Please help me. If you were going for the first time and wanted to experience the best, where would you stay and why.

mandalay bay fersure. it's at the end of strip, great pool (!) and restaurants and not as crowded with foot tourists.

The Four Seasons

because they are known for the best service and you still have the benefit of using everything at Mandalay Bay.

2nd choice Bellagio
to see what all the hoopla is about

Bellagio!!!!!! Nothing comes close. One of the best resorts in the country.

Bellagio.
Best all around hotel/casino.
There are bigger rooms elsewhere, larger pools, louder casinos, etc etc but the best all around hotel is Bellagio.
I must suggest that if you really want the best experience, please book a suite there.....they are MUCH better than the standard rooms and often times the prices aren't that outrageous.
Four Seasons is dull and the rooms are nothing special IMO. (I haven't seen a suite there but hear they're much better).
Venetian lacks character and has mediocre service. Rooms are big and quite nice. The overall experience is clearly a cut below Bellagio.

Bellagio was just rated third best hotel in the country by readers of Travel & Leisure magazine, fourth best in the world. Can you trust a reader poll? Your call.

It seems like this topic is covered once per week. There is no concensus on "best." What i like, you may not, and vice-versa.

If you'd like to see a compilation of review of all the stip hotels, check out this site:

http://www.a2zlasvegas.com/hotels/rate-st.html

(just be sure to click on the Ratings&Comments section, rather than the hotel itself, as the latter will take you to the hotel's website)

Best Hotels:
#1- Bellagio. Gorgeous, sophistcated, Rich, Plush, Dazzling...
#2- Venetian- Elegant, Romantic, Suave..
#3- Mirage- Illuminating, Soft, Luxury.
#4- Aladdin- Exciting, Fresh, Relaxed..

Bellagio would be my first choice.
Rio my second choice. (this hotel is located off the strip, but not far)

I stayed at the Bellagio and it was quite nice. IMO everything about Vegas is over the top, including the Bellagio. However, the rooms were very comfortable and their overall theme is a lot less kitchy than most of the other hotels we visited. We gambled at the Hardrock, which is off the strip, but it was loud, young, a lot of fun (even though the casino took all my money . Terrific music as well! Enjoy.

For luxery and service try Belligio. For the best rooms try the Venetian. For the best at giving you that "Las Vegas" experience try Ceasars Palace, and if the room is important make sure you stay in one of the Palace tower rooms.

I could be wrong but I can't remember Bellagio having a pool area which seems standard for a resort.

For that reason, I choose Mandalay Bay. Also, Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt were there when I was staying next door at the Luxor. I think that's a pretty good endorsement.

(Can anyone confirm the my bit about Bellagio not having a pool?)

Bellagio has at least 2 pools landscaped in the Tuscan style, quiet and classy like the rest of the resort.

Oh Steve -- if Brad and Jennifer were staying there, I simply must RUN and make reservations right away!! NOT!!!!

If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all.

Bellagio, no pools??
Bellagio has a beautiful pool area.
Large, very formal with pillars and hanging plantings.
Quiet, not a playland for kids, but wonderful for the adult seeking relaxation.