Bellagio Las Vegas

Since it opened in 1998, the Bellagio has been a formidable contender for best resort on the Strip. The 3,933-room Italian "villa", renovated in 2012, borders an 8.5-acre lake. The lake's 1,200 dancing water fountains, the butterflies in the elaborately decorated botanical garden (the look changes seasonally), and the high-end shopping (boutiques such as Chanel and Prada are on-site), have become must-see attractions for anyone visiting Vegas -- which means the place is crowded. You’ll likely have trouble finding anywhere to sit, unless it's in front of a slot machine or at a restaurant. Because of its high prices and luxurious amenities, the Bellagio crowd is a bit more conservative -- think: moneyed middle-agers enjoying a dinner at Jean Georges' Prime Steakhouse or Lago.

The fountain show is a popular Vegas attraction for guests and non-guests alike, and they take place every 15 or 30 minutes, depending on the time of day. The hotel is also famous for acting as the central setting for the film Ocean's Eleven, where the characters robbed its vault.

The Bellagio is in the center of the densely packed three-and-a-half mile long stretch of hotel-casinos known as the Strip. Friendly neighbors are Caesars, Cosmopolitan, and CityCenter, with Bally's and Paris across the street. The prime location allows guests to walk to most of Vegas' famous attractions, but cabs line up outside the hotel doors and a double-decker bus operates 24/7 along the Strip. Note that you can't hail a cab from the street in Las Vegas, only from the taxi queues in front of hotels. Ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft also operate in Las Vegas. The hotel is about a 15-minute drive from McCarran Airport.

After renovations in 2012, the 3,933 guest rooms, suites, and yes, villas (invite-only) are easily among the best accommodations in Las Vegas. Rooms here start at 510 square feet -- quite large, but not as large as rooms at the Encore, which start at 700 square feet. All have sophisticated, contemporary decor, but it varies between room categories. The standard room type, The Resort Room, comes in two main variations: one has a green tea and plum color palette and leaf print wallpaper, while the other has an indigo and platinum color scheme and geometric patterns on the carpet and walls. Both have padded button headboards. From there, room categories move up to Strip View Rooms, Fountain View Rooms, and suites, which include Salone Suites, Bellagio Suites, and Penthouse Suites (with one or two bedrooms). All suites have living spaces and huge bathrooms.

The rooms are quite high-tech: 40-inch flat-screen TVs, media hubs, free Wi-Fi, and iHome docking stations are standard, and drapes are controlled electronically. Exquisite beds have cashmere pillow-top mattresses and luxurious linens. All rooms have stellar marble bathrooms with double sinks, soaking tubs, and separate glass showers. Because of the size of the property, some rooms are a trek from the lobby and restaurants. The best views of the Strip are on the top floors.

It's very possible to spend your entire vacation inside the Bellagio -- which is exactly what the resort wants you to do. To begin with, there are five outdoor swimming pools in a stunning Mediterranean-style courtyard with elaborate sculptures. Drinks are available, but service can be slow and pools close on the early side (by 7 p.m.). Loungers line the deck and cabanas with various perks can be rented. Note that children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

The full-service spa includes a salon and sauna, plus a barbershop for men. Poolside massages are available. There's a massive fitness center with ample cardio and strength-training equipment, but classes cost extra.

Gambling is obviously prevalent as the casino is one of the best on the Strip, with a multitude of slot machines, blackjack tables, and high-roller poker games on an elegant floor. A race and sports book is also available, and the optional M life Rewards program is popular for earning various perks.

If art and culture are what you're looking for, the Bellagio has you covered with a Gallery of Fine Art hosting rotating exhibits that have included works by Andy Warhol, the indoor Botanical Garden with rotating and jaw-dropping floral displays, and theater show performances of O Cirque du Soleil (five nights a week). High-end boutiques on-site include Chanel and Gucci.

Wedding and event spaces are on-site. Note that like most hotels in Vegas, a daily resort fee is tacked onto the room rate.

Restaurant and bar options are almost infinite. The Bellagio Cafe is popular for casual fare while Le Cirque caters to celebrities and has a notorious waiting list. The buffet is a (relatively) affordable and filling option, and is locally renowned. Other fine-dining options include Italian eatery LAGO by Julian Serrano; Harvest by Roy Ellamar with a focus on fresh fare; Wolfgang Puck’s Spago serving California cuisine; PRIME Steakhouse by Jean-Georges Vongerichten; Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant; and French eatery Picasso. Casual options include Noodles, Juice Press, and Starbucks. Hyde Bar has the best seats in the house for indoor views of the outdoor dancing fountains, which are timed to shoot water as high as 460 feet in the air to the tune of over 25 songs every 30 minutes. Baccarat Bar, located inside the casino, is open 24/7, while Lily Bar & Lounge is also set in the gaming area but closes at 3 a.m.