I know, I am constantly second guessing my choice...anniversary getaway at the end of the month and I have Bellagio booked at one night for 259 and 3 for 149...I understand this is a good rate? Should I be checking out another place for about the same rate? We have stayed at Paris when it opened at 69 and 39 a night and it was wonderful, but the rates are much higher now. Mandalay I can get for about the same rate, but isn't it too far removed relative to others.

In my opinion Mandalay Bay is terrific. It's not that far removed from the other hotels. Of course if you are talking walking the whole strip then it would be. Very elegant, rooms are beautiful their buffet is the best. For a special occasion it's great and we've been going to Vegas for over 20 years.

We just got back from Vegas, and stayed at the Bellagio for the third time. We just love it----the service, the rooms overlooking the fountains, the restaurants, "O", and the art gallery are all wonderful----and it is beautiful. And if you want to go to other hotels, they are all close by.

Thanks to the both of you...we did eat at the buffet at Mandalay and it was good, although I found the other restaurants(quick review, mind you) to be pricey. The pool area is beautiful but not sure if for over 50 crowd(if you know what I mean)...I have basically decided to be cheap amd stay in the range I have the Bellagio for..are their rooms better than the Mirage?

I can't speak for the rooms at the Mirage, but I can say that we love having a room overlooking the fountains at the Bellagio. We take a bottle of champagne with us, then pull our chairs up for a ringside show (the music for each show is on the TV).

You want to compare the Mirage to the Bellagio?????

Check out the new Augustus Tower and the Palace Tower deluxe rooms at Ceasar's. We stayed in one of the Palace Tower rooms that had a view of the Bellagio fountains, and it also had a jacuzzi tub in the room. Wow! If I remember correctly, it was under $200 a night.

Exactly the reply I needed..then the Mirage does not compare to the Bellagio..roomwise....Mirage is out...Caesars has extremely high rates..up to 500 for the time we are there...long,long ago we stayed at Caesars and were put in the roman tower even though we specified another tower..I did not at all like that Roman tower..am afraid I will be stung again

You got a great rate at the Bellagio. Just there a month ago and a friend was at the Mandalay at the same time. The rooms at the Bellagio are nicer in my opinion (my friend thought so too). Bellagio is more centrally located as well. I will definitely stay at the Bellagio again.

Mandalay is very cool but I would definitely go with Bellagio for the location. That is unless you prefer to be more removed from the frenzy. The shopping in proximity to Bellagio does it for me!

Yes, shopping is good! I kind of thought that with shows and proximity to a lot of neat places to eat like Mon Ami Gabi, that my first choice, the Bellagio, was going to work..thanks, everyone!

We have stayed at the Bellagio and Mandalay Bay and would choose the Bellagio with a view of the fountains. We stayed at Mandalay Bay the week before Easter last year and never once was able to find a spot at the pool---I am not saying CHAIR but spot. It was wall to wall families. We also tried to get in the topless, all adult pool and it was full too. The pools there are beautiful but I will never go there again when there is a school break--this month is summer vacation so I would not recommend it for you. The Mandalay Bay is a beautiful hotel though, we had a very nice room and I will always have fond memories of my mom (who recently passed away)at the nickel video poker there and up dancing at the end of "Mama Mia"--our great girls weekend.
Our room at the Bellagio was nicer and the pool area is lovely. You will be happy there.

Thanks again..sounds good!

Mon Ami Gabi is nice for lunch, but it wouldn't be my first choice for dinner. If you've never been, it is important to know that it is across the street from the fountains at Bellagio, and one must peer through trees and light poles, and peer over buses and billboard trucks --- if you're dining on the patio or inside next to the windows. There are interior tables that have no view.

Several restaurants at Bellagio line the water of the fountains - and offer unobstructed fountain views.

I guess I was trying to line up some decent moderate places to eat...I don't have to have entrees 30.00 and up because I can get that here in Toronto...just some nice places to eat, maybe one buffet that is not a food fest(salmonella special)..Mon ami Gabi would not fit into that category? I thought perhaps one buffet, the brewpub at Monte Carlo, Mon Ami Gabi...any others that are casual with moderate fare?

I'm not saying that Mon Ami is a bad place, just saying that the view is somewhat obscured from several tables.

Another that fits your parameters of "casual with moderate fare" is Border Grill at Mandalay.

If you ask the right person behind the registration desk the right question, you could find yourself holding some 2 for 1 coupons for beer at the Monte Carlo brewpub. We did & saved $3.75 several times. I'm not cheap, but who doesn't like a freebie now and again?

BTW - Last week, at different times of day and at different hotel pools, we had little difficulty getting 3 chairs or 2 chairs together: Mandalay, Wynn, Monte Carlo, Bellagio.

We too love the Bellagio. Have you tried the Venetian? These two hotels are our favorites and we usually alternate between them. I think the Venetian has better rooms (all are suites) and better food for the most part but it doesn't have the fountains that are so magnificent!! Someone told me that if you go on priceline and bid for a 5 star hotel on the strip you're assured of either the Venetian or the Bellagio?? Has anyone done this?

I did think about the Venetian..their prices were a bit higher and I have read that their pool area is disappointing..my plan is a couple hours at the pool each morning, a show almost every night(we have Elton John and O lined up so far)..a nice dinner or lunch after pool time, maybe some spa time..hey, we don't even gamble, how boring is that!! It just blends in nicely with my husband's desire for leisure poolfront, a nice hotel to enjoy as well as some touristy stuff and evening entertainment. Thanks for the Border Grill recommendation!