The Bellagio is five stars all the way IF you intend to spend a substantial portion of your time in the resort and casino, AND IF you don't mind spending money or you are a moderately large gambler (you will get comps). But only IF. For a place to sleep, you have better or less expensive choices. See what kind of deal you can get at Aria.\n\nThe rooms are only four star by any standard. Recent upgrades have addressed the TV and bathroom issues, but the building still is 15 years old. You can get more opulent and modern rooms at Aria, for example.\n\nThe common areas are five stars, led by the incomparable fountain display and the conservatory. These are among top five attractions in Las Vegas. Also note the Chihuly glass flower canopy in the lobby. \n\nThe buffet is the #1 buffet in Las Vegas, and the holiday dinner buffets are particularly fine. Breakfast is a great value too (but not weekend brunch). The rest of the dining establishments are good but not good enough for their cost. A possible exception is Picasso, which, at $150-$200 a person, might still be considered worthwhile.\n\nService is generally very good to excellent, although at busy times there is sometimes a wait to check in. This seems to be true everywhere in Las Vegas. When well trained employees are hassled, they tend to act hassled, although at least at Bellagio the smiles usually remain, if somewhat frozen.\n\nHere are a few tips:\n1. Make sure you get a room in the main tower. A good fountain view (from at least the 20th floor) may be your preference the first time you stay here, but it will be noisy. You will hear the fountain shows every 15-30 minutes until midnight. A pool view is quieter.\n2. If you gamble, be sure to get a Player's Card and use it. After a relatively modest amount of gambling in any year, you will get upgraded from the lowest (Sapphire) status and important percs become available -- such as line passes to the buffet and coffee shop.\n3. Jean Phillipe's is a good place for breakfast and lunch, and the bakery desserts are worth the price. Make sure you ask them to grill the Paninis. Some of the packaged products are expensive even for the Bellagio.\n4. Eat at the buffet or coffee shop (Picasso for a real splurge).\n5. See \"O\". Make you reservations way ahead of time. It is that good. I have seen virtually every show in Las Vegas, and \"O\" is #1. [Here's an odd note -- of the many Cirque de Soleil shows in Las Vegas, the shorter the name, the better the show. \"O\" is the best, followed closely by \"Ka\", etc. Forget about \"Zumanity\".]
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