. "0"^^ . "0"^^ . . . "5"^^ . "0"^^ . "Oh Bellagio, How do I love thee? Let me count the ways! \n\nSo for our second (family) trip to Vegas we decided to stay in the Bellagio- the main reason? It was one of the cheapest options for the quality offered (we booked with expedia), and it worked out a fair bit cheaper than the lower rated hotels. Also, having been before to Vegas, Bellagio (without a shadow of a doubt) is one of the most spectacular hotels on the strip - no naff gondolas or pirates, just pure opulence (and a fountain or two!)\n\nFirstly, our room was just a standard room (personally, we spend little time in our room on holiday as we prefer hitting the streets and seeing the sights!) with two double beds. This humble abode was perfectly suited though, and served it's purpose of being a pitstop before going back into that lovely Nevada heat. Furnishings were all fine and didn't seem to be too worn, the big TV and safe worked perfectly. The bathrobes were nice and waffely (snuggle snuggle) and the bathroom was clean, with lots of marble but it was standard. The shower, nice as it was big, wasn't the best, but I'm just being pinnickity now. We stayed in the Venetian last time, and although the room there was a lot more grand and had more in-room facilities, we never used any of them, and a lot of space was never used.\n\nSecondly, what makes the Bellagio a five star hotel for me? Location. Having this hotel slap bang in the centre of the strip is perfect , and personally I think that location is key when choosing a hotel in LV. Hotels like the Venetian, Mandalay( as beautiful as they are) are just a bit too far out (location wise!) for me. Furthermore, unlike the Venetian (where it took 20 minutes to walk to our room - no freaking joke!), it literally took 5 minutes from entering the hotel to get to our room-perfect when your feet were as blistery as mine - yum! \nalso... ALL HAIL THE TRAM! ALL HAIL THE TRAM! (sorry..gotta get that out there!) Seriously, Tram = EPIC WIN. It's free (free in Las Vegas you say?!? unlike the bally's one..grr) and takes you to City Center, Aria and Monte Carlo, saving your feet the (longish) walk. Also the Tram is all purple and tinted, and hardly busy and gives you some nice views of the new mahoosaf and shiny City Center Complex. \n\nAnother great thing about the Bellagio? The great choice of food,shops etc. The shops are amazing (Chanel, Gucci, Tiffany, Giorgio Armani...*sigh*) and although we never ate at the Olives restaurant , it looked super good (and always busy- proof in the pudding!) We did dine in the Caf\u00E9 Bellagio (for breakfast) and my mother and I had the brioche raspberry french toast (soo soo good..even the thought leaves me salivating) and my brother had the omelette which was a bit dry and not the nicest(but it came with some nice toast and hash brown/rosti stuff which was scrummy),- price wise, not the cheapest, but worth it (for the french toast anyway). Hotel lobby with the handpainted glass flowers? Beeeauutifulll, absolutely beautiful. The Conservatory? AH-DORABLE! Lots of cute snails and bees made out of flowers, cool water installations and they even make the huge-ass ant models look cute- aww!\n And the fountains, oh the fountains! Frank sinatra + swaying fountains = happy me! Also a few resident ducks swim in the water (frequently watching the show..see if you can spot them!)\n\nFinally, a big reason I love the Bellagio? The super smiley staff! All the cleaners were happy and chatty, which was greatly appreciated, and any other hosts/conciergey people always did their best to make sure any questions/qualms you had were sorted - first class service for a first class hotel.\n\nTo conclude, Mr Bellagio Hotel, you are wonderful. Apart from looking spectacular on the outside, you have a heart of shiny shiny gold with your wonderful amenities and super staff and cute fountains. When I return to Vegas, I know where I will be booking in to (if you haven't got the subdude hints here -it'll be the bellagio :) )."^^ . "2010-07-14T00:00:00"^^ .