Las Vegas: Bellagio

This is one of the hotels I love to visit over and over again in Vegas - the lovely Bellagio.  Apart from the dancing fountains housed on that lake (photo below), it's interior I find absolutely enchanting, elegant and impressive.  When we visited last week, we swore to stay there for our next visit.

Brilliance abounds inside our breathtaking Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. The attention to detail is astounding. The passionate display of nature in all its awe-evoking glory - quite simply, sensational! Let your imagination wander as you assume a leisurely stroll amongst rare natural finds selected distinctively for Bellagio from all over the world.

Admire the essence of every season recreated with exceptionally gorgeous plants, flowers and trees thoughtfully arranged to inspire full splendor. Specially designed lighting spotlights every flower to accentuate its best features. To ensure the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens maintains magnificence 365 days a year, 140 expert horticulturists theatrically arrange gazebos, bridges, ponds, and water features uniquely for each season. Treat yourself to this unrivaled attraction's ever changing personality for the Holidays, Chinese New Year, spring, summer, and fall! (Source: http://www.bellagio.com/amenities/botanical-garden.aspx)

The hotel and the lake - quiet for now.

Dancing fountains synchronized to music.

The fountains

The fountains usually end with a blast.

The hotel's lobby is adorned by about 2,000 hand-blown flowers made of glass called Fiori di Como (by Dale Chihuly). One of the things I find so appealing is that the sweet fragrance of flowers greets you as you step into the lobby.

Fiori di Como (Flowers of Como)

There were several of these scattered on every walkway.

These upside down parasols embellished every dome located in the shopping section.

Upside down parasols.

The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens located near the lobby.  The current theme is "Spring 2010" which is brilliantly captured by giant - ants, buzzing bees, olive trees, flowers and more.

 Mushrooms and a green frog.

Watering cans and yellow tulips.

Pink Hyacinths

Bee, butterfly and flowers.

Snail with its shell adorned with flowers.

 

Tulips

And more tulips

I thought these were alien-looking flower buds.

The glass orb water fountain.

Water flowing/dropping on giant leaves.

Giant flower pot and a shovel.

The lighting looks different here because we went back to see the exhibit at night time.  The well-placed lights adds to the ambiance. It's also less crowded at night.

Photo taken at night - an overview of the exhibit.

The ant says, "Hi Kayni."

Mushrooms at night.

Another place worth checking out inside the hotel is the Jean-Philippe Chocolates and Pastries shop.  It is more than a chocolate shop, and this is why:

It's only fitting our world-class Five Diamond resort would have its own World Pastry Champion. The artistic genius of Chef Jean-Philippe Maury is displayed daily at Las Vegas' first truly European-style pastry shop. You'll be welcomed into this imaginative display by a breathtaking chocolate fountain - a fitting entrée to the world of carefully crafted chocolates, cookies, cakes, crepes, salads, sandwiches and more. (Source: http://www.bellagio.com/restaurants/jean-philippe.aspx)

In addition to the dancing fountains, the hotel also houses the Jean-Philippe Chocolates and Pastries shop. The chocolate shop's ceiling showcases this chocolate fountain which oozes with milk, white and dark chocolate sweetness.  For a chocoholic like me, this is paradise.

Flowing sweetness...

Need I say more?

The shop

Pastries beautifully decorated.

Since I'm a Hello Kitty fan, here's a Sanrio themed cake.

Ok, I added this photo to make you hungry...lol.

I couldn't pass the opportunity to taste one of their pastries.  I ordered a hot chocolate with a nutella brioche. Verdict?  The nutella brioche is a hit and the hot cocoa sweet, creamy and rich - just the way I like it.

Happy weekend!