My family and I want to come to Vegas this summer at the beginning of August. My son (14) fancies the Venetian, but we like the look of the Bellagio. We have had friends who have stayed at both and loved each one ! We also have a 9 year old daughter...Any simple recommendations??
Thanks

I'd prefer Bellagio, but I think your daughter will be more welcomed at Venetian. Children are not welcomed, merely tolerated, at Bellagio.

We've stayed at both and we much prefer the Venetian. We have had better, more friendly service there and the rooms are huge and lovely. You are also just an elevator ride away from Bouchon for the best breakfast anywhere.

I'll be staying at the Venetian later this week. I stayed there 3 or 4 years ago, at the Venezia, and loved it. Hoping it hasn't gone downhill, I'll let you know.
I do know my son (16 at the time) was told by the Bellagio staff to move along, when he rested against a wall there after a long walk from Mandalay Bay...the Bellagio's great, but not for kids, at Patrick's mentioned already.

Our family recently spent three nights at the Venetian. We had a Primo View Suite and loved it. It was huge and amazing. You can't go wrong at the Venetian.

Thank you, very useful and valuable comments..Looks like the Venetian has the edge !

just back from the Venetian, Venezia towers, concierge level. It's holding up pretty well, good room, gorgeous bathroom. Not sure if the concierge level's really worth it or not --
Checked out the Wynn while there, it had been my other choice, and I did wish I had chosen it, at least the tower suite section...the tower suites area definitely looked 5 star, while the Venezia was a good 4 star.

Well, my two cents here...

Vegas has moved away from the 'family'
destination it was trying to build in
the 1990's.

That being said,
Vegas is smoking HOT in August. Kids like to be in the pool. We didn't venture out to the pool in August at the Bellagio because it was too HOT.
It was MISERABLE walking on the strip.
We gave up and went to the mall.

Vegas is now more geared to adults with more elegant dining and shows.

Just my opinion, but if you want your kids to have a good time, why not
consider a more family friendly destination?? I have stayed at both the hotels that you want to visit and do not remember seeing kids at either place. There is a reason for this.

Just my opinion!

If you don't have some other reason for only choosing between Venetian and Bellagio, I would have to second the opinion of previous post and suggest somewhere where the pool is a main feature. On our late June visit, found that just walking around the area where the gondola rides were at Venetian was sweltering...felt sorry for the gondoliers. Maybe try one of the fancy pool places?

I saw quite a few families at the Venetian last week. But the other posters are right, August will be broiling...

I don't mean to sound like a whiner, but we walked out of a side door at the MGM hotel and tried to get back to the strip...we were so hot and
miserable, we ducked back into the MGM
and walked as much inside as we could
to the last MGM exit on the strip.

Shade shade shade...it was about 101.
And a DRY heat. If you want shade by the pool, you pay dearly for it. Ask how much cabanas are at both hotels.

People who go to Vegas in the summer are probably inside gambling in the AC!

We are going again to Vegas in late May and are hoping for cooler temps than late August!

Beachkomer, I'm with you on that heat. And I thought if one more person casually said, "oh but this is a dry heat", I'd deck 'em.

Our family (with two teens) stayed at the Venetian last July and loved it. The pool area was great and even had a Wolfgang Puck poolside cafe. The Venetian staff was extremely friendly and welcoming to our entire family and the location was perfect. I'd stay there again, summer or winter!

I can't stand the heat in LV in the summer. You literally feel as if you're walking in hell when you step outside. Pool or no pool, you're still outside and it's miserable.

TTess,
Our way around the heat is to hang out at the pool in the morning, then do inside activities during the heat of the day. By dusk, it's still hot but bearable to wander around outside. I'll take Vegas heat over the oppressive humidity of the east anyday!!

Tess - I hear you there. I live on the coast of CA - we have wonderful temps - spoiled rotten....

So funny how different people respond to different kinds of heat! I thought I'd DIE in the dry heat of Vegas...felt like I'd pass out a few times-- but it doesn't bother me at all to be in the ridiculous humidity of the northeast! I guess everyone's different, but I know I'd never hit Vegas in the summer ever again! LOL

Nettie
We got off on a "heat" tangent due to your post. If you haven't been in Vegas in August you probably wouldn't be planning a family trip there at that time.

I have stayed at both the Venetian and the Bellagio. I like the Bellagio better for a few reasons, but still love the Venetian.

I like to take a break and people watch and there are a few places to do that at the Bellagio...sit and have a drink.

At the Venetian, you can do this in St. Mark's square (in the mall) but this isn't very accessible. The Venetian has a strange wandering layout that I didn't really care for.

The Bellagio is center strip and in the middle of the action. You can cab it in either direction. And the fountains make it special.

They both are very luxurious, but the Venetian is more formal and over the top with gold, gilted, ornated items. The intricate marble in the lobby is a must see.

The Bellagio is more light and cheery and open, and has very high end finishes.

Fashion Show mall is near the Venetian and has lots of stores that are more down to earth than the stores in the Venetian mall. Macy's, Nordstrom, etc;

I didn't swim in either pool, so I can't speak to that.

Personally, I would be headed to San Franciso or somewhere more comfortable in August!