Help! Can't decide on a Vegas hotel!

So I am planning a surprise trip to Vegas for my boyfriends birthday. I have been looking into prices and hotels for the past 2 weeks and have narrowed it down to 2 hotels...but I just CANNOT decide for the life of me which hotel to stay in. The 2 I have chosen are the Bellagio and the Venetian. Hard part is that it is a surprise so I am having to make this decision for both of us and I dont want to make the wrong one.

Some background...

We have only been to Vegas once and didn't make it into very many hotels. We did make it to the Bellagio and their buffet and loved it! It was a beautiful hotel. But we never made it into the Venetian. Price isn't a factor...I am booking on Expedia and my flight and hotel together come to the same price. So it's just down deciding which hotel we'd rather stay.  We wont be sitting by the pool or going to any night clubs so those things don't need to be considered. Location is a big consideration because we will be walking mostly and would like to avoid taxi's as much as possible. We aren't big gamblers but love playing video poker/blackjack. We love to eat so the quality and price of the restaurants are a big consideration as well. 

Thanks in advance for any input/advice!

i adored the ventetian.... but the bellagio would be awesome too... if price isnt a factor then... I guess the bellagio?  most prestigious, right in the middle of the strip... but the venetian's rooms are awesome and they have little hidden pools in the roof pools that are *very* romantic.... the beds are great too.  the bellagio has great little restaurants and the light show/fountains-- but i didnt see a room or sleep in a bed.  the next time i go, I want to stay at the venetian...  wish I was more help!!  i know i ate in the venetian and it was good.  only got ice cream or something at the bellagio...  yeah i shouldnt have bothered to answer :)

definitely definitely definitely the Venetian...greater selection of restaurants with a range of prices and more amenities overall. i've been to vegas three times and i've visited both hotels, the bellagio is beautiful but doesn't have as much to offer. i think either one will be a real treat but more bang for your buck at the Venetian. Wide arrangement of ethnic cuisines, pool that is beautiful [even though you said you don't care about that] and amazing location!! 

In my opinion, the Bellagio is not really worth the money. Although, I haven't stayed at the Venetian, but I have spent a fair amount of time in the casino and shops there and really liked it. I used to travel to Vegas 4-6 times a year for work, and my favorite hotels are Mandalay Bay, MGM and Planet Hollywood (formally the Aladdin). There are a lot of great restaurants in the MGM, Planet Hollywood is a little more laid back....Mandalay also has great restaurants and a great pool, although you said you wouldn't be spending time at the pool anyway...

All of these hotels are pretty centrally located on the strip. If you are planning on seeing any shows while you are there, maybe check out what shows are playing at each of the hotels you're choosing from, as hotel guests often get great deals on show tickets. I have heard that the production of Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian is amazing...

Good luck and have fun :)

The Wynn Hotel

When I went, we stayed at the Excalibur, but visited all of them.  The next time I go we are staying at the Venetian or The Paris.

No matter where you stay, you have to have at least one breakfast at the Flamingo and one dinner at the Excalibur (it has the world's largest buffet).

I would choose the Venetian. It's beautiful but the main draw for me would be the restaurants. They have a good mix of affordable & classy restaurants right in the hotel. For a casual lunch, I'd recommend the Grand Lux Cafe... they have a HUGE selection of food with healthy options and it's reasonably priced. Portions are huge so be aware. For a fancier restaurant, I absolutely loved my meal at David Burke. Mmmm. Emeril Lagasse & Mario Patali both have restaurants at the Venetian & there was a great looking sushi place too.

The Bellagio is beautiful inside and the water fountain show in the front is pretty but since restaurants & convenience are a factor, my vote would be for the Venetian... just make sure you see The Blue Man Group there. So fantastic.

As for location, both Bellagio & Venetian are pretty central on the Strip so you won't have to cab too much, unless you want to visit the outlet malls.

btw, the buffet at Mandalay Bay was really good. The buffet at Paris was disappointing.

Last time I went to Vegas, my bf and I stayed at The Flamingo (a deal on Expedia). I do not recommend it. They charge their guests to use their gym! Plus there wasn't many options of places to eat.

And you will find video lottery poker & blackjack machines EVERYWHERE. They're the first thing you see when you get off the plane!

Let me know if you have any other questions... I was there about 6 weeks ago so it's all fresh in my mind :)

Thank you soooo much for all the input everyone! I initially picked the Venetian so I guess I will stick with it. It sounds like it is an amazing hotel and from the pictures I have seen online...it looks amazing also. I am really excited for our trip! 

Just out of curiosity...what is Planet Hollywood like. I didn't look into it too much but definitely thought about it at first. We never made it there either. I did look at the rooms online and they look pretty nice. Not sure about the rest of the hotel and its amenties though. 

Thanks for helping me make my decision everyone!

Original Post by lovemym_m:

Thank you soooo much for all the input everyone! I initially picked the Venetian so I guess I will stick with it. It sounds like it is an amazing hotel and from the pictures I have seen online...it looks amazing also. I am really excited for our trip! 

Just out of curiosity...what is Planet Hollywood like. I didn't look into it too much but definitely thought about it at first. We never made it there either. I did look at the rooms online and they look pretty nice. Not sure about the rest of the hotel and its amenties though. 

Thanks for helping me make my decision everyone!

 

Good call on the Venetian! Planet Hollywood is pretty nice....I've stayed there a few times. It used to be the Aladdin, but has been totally renovated since then. They still have the attached indoor shopping mall, which is pretty fun, and my favorite part was that in all of the rooms, there is fun Hollywood memorobilia, like in the Planet Hollywood restaurants. I had Don Johnson's khakis and pink polo shirt from Miami Vice in one of my rooms, haha. Pretty sure that we ate in a really good restaurant there last time.....but I don't remember what it was called.....guess that means we were having a good time, haha. Have fun on your trip! :)

If you want to be in the center of the strip - I say go for the Bellagio!  The ventain is just as nice, but it's way down at one end, the only one further is the new Wynn.

I have stayed at both and they are both really nice, so it doesn't matter too much - you'll have great time!

I would go for the Venetian.

I haven't stayed there myself, but my husband and I spent our wedding night last year at the Palazzo which is the sister hotel directly next to the Venetian (you can even go from one to the other without having to walk outside) and we totally loved it!

You must try PF Changs in Planet Hollywood.  The lettuce wraps are the best!  Also loved the indoor mall and they have some pretty good shows.  Great location and right next to may favorite place, Ballys!  I don't like to stay at Ballys because the rooms are older, but love the "old" vegas feel of the place!  And the bloody mary's are the best I have ever tasted!  Have a great time!

If you are looking for a great brunch, try Le Village Buffet at Paris. I thought it was incredible! Great selections of breads, cheese, eggs, and meats. I went in 2003 and it was about $25 per person but I found it well worth it for the quality of food. I have not been back since 2003 so I can't guarantee that the quality is the same but I would think it would be the same.