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Travel: Bellagio, jewel of the desert

åIn Xanadu did Kublai Khan a stately pleasure dome decree....π

The cool blue waters reflect the images of a bygone romantic age: elegant villas draped in the lush foliage of an alpine botanical garden, terracotta colours blending in with the rainbows of refracted light from fountains dotted along the lake shore. The winding, cobble-stoned driveways and tree-lined boulevards, the elegant parterre gardens banded by hedges, all combined together in a baroque fantasy of colours, perfumes and textures.
The well-heeled traveller will instantly realise that this description could refer only to Bellagio: jewel of Lake Como, famous throughout history as the meeting point for world-weary poets, avant-garde artists, and aristocratic bon-viveurs. And to add to the cornucopia of sensory influences, the lilting notes of Italian opera wafting suggestively in the balmy summer air.
Yes, dear traveller, you are not mistaken; for this is indeed Bellagio. And yet, it could only be Bellagio as you may have dreamed it. For however much this scene may enchant, the astute visitor will note that the scene is almost too perfect, the reflected lights dancing over the gently lapping waves too bright, the opposing lake shore too close, and above all, the architecture too imposing.
Welcome to Bellagio as you have never seen or imagined it: in the midst of a desert, surrounded by the sights and sounds of a city-cum-theme-park; none other than the gambling, adult fantasy-land which is Las Vegas.
Once upon a time, Las Vegas was renowned as the playground for G.Iπs returning from the war in the Pacific, a seedy gambling den inhabited by colourful gangsters, sparsely-clad showgirls and Italianate crooners. A legend of its own, Las Vegas today shares little similarity with the tinseltown of yore. Bugsy Seagal and the Rat-Pack are no more, and Mo Green no longer trades threats with Michael Corleone. Las Vegas today is a multi-billion dollar industry, attracting tourists from all over the world. And surprisingly, they do not come just for the gambling (although the cityπs gambling dens still manage to liberate their wallets to the tune of 9 billion dollars per year). Las Vegas today is above all a city of entertainment; a place where the visitor can enjoy the finest dining, dabble in the latest fashions, catch a theatrical spectacle, or boogie to the sounds of 21st century rap. Most importantly, all of this is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
The quintessence of this new Vegas can be found in the decadent splendour of åThe Bellagioπ. The statistics alone speak volumes: conceived by Steve Wynn at a cost of $1.6 billion, it is one of (if not the) most expensive resorts ever constructed in the USA. It has 3,933 guest rooms, including 512 suites. With over 100,000 square feet of gambling space, 5 outdoor pools, 4 spas and 2 wedding chapels, it almost overwhelms the guest with tempting enticements. Not to be forgotten are the 3 ballrooms (total: 100,000 square feet), 1,200 flood-lit fountains (dancing in tune to the music), 18 restaurants (including 3 with the coveted AAA Five Diamond award), 7 bars, and even a Fine Art Gallery.
As if to confirm its position as a modern cultural icon, it played the part of best supporting actor in the film Oceanπs Eleven, harking back to the days of gentleman gangsters and fast-talking femme-fatales (never mind the coincidence that George Clooney is a frequent visitor of the original Bellagio).
After all, Las Vegas, by its very nature, is a city of dreams. It is a place where the fantastical and the mundane collide in an eruption of unlikely juxtapositions. The fact that Vegas represents the ultimate adult fantasy land, and that in Vegas, the åBellagioπ represents the pinnacle of this Alice-in-Wonderland landscape, serves only to reconfirm what we suspected all along: that in our own small corner of the world, åourπ Bellagio is, and remains, an inspiration for all those who would create a playground of the senses, and without which the desert would truly remain an arid and uninspiring place.

The Bellagio: Fact Sheet
Opened: 1998
Price Tag: $ 1.975 billion
Ownership: MGM Mirage
N° of Rooms: 3,933
Architecture: the aim of the designers was åto capture the romantic symbolism and classical imagery of Italian architectureπ. The hotel fronts an 8 acre man-made lake, bordered by a tree-lined boulevard.
The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: across from the Lobby a glass ceiling rises up 50 feet, enclosing a conservatory maintained by a horticultural staff of 140. The staff has the ability to change the displays according to the seasons, including even a distinctive pagoda and Feng Shui display for the Chinese New Year.
Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art: Las Vegasπ åpremier exhibition venueπ presents exhibitions of paintings and sculptures by some of the worldπs most influential artists. Pool and Courtyards: divided into five distinctive courtyard settings, the pool area includes soothing spas, a garden vista café, and private cabanas, accented by artistic citrus and parterre gardens
Cirque du Soleil: to provide a truly world-class act, Bellagio turned to the renowned Cirque-du-Soleil in Montreal. An international cast of synchronised swimmers, divers, acrobats, aerialists was assembled to dazzle audiences in a grand theatre reminiscent of the Paris Opera House, providing a blend of circus acts, modern theatrical effects, live music, dance and – of course – water.
Dining: Bellagioπs restaurants run the gamut from stylish gourmet to informal cafés. The Mediterranean-themed åPicassoπ, for example, includes artworks by the master himself, and the carpets and furniture were designed by none other than Claude Picasso, the artistπs son.
Shopping: forget Paris or Milan – at the Bellagio all the great labels are clustered together in convenient proximity along the Via Bellagio including Armani, Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, Hermés and Prada.
Guest Rooms and Suites: Bellagioπs rooms and suites feature sweeping vistas of the resortπs lake, surrounding mountains and Las Vegas skyline. Each room is elegantly appointed with custom contemporary-style furnishings, fine art, marble bathrooms and conveniences such as high-speed internet access. Spa and Salon: an international array of innovative treatments and specially trained therapists are available at all hours. Services include Gem Therapy, Thai Yoga Massage, Indian Head Massage, Shiatsu and Ashiatsu massage. For the ultimate experience, try the åChampagne and Caviar Salon Experienceπ or a luminous pearl manicure incorporating crushed pearl powder...