Top 10 Remarkable Facts about the Bellagio

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about the Bellagio

Bellagio Resort and Casino redefined luxury when it opened its doors to the public. Originally owned by Steve Wynn, the resort which is located in Las Vegas has been operational for more than 20 years. Inspired by a town in Lake Como in Italy with the same name, Wynn purchased the land in which the old Dunes hotel sat and put up what is today known as the Bellagio Resort and Casino.

Although Wynn built other more expensive hotels, the cost of putting up the Bellagio in 1993 was USD 1.6 billion. When the resort opened its doors in 1998, it was the most expensive hotel at the time.

Bellagio is one of Las Vegas’ most beautiful sights. Comprising a floral lobby, conservatory, and botanical gardens as well as a blown glass Dale Chihuly ceiling, this fascinating display also has what is now an iconic fountain. To keep the fresh and modern feel, Bellagio updates its almost 4,000 rooms in 2015 at a cost of USD 165 million.

With fresh flowers and bubbling fountains, Bellagio’s botanical gardens change five times a year, including the Chinese New Year. Inspired by the verdigris-framed, Art Nouveau-style Parisian conservatories, Wynn built Bellagio’s conservatory to also include a 50-foot glass ceiling, birds, and fresh flowers.

Below are ten fascinating facts about the Bellagio.

1. Bellagio was built where the Dunes Hotel previously stood

Nighttime photo of Bellagio Hotel. Photo by Photographersnature/Wikimedia Commons

For the Bellagio to be built, the Dunes Hotel had to be torn down. A cannon from one of the pirate shows was used to bring down the Dunes Hotel marking the beginning of a new era.

2. Bellagio Resort has an official signature Cocktail

Bellagio restaurants have their own signature cocktails but there is one signature drink for Bellagio Resort. This cocktail is made up of sparkling wine, Alizé Red Liqueur, and fruit puree.

3. With 3,950 rooms, Bellagio is one of the largest hotels across the globe

Photo of Bellagio Hotel and Casino in 2009. Photo by Blane/Wikimedia Commons

Bellagio Resort comprises two towers with 3,015 rooms and 915 rooms, with room sizes that start at least 510 square feet. The original tower which stands at 508 feet and 36 floors and the spa tower which stands at 392 feet with 33 floors make Bellagio the world’s fourteenth largest hotel.

At square footage of 159,760, Bellagio is ranked fourth among the largest properties in Las Vegas. The other properties are Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Wynn Las Vegas, and The Venetian Las Vegas. Bellagio has up to 15 table games and 2,400 slot machines.

4. Bellagio previously had a staircase at the conservatory

Fountain in Las Vegas, Bellagio’s hotel lobby. Photo by Flickr/Wikimedia Commons

Bellagio had a beautiful and majestic staircase located at the conservatory. Although it was hardly missed when it was removed, since it wasn’t used very much, the staircase was replaced by an obelisk. The quartz quarry obelisk now stands in the middle of the conservatory.

5. Bellagio renamed Bobby’s Room to Legends Room

A casino at Bellagio Hotel. Photo by Andrew and Annemarie/Flickr/Wikimedia Commons

The Bellagio poker room is renowned for hosting some of the biggest names such as The World Series of Poker. It was previously known as Bobby’s room after Bobby Baldwin the former MGM Chief Customer Development Officer.

After Bobby resigned, the room underwent some renovations and has been renamed the Legends Room.

6. There are 125 staff members who work to keep the conservatory vibrant all year round

Flower display inside the Bellagio Hotel. Photo by John Walton/Wikimedia Commons

Bellagio has a 14,000 square-foot, glass-ceilinged botanical garden which is transformed several times a year. To make this possible, Bellagio has a team of 125 staff members who work six days a week. Their round-the-clock service helps keep the conservatory fascinating all year round.

7. Bellagio French and Spanish-themed restaurant is an award-winning restaurant

Bellagio Hotel and Casino. Photo by David Shane/Flickr/Wikimedia Commons

Bellagio has a French and Spanish-themed restaurant that has a 56 seat patio with 16 tables that overlook the fountain. Known as Picasso, this restaurant has received the AAA Five-Diamond Award annually since 1998. The restaurant also has a wine cellar with more than 1,500 wines from all over Europe.

8. Bellagio has Koi fish at the conservatory

One of Bellagio’s garden scenes. Photo by ZooFari/Wikimedia Commons

Bellagio has beautifully colored Koi fish that comprise two generations of fish spawned in the garden.

The fish may not be on display often but are mostly featured during the Lunar New Year show.

9. Bellagio has art masterpieces hanging on its walls

Flowers of Como at the Bellagio Hotel. Photo by Flickr/Wikimedia Commons

Serving as an unofficial art gallery, the Bellagio has original artwork on its walls. These include art pieces from well-known artists as well as some lesser-known artists.

Amongst the art pieces are 22 original Picasso art pieces available at the Picasso restaurant.

10. The Fountains of Bellagio are a popular feature of the hotel

The Bellagio Fountains rise at the Hotel. Photo by Photographersnature/Wikimedia Commons

The incredible Bellagio fountains are one of the most popular features for anyone visiting Las Vegas. Prominently featured in movies, events, and footage of Las Vegas Bellagio’s synchronized fountains have about 10,000 shows annually. 

The fountains turned pink in 2004 in honor of Victoria’s Secrets models. The models included Tyra Banks, Alessandra Ambrosio Gisele Bundchen, Adriana Lima, and Heidi Klum.

Las Vegas is one of the world’s best gambling cities. The Bellagio, which is located in Las Vegas, has an exclusive room known as Bobby’s room. The room was named after Bobby Baldwin who won the World Series of Poker Main Event in 1978. To play in Bobby’s room, one needs a buy-in of USD 20,000.

Las Vegas conducts more than 600 weddings annually and a number of famous people also got married in Las Vegas. The couples include Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton, Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford, and Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. In addition to the weddings, Vegas, and Bellagio in particular was the venue for the filming of Ocean 11, one of the most iconic movies ever made.

The success of Bellagio as a popular brand has led to MGM considering having other properties in different parts of the world. Maintaining the same standards of service and finesse, there is a Bellagio hotel currently available in China. From 2021, Dubai will also have a Bellagio resort of its own.