Las Vegas, Nevada

 

Let’s start this blog with one of my favourite destinations….Las Vegas.

I’ve been twice – once when I was broke and once when I was more flush.  Both times were enjoyable, but the time I had more money it was x10 better.  Vegas can’t really be tasted on a budget sadly.

The first time we went, we ended up at Circus Circus for an amazing $16 per night stay.

 

At the time (1997) the rooms were nothing short of excellent as it has been refurbed.  Sadly, this has all worn out according to reviews on Tripadvisor.  Still, if I was short on funds I’d give it a shot.

Based on the trip advisor reviews, the next time I went to Vegas (2006) I made sure we stayed in the best place….that happens to be the Bellagio which rather kewl as I remember the taxi driver in 1997 pointing the Bellagio construction site out to us back then.

The hotel is nothing short of awesome inside, super clean.  If you go down at 5AM you’ll see an army of cleaners fixing and polishing things.

The buffet at the Bellagio has been rated as the best in Vegas, well I thought that was an over-rated statement but no way.  Just pheonomenal – at breakfast you can choose around 30 different dishes inc.pizza, noodle stir fry, tailor made omellettes, amazing sea bass and Scottish salmon.  Then there’s the pastry counter with dozens of different baked products.  Awesome.  The dinner time buffet is only slightly different, in that it has roasts and king prawns but mostly the same as breakfast.

The poker room in Bellagio is awesome also, but beware, it’s $200 buy in and the best players in Vegas go there.  Typically the games are real tight, and I would be very cautious as a player there.

The Spa is huge, 25000 sq feet or something ridiculous.  Every treatment you can imagine is available.  It’s expensive too, as does the gym cost $25 to use.  The gym is OK, enough for a workout but no heavy leg press machines or anything.  It does have dumbells and cables, I don’t think it has barbells (check).

We ate in FIX bar/restaurant inside the Bellagio, stating we needed our food quickly as we going to a show…it was served promptly and quickly and I had the most awesome scallops ever.

We also ate at SENSI, this was very good also.  Lovely decor but you need a reservation.

The JEAN PHILLIPE PATISERRIE is not to be missed and you *must* buy a cake from there.

PALIO has suspicious service which isn’t great, but the sandwiches are excellent as is the chocolat du pain pastries, just the best in the world!  Sadly you have to pay for it and it’s $10 a time.  It’s also $6.50 for a coffee or tea!

Just to cap off your stay, Cirque du Soleils ‘O’ must be seen, just incredible show that’ll blow your mind.

 As you can tell, I spent most of my time in Bellagio!

But you can also get out and try a Grand Canyon chopper ride  – would recommend spending more money for longer flight time as you’ll get to fly out over Vegas also.

Would avoid eating at any of the other hotels, service is not great and food mediocre e.g.Treasure Island. 

Just one more tip – stay away from KENO it’s a con!