traveldk.com

Fronting on a pristine 8.5-acre lake with a tree-lined boulevard beyond, this extraordinary resort hotel was built to resemble an idyllic village on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como. The Italianate theme is carried through the entire property – its 3,000-room tower, 16 restaurants, two wedding chapels, salon, and spa – imbuing the whole with an atmosphere of opulence. Creating this representation of Italy cost $1.6 billion.

Visitors are greeted by a dazzling 2,000 sq ft (186 sq m) garden of glass flowers – the Fiore di Como – suspended from the lobby ceiling. The creator was Dale Chihuly, the first American artist to be designated a national treasure; amazingly, every single flower is different.

You are only likely to frequent Bellagio’s shopping promenade if you have deep pockets. The establishments are as elegant as the Via itself, numbering among them such names as Prada, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Moschino, Hermes, Gucci, and Yves St Laurent.

Keen gardeners and plant-lovers who stay here regularly will be rewarded with floral displays that change with each season and every major holiday. Each change employs the services of no fewer than 150 professionals.

Aesthetically this is the most pleasing casino in Las Vegas, less flamboyant and more sophisticated than the rest. Slot-machine carousels are fringed with specially designed fabrics rather than the ubiquitous neon tubing, and custom-made carpets provide a stylish relief from the norm.

Bellagio’s art gallery hosts major temporary exhibitions of important international artists past and present in conjunction with other large art galleries and museums in North America and around the world.

Designed for Cirque du Soleil’s spectacular production “O”, the theater combines Old World magnificence (it is styled after the Paris Opera) with cutting-edge technology. Central to the production is a 1.5 million gallon (6.8 million liter) pool, which can be remodeled to meet each act’s needs.

Bellagio’s superb restaurants include Le Cirque, Aqua, Noodles, Jasmine, and Shintaro. Picasso holds the coveted Mobil five stars and is decorated with original Picassos.

With its Italianate columns and statuary, six outdoor pools, and four spas (see Spa Bellagio), the formal courtyard at Bellagio is glorious for morning and evening strolls. During the middle part of the day, it is transformed into a scene of poolside cabanas, chaises (sunbeds), and umbrella tables, with bronzed sun-worshipers sipping cool drinks.

Bellagio has the capacity to host conference groups of up to 5,000 people in 10 different rooms, including two ballrooms. A professional staff is on hand to assist with needs such as word processing.