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Bellagio
Unlike many places in Las Vegas where the glitter seems a bit tarnished,
the Bellagio is a monument of true opulence. We admit it: this is our
favorite hotel in Las Vegas, no questions asked. The restaurants are first
class flights of fancy, featuring world-renowned chefs like Jean-George
Vongerichten (Prime), Mark Poidevin (Le Cirque) and Julian Serrano
(Picasso). The shopping is among the best you'll find anywhere, from
Tiffany to Prada to Chanel. Even the coffee shop is a delight: Italian
flags line the walls, cappuccinos are served in steaming ceramic cups, and
a delectable assortment of pastries truly melt in your mouth. Oh, and have
we mentioned the fine art museum? Bottom line: even if you can't stay at
the Bellagio, at least come for dinner at Picasso, or to watch "O" or to
enjoy a cool cup of gelato... whatever you see and do, you won't regret
it, and that's a promise!
The Venetian
The candy-striped poles and hat-wearing valets that greet you upon
entrance to the Venetian are your first clue that you're in for a special
treat. Make your way past the huge chandelier and the sparkling blackjack
tables, and you'll find an assortment of restaurants, clubs and stores
that will give you the tiniest hint of what it would be like to visit
Italy. From the "patio" of the restaurant Caravaggio, you'll have a
front-row view on the square, where singers and actors dressed in period
regalia dance and sing and enact miniature dramas throughout the day,
while gondoliers whisk lucky passengers up the canals on either side.
Mandalay Bay
If the Bellagio seems too grand and the Venetian too put-upon, you need to
head straight for the Mandalay Bay Resort. With a relaxed atmosphere that
includes a shark reef and a for-real beach with a taco stand, the Mandalay
manages to be both luxurious and great fun at the same time. From romping
stomping club-like spots such as Rum Jungle, where sheets of water cascade
down the walls to the pulsing beat of the music, to sophisticated
restaurants like Charlie Palmer's Aureole, the Mandalay will keep you
guessing. Eat, play or swim to your heart's content - oh, and a
mid-afternoon snooze on the sand isn't so bad, either!
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