obscure2k

--Have stayed at Bellagio but not Four Seasons & would appreciate hearing from anyone who has stayed in both.-- Thanks.

B Watson

Very different - the FS is typical FS with the exception that it has the LONG hallways of the Mandaly Bay - I like the hotel a great deal and it is MUCH more low key and quiet - separate entrance, no having the schlep though the casino, etc. Now, the Belliago is the best act in town in terms of a full casino property and has by far the best food in town. The rooms are not FS grade, but are just fine. It is still a large casino hotel with all they means, good and bad. Service is amazingly good for the size, but it is still qualified. Basically, no comparison for me - I always stay at the FS. Also, the GM from the FS is now at the Bellagio - just a side note.

RSSrsvp

I have stayed at the Bellagio several times and it is a wonderful property.

I was a little disappointed on my last visit, as I was going with a close friend from LA and he had reserved 2 rooms and had specified a certain view. He missed his flight from LAX and I sat at LAS in the terminal until he arrived on the next plane. We arrived at the Bellagio at 10:30 PM and they did not have a preferred checkin line working and they had given away his rooms. Not to mention that we also had to wait on line for almost 40 minutes before being assisted. To say the very least, he made a stink and it took speaking to 2 managers to improve the location of the room. He is a high roller and is known at the hotel. Can you imagine what would have happened if he wasn't?

Otherwise, that stay was enjoyable also.

cshots

Both are great hotels, however, I would lean towards the Bellagio. The restaurants are some of the best in town. The sushi bar is top notch!

Brattflyer

The Bellagio is a beautiful hotel, service and amenities are great. As noted, the restaurants are fabulous, and you can often find discounts. But being a non smoker, I couldn't recommend the bellagio to anyone who doesn't smoke. In order to get to your room you must walk through the casino to get to the elevators going to the guest floors. As the result of just a five minute walk to my non-smoking room at 8PM my clothes reeked of smoke and had to be dry cleaned. I know I should have expected a casino to smell like smoke but I was expecting them to have an alternate walkway to get to a non-smoking room. If this is a concern to you, you are better off at the FS.

RSSrsvp

The best sushi in LAS is Nobu at the Hard Rock. Definitely worth the cab ride.

auh2o

I would have to disagree. I like the Four Seasons much, much better. At the Bellagio you have to be a high roller to get any kind of perks. If staying at the Fours Seasons they will do anything for you and the service is awesome. Only downside is the casino at the Bellagio is much better than at Mandalay.

obscure2k

--Having now stayed at both properties (just returned from Four Seasons today), My impressions:
1.Check in at Four Seasons is very dignified and relaxing, as opposed to the Bellagio where one can wait in a long line surrounded by tourists photographing the glass ceiling and having your nerves jangled by the sounds of the casino in the background.

2. Four Season's room service is outstanding. If they say your breakfast will be there in 25 minutes, it most likely will be there in 20.

3. Bathrooms are exquisite and provide wonderful amenities.

4. Complimentary Mercedes transport to any hotel on strip

5. Pool service is outstanding, was offered cool cucumbers for my eyes, fresh sliced oranges, complimentary pitcher of iced tea,mineral water, cold wash cloths and lunch service in my complimentary cabana.

6. Tons of down pillows on the bed & a wonderful down duvet.
7. Outstanding maid service--returning to your room at night you will find,, not only the bed turned down, but the remote control carefully placed by your bed, the bathroom amenities replaced (even those half-filled bottles of shampoo

8. Outstanding Concieges, who give the impression that that are truly service oriented (as opposed to tip oriented).
The downside is that if you choose to play in the Mandalay Casino, it is very difficult to find the access to the Four Seasons. Not nearly enough signs, so one can wander around for a very long time just trying to get "home.". Moreover, the Mandalay Casino is dreadful.

Bellagio:
1. Very central location
2. Terrific restaurants
3. Friendly and accommodating casino
4. Fantastic shops (particularly, if you're a winner, choose from Armani, Tiffany, Chanel, Prada, etc)
5. More willing to negotiate rates on rooms
Downside: Practically impossible to find a quiet, tranquil area (outside of a restaurant).
Not particularly, service oriented
Still--it's a judgement call--pay more for the FS and the great service--pay less and stay in the best of the more typical-type Vegas hotel. Just a matter of choice.

oldpenny16

Bellagio has some 'Holiday Inn' quality rooms that they must use for the people getting the bargain rates. These are a huge let down if you have both reserved and paid for better. Also, as mentioned, the check-in can be horrible. I don't think the Bellagio is being maintained as it should be. If you get one of the lesser rooms, you will be horribly disappointed.

obscure2k

--oldpenny16--I believe that there are some who could have unreasonably high expectations of Bellagio (particularly, if they have seen "Oceans Eleven.")--My Four Seasons stay was a seriously cut-above in service, decor & amenities. It is hard to believe that there are "holiday inn" rooms on the four floors which FS occupy. On the other hand, as B. Watson has noted, it is conceivable that one could be assigned a room far away from an elevator. Best to ask on check-in exactly where room is located in proximity to the elevators (this is true for Bellagio, as well).

Doppy

Can you get rooms comped at the Four Seasons through the casino?

d

obscure2k

--perhaps a high roller can answer this-

lisamcgu

A couple more pts for the FS:

- the Mandalay Bay has a large venue for top name entertainment. If staying at the FS, located above the MB, the concierge there will be able to secure you tickets to, in our case, even a sold out show.

- FS seems to have a deal with Plat and above, I believe, AM EX cardholders, where they are entitled to special treatment and deals.

- Occupying the top floors of the bldg it shares with the MB, the FS has the best view rooms. We faced the pool and I could sit by the windows all day looking down on the trick "ocean" down below. Every time a wave came in, it was amazing, and the people floating with the tide down the "river" which stretched around the property was trick too.

- the masseuses at FS, like all other amenities there, were top-notch. If part of your stay usually includes getting an in-room massage, know it will be the kind that makes you float

jsmeeker

Not surprising the FS offers top level service for everyone staying there.

Bellagio is a *casino* hotel. Emphasis on *casino*. If you are willing to wager large sums of money there, I gurantee you will be *well* taken care of.

jwalkabout

FS had excellent service throughout the stay. I was dissapointed with the accomodations of the deluxe room(I thought they were rather tiny) and I had to upgrade to a junior suite. The js was much more roomier and had a spectacular view of the strip with an entire wall of floor to ceiling windows. The bathrooms were decent but not spectacular. The walk in closet was roomy. The cafe for breakfast I thought was rather mediocre, I would suggest dining in your room. The pool area was rather small and congested. I am not a gambler so I can't comment much on the Mandalay. I still think the better value for rooms on the strip is at the Venetian. Off of the strip I love staying at the Regent. The FS though has the best service from check-in to check out hands down.