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The Bellagio Las Vegas is one of the most iconic spots on the Las Vegas Strip. It’s featured in multiple movies, including “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Jason Bourne.” The Fountains of Bellagio (commonly known as the Bellagio Fountains) rank among the world’s most photographed places. In 2001, the Bellagio also became the first Las Vegas hotel to receive a AAA Five Diamond designation, bestowed on hotels for their cleanliness, luxury and amenities.
That said, the Bellagio is currently a Four Diamond designation, and that’s not the only recent change for the hotel. Under a new partnership between hotel giant Marriott International and MGM Resorts International, Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program members can now earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy® points while flexing Marriott elite status benefits at the Bellagio.
Some recent changes include a huge upgrade to its pool deck, which brought in a new poolside cafe and bar. In February 2025, musician Bruno Mars opened his entertainment lounge inside the hotel called The Pinky Ring. The resort also introduced an exclusive yacht experience on its famous fountain lake with the November 2025 opening of Carbone Riviera.
Given all those changes, here’s NerdWallet’s Bellagio review.
The Bellagio Las Vegas location
It’s only about a 10 to 15-minute drive from Harry Reid International Airport. As is annoyingly the case with many Strip hotels, there’s no free airport shuttle, nor is there convenient public transportation (the bus only runs about once every hour and it’s still a short hike from the bus stop). And since Bellagio parking costs $18 per day for registered hotel guests, travelers arriving via plane are usually best off taking a rideshare.
Checking in
The Bellagio is near the center of the Las Vegas Strip, which puts it within close proximity to several shows, restaurants and nightlife.
As you head up the driveway, which borders the hotel’s 8.5-acre lake designed to emulate Italy's Lake Como, the Bellagio immediately makes a strong impression.
It’s tough to miss the hand-blown glass flowers by American artist Dale Chihuly on the lobby ceiling while waiting to check in.
Members of MGM Rewards, which is a free-to-join loyalty program, can use the MGM Resorts mobile app to check in and unlock their room with a digital key.
If you’d rather have a physical key, digital kiosks let you check in and provide a plastic key.
Standard check-in is at 3 p.m. local time. However, MGM Rewards members can use the app to check in early and access their room if it’s ready before then.
Bellagio rooms
In 2023, the hotel invested $110 million to renovate its Spa Tower, which followed a remodel of the main tower. Custom furnishings and bathroom improvements came with it, including vanities with lighted mirrors and white marble surfaces. Technological upgrades included motion-sensor lights.
Bathrooms feature a marble countertop. All rooms have a walk-in shower, and some also have separate tubs.
Whereas many hotels have cut back on free, in-room toiletries (or at least require you to call the front desk to request them), Bellagio bathrooms are stocked with toiletries including a toothbrush, mouthwash and shaving kit.
Closets feature standard items including an iron, robes and a safe.
Views of the Strip and Bellagio Fountains are incredible — assuming your room has one.
For the absolute best view, book a fountain view room. These Bellagio rooms are almost always the priciest, but worth it if you value basking in the fountain show.
Key amenities at the Bellagio
The hotel charges a mandatory $50 daily resort fee, whether or not you use the included amenities, like the gym and pool area. However, MGM Rewards members with Gold or higher elite status can get resort fees waived on eligible stays.
Pool deck
The Bellagio pool got a major update in 2024 with remodeled cabanas, a new poolside cafe and plenty of refreshed topiaries, columns and furnishings — all inspired by Italy’s grand Palladian villas.
The pool area includes five pools with varying sizes and degrees of shade. The Cypress pool is limited to guests 18 years of age or older.
Speaking of shade, you may want to rent a cabana or daybed. Prices vary by day, but cabanas can easily run more than $500. With it comes water, soda and a fruit plate, but other food and drinks cost extra.
While you don’t technically need to reserve a cabana or daybed, the option might be appealing to large groups who can split the cost among multiple people. After all, while standard pool lounge chairs are free for hotel guests, they’re based on availability. If you don’t arrive early, it might be tough to find more than a few chairs together — particularly during peak seasons.
Gym and spa
The Bellagio Spa & Salon offers paid services including massages, facials, manicures and pedicures.
The spa sits adjacent to the fitness center, which is free for guests. Gym equipment includes cardio machines, free weights, strength machines and plyometric boxes.
For an extra fee, personal training sessions or group fitness classes, including yoga, barre and pilates, are available.
The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
The Bellagio houses one of the best free attractions in Vegas: its 14,000-square-foot Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, featuring living plants with over-the-top seasonal themes. It's complimentary and open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The current display, "Springtime Symphony: Music in Motion," runs through June 6, 2026. Designed by Ed Libby, the display transforms the Conservatory into a music box-inspired garden with spinning carousel horses, a grand Fabergé egg showpiece, a 36-foot stained-glass window depicting butterflies and a fairytale castle and a gilded birdcage guests can walk beneath. The sense of smell should be triggered too, as a subtle ambient scent with notes of peach, iris and sandalwood drifts through the air.
The Fountains of Bellagio
Then there’s another one of Vegas’s best free attractions: The Fountains of Bellagio. The iconic Bellagio water show features more than a thousand fountains that sway back and forth to music, and shoot as high as 460 feet into the air.
Weather permitting, the Bellagio Fountain show times are:
- Monday through Friday: Every 30 minutes from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight.
- Saturday, Sunday and holidays: Every 30 minutes from noon to 7:30 p.m., and every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight.
It’s free to line up along the lake to watch the Bellagio fountain show. Or, you might book a dinner at one of the following Bellagio restaurants, which offer fountain views:
- The Mayfair Supper Club.
- Spago.
- Lago by Julian Serrano.
- Le Cirque.
- Jasmine.
- Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge.
- Picasso.
- PRIME Steakhouse.
And as of November 2025, select guests can experience the Fountains in a rather unique way aboard Fortuna, a 33-foot Riva "Anniversario" yacht handcrafted in Italy. As one of only 18 such vessels in the world, Fortuna (meaning "good luck and fortune" in Italian) will cruise the resort's Lago di Como while the world-famous Fountains dance around passengers.
This exclusive experience launches alongside the opening of Carbone Riviera, a new seafood-focused restaurant from Major Food Group co-founders Mario Carbone, Jeff Zalaznick and Rich Torrisi. The yacht transforms the iconic fountain lake into an intimate luxury escape, offering what's poised to become one of Las Vegas' most coveted experiences.
The yacht made its historic debut on Oct. 3, 2025, when it was paraded down the Las Vegas Strip before being lifted by crane into the lake for its maiden voyage.
Bellagio casino
The Bellagio casino includes table games, slots and a sportsbook.
The Bellagio also has a high-limit lounge called Club Privé, which includes games, plus a fancy bar serving whiskey and high-end cigars.
Bellagio restaurants
Most of the Bellagio's restaurants are upscale, though there are also some cheaper, quicker eats too.
Casual dining at the Bellagio
Unlike many other Strip resorts that feature mall food court staples and outposts of affordable chains, the only quick service chains at the Bellagio are Starbucks and Juice Press.
Casual dining options at the Bellagio include the Bellagio Patisserie, which stands out for its crepes, sandwiches and gelato. Love the idea of a chocolate vacation? Then don't miss its massive chocolate fountain. It's worth a visit for the spectacle alone, even if you don't plan to dine.
Fine dining at the Bellagio
The Bellagio also houses award-winning restaurants like Le Cirque and Picasso (both have a Michelin star). These offer exquisite cuisine — with a price tag to match the experience.
The Garden Table
Perhaps the most unique of the Bellagio dining experiences is The Garden Table, a single table inside the Bellagio Conservatory. It seats up to six diners maximum for brunch and four maximum for dinner.
If you dine during brunch hours, food comes from Sadelle’s Café. Brunch costs $135 per person, though it's an additional fee for bottomless mimosas. Famous for its sticky buns, Sadelle’s opened its first location in New York in 2015, but has more than a half-dozen outposts worldwide.
Though The Garden Table is technically not a buffet, it’s difficult to go hungry. Diners start off with a tower of pastries, avocado toast, salmon, caviar and bagels. It’s all top-of-the-line ingredients — with a beautiful presentation to match.
Then, diners select one entree (the best value is the steak and eggs, which alone costs more than $40 if purchased a la carte from Sadelle’s.
Brunch concludes with a giant slice of strawberry cheesecake.
During dinner, food comes from chef Michael Mina, and runs north of $200 per person (and that's before the wine pairing).
Though it’s not cheap, it makes for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Sure, you’ll likely end up in hundreds of tourists’ photos. And tourists might stare at you, wondering how you snagged the best seat in the house. Yet, it can be easy to forget the stares when you’re noshing on caviar and some of the most decadent avocado toast you’ve ever tasted, all while sitting within a hot air balloon or oversized teapot, depending on the Conservatory’s decor that season.
Bellagio shows, entertainment and lounges
The free entertainment — most notably the fountain show — is impressive. But there’s plenty to do at the Bellagio, including an onsite art gallery, which requires an additional fee, even for hotel guests. Other unique Bellagio entertainment offerings include:
"O" by Cirque du Soleil
"O" by Cirque du Soleil, an aquatic-themed version of the popular circus show, plays out most nights from a theater in the hotel custom-built for the show. Beyond the acrobatics that Cirque is known for, "O" features synchronized swimming.
The 90-minute show often ranks among the top Cirque shows in the world — and the top theater shows in Las Vegas, period.
But it’s also among the most expensive. Whereas tickets for Cirque du Soleil Mad Apple over at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino start at just $49 when purchased directly through Cirque, tickets for “O” start at $79. And that’s just a starting price. Expect to pay much more for better seats or on busy nights.
Bars and lounges
Whereas some of the other MGM hotels in Vegas have a rowdy nightlife scene with loud EDM beats, nightlife at the Bellagio is more elegant and subdued.
Lounges are also lively during the day. For example, right off the lobby sits the Petrossian Bar, where a live pianist performs as you sip on cocktails or afternoon tea.
The Pinky Ring
Among the newer offerings is The Pinky Ring, a cocktail lounge and jazz bar designed by Bruno Mars. Besides serving Bruno Mars-inspired cocktails like the Mars Mocha (which features chocolate rum, cognac, espresso, banana and toasted sesame froth), Mars himself has been known to show up unexpectedly.
But you likely won’t see much of The Pinky Ring unless you experience it for yourself. The bar has a refreshing rule: no phones allowed.
Who is the Bellagio best for?
Luxury travelers: Especially given all the high-end restaurants and timeless details throughout, luxury travelers with a taste for the finer things will find much to appreciate at the Bellagio.
Still, rates can swing wildly depending on the day. On one weekend in late September 2024, room rates are more than $1,349 nightly, including a $50 resort fee. But two days later, you can book a room for about $200 per night. Travelers seeking to stay at the Bellagio can often save big simply by adjusting their trip dates by a few days.
People who value location: It’s also ideal for travelers seeking to be at the center of the action. Some of what might be perceived as Bellagio’s biggest pitfalls — lack of affordable, fast-casual restaurants and no “stereotypically Vegas” nightclub — are easily solved given its proximity to other hotels that offer those things.
An interior bridge makes it so you don’t even need to go outside to access the Vdara Hotel and Spa, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. At the Vdara, you might enjoy higher-end (but more affordable, relative to the Bellagio) dining options like Din Tai Fung. The Cosmopolitan fills the quick service void with celebrity-helmed, fast casual restaurants like Eggslut and Bāng Bar by Momofuku. Its Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub is one of the most high-energy spots on the Strip.
Who should skip the Bellagio?
There are a few types of travelers who might skip the Bellagio:
Some families with children: While kids might love certain Bellagio features like the chocolate fountain at the Bellagio Patisserie, other hotels better cater to children. For example, the New York-New York Hotel has its own roller coaster, Hello Kitty Cafe and Hershey's Chocolate World.
Travelers seeking peace: While there are some tranquil aspects of the Bellagio (enjoying the Bellagio fountain show from your fountain-view room, for example), expect crowds. Given its central location and two of the Strip’s top, free attractions in this hotel, many non-hotel guests spend time here.
Because the Bellagio already has nearly 4,000 rooms, the lobby is almost always packed. Plus, you’ll walk through the casino to get to your room.
For a more serene atmosphere, consider the adjacent Vdara Hotel & Spa, which shares an interior walkway with the Bellagio, but is only about a third of the size (and doesn’t have a casino).
Booking the Bellagio
Book direct: MGM Resorts promises the lowest rates when you book direct. Plus, it tends to offer additional discounts to MGM Rewards members.
Book through American Express:
The hotel is bookable through American Express' travel portal, where it’s part of a curated collection of hotels called Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR).
FHR inclusion is useful for cardholders who pay with their American Express Platinum Card®, which offers up to $600 in statement credits per calendar year on eligible bookings through either The Hotel Collection or a similar program called Fine Hotels and Resorts. (Credit is awarded as $300 every six months.) Terms apply.
Card members who book a stay through FHR are eligible for the statement credit, plus goodies including space-available early check-in, guaranteed late check-out, space available room upgrades upon arrival, daily breakfast for two and an $100 credit toward eligible charges. (see rates and fees).
Though, compare rates versus booking directly with the hotel versus through American Express. A NerdWallet study of hotel prices found that booking through FHR cost an average of $84 more than booking direct for a two-night stay. Though American Express values those perks at $550 across a two-night stay (which can easily justify the price difference), you may personally value those things differently.
Book through Marriott: Marriott Bonvoy members might rather book through Marriott. The two brands entered a partnership that went into effect in 2024, which has generally been good for Bonvoy members. Among the benefits include status matching and — depending on the exact elite status level — perks like dedicated service lanes, waived resort fees, free Bellagio parking and dining credits.
Bonvoy members can also redeem Bonvoy points, free night awards for stays or Marriott Bonvoy Moments (and the Bellagio has some good ones, including Garden Table brunch). NerdWallet values Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cent each.
However, members can’t earn Bonvoy points on stays booked through MGM Rewards, where they tend to be cheaper. If you’re chasing points, compare rates across both sites and then use NerdWallet’s Marriott points calculator to see if the points are worth the price difference.
Speaking of bonus points, Marriott Bonvoy members can maximize their points balances by paying for their stay with a Marriott credit card. Exact benefits vary by card, but all offer bonus points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, which includes the Bellagio.
How the cards compare
Annual fee
$95.
$250.
$650.
$125.
$250.
Rewards
• 6 Marriott Bonvoy® points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
• 3 points per $1 on up to $6,000 a year in combined purchases on grocery stores, gas stations and dining.
• 2 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
• 6 Marriott Bonvoy® points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
• 4 points per $1 on up to $15,000 a year in combined purchases at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S).
• 2 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
• 6 Marriott Bonvoy® points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
• 3 points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
• 2 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
• 6 points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
• 4 points per $1 on restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
• 2 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
• 6 Marriott Bonvoy® points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
• 4 points per $1 on up to $15,000 a year in combined purchases at grocery stores and on dining.
• 2 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Welcome offer
Earn 3 Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening, and an additional 1 Free Night Award after spending $4,000 total on eligible purchases within 4 months of account opening with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Redeem your Free Night Awards for a one-night stay at properties with a redemption level up to 50,000 points per night, a total value of 200,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Earn 175,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 5/13/2026. Terms Apply.
Earn 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 5/13/2026. Terms Apply.
Earn 3 Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases and an extra 2 Free Night Awards after you spend an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply.
Earn 85,000 Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.
Learn more
To view rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, see this page.
The information related to the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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