Las Vegas - Bellagio VS Venetian

Can anyone who has stayed at anyone of these properties please explain what is the differenece between these two hotels? in terms of LUXURY, RESTAURANT, ENTERTAINMENT, CASINO, ROOMRATES etc.

Planning a trip for CHRISTMAS.

If you are getting a regular room, as opposed to a suite, the Venetian rooms are much nicer - standard ones are what I call a Junior Suite, with a step down to living area with sofa, easy chair, coffee table, desk, dining table. I personally like the Bellagio's restaurants better - Aqua is one of my favorites, but you can still eat there if not staying there. I don't really like either's pool. The Venetian has a nice Canyon Ranch Spa. The public areas of the Venetian are somewhat tackier, but that's all relative in Las Vegas!

One of my coworkers that goes a lot (and gambles a lot) prefers the rooms at Venetian to Bellagio.

I've only stayed at Venetian (thank you $99 PL rate) so I can't give a comparison.

I have to disagree with brendamc -- I think the Venetian rooms are much nicer than Belagio's, and I've stayed in Belagio's suites. My personal opinion: the Belagio is pretentious, staff is rude and stand-offish, and the property is not a true 5-star hotel. I find the Venetian more elegant, more luxurious and the staff far more responsive.

The suites are better at Bellagio but the regular rooms are much nicer at Venetian. Both have great restaurants. Both have spotty service, as does every property in Vegas. I think you will be happy in either hotel.

Don't overlook MGM Grand and Caesars Palace, which with their extensive renovations and addition of celebrity-chef restaurants are now arguably first-tier properties. If at Caesars you must stay in the Palace Tower as the older towers have undesirable rooms. The Spa suites at MGM are quite nice. If you can spring for one of the two-level Terrace suites with outdoor hottub and a Strip view, they are quite something.

Aqua (Bellagio) is now called Michael Mina but is much the same restaurant.

QL

I have to disagree with brendamc -- I think the Venetian rooms are much nicer than Belagio's, and I've stayed in Belagio's suites. My personal opinion: the Belagio is pretentious, staff is rude and stand-offish, and the property is not a true 5-star hotel. I find the Venetian more elegant, more luxurious and the staff far more responsive.

Uh,... that's exactly what I said!

Uh,... that's exactly what I said!
ooops . . sorry!

To answer the other part of the OP's question regarding room rates. You can usually find a room the The V on PL, at a much better rate than Bellagio. Check betterbidding.com to get an idea of current rates and availability.

Given that your trip is at Christmas, you should be able to get a deal at Bellagio as well using the D139EM Promotion code.

Cheers,

Maps

Both hotels are full of marble and are very luxurious. However, based on personal experience, I have found that the quality of the furnishings, bed, and the service is better at Bellagio than Venetian. If you compare a Bellagio room to a Venetian room, the Venetian room is around 150-200sq ft larger and I think the bathroom at the Venetian is slightly better, but most of the furnishings are made of press board and the beds aren't as comfortable.

Also, a "strip view" at the Bellagio is far better than a "strip view" at the Venetian. As you get into the large suites (1500sq ft +) at the Venetian and Bellagio, the quality of the furnishings/beds is comparable (and much higher than the rooms) at both places.

ooops . . sorry!

that's ok - we blue coasts need to stay together...

Casino: I prefer Venetian, hosts are easier to work with plus surprisingly lower levels for room comp's. They combine slot + table play to calculate and do not seperate the two like many casino's. I've never had to pay for a room at Venetian yet.

Food: I prefer Bellagio food. The Venetian's restaurants are GOOD, however reservations and long lines / waits are common. Venetian has a little food court that is pretty bad. If you are going with family it is not a good place for kids. When the wife and kids go they end up going to other places to eat.

Entertainment: Depends on what you like. There's some decent clubs in Venetian but younger type clubs. As far as walking around most mega resorts are nice to walk in, the shops in Venetian is a decent way to kill an hour looking. Both Venetian / Bellagio are near other places like Caesars, Mirage, Treasure Island, Bally's, Paris etc...

Rooms: The basic room is better at Venetian then Bellagio. And lately Bellagio (or my last stay) has slipped in service in my opinion. However if you go low end rate room or special internet rate or whatever you can get a junk view from Venetian that isn't worth having a window in your room. Bellagio has some GREAT views especailly of the water shows (if you are lucky to get them or pay the upgrade to them). However I have always been lucky to either not get the bad views in Venetian or they have switched my rooms for me.

Service: I've had poor service at both hotels over the years. However I am lucky enough to have a casino host that I can call and get problems resolved. I've had some terrible check in people even at the invited guest check in centers.

Venetian just put out some special holiday rates, I think 129 with some other little benefits, I get automated emails from them but deleted it already. Go to their web site and take a look.

Overall: I'd recommend Venetian over Bellagio, but everything depends on your host or contact at the hotels / casino's on if you will enjoy that location or not. As another posted replied, other hotels have some great rooms also; however their cost is high and usually comp'ed to large gamblers. The basic room of Venetian is a suite at other hotels.

Here's he holiday promotion at The V mentioned by KosraeTV


http://www.venetian.com/accommodations/email/gred29/index.cfm


__________________________________________________ ________

Book now to experience our exceptional standard of luxury and service at exclusive holiday rates.

This special offer starts at $129 with package amenities including:
$25 in promotional slot credits or table match play (one per stay)

The Grand Canal Shoppes Passaporto featuring over $3,000 in discounts at participating stores

$5 off admission to the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum's newest exhibit, The Pursuit of Pleasure

Fine dining discounts including:
A Complimentary drink at V Bar
10% off breakfast or lunch at Bouchon
Complimentary dessert and champagne
at Lutèce with the purchase of two entrees

__________________________________________________ ______

Cheers

Mapsgl

This has become a favorite topic on one of the Las Vegas talk boards...

My opinion (and everyone has one!) is:

Bellagio lakeview rooms can't be beat. Yes, the Venetian has nicer and bigger rooms, but for pure romance, I feel the Bellagio wins. Many Venetian rooms have views of... other Venetian rooms. So if view is important to you, make sure you know what you are getting (this leaves Priceline out).

Since this is a winter trip, pool action won't matter.

Depending on dates you pick, both hotels have ample discounts available, and you should find either one in the 129-159 range.

Casino - I actually like the layout of the Venetian casino better, but Bellagio has better blackjack rules (try to find a stand on soft 17 game at Venetian for under $100/hand) and lower limits. Slots are slots, and craps rules don't vary significantly.

Comps - Always a subjective topic, so I will share my experience. All casinos will tell you higher requirements than are true. For example, Bellagio will tell you $250/hand for 4 hours a day for a room comp. My experience has been much less, for an average bet of $89/hand for 4 hours/day, Bellagio comped off my room and a few food charges. I think FOOD comps at Venetian are easier to get (Grand Lux Cafe, and that Noodles place) but you can not use them at many of the higher end resturants, as they are not owned by the Venetian. All resturants at Bellagio are "comp-able" depending on your level of play. I have no experience trying to get a room comp at Venetian. In late 2003, they changed most of their blackjack rules for the 25-100/hand bettor, and I have not been back.

Another point you may want to consider, with the MGM/Mirage card, your play at Bellagio, MGM, Mirage, Treasure Island, NY NY (and Boardwalk too I think) is combined, and comps awarded accordingly. You can eat at any of the resturants/bars in the above list and charge to your room at Bellagio. The Venetian stands alone.

Good Luck, and hope this helps!