Tag Archives: O

The Bellagio, Las Vegas

I clearly remember the first time I stood in amazement of The Bellagio was when a friend of mine brought us here for dinner.  He had just married a couple of months ago at this stunning, luxury resort and shared photos of their extravagant wedding celebration.  Of course, he spared no expense, so the photos of their wedding were beyond anything I could have ever imagined.

I eventually had the opportunity to make my own memories at the Bellagio during a New Years’ celebration with another dear friend this year and found myself basking in the beauty of its opulence and luxury.    Located along the strip, the Bellagio is one of the most luxurious resorts of Las Vegas.

We tried to find a seat at Lago by Julian Serrano which provides excellent views of the famous Fountains of the Bellagio.  Unfortunately, we had arrived too late, and settled for a gorgeous view along the 8-acre lake, reminiscent of Italian lakeside village.

As crowds congregated along the sidewalk, the thousand theatrical fountains began their show to the tune of a classical Italian opera, both elegant and spectacular.

Entering the lobby of the resort, we admired the glass flowers of world renowned artist, Dale Chihuly.  The sculpture, hanging from the ceiling, is made of over 2000 handblown blossoms.  Named the Fiori Di Como, the effervescent colors seem to come to life as the sunlight radiates through the glass and windows from the rooftop.

The Bellagio’s Gallery of Fine Art and the lavish Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden are additional glamorous features of the hotel on display for guests and visitors.

I had my heart set on a confection from Jean Philippe Patisserie but when we arrived, we were so overwhelmed by the many choices that we decided on a café mocha for an afternoon boost.  We promised ourselves that we would save room after dinner which would leave us plenty of time to decide on which sweet decadence would satisfy our craving.   Did I happen to notice some wedding cakes in the corner?

Because Peter had not seen Cirque du Soleil’s “O” performance, he booked tickets for us for the evening show.  The first time I had visited Vegas, my former boss had purchased tickets and I was mesmerized by the performance and more astonished by the price.  The show continues to be one of the most sought after shows in Vegas, but we were so excited to share this experience together.

Soon the show would begin and since we were dressed and ready to go, we enjoyed a happy hour drink at Hyde Bellagio.  The swanky, upscale lounge is also a perfect location to watch the Bellagio fountains, and reminds me of a set used for a Victoria’s Secret photo shoot.   Surrounded by gigantic mirrors, chandeliers with suspended flowers and Mediterranean furniture, we took a seat close to the balcony.

The evening could not have been more perfect ending with a return visit to Jean Philippe for gelatos and walking the upscale promenade of shops.  The show was phenomenal, dinner was indulgent, drinks were relaxing and the company was incredibly charming.  It was a fairytale day at the Italian lake of Vegas.

Have you visited the Bellagio?  I would love to hear your thoughts about this opulent hotel and casino, so leave your comments below!  Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

The Bellagio
3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV  89109
Telephone:  888 987 6667

Where to Stay:

The Bellagio
3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV  89109
Telephone:  888 987 6667

Where to Eat:

Jean Philippe Patisserie
3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV  89109

UPDATE:  The Jean Philippe Patisserie is now closed.

Photo Credit:  Hyde Bellagio provided by The Bellagio

Las Vegas’ Paris Hotel: Spending New Year’s in Luxury

My great friend, Peter surprised me with a New Year’s weekend trip to Las Vegas where we stayed at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.  He had recently sold the small biotech company that he owned, so there was so much to celebrate.  We had both visited Las Vegas many times in the past as it is a popular destination for pharmaceutical events, so the idea of sitting among the indoor cafes sipping café au laits instead of rushing around to all of the venues was a delightful change to our schedule.

We took a later flight for the added drama of seeing the city lights at night.  A short hop from San Francisco, we would land in a little over an hour where he had a limousine waiting and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for the ride.  Approaching Las Vegas Boulevard, I could not take my eyes off of the Eiffel Tower, watching it come into view until the limo finally arrived.  Standing at the base, I was in awe of this monumental replica, half the size of the original and all lit up like the City of Light.

Strolling through the resort we couldn’t help but notice the reproductions of famous Parisian landmarks.  We reached our hotel suite with a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower and after having admired the Las Vegas Strip from our room, I noticed an envelope addressed to us on the table.  I thought it was another surprise from Peter, but soon realized that we were offered two nighttime passes for the Eiffel Tower Experience, compliments of the Paris Hotel.  We called to secure a time which left us with a couple of hours to explore the hotel and take a photo of the tower from its base.

We arrived fifteen minutes early and congregated at the elevator where there were several others waiting to make the ride up to the 46th floor.  Adequately bundled up, I found myself rubbing my hands together in anticipation of the windy, cold weather.  Although Las Vegas sits in the middle of a desert, the temperature drops at night bringing with it a chill in the air.   We boarded the lift and upon reaching the top, we were afforded spectacular views of colorful lights that seemed to go on for miles.  We stayed long enough to watch the Bellagio fountain from this vantage point and agreed that we should stop by the next day to arrange for a front row seat from one of the restaurants.  It was getting late and our noses were growing cold when we decided to return back to our rooms and settle in for the night.

We could not have asked for a more beautiful morning nor a more beautiful view as we ordered breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi.  Hearty crepes with a side of steak frites could not have been a more perfect Parisian meal before setting off for a visit to the Bellagio.   Planning a leisurely day ahead, Peter wanted to watch the fountains from inside and the only thing on my mind was Jean Philippe Patisserie.  It has become my obsession when I visit Vegas to take note of the new creations made from this bodacious boutique confectionery.   With tickets for the production of “O” later that evening at 4PM, we knew it would be wise to confirm the theater entrance ahead of time.  We spent the rest of the day at The Bellagio with the exception of coming back to the hotel to prepare for the show.

Peter made reservations at the Italian restaurant, Martarano’s, located inside of the Paris Hotel.  We started out with the Fried Calamari Bubzy spiced with a sweet and spicy chili sauce, which was the perfect heat for me, while Peter required more spice thinking the sauce was a little too sweet for his liking.  In addition, we shared a Homemade Mozzarella & Tomato Salad which is similar to a Caprese Salad without the balsamic vinegar.  The mozzarella melted in my mouth with its freshness while the basil added a whole new level of umami.   Our main entrees included the Bucatani Carbonara, the perfect pasta with pancetta, cream, black pepper and Parmigiano-Reggiano while Peter decided on the Veal Marsala made with Florio Sicilian marsala wine sauce with mushrooms.

We realized we had quite a while before bringing in the New Year, so we stopped by La Cave so I could pick up a bottle of wine that we could open while I freshened up and Peter checked his emails.  We are not the nightclub types nor do we gamble, so our plans were to stop by the Napoleon’s Lounge for a drink and roam the casino to people watch, which was the perfect night for the occasion.  Gorgeous gowns and fancy dresses were accompanied by men in suits with some in tuxes.  The crowded casino and lobby proved everyone to be in high spirits ready to carry the night into the early hours of the morning.

The bartender at the Bellagio invited us to stop by earlier, so we decided to take him up on the invitation, order a bottle of champagne and place bets on what time we would finally make it back to the room.  The night was vibrant, which gave us a new level of energy and we had so much to celebrate.  We discussed our plans for our last day in Vegas and I was  looking forward to my massage at the Paris Spa.  We were also excited about spending a day back in San Diego where we first met to celebrate a friend’s birthday and enjoy a day of hiking, which has always been our favorite activity.  The New Year was already promising to be a wonderful start to our relationship, new jobs and a crazy year of travel.  And as the countdown began, we had already decided to make this the best year possible.   Happy New Year!!

What did you think about the Paris Las Vegas?  Have you had the opportunity to visit and if so, did you enjoy any of the amenities?  I would be interested in hearing about your stay if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  If you would like to know more about the Paris Las Vegas, I would be so happy to answer any questions you have if you would leave a message in the comments section as well.  Many thanks for reviewing my experience at the Paris Hotel and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Telephone:  877 796 2096

Eiffel Tower:  The main attraction of the hotel is the Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck.   Built half the size of France’s world-famous landmark, visitors can board the elevator 46 stories high for spectacular views of the Las Vegas strip.

 Nightly Light Show:  From sunset to midnight, the Eiffel Towerlights up every 30 minutes in similar fashion to the Paris landmark.

Shop the Paris Hotel:  Reminiscent of the lovely neighborhoods of Paris, the Las Vegas shops along Le Boulevard are set along cobblestone walkways.

Book a Spa Treatment:  Voie Spa & Salon offers a wide variety of services including massages, facials, manicures  & pedicures.

Where to Stay:

Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Telephone:  877 796 2096

With over 2700 rooms, there are several options to meet your budget.

Where to Eat:

Nobu:  Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Telephone:   702 946 4007

My favorite is the lobster shiitake salad and I always save room for dessert…the Yuzu Cheesecake.

What to Eat:

There are several restaurants at Paris Las Vegas, but I also like to venture out for a cheap buffet in the Old Vegas district.

What to Read:

  • Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, by Hunter S. Thompson
  • Leaving Las Vegas, by John O’Brien

Photo Guide for Las Vegas:

  • “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” Sign
  • The Paris Hotel Entrance and Eiffel Tower
  • The Luxor Walkway and Sphinx
  • The Excalibur Hotel
  • New York New York Hotel
  • The Arc de Triomphe at the Paris Hotel
  • The Eiffel Tower view from the Bellagio
  • The Bellagio Fountains and its Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
  • The Rose Covered Entrance to the Mayfair Supper Club at Bellagio
  • The Linq Promenade with views of the High Roller and Inside the High Roller
  • The Venetian Stairs and Lobby
  • Gondola Ride at the Venetian
  • The Venetian Bridge
  • The Stairs at Wynn Las Vegas
  • Neon Museum signs
  • Fremont East District sign
  • Retro Vegas Sign
  • Abbey Road
  • The Empty Club
  • Fremont District Murals
  • Red Rock Canyon’s Red Rocks and Joshua Trees
  • Valley of Fire State Park – Slot Canyon, Fire Wave, Mouse Tank Road, Pastel Pink Canyon
  • Seven Magic Mountains
  • Mrs. Coco’s Cafe (book in advance)
  • Hoover Dam
  • Canyon West (about 2 hours from Vegas)

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