Page 116 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Southwest USA & National Parks

114  LAS VEGAS LAS VEGAS  115

q Paris fountain display on the lake r Flamingo
that springs into action at Las Vegas
3655 Las Vegas Blvd. S. Tel (877) 796- regular intervals through the
2096. Open 24 hours (see p239). 7 day and evening. Crowds 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S. Tel (702) 733-
8 ∑ parislv.com 3111; (866) 343-0496. Open 24 hours
gather to watch the free show –
a choreographed water dance (see p239). 7 ∑ flamingolv.com
Located next to Bally’s Hotel set to music, accompanied by
(see p239) on the Strip, Paris is visual effects including a rolling The brilliant pink and orange
a $760 million resort that looks mist and, at night, stunning neon plume of the Flamingo
like a Hollywood film set of the light effects. hotel’s façade is, to many, the
real French capital. The façade No expense has been spared archetypal Las Vegas icon.
is composed of replicas of on the Bellagio’s interior either; However, nothing remains of
such Paris landmark buildings as delicate Carrara marble mosaics the original 1946 casino: the last
the Louvre, the Hôtel de Ville, adorn all the entrance hall vestiges of this building, including
and the Arc de Triomphe. A floors, and the main lobby mobster Bugsy Siegel’s private
50-story, half-scale Eiffel Tower ceiling is hung with Dale suite, were bulldozed in 1976
dominates the complex, and Chihuly’s sculpted glass flowers (see p101). One of the few
visitors can ride an elevator to Half-size model of the Eiffel Tower in the of every color. Even the casino The lobby area of Caesars Palace, with ornate ceilings and opulent decor remaining signs of this notorious
the observation deck at the Paris hotel complex manages to be light and airy. gangster’s involvement in the
top or dine in its gourmet res- The parade of upscale shops e Caesars Palace decor, create an elegant and hotel is a memorial plaque
taurant 100 ft (33 m) above where diners can enjoy fine includes some of the most upbeat atmosphere. located near the outdoor
the Strip. The casino contains French cuisine in true Paris style. stylish names in Italian design, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd S. Tel (702) 731- The entrance to the chic and wedding chapel. In the 1990s a
architectural details that including exclusive Bottega 7110; (866) 227-5938. Open 24 hours highly exclusive Forum Shops $130-million renovation created
meticulously re-create Parisian Veneta, discerning Giorgio (see p239). 7 ∑ caesars.com/ (see p128) continues the ancient one of the most elegant pool
streetlife, including cast-iron w Bellagio Armani, and trend-setting caesars-palace Greek and Roman theme and is areas in Vegas. Set among 15
street lamps, and everything 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S. Tel (702) 693- Prada. as impressive as the hotel and acres (6 ha) of landscaped
is set beneath a fabulous 7111; (888) 987-6667. Open 24 hours Another popular aspect of Roman statues, Greek columns, casinos. The grand portico gardens, two Olympic-sized
painted sky. (see p239). 7 8 ∑ bellagio.com the Bellagio for visitors is its and cocktail waitresses in togas features a trompe-l’oeil sky ceiling pools are veiled by tropical
Cobblestone streets wind Conservatory, adjoining the could all be found at Caesars and is adorned with statues and plants and palm trees. There is
along the edge of the casino This $1.6 billion luxury resort lobby, which is planted with Palace when it opened in 1966. relief sculpture. a kids’ pool, two Jacuzzis, and a
and are filled with shops selling opened in 1998 on the site of colorful, ever-changing displays The decor and waitresses Replicas of the Trevi and Triton water slide leading to three
an array of expensive French a previous hotel called the of seasonal flowers and plants. remain part of the ambience Fountains in Rome adorn a additional pools. The hotel’s
goods including clothes, wine, Dunes. Its design is based on Set farther back from the Strip, here, but in a less kitsch, more sweeping plaza that is topped pretty wedding chapel is
cheese, and chocolate. The the northern Italian town of the hotel’s Gallery of Fine Art upscale way since the resort by a glass dome ceiling and has a lavishly landscaped. Both guests
resort also boasts five lounges, a Bellagio, with ocher- and features temporary exhibitions was refurbished during the large reflective pool at its center. and visitors may visit The Wildlife
spa, and two wedding chapels. terracotta-colored Mediter- by big-name artists from across 1990s and further expanded in There is also a majestic spiral Habitat at the Flamingo, a lush
There are 13 restaurants, ranean buildings set back from the world. the 2000s. escalator leading to the shopping peaceful area with streams,
including the brasserie-style the Strip behind an 8-acre This classic Vegas casino was mall itself, which offers more than waterfalls, and Flamingo Island.
Mon Ami Gabi (see p254). This (3-ha) lake modeled on Italy’s E Gallery of Fine Art the first themed hotel on the 160 upscale stores, specialty Vividly colored Chilean
restaurant has tables situated Lake Como. One of the hotel’s Bellagio. Tel (702) 693-7871. Strip and quickly established a stores, and 11 restaurants flamingos, ring-tealed ducks,
outside overlooking the Strip, many attractions is the sublime Open 10am–8pm daily. reputation for attracting top including Italian, Asian, French, and sacred ibis along with
artists, from Andy Williams in and American Steakhouse. turtles and koi fish live here.
the 1960s to the singer Celine
Dion and the musician Elton
John in the 2010s. Since the
1980s Caesars has also hosted
international sports events,
including championship tennis,
featuring stars such as John
McEnroe and Andre Agassi, and
boxing, with such names as
world champions Muhammad
Ali and Mike Tyson.
Today the hotel houses a
lavish casino with race and
sports betting, four lounges,
a health spa, and the 4.5-acre
(1.8-ha) Garden of the Gods –
a pool oasis with seven pools.
Caesars’ elegant façade is
fronted by fountains and
cypress trees. The casinos have
all been refurbished and, with
The Bellagio’s famous dancing fountains shooting high into the air their high ceilings and light Lush palms surround the pool at the Flamingo Las Vegas
For hotels and restaurants see pp238–40 and pp251–4 Glittering Parisian landmarks at the Paris hotel complex on the Strip

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