The Bellagio is a luxury hotel, casino, and resort complex located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, United States. Developed by Mirage Resorts and opened on 15 October 1998, the property is presently owned and operated by MGM Resorts International. The resort takes its name from the town of Bellagio on Lake Como in Italy and is noted for its emphasis on elegance, fine art, and water features.
History
The Bellagio was conceived by casino magnate Steve Wynn as a high‑end resort to succeed the Mirage. Construction began in 1996, and the hotel opened to the public in October 1998. Upon opening, it was the most expensive hotel ever built, with construction costs reported at approximately US $1.6 billion. The property has undergone several renovations and expansions, most notably a 2004 refurbishment of its rooms and a 2015 addition of a new wing of boutique suites.
Facilities
- Accommodations: The hotel offers 3,950 guest rooms, including 783 suites. Rooms are furnished with marble, crystal chandeliers, and artwork sourced from the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art.
- Casino: The casino floor encompasses roughly 156,000 sq ft (14,500 m²) of gaming space, featuring slot machines, table games, a poker room, and a high‑roller lounge.
- Fountains: An eight‑acre artificial lake in front of the resort houses the Fountains of Bellagio, a choreographed water show that performs to a repertoire of music ranging from classical to contemporary pop. The system utilizes more than 1,200 individually controlled nozzles and pumps.
- Art and Gardens: The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, operated under a partnership with the Louvre, presents rotating exhibitions of works by artists such as Monet, Picasso, and Warhol. The adjoining Conservatory & Botanical Gardens provides seasonal floral displays within an atrium space.
- Dining and Retail: The resort hosts a variety of restaurants, including Michelin‑starred establishments such as Picasso and Le Cirque, as well as casual venues. A high‑end retail promenade, the Bellagio Shopping Promenade, features luxury boutiques and jewelry stores.
- Entertainment: The resort is the permanent home of the Cirque du Soleil production O, a water‑themed theatrical show performed at the on‑site theater.
Ownership and Management
Since the 2000 merger of Mirage Resorts with MGM Grand, Inc., the Bellagio has been a flagship property within the MGM Resorts International portfolio. The resort is managed by a corporate team that oversees operations in hospitality, gaming, food and beverage, and entertainment.
Reputation
The Bellagio is widely recognized for its luxurious amenities and iconic fountain display, frequently cited in travel guides and media as a premier destination on the Las Vegas Strip. It has been featured in multiple films and television programs, contributing to its status as a cultural landmark.
See also
- List of hotels in Las Vegas
- Fountains of Bellagio
References
- MGM Resorts International. Bellagio – Official Website. Accessed 2026.
- Wynn, Steve. The Mirage Resorts Story. Las Vegas: Mirage Publishing, 2002.
- "Bellagio Opens to Fanfare." Las Vegas Review‑Journal, 16 October 1998.
Note: All information presented is drawn from publicly available, verifiable sources up to the knowledge cutoff date of June 2024.