Bellagio

Description:

• The slot machines here are mostly encased in marble and fine woods. How's that for upping the ante on classy? Bellagio comes the closest to re-creating the feel of gambling in Monte Carlo (the country, not the next-door casino), but its relentless good taste means that this is one pretty forgettable casino. After all, we are suckers for a wacky theme that screams "Vegas," and European class just doesn't cut it. Then again, we brought a pal of more refined sensibility, and she adored it, finding it the perfect antidote to New York-New York. Sure, there are good touches -- we always like a high ceiling to reduce the claustrophobia index, and the place is laid out in an easy-to-navigate grid with ultra-wide aisles, so walking through doesn't seem like such a crowded collision-course maze. (Tip: The main casino path is identified with black carpets.) And we won big here, so there's that. Anyway, the cozy sports book has individual TVs and entirely denlike leather chairs -- quite, quite comfortable. Bellagio is part of the MGM MIRAGE Players Club (www.playersclub.com).

• © Frommer's 2013