I am a person who likes to vacation a couple of times a year, but I am not use to staying at the more upscale hotels like the Ritz Carltons or Four Seasons. But I have heard so much great stuff about Belligio, that I thought I would like to stay there when making my first trip to Vegas in October. Am I stepping out of my league? Just how upscale is Belligio?

I just made a recent post about this...

The Bellagio IS nice, but you don't need to stay there to see all the nice things the hotel has to offer (fountains, restaurants, flower garden, etc). I personally spend very little time in my hotel room in Vegas, and since everything is so close to each other, i would even say that i spend very little time at my chosen hotel.

You may enjoy Bellagio, it's just not my style (for example, i have these cutoffs that i like to wear which my girlfriend HATES, something tells me it would be frowned upon if i walked into the Bellagio with them... but they sure are comfortable, and something i like to wear on while on vacation). I like people (and hotels) that judge me by my actions, and not by my appearance.

I'm not wealthy, but i do enjoy taking nice vacations, so i would rather stay at a "better value" hotel and spend the money i saved on more expensive meals (like any one of Bellagio's restaurants).

All of this is written with the assumption that Bellagio will cost $50+ more per nite than a hotel that i would typically stay at (the true number is probably closer to $100). I MIGHT stay at the Bellagio if it were similarly priced to my typical hotel, but that would not likely be the case.

Just returned from the Bellagio. It is beautiful. Anywhere else in the U.S. a hotel of this caliber would probably cost more. The room rates are resonable because there is a casino in it. I would not waste my money to get a fountain view. This cost is $40.00 more a night and I do not feel it is worth it. If you could afford a standard room go for it. It is gorgeous, immaculate and in a great location.

Your question is an excellent one, Joe.
If you read through the many people's opinions in the archives here or at some of the other websites which store reviews from individual travelers, you'll find there are two types of people who do not like Bellagio.
One is the person who simply does not enjoy the amenities hotels like that offer. They could care less about twice daily maid service or crown moldings in the room or his and her bathrooms with TV's or high thread count linens and down pillows and motorized draperies, yadda yadda yadda.
The second type is people who feel like they're being 'watched and judged' by others at the hotel because it's not their typical scene. People who want to dress in old ratty jeans and worn out sneakers if they so choose and not feel like they're going to be treated prejudicially by staff.

First off, I only stay at places like this and have stayed at dozens of Ritz's and Four Seasons and such all over the world, and personally I am comfortable wearing whatever I feel like wearing and sometimes I have no interest in playing games to meet someone else's expectations. Do staff members sometimes display a bit of disapproval? Yes, they do....never verbally. If I'm on business and stressed, or if I'm on a short trip to simply get away from all responsibilities, I feel I'm paying for the right to enjoy myself as I see fit. Of course I'm not talking about eating in the hotel's best restaurant wearing running shorts and a T-shirt and I would never intentionally go against the grain of the place just to 'make a statement'.
What I'm leading up to is that at a place like Bellagio, staff expectations are much lower than at the Four Seasons NYC. There are PLENTY of gamblers who are highly valued guests at Bellagio who are extremely casual in all ways you can think of. Vegas is not Washington DC or NYC.
So if you are intrigued by Bellagio, stay there. And be yourself. And to heck with what others think. It's your vacation.
And to thsoe individuals who think they're being judged by the staff, more than 50% of the impression is in their own minds. Like I said, Vegas is a very casual place. Staff at Bellagio are accustomed to hosting all sorts of guests from all different cultures throughout the world.

BTW: "thereuare's" advice is also worth thinking about. Some people spend so little time in their hotel that where they stay hardly matters. You could wander around Bellagio and see if you'd like to stay there next time.

Jack's comments are right on the money. You will see all types in Las Vegas. You don't need to dress like in NY or on a cruise ship. Nobody cares as long as you are just presentable. ie. don't dress like you just came from gold mining or a construction job. In my experience the staff will treat you like a first class customer no matter what you are wearing. They don't care. How do they know you are not a high roller in disguise. They could lose their job for insulting a high roller.
I have found Las Vegas the perfect place for the average person to treat themself to a more luxurious experience than they could afford anywhere else. Sometimes you can get a very good deal and find out for yourself what it's like to go upscale. I would go for it just for the learning experience.
Caution: you will get spoiled. Other places will seem not so great after that.
Note: Some of the restaurants do have a dress code(ie. coat and tie). But, I never eat there anyway since they are too expensive for my budget. When you win the big money, then you can splurge-

Jack (JKramer)

Your comments are great. To be perfectly honest, i've never even given thought to the molding or things like that (as you said, THAT'S the type of traveler i am). Things i do look at include how big the room is, how big the bathroom is, cleanliness, etc. Maybe now, i'll start looking at the moldings too

Thanks again for an insightful Vegas post.

Joe, go and have a good time. Anybody remember how Howard Hughes used to dress? (when he was still going out....)Lots of people with money don't like to show off. You'll fit right in.