Just back from Vegas-Bellagio
Apr 7th, 2000, 08:09 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Just back from Vegas-Bellagio
This trip report will not be interesting to gamblers, since we are not "players". But this board has been so helpful to me in planning our first trip to Las Vegas in 17 years and now that we have returned I would like to put my two cents in. We left Monday from a chilly, rainy Detroit and landed in total sunshine, 80 degrees! Our travel agent had booked a Grey Line shuttle for us, but we ended up taking a $4.00 per person limo (a tip from this board) cause we wanted to arrive in style. Got to the Bellagio early, 9:30 a.m., and checked our bags with the bell captain, since we were told we probably wouldn't be able to check in till the early afternoon. Checked with reservations and lo and behold, our room was ready, so we went right up, and they sent our bags up within 10 minutes. Our room couldn't have been more perfectly situated; the 25th floor with a perfect view of the lake and fountain show, with Paris' Eiffel Tower in back of that. The fountain show begins on the half hour at 3:00 p.m. After 8:00 it runs every 15 minutes until midnight. The computerized fountains "dance" in perfect choreography with the music. What I wasn't prepared for was all the different styles of music and combinations. I watched every 15 minutes until I had seen them all. I don't believe there is anything like this anywhere else in the world (anybody know about that?) We were enchanted! And like someone else's posting, it did bring tears to my eyes. Once we tore ourselves away from our beautiful room (no need for a suite - these rooms were gorgeous) we had lunch at the Bellagio buffet. We ate ourselves silly on the huge, peeled shrimp and hardly had room for anything else (well, my husband loves Creme Caramel and he choked a few of those down.) We weren't hungry for the rest of the day! At $12.00, what a quality bargain.
We started to explore the different hotels and casinos on the strip. It's pretty crowded and a long walk from one hotel to the other. Even though there are alternate means of transportation, we concluded it would be best to rent a car and hop from one casino to the next, using the free valet parking everywhere we went. All you do is tip the guy a buck or two. It was the easiest way for us to maximize the time, since we were only there three nights. Later we spent some time at the Bellagio pools - just beautiful! By the way, there were some comments on this site about no children at the Bellagio. I didn't find this to be true. We saw a number of kids, particularly at the pool. But they were well behaved and no problem to anyone. I can see how people might want to go to a more family oriented place if they want to bring their kids, though. What bothered me is seeing 2 to 3 year olds being wheeled and carried around, through the casino at midnight, tired and crabby. Kids belong in bed at a reasonable hour, no question. Anyway, back to the report. The next day we picked up our car and drove out to Red Rock Canyon (only about a 35 minute drive.) It was a refreshing change of pace from the glitz and neon. The rock formations and colors are just beautiful and well worth it, expecially if you are from the midwest. That night we had tickets to "O", the Cirque de Soleil show at the Bellagio. Nothing could have prepared us for this breathtaking spectacle. I was on the edge of my seat with my mouth hanging open the entire time. At the end I was so moved, I just wanted to go somewhere alone and cry. I wouldn't try to describe it in words: it has to be experienced. Went to check out Mandalay Bay, Aureole and Rum Jungle. We decided Mandalay Bay and it's offerings are definitely geared toward the younger set. We were the oldest people in Rum Jungle and, although it was an interesting setting, the loud music and scantily clad go-go dancers didn't interest us and we felt we had wasted the $10 per person cover charge. Aureole was practically deserted. Luckily as we sipped our drinks we did get to see one of the "angels" retrieve a bottle of wine from the two story wine tower. Big whoop. Another $20 (for our two drinks) down the tubes. It's tough to justify buying expensive drinks when you can get them free, playing nickle slots. The next morning, still full from our previous night's buffet dinner at Bellagio (crab legs, baby lamb chops, prime rib, etc.) we just wanted something light to eat, so we headed across the street to the cafe at the Paris casino. We had croissants, a cheese and fruit plate and the best coffee we've had since we were in the real Paris a few years ago. Initially we did like Paris a lot, but after a while the constant chiming of the slot machines in the background began to wear us out. We found this was basically true of everyplace but the Bellagio. When you walk in the lobby there, you hear the soothing tinkle of a grand piano, and the wonderful scent of tens of thousands of fresh flowers from the conservatory. Every place else you walk in the front door and you are smack dab in the middle of the casino. Needless to say, we thought our hotel was the nicest. The next night we had tickets to "Mystere" and wanted to splurge on a "nice" meal, so we made reservations at Jasmine right in the hotel. Of course it was exquisitely decorated and situated overlooking the fountains. But we ended up paying $170 for two (no drinks) and at midnight I was hungry! I would not spend that kind of money again, with the other bargain meals available. That night we ordered one order of chicken fingers and fries from room service. Much to my surprise they brought in a round table, white tablecloth, silver and served our "snack" with the same attention to detail as though we had ordered lobster, champagne and caviar. I was continually impressed with the great service at this hotel. "Mystere" was really good too, but I agree with other posters that given the choice, I would choose "O" as my favorite. We were given coupons for free drinks in the Treasure Island bar, so we sat outside and caught the pirate show. Then we headed back to the hotel and played nickle slots and video blackjack until 2:30 a.m. I was doing really well, didn't lose and ended up actually ahead, so we basically played for free and they kept the free drinks coming. When we first came in I refused the players card because we didn't think we would play enough. But in retrospect, we should have gotten one and will do so next time. What we've learned from our trip to Las Vegas: I think the basic rule of thumb is the same for buffets and casinos - you have to know when to stop!
We started to explore the different hotels and casinos on the strip. It's pretty crowded and a long walk from one hotel to the other. Even though there are alternate means of transportation, we concluded it would be best to rent a car and hop from one casino to the next, using the free valet parking everywhere we went. All you do is tip the guy a buck or two. It was the easiest way for us to maximize the time, since we were only there three nights. Later we spent some time at the Bellagio pools - just beautiful! By the way, there were some comments on this site about no children at the Bellagio. I didn't find this to be true. We saw a number of kids, particularly at the pool. But they were well behaved and no problem to anyone. I can see how people might want to go to a more family oriented place if they want to bring their kids, though. What bothered me is seeing 2 to 3 year olds being wheeled and carried around, through the casino at midnight, tired and crabby. Kids belong in bed at a reasonable hour, no question. Anyway, back to the report. The next day we picked up our car and drove out to Red Rock Canyon (only about a 35 minute drive.) It was a refreshing change of pace from the glitz and neon. The rock formations and colors are just beautiful and well worth it, expecially if you are from the midwest. That night we had tickets to "O", the Cirque de Soleil show at the Bellagio. Nothing could have prepared us for this breathtaking spectacle. I was on the edge of my seat with my mouth hanging open the entire time. At the end I was so moved, I just wanted to go somewhere alone and cry. I wouldn't try to describe it in words: it has to be experienced. Went to check out Mandalay Bay, Aureole and Rum Jungle. We decided Mandalay Bay and it's offerings are definitely geared toward the younger set. We were the oldest people in Rum Jungle and, although it was an interesting setting, the loud music and scantily clad go-go dancers didn't interest us and we felt we had wasted the $10 per person cover charge. Aureole was practically deserted. Luckily as we sipped our drinks we did get to see one of the "angels" retrieve a bottle of wine from the two story wine tower. Big whoop. Another $20 (for our two drinks) down the tubes. It's tough to justify buying expensive drinks when you can get them free, playing nickle slots. The next morning, still full from our previous night's buffet dinner at Bellagio (crab legs, baby lamb chops, prime rib, etc.) we just wanted something light to eat, so we headed across the street to the cafe at the Paris casino. We had croissants, a cheese and fruit plate and the best coffee we've had since we were in the real Paris a few years ago. Initially we did like Paris a lot, but after a while the constant chiming of the slot machines in the background began to wear us out. We found this was basically true of everyplace but the Bellagio. When you walk in the lobby there, you hear the soothing tinkle of a grand piano, and the wonderful scent of tens of thousands of fresh flowers from the conservatory. Every place else you walk in the front door and you are smack dab in the middle of the casino. Needless to say, we thought our hotel was the nicest. The next night we had tickets to "Mystere" and wanted to splurge on a "nice" meal, so we made reservations at Jasmine right in the hotel. Of course it was exquisitely decorated and situated overlooking the fountains. But we ended up paying $170 for two (no drinks) and at midnight I was hungry! I would not spend that kind of money again, with the other bargain meals available. That night we ordered one order of chicken fingers and fries from room service. Much to my surprise they brought in a round table, white tablecloth, silver and served our "snack" with the same attention to detail as though we had ordered lobster, champagne and caviar. I was continually impressed with the great service at this hotel. "Mystere" was really good too, but I agree with other posters that given the choice, I would choose "O" as my favorite. We were given coupons for free drinks in the Treasure Island bar, so we sat outside and caught the pirate show. Then we headed back to the hotel and played nickle slots and video blackjack until 2:30 a.m. I was doing really well, didn't lose and ended up actually ahead, so we basically played for free and they kept the free drinks coming. When we first came in I refused the players card because we didn't think we would play enough. But in retrospect, we should have gotten one and will do so next time. What we've learned from our trip to Las Vegas: I think the basic rule of thumb is the same for buffets and casinos - you have to know when to stop!
Apr 7th, 2000, 08:21 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
I always enjoy reading about everyone's experiences on their trips, but one thing I have learned is: different strokes for different folks. You really have to know what you expect from a vacation and be ready to do a LOT of planning and research. That's why these message boards are so great. Most of us can't travel as much as we'd like and it give us an opportunity to be as informed as possible.
Hey, Tifany, your mother-in-law must be lucky to have such a nice daughter-in-law!
Hey, Tifany, your mother-in-law must be lucky to have such a nice daughter-in-law!
