Bellagio

A lake of dancing fountains out front and a ceiling of glass flowers inside. Bellagio is the Strip at its most composed, with a gaming floor to match.

Inside the house

Bellagio arrived on the Strip in 1998, taking its name and some of its look from the lakeside village on Lake Como. It has aged gracefully. The mood is refined rather than loud, and even on a packed Saturday the hotel rarely feels frantic.

The fountains are the reason many people book. The water show runs on the eight-acre lake from the afternoon into the night, set to music, and a lake-view room on a high floor turns it into a private performance.

Walk through the lobby and look up at the glass flower installation, then carry on into the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, where the displays change with the seasons. Entry is free, so early mornings are the calmest time to visit.

The casino is spacious and well lit. Serious players head for the poker room or the high-limit salons tucked away from the main aisles. The resort also hosts the long-running aquatic show O and a full-service spa, which round out a stay nicely.