Bellagio is a 30 story luxury hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in the Paradise area of unincorporated Clark County, Nevada, USA and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. It is owned by MGM Mirage and was built on the site of the demolished Dunes hotel and casino.



Inspired by the Lake Como resort of Bellagio in Italy, Bellagio is famed for its elegance. One of its most notable features is an 8-acre (3.2 ha) lake between the building and the Strip, which houses the Fountains of Bellagio, a large dancing water fountain synchronized to music.

Inside Bellagio, Dale Chihuly's Fiori di Como, composed of over 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers, covers 2,000 sq ft (190 m2) of the lobby ceiling. Bellagio is home to Cirque du Soleil's aquatic production "O".

Bellagio (hotel and casino)

at a glance

Address: 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Opening date: October 15, 1998

Theme : Bellagio, Italy

No. of rooms: 3,933

Total gaming space: 116,000 sq ft (10,800 m2)

Permanent shows: "O"

Signature attractions: Bellagio Gallery Of Fine Art
Conservatory
The Fountains of Bellagio
The Bank Nightclub

Notable restaurants : Le Cirque
Circo
Picasso
Michael Mina
Jasmine
Jean-Georges' Prime
Olives
Sensi

Casino type: Land

Owner : MGM Mirage

Architect: Marnell Corrao Associates and Jon Jerde

Years renovated : Bellagio Spa Tower, 2004, 2006-07

Website: bellagio.com

History

Bellagio was conceived by Steve Wynn and built by his company, Mirage Resorts, Inc. following the purchase and demolition of the legendary Dunes hotel and casino in 1993. Bellagio was designed by Marnell Corrao Associates and Jon Jerde. Bellagio had an original construction cost of US$1.6 billion.

The Bellagio opened October 15, 1998, just before 11 p.m. in a ceremony that cost a reported US$88 million. The VIPs invited to the grand opening were expected to donate to The Foundation Fighting Blindness US$1,000 a person or US$3,500 a couple, which entitled them to an overnight stay at Bellagio's suite rooms.

Opening night's entertainment began with Steve Wynn giving a 40-minute welcome speech followed by the opening of the Cirque du Soleil production "O." Performing in Bellagio lounges that night were New York cabaret and recording artist Michael Feinstein, George Bugatti and John Pizarrelli. When it opened, it was the most expensive hotel ever built at around US$1.6 billion.



In 2000 it became an MGM Mirage property when Mirage Resorts merged with MGM Grand Inc. to create MGM Mirage.

The Bellagio employs approximately 10,000 people. In the fall of 2006, the casino floor was remodeled and new uniforms were issued, changing the original color scheme to a more elegant type.