belong in Vegas.

Heck,
I remember the days when we kids were not allowed to even walk through a casino. I once had to wait outside with my siblings while we watched our parents gamble through the casino swinging doors. Casinos have become increasingly tolerant of those with children, as they've created this
Disneyana for families, which they're now trying to backtrack because they\
realize a lot of people are irritated with kids in casinos, and I have to agree, casinos are no place for children. It's for adults. What next,
kids in local taverns while in baby
stroller, et cet?

Hey Betty-I have seen kids in strollers in local taverns! And I have seen parents sitting in Sloppy Joes and other bars in Key West with kids in tow!! Makes you wonder what happened to commons sense and values in this country!

We took our 17 year-old-son with us to Las Vegas and had dinner reservations at Bellagio. We were stopped at the door by two snobbish security "nazis" who were extremely rude and followed us all the way to the restaurant. Mind you, were well dressed and professionals. We felt like riff raff. By the way, the meal was very expensive and only marginally palatable. There were lots of places that were much more child friendly, however, the assertion that Vegas has been made into a family friendly vacation spot is erroneous. The children's attractions at the hotels will keep your kids busy for maybe an hour or two at most. The hotels are so far apart that it makes it very tiring to hop from casino to casino to take advantage of the children's attractions. The biggest disappointment was Circus Circus, which should be called Zoo Zoo.

I would like to clear up one myth about Las Vegas. The Hotels/Casinos, with a couple of exceptions ( i.e. Circus Circus ) are no longer catering to families. Catering to families was a desperate move in the early 90's to try and get more business. Las Vegas lost a fairly large chuck of their business in the early 90's because of the severe recession in Southern California.

However after several years, it finally dawned on the Hotel/Casino owners that family business is not good for the bottom line. A couple of years ago, Steve Wynn, former owner of the Mirage Resorts ( Mirage, Bellagio, etc. ), made the statement that catering to families in Las Vegas is the stupidest thing that we have ever done. In other words, families do not spend money. They were getting far too many rooms occupied by folks that did not do any gaming which is the life blood of Nevada. Another result of catering to the family business was a drastic increase in the price of accomodations and food. The hotels could no longer count on the gaming income to offset losses from the restaurants and hotel rooms.

Now the scenario is reversing. The Bellagio was the first to come out with formal restrictions. However many other properties have started to discourage family trade. MGM is tearing down their theme park.

The facts of life are that without sufficient gaming revenues, Las Vegas ( and other areas ) cannot survive. Families with minor chidren do not contribute much to the property's revenues.

EVERY VEGAS HOTEL should have a NO KIDS POLICY!! That way when you walk into a casino you souldn't see a bunch of kids sitting alone without supervision. SERIOUSLY..it's sickening...parents leave them sitting there so they can gamble (JUVENILES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN ANY CASINOS)...so WHY WOUDL YOU BRING KIDS TO A CITY KNOWN FOR GAMBLING, DRINKING, & TOPLESS REVUE SHOWS??? It's a great place, but not for kids...

I was a guest at the Bellagio this summer for a meeting and I can tell you
that there WERE kids there.....there were several families at the pool with children and teenagers... and yes, it was highly annoying !!

Darius, we appreciate your views, but using all caps is the same as shouting. No need to shout. We get it, dude.