Royally Flushed

A stunning view of Paris Las Vegas as seen from our 25th floor room at the Bellagio.

“Where to stay in Las Vegas” — Hotel Review — The Bellagio:

After our recent three-night stay at the Bellagio, we’re happy to report that the resort remains one of the best hotels in Las Vegas. From the perfect center-Strip location to the recently-remodeled rooms; the posh selection of shops and restaurants and the sophisticated casino; the Bellagio is a worthwhile splurge for Las Vegas visitors.

We’d recently heard rumors that the Bellagio – open since 1998 — was showing its age but if so, we certainly didn’t see it in the maintenance of the hotel or the room we were given. Our room was luscious and restful: sage green, soft golds and creamy ivory tones in the bedding and upholstery were set off by the dark woods used for the furniture and bath vanity. Adding immensely to our enjoyment of the resort was the magnificent view of the Strip and the Bellagio fountains which we had from our 25th floor front-and-center perch. The biggest complaint we had about the room was the small outdated TV but since we don’t spend much time on vacation watching the tube, it wasn’t a huge issue for us.

Bellagio restaurants

We love the restaurant selection at the Bellagio: Olives by Todd English (read our review of Olives here); Palio for a quick breakfast; the decadent Jean-Philippe Maury patisserie; the Bellagio’s own buffet plus the sunny Café Bellagio overlooking the pool and the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens are a few of our favorites when in town.

The pool complex is perfect for a sunny summer day and offers lots of shady spots courtesy of the many trees and well-placed umbrellas.  Pool aficionados may want to reserve one of the large cabanas ringing the main pool.

A “Best Bet” on the Strip

With its great location, plush surroundings plus all the amenities of a AAA Five Diamond Award Las Vegas hotel we can confidently recommend the Bellagio to our readers looking for a posh Vegas getaway. Take a Virtual Tour of Bellagio here.

The new CityCenter construction provides a back-drop to the Bellagio's pool complex.

A comfy king-sized bed plus soft colors make for a restful stay at the luxurious Bellagio Las Vegas.

Fourth of July fireworks explode in the sky between The Bellagio and Caesars Palace during 2008's display.

There’s still plenty of time and great hotel deals available if you want to spend this Fourth of July in Las Vegas.  P.B. and I usually spend three or four days at one of the resorts on The Strip hanging out at the hotel pool; sampling any new restaurants and ice cream joints (thinking Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace this year;) and just relaxing over the lazy holiday.

This year we’re going to head for Fremont Street for at least one evening and check out the downtown’s “American Pie 4th of July” celebration which starts Friday, July 3 and goes through Sunday, July 5. The popular Fremont Street Experience has been running a “Summer of ‘69″ event featuring the Viva Vision show, “Don McLean’s American Pie,” so we’ll see that plus enjoy one of the weekend concerts. Headliners this year include Janis Joplin’s original band, “Big Brother & The Holding Company,” on Friday with “The Grass Roots” playing on Saturday. The evening of the 4th also promises a brilliant virtual fireworks show on the Viva Vision canopy.  Get more info here – Fremont Street 4th Celebration. (more…)

Summer deals await at The Venetian Las Vegas.

Time is running out to book this Las Vegas suites and dining deal from The Venetian.  Starting at just $109 per night weekdays, The Venetian, one of the top Las Vegas hotels, is offering guests a luxury suite plus:

• 25% off bill at Postrio, Wolfgang Puck’s trendy Grand Canal Shoppes eatery.
• $50 off any spa service 80 minutes or longer at Canyon Ranch SpaClub®.
• $30 off your dining bill at Woo (with $60 minimum purchase) located at sister property, The Palazzo.
• Complimentary upgrade to Blue Zone tickets with purchase of Red Zone tickets to The Venetian’s popular Blue Man Group stage show.
• $50 in Slot Credits per stay.

Be sure to use Venetian promotion code “EVBMAY” when booking your Las Vegas room.  Hotel reservations at The Venetian must be made by May 31 to take advantage of this special offer.

To book your luxury Las Vegas room, click here:  Venetian Summer Room Promotion

Other great Las Vegas promotions can be found here: Best Las Vegas Hotel Deals!

We discovered the cozy little "Very Venice" bar at The Venetian to be a prime spot for some relaxed people-watching.

As soon as we get the news on the latest room offers from The Venetian Las Vegas, we pass the details on to you ASAP.  Here’s the 411 on March’s room discount package as well as some info on a great spot to have a cocktail: (more…)

I LOVE that The Mirage Volcano will reopen in December.

UPDATE:  The Mirage Volcano opened December 8th to thunderous applause.  See the Mirage Volcano video here.

I don’t know what I’m more excited about — The Mirage volcano returning to the Las Vegas Strip this December or the $33 a night room rates in my player’s club offer! 

I have to say, we have really missed seeing the volcano explode at The Mirage during our last couple of trips to Las Vegas so reading that it will “thunder back to life” next month is pretty cool.  And, not only is it back, but it sounds like it will be better than ever.  Here, let me just quote from the mailing — (more…)

Wynn Las Vegas offers a winter getaway for you and your friends.

P.B. and I have always been big fans of heading to Las Vegas before the Christmas holidays.  We get a little shopping done, take in the holiday decorations — especially the winter display at The Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens — and just kick back and enjoy some down-time during what can be a pretty hectic time of year.  We’ve never found December to be particularly busy in Las Vegas and with the economy in such a downturn we look for it to be even quieter this year so here’s your chance to enjoy the city at a much more relaxed pace and at some great prices. (more…)

Boo! Halloween on the Las Vegas Strip will be a hauntingly good time.

What’s scarier than a 700-point drop in the Dow but a lot more fun?  Halloween in Las Vegas, baby!   The city rolls out the blood-red carpet for grown-up ghosts, ghouls and goblins looking for some non-stop Halloween partying.   Costume contests, haunted houses and other sublimely scary events combined with terrific hotel deals up and down The Strip make Halloween in Las Vegas a very un-scary option this year.

Check out these best “pack your suitcase and go” Las Vegas hotel deals for Halloween weekend.*                 

                MGM Grand Halloween Blow-Out!   Rooms from $69 – $99 per night for a standard room or upgrade to the Bungalow King Suite for $89 – $119 per night.  WOW!

                New York New York - 20% off Room Rates Deal.  Park Avenue Deluxe room, one step up from standard and newly-renovated, for $66 – $118 per night.

                Bally’s – This center-Strip Harrah’s hotel has rooms in their South Tower at $69 – $119 per night.

And while you’re in Las Vegas, take in one – or more – of these special Halloween  events!

                Fright Dome at Circus Circus - Named one of the” Top 5 Scariest Attractions” by The Travel Channel, this event is not for the faint of heart.   Check out the “trailer” video showing killer clowns, flayed zombies and chainsaw-wielding woodsmen for a preview of what to expect. 

                Monster Mayhem at Town Square Mall – This scary site features three separate attractions including the “Morbid Clown Manor” (what is it with killer clowns?), the only-in-Las-Vegas “Aces and Eights Haunted Casino” and a haunted mansion.  (For an explanation of Aces and Eights, also called the ”Dead Man’s Hand” in poker, check out this article on Gambling Blog. 

                 Castle Vampyre - Freakling Brothers Horror Shows — love that name! —  puts on this event at the Sunset Station Casino in Henderson. 

Tomorrow – Read about  Halloween parties scheduled at some of Las Vegas’ hottest clubs.

*(Rates were checked for three nights beginning Thursday, October 30 with check-out on Sunday, November 2 and were current as of 10/23/08.  Rates do not include taxes and other fees.  Book-by dates vary by property and offer.)

A luxury stay at a great rate awaits you at The Venetian.

For the most up-to-date deals, click here for our Events and Offers page.

Looking for a last-minute vacation to Vegas?  Your quest for a great deal has been answered.  Calling it “The Ultimate Escape,” both The Venetian and The Palazzo in Las Vegas are promoting a great offer on rooms right now – especially if you can get away during the week.  For just $119 per night weekdays or $159 per night weekends on selected days from now through JANUARY, you get a luxury suite PLUS $50 per day in slot credits (up to $100 total) PLUS $50 in drink vouchers and a line pass good for four people at the brand new LAVO restaurant and nightclub at newly-opened and absolutely stunning Palazzo.  (I recently spoke to some people who attended LAVO’s opening night and they said it is definitely a place you’ll want to see in Las Vegas.)

This offer was just in my emailbox this morning so lots of dates are still open as of this post.  Check out all the dates available in December and think about combining a fun getaway with some unique holiday shopping at The Grand Canal Shops at The Venetian.  But hurry, these terrific rates are only good if you book by October 31st so grab your calendar, pick your dates and head to Las Vegas for a fabulous stay at either The Venetian or The Palazzo.

UPDATE: Booking has been extended through November 30th for the room rates.  Other details of the promotion may have changed so ask when you book your room.