Bellagio was the brainchild of casino mastermind Steve Wynn. He famously imploded the Dunes to make way for the massive casino, resort, and lake on the Vegas Strip.
The luxury casino opened in 1998 but it feels as though it’s been a part of the Las Vegas landscape forever. Bellagio is now owned and operated by MGM Resorts.
The key to earning the best rewards in Las Vegas is to know which casinos offer the best comp rewards programs. Once you know the ins and outs of each reward offering, you can visit the casinos that meet your reward earning needs. From MGM properties to Caesars, there are comp loyalty programs that help you take advantage of game play. Casino comps are the basic system through which casinos reward their customers, in this case, gamblers. Just like grocery stores and restaurants have loyalty programs, so does just about every casino in the world. The exact benefits you receive will be dependent on a wide range of factors. The Fremont Hotel & Casino is located in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, on the Fremont Street Experience. The casino is operated by the Boyd Gaming Corporation. The Fremont Hotel is located on 200 Fremont Street. It was designed by architect Wayne McAllister and opened on May 18, 1956 as the tallest building in the state of Nevada.
This casino is still the height of luxury in Las Vegas. While there are other high-end properties in Las Vegas, few have the air of sophistication of Bellagio. When you enter the hotel lobby from valet you immediately see Dale Chihuly’s Fiori di Como art installation. This art piece is displayed on the lobby ceiling and is comprised of more than 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers. You’ll find beauty like this all over the property.
Bellagio is a full-service resort catering mainly to luxury customers. The best restaurants and nightclub dot the lake in front of the casino. Yes, you can dine and party outside with a view of the fountain show. Bellagio has been featured in a number of movies and will make you pine for a return visit whenever you see it. The best thing about Bellagio is that it keeps the glitz and glamor of old Las Vegas alive without feeling dated.
Hotel rooms
In an effort to keep Bellagio feeling fresh, the hotel recently saw a major renovation. MGM Resorts International finished upgrading all 4,000 hotel rooms and suites in 2015. Both the Bellagio and Spa towers feature wood and lacquer for a more modern look. There are multiple new color palettes to keep with the fresh feeling.
There are two basic hotel room options – Fountain View and Resort Tower. Both rooms are ample in size with Fountain View rooms being the smaller of the two options. Resort rooms are 626 square feet while the Fountain View rooms are 510 square feet. The view of the fountains should make up for the smaller room.
Both rooms come with 40″ flat screen Samsung HDTVs, modern entertainment centers, iHome systems, an ergonomic workstation, seating area and more. Even though they have similar amenities each room has its own distinctive look.
There are a large variety of suite options to choose from if you’re looking for something more than a traditional hotel room. The entry level Salone suite is just under 900 square feet and is a single large, well-appointed room. The largest suites at Bellagio are actually the 6,500-square-foot villas with two bedrooms. The villas include 24-hour butler service and transportation to and from the airport.
Every suite comes with entry to The Chairman’s Lounge. In addition to offering private check-in, the Chairman’s Lounge also features different daily snacks available all throughout the day.
Dining
Bellagio has some of the best dining options on the Vegas Strip. The best of the best restaurants surround the beautiful Lake Bellagio and many offer lakeside dining. Since this is a luxury casino resort, you should expect that most of the restaurants are fine dining and require at least business casual attire for entry.
- The Buffet – One of the best buffets on the Vegas Strip
- Cafe Bellagio – Traditional casino cafe offers all the basics until 1am
- Fix – Modern takes on classic American dishes
- Harvest by Roy Ellamar – Fresh modern American dining
- Jasmine – Asian restaurant with lake-view dining
- Jean Philippe Patisserie – Chocolates, cookies, cakes, crepes, salads, sandwiches and more
- Lago by Julian Serrano – The first Italian restaurant from the James Beard Award-winning and Michelin-decorated Chef Julian Serrano
- Le Cirque – The finest French cuisine in Las Vegas
- Michael Mina – The signature restaurant of the world famous chef features dishes with Japanese and French influences
- Noodles – Traditional noodle dishes from Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, China and Vietnam
- Picasso – Awards from AAA, Michelin, James Beard, Wine Spectator, and Forbes should say enough
- Prime – Premium steakhouse with gorgeous patio views of Lake Bellagio
- Yellowtail – Contemporary Japanese cuisine
- Snacks – 24-hour restaurant near the sports book offering burgers, pizza, wings and more
- Quick Bites – Cafe Gelato, Palio, Palio Pronto each offer a quick option if you’re on the go
Casino
Bellagio has a massive casino with over 2,300 slot machines, 40 poker tables, a sports book, and just about every table game you could imagine. Like most MGM Resorts casinos, they offer the newest games or all kind. Bellagio recently installed a host of electronic table games. These dealerless versions of table games are a low pressure offering for newer casino guests who might be intimidated by a traditional table game setting. Since Bellagio is a luxury casino, you’ll often find higher limits for traditional table games. That said, if you play the electronic table games or visit during the day you might find a few lower limits tables.
The gaming area is broken into different segments with bars placed throughout so it doesn’t feel like you’re walking through a giant box. The major attraction in the casino is the Poker Room. You’ll regularly find the big name poker pros playing here regularly. When they are playing you probably find them in “Bobby’s Room.” The high-stakes games poker game have limits as high as $4,000/$8,000 per hand.
Nightlife
Bellagio is known for its nightlife. However, the casino offers a nice variety of things to do in the evening. You can find mellow entertainment with pianists at Petrossian Bar and fine one of the biggest parties on the Vegas Strip at Hyde.
- Baccarat Bar – You’ll be surprised to find a mellow bar right in the center of the casino
- The Bank – This is a favorite nightclub of Las Vegas locals and tourists alike
- Hyde – Hyde’s first Las Vegas location opens up to the beautiful Bellagio Fountains
- Lily Lounge & Bar – Upscale bar and lounge
- Petrossian Bar – Piano bar set just of the main hotel lobby
- Sports Bar and Lounge – Set just off the sports book and offers a nice selection of beer
Entertainment
This might be the one area where Bellagio fall a little short. There isn’t much more entertainment beyond the two of the best free entertainment attractions in Las Vegas. That said, “O” is a unique Cirque du Soleil show and one of the most popular.
- Conservatory & Botanical Gardens – The beautiful flower arrangements are updated seasonally and for Chinese New Year
- Fountains – The iconic fountain show takes place every 15 or 30 minutes, depending on the day and time
- “O” by Cirque du Soleil – The only Cirque show in Las Vegas performed in, on and above water
- Gallery of Fine Arts – Classic fine arts gallery has featured Picasso, Warhol and more
Pool
Unless you’ve experienced the Mediterranean-inspired pools you might be surprised by what you find. The Bellagio pool complex includes five different pool courtyard settings. In addition to the different pool areas, there’s a cafe and a bar. You can even enjoy poolside massages.
This pool complex is so popular that it’s recommended that you reserve lounge chairs or a cabana to ensure you have a place to enjoy the Las Vegas sun.
Bellagio Loyalty Club
MGM Resorts International owns and operates Bellagio. Their loyalty club, M Life Rewards, is one of the largest casino loyalty clubs in Las Vegas. M Life Rewards is also accepted at MGM Grand Detroit, Beau Rivage (MS), Gold Strike (MS) and MGM National Harbor (MD). The club will expand to Borgata (NJ) soon and MGM Springfield (MA) when it opens.
These casinos outside of Las Vegas make M Life Rewards one of the biggest casino loyalty clubs in the country. You can earn points and credits at any M Life Rewards casino to use at Bellagio in Las Vegas. M Life Rewards has an array partnerships that allow you to both earn and use rewards outside of the casino.
M Life Rewards can be slightly confusing since you earn different types points at two different rates. Tier credits are earned and allow you to climb status to earn specific benefits. Points accumulate for Express Credits that can be redeemed for shopping, dining, etc., Free Play that can be used in slot machines and gift shopping points.
Tier levels
Here’s a look at the different Tier levels and how many credits you’ll need to achieve the coinciding benefits for Las Vegas:
- Sapphire – Entry Level, everyone starts here
- Pearl – Earn 25,000 Tier Credits
- Gold – Earn 75,000 Tier Credits
- Platinum – Earn 200,000 Tier Credits
- Noir – Invitation only
In addition to gaming, you can earn Tier credits, express comps, free play, and holiday gift shop points from spending money on gaming, dining, entertainment, hotel rooms, shopping, spa treatments and golf at any MGM Resorts property. Here’s how Tier credits and points are awarded:
- Slot Machines – 1 point and 10 Tier Credits for every $3 you play (You also earn 1 cent in Express Comps and 1 cent in FreePlay).
- Video Poker – 1 point and 10 Tier Credits for every $10 you play (You also earn 1 cent in Express Comps and 1 cent in FreePlay).
- Table Games (blackjack, three card poker, etc.) – Varies on the type of table game you are playing, your average bet and how long you play.
- Non-gaming – 25 Tier Credits for every $1 you spend.
Las Vegas Casino Construction
Different tier levels earn points at a different rate:
- Sapphire – No bonus
- Pearl – 10% bonus
- Gold – 20% bonus
- Platinum – 30% bonus
- Noir – 40% bonus
Tier Credits earned from October 1 to September 30 qualify you for your tier beginning each October 1. If you advance to a higher tier at any time, you’ll enjoy those benefits for at least one full year.
Benefits
Each tier you reach with M Life Rewards brings greater benefits. The benefits are only incrementally better since you have 5 tiers. M Life Rewards offers discounts and presale ticketing opportunities for all levels. Being a member has benefits even if you’re just visiting to see a concert and staying elsewhere.
MGM Resorts is the first casino operator to charge for parking on the Las Vegas Strip. Those fees are waived for self-park if you’re a Pearl member or greater with M Life Rewards. Valet fees are waived for Gold members and above. These daily parking fees range anywhere from $8 to $18 per day depending on the property and type of parking. The parking discount is one of the best benefits, along with Tier bonuses and increasing retail discounts. Here’s a look at the benefits for each Tier:
Sapphire
- Dedicated reservation line
- Access to M Life Moments
- Personalized offers at MLife.com
- Earn Express Comps
- Special offers from partners
- Earn points and convert to free play or Express Comps
- 5% discount at participating retail shops
- Earn holiday gift shoppe points
- Pre-Sale Ticket Access to Select Events, Concerts, and Fights
- M life flat rate pricing for select MGM Resort shows
- Avis rental car discount (at on-property rental counters)
Pearl
Same as Sapphire plus the following:
- Invitations to members-only events and tournaments
- Extended expiration for points and Express Comps
- 10% tier multiplier bonus on points earned at all M life resorts
- 10% tier multiplier bonus on Express Comps earned at M life resorts
- Exclusive room discounts or comps
- 10% discount at participating retail shops
- Buffet line pass
- Exclusive seating at arena events
Gold
Same as Pearl plus the following:
- 20% tier multiplier bonus on points earned at all M life resorts
- 20% tier multiplier bonus on Express Comps earned at M life resorts
- Room upgrades (view, corner or suite subject to availability)
- Priority hotel check-in line
- 10% discount at participating retail shops
- Cafe line pass
- Fine dining priority reservations
- VIP line access to nightclubs and pool day clubs for you and a guest
Platinum
Same as Gold plus the following:
- 30% tier multiplier bonus on points earned at all M life resorts
- 30% tier multiplier bonus on Express Comps earned at M life resorts
- Priority access to pool cabanas and bungalows
- Spa / salon priority reservations
- Platinum experience upon check-in
- 15% discount at participating retail shops
- Priority valet service
- Priority taxi service
Noir
Same as Platinum plus the following:
- VIP lounge check-in
- Guaranteed hotel reservations
- 15% discount at participating retail shops
- Guaranteed dining reservations
- Guaranteed show reservations
- Complimentary limousine service to / from airport
M Life Rewards partners
M Life Rewards offers members many benefits that extend beyond MGM Resorts hotels and casinos. There is a large group of preferred partners where you can earn or use rewards for both loyalty clubs.
Current partners include Hyatt, Southwest, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Avis, Pinnacle Entertainment (casinos), Cirque Du Soleil, Thunder Valley Casino, Reflection Bay, and Morgans Hotel Group.
Las Vegas Casino Comparison Chart
The Hyatt-M Life Rewards partnership is one of the best non-casino partnerships in Las Vegas. You can you earn Tier Credits at over 600 hotels and resorts worldwide. Even better is that there is a Hyatt Gold Passport matched tier status available for M Life Rewards members. This is a great way to climb status without even being in Las Vegas.
M Life Rewards connects 12 casinos around the country including these Las Vegas casinos:
- Bellagio
- Excalibur
- Luxor
- Monte Carlo
- New York-New York
M Life Rewards online
The M Life Rewards website was recently rebuilt to look and feel similar to the rest of the MGM Resorts’ websites. This is a welcome change from previous versions of the website frequently had bugs. The new website looks great and is easy to use.
The current version of the M Life app looks similar to the individual MGM Resorts casino websites but offers information for every property. The app is quick, smooth, easy to read and intuitive. You can sort information in the app by each casino or by the category of information you’re looking for (shows, restaurants, etc.).
This app doesn’t assume the user is an M Life Rewards member and offers all the information you could want. In addition, the app links to all related apps such as MyVegas, PlayMGM and easyPLAY. This is probably the best looking and most functional Las Vegas casino app around.
M Life Rewards Best Bets:
Las Vegas Casino Comp Points
Sign up – You receive discounts on hotel rooms and pre-sale ticket purchasing opportunities just for signing up.
Go Pearl or Gold and skip parking fees – The $8 to $18 self-park and valet fees add up every stay. This is one of the benefits you can put a dollar figure on.
Get Bonus Points – Each Tier level you climb offers greater point multipliers. The rich get richer with M Life Rewards so you might as well enjoy it.
Priority Check-In – MGM Resorts casino are among the busiest in Las Vegas. Since the majority of customers are entry level tier status the check-in lines can be massive. Skip the huge lines when you’re Gold or better.
Must see
- Watch the fountain shows – The fountain shows in front of Bellagio are one of the best activities in Las Vegas. Best of all this activity is free. You can, and should, see the fountain show during the day and at night to see which shows are your favorite
- Visit Petrossian Bar – One of the best bars in Las Vegas is just off the lobby at Bellagio. You can enjoy a drink inside for privacy “inside” the bar or “outside” by the lobby. The outside are is where you’ll be treated to a variety of pianists throughout the day.
- Walk through the conservatory & botanical gardens – This is one of the most beautiful attractions in Las Vegas. Bellagio rotates themes every few months to keep interest high. Even if a theme is the same as the previous year, the presentation is updated.
- Grab a cocktail at Hyde Lounge – The nightclub is one of the most popular in Las Vegas, but Hyde might be better before the party gets started. Visit Hyde just after it opens at 5pm and head to the patio for a pre-dinner drink and a unique view of the Bellagio fountain show.
- Look for the world’s largest chocolate fountain – The chocolate fountain at Jean-Phillippe Patisserie is located just past the lobby. This chocolate fountain has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as being the largest in the world. Obviously, you must see it.