Vegas, baby…Vegas!

Teeming with sparkle and pizazz; overflowing with glitz and glamour; and infused with countless dreams of jackpots and fortunes made, this oasis in the Mojave Desert has captivated all who have visited and all those who aspire to walk its world-famous strip.

“Vegas represents the idea of America I had as a kid,” Chef Joel Robuchon said years ago. “The big cars, the pretty girls; everything is possible in Vegas.”

Legendary comedian, Jerry Lewis, was immediately enamored by the city. “When I arrived in Las Vegas,” he once declared, “I felt I was embraced by it.”

But it was American actor Tony Curtis who probably said it best: “If you know how to live in Vegas, you can have the best time.”

For more than 90 years, Sin City has steadily grown larger, more opulent, more enticing, always offering a promise of entertainment and memorable moments. And since 1998, Bellagio Resort & Casino has made good on those promises.

When it opened almost 30 years ago, the expansive casino resort cost an astounding $1.6 billion. Inspired by the beautiful villages of Europe, Bellagio overlooks a Mediterranean-blue lake, where its signature fountain show—a magnificent aquatic ballet comprised of more than 1,200 dancing fountains set to an eclectic soundtrack of modern pop hits and timeless classics—immediately grew synonymous with the Las Vegas Boulevard. Depicted across Hollywood blockbusters and hit TV shows, the resort and its dancing fountains remains one of the city’s most recognizable symbols.

Although Bellagio’s iconic fountain show has distinguished the property from the beginning, the resort has steadily evolved over the past three decades. Only a couple of years ago, MGM Resorts invested $110 million to transform the 104 suites and more than 800 guestrooms inside its Spa Tower. Partnering with Manhattan-based interior design atelier Champalimaud Design, the resort took inspiration from the charm of Northern Italy and selected custom furniture, art, and color palates to reflect the beauty and tranquility of the Lake Como region.

In 2024, the resort kicked off the pool season by debuting a redesigned and refreshed pool deck, one enhanced by Mediterranean-inspired al fresco dining, live entertainment, private cabanas, and terrace views. Immediately, guests were transported to an outdoor respite where R&R reigned supreme.

Flavors abound at Bellagio, as well, with more than a half dozen high-end restaurants serving tantalizing dishes that celebrate a variety of cultures and cuisines. At Lago, for example, contemporary Italian fare whisks guests to the kitchens of Milan. Wolfgang Puck’s flagship restaurant, Spago, provides upscale American flavors; while modern Japanese enjoys its time in the spotlight at Yellowtail. Of course, there are elegant and indulgent options at Mayfair Supper Club and Prime Steakhouse, but the resort’s newest eatery, CARBONE RIVIERA, is perhaps its most daring one yet. The restaurant emphasizes coastal Italian cuisine with a concentrated focus on seafood sourced from all around the world. “It is an extraordinary honor to serve as the new custodians of one of America’s most iconic dining rooms,” says Jeff Zalaznick, the co-founder of Major Food Group, a hospitality company that conceptualized the restaurant. “Drawing on a decade spent breaking boundaries, our intention is to create the greatest fish restaurant this country has ever seen.”

Of course, some of Bellagio’s treasured amenities aren’t so easily found—and that’s by design. Take, for example, The Vault, an exclusive, hidden cocktail lounge located within the Bellagio casino that offers rare spirits, bespoke cocktails, fine wines, and high-end small plates. Then there’s the new Pinky Ring, a one-of-a-kind cocktail lounge created by Bruno Mars, which is as secretive as it gets—the venue prohibits any photos or video being shot inside its walls.

Factor in the resort’s world-class art gallery; its Conservatory & Botanical Gardens (which change with the seasons); stunning performance of “O” by Cirque du Soleil; a sumptuous spa and salon; and luxury boutiques that offer exclusive shopping experiences, and it’s clear that Bellagio has something to thrill everyone.

It’s no wonder that some of the world’s elite musical artists and entertainers take up extended residencies in the city. Elvis Presley, for example, headlined regular shows at the defunct International Hotel for seven years. As a performer who could sell out venues all around the world, it’s telling that The King chose to make Vegas is home away from home.

“Man, I really like Vegas,” Presley once declared. Had he lived long enough to see and experience the Bellagio Resort & Casino, we’re certain he would have loved it.

This article was produced in partnership with Bellagio Resort & Casino.