Hi Rich people! Let's talk about the beautiful Billagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. A site to see when traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada is to the luxury hotel and casino The Bellagio, located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. Built on the former site of the Dunes hotel-casino; conceived by casino owner Steve Wynn.  The Bellagio made its debut in 1998 on October 15 as the most expensive hotel ever built at the time, costing $1.6 billion. The Bellagio is owned by Blackstone Inc. and operated by MGM Resorts International. It is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and has won numerous awards, including the AAA Five Diamond Award 15 years in a row.

Noteworthy History

 Early Lodging Facilities

Did you know that Inns were nothing but shelter by the road where travelers could stop to rest and get some food? Inn workers would also take care of traveler’s horses while they rested. This is the time when the seeds of the modern hospitality facility were planted. What we see today is the growth of the past two millennia.

Luxury Hotels in the 19th Century

In the early 1800s, “Inns” were the only lodging facility available to tourists. A lot of Inns were established prior 19th century. But, lodging was not just about bedding and resting facility anymore. They started providing food and drinks for travelers. And soon the element of luxury started to blend in. This gave birth to hotels. Hotels emerged as more sophisticated facilities which provided better rooms and dining areas. The year of 1829 is considered a landmark in the timeline of the American hospitality industry. It was this year when American architect, Isaiah Rogers, designed and constructed the first luxury hotel “Tremont Hotel” in Boston, Massachusetts. The first hotel with private attached bathroom and locks on the doors. “Tremont Hotel” had set a benchmark for the luxurious hotels in those days.

Luxury Hotels in the 20th Century

Resort owner Steve Wynn envisioned the Bellagio as a five-star resort catering to tourists who typically visit places other than Las Vegas, such as Paris, London, or Venice. He said the Bellagio would "redefine Las Vegas", describing it as the "most ambitious" and luxurious project ever attempted by Mirage Resorts. He also said it would be "the most romantic, delicious place ever built in the world", as well as the "greatest" and "most beautiful" hotel ever.

Less than 4 years after the hotel's opening in 2001, Billagio had achieved a four-star rating from Mobil Travel Guide. That year, it became the first hotel-casino to win the AAA Five Diamond Award. It was also the second Las Vegas hotel to win the award, after the Four Seasons did in 1999.

The Billagio Hotel has one several awards over the years and has been among the most profitable hotel- casinos in Las Vegas. In 2004 Bellagio was the most profitable hotel-casino in Las Vegas. In 2010, Bellagio won its 10th consecutive Five Diamond Award, making it the the first resort on the Las Vegas Strip to do so. The Bellagio owned by Blackstone Inc. and operated by MGM Resorts International has won the AAA Five Diamond Award for 15 years in a row. 

In addition to the resorts multitude of awards the Bellagio is also known for its world-renowned restaurants, exclusive poker rooms, gallery of fine art,  Cirque du Soleil production. conservatory and botanical gardens, The Bellagio is also famous for its fountain shows, which are choreographed to a variety of songs. The Bellagio has been featured in several movies, including the 2001 Ocean's Eleven feature film. More recently the hotel was shown in Bruno Mars' music video 24k Magic. A highlight of the video was Bruno Mars riding a jet ski in the hotel's fountain!

In 2021, the Bellagio announced that it would be upgrading its rooms with a design inspired by its iconic fountains. The new rooms feature a color palette of blues and greens, as well as custom artwork and furnishings. The renovations are part of the hotel's ongoing efforts to provide guests with a luxurious and memorable experience. The Bellagio is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and preserving water resources. The hotel has implemented various environmental programs to accomplish this, including using energy-efficient lighting and appliances, recycling, and reducing water usage.

Recent News

25th Anniversary Celebration

The Bellagio recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a series of events and promotions. The celebration included a special fountain show and a wine tasting event. The hotel is also offering special packages and discounts to guests during the anniversary month of October. The Bellagio has been a popular destination for tourists for the past 25 years, and the anniversary celebration was a way to thank guests for their continued support.

Cyberattack

The Bellagio was recently affected by a cyberattack on MGM Resorts in Las Vegas in September 2023 one month prior to the hotels 25th anniversary. The attack resulted in the loss of certain customer data up to March of 2019, including names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, dates of birth, driver's license numbers, and in some cases social security and passport numbers. The hotel's IT systems were shut down, which caused several issues for guests, including faulty door locks, inoperable slot machines, and the inability to use digital room keys. The cyberattack cost MGM Resorts about $100 million, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The hackers behind the attack are believed to be part of a group called Scattered Spider, which is known for social engineering attacks. MGM Resorts is working with third-party IT experts to make significant upgrades to its systems to prevent another such attack.

How to Participate in the 25th Anniversary Celebration

If you're planning to visit the Bellagio during the anniversary month, there are several ways to participate in the celebration:

- Attend the special fountain show: The Bellagio's famous fountain show was specially choreographed for the 25th anniversary celebration. The show features a variety of songs and is a must-see for anyone visiting the hotel.

- Participate in the wine tasting event: The Bellagio hosted wine tasting event during the anniversary month, featuring a selection of wines from around the world. If you're a wine lover, this is a great way to celebrate the anniversary.

- Book a special package: The Bellagio is offering special packages and discounts to guests during the anniversary month. Check the hotel's website for details on current promotions and packages.

- Enjoy the hotel's amenities: The Bellagio is known for its luxurious amenities, including its world-renowned restaurants, exclusive poker rooms, conservatory and botanical gardens, gallery of fine art, and a Cirque du Soleil production. Take advantage of these amenities during your stay to fully experience the hotel's offerings.

How to Protect Yourself from Cyber Attacks

While celebrating the Bellagio's 25th anniversary, it's important to protect yourself from cyber attacks. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:

- Keep your devices secure: Make sure your devices are password-protected and have up-to-date antivirus software installed. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks, as they may not be secure.

- Use strong passwords: Use unique, complex passwords for each of your accounts, and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.

- Enable multi-factor authentication: Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.

- Be wary of phishing scams: Don't click on links or download attachments from unknown sources, and be cautious of emails or messages that ask for personal information.

- Shop at safe websites: Only shop at reputable websites that use secure payment methods.

- Check your privacy settings: Make sure your privacy settings are set to the highest level on your social media accounts and other online profiles.

By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from cyber attacks while enjoying the Bellagio's 25th anniversary celebration.

Until next time with richness,

Renay Cheyenne