[foundapeanut]

You might want to check pricing for the Mandarin. Mr Peanut and I were there for dinner at Twist.
What we saw checking in were families in vans who had brought all kinds of commissions with them water, food, etc.

In fact it looked like a large family weekly shopping at Costco. Being brought into the hotel. Mom and dad an 4 kids.

Not what you'd expect for the Mandarin.

[ginmqi]

Originally Posted by foundapeanut

You might want to check pricing for the Mandarin. Mr Peanut and I were there for dinner at Twist.
What we saw checking in were families in vans who had brought all kinds of commissions with them water, food, etc.

In fact it looked like a large family weekly shopping at Costco. Being brought into the hotel. Mom and dad an 4 kids.

Not what you'd expect for the Mandarin.

LOL now that does seem like a bit of an unusual sight for a hotel like the Mandarin.

Checked for the dates I'll be going there (aug 15 to 18) and the rates started at $360/night! I might have to look further ahead but from what I remember in the past usually I've seen mandarin have bit higher rates eve when I was just looking early

[foundapeanut]

^^^ yes it was very weird. But we didn't just see one van like this.

Even the guys helping with the luggage looked shocked. But were professional.

Who knows maybe grandma lives in Vegas and decided to treat the family. Or it was last minute and they got a good deal. Maybe the guy is some tech genius, you know they are 'out there'.

[ginmqi]

Yup. Or it could be that they came into a small fortune (will, estate, lottery, etc.) or as you said the parents may be a secret rich people who own small businesses. I've read lot of stories of "secret" rich people who don't look wealthy but are. And since they are rich they don't really care what others think and they might wear flip flops and jeans and a casual shirt to a luxury car dealer to buy 100k+ vehicles.

But to get back on topic. Here are my summary of thoughts after I agonized over which hotel and read way too many reviews and watched too many youtube videos of Bellagio vs Cosmo:

From what I've been able to gather reading online about summaries for the two Cosmo towers:

Cosmo summary:

• Lower floors in both towers may have obstructed views due to the large Bellagio sign (Boulevard/East tower) and you may get large views of the roof top of Bellagio casino/parking lot (Chelsea/West tower)
  
• Lower floors have more noise from clubs below, but you are also more likely to hear fountain music.
  
• Obviously Bellagio fountain will be a side view and not full frontal view.
  
• Very high floors may not be the best as some feel it is too high and you are too far away from the fountain and it looks a bit smaller. Some feel they want to be a bit closer to the strip in terms of height but far away enough to clear obstructions/club noise and feel the energy/presence of the strip.
  
• I've read that floors between 35-50 is a good "sweet spot." (Floor 30 still too low as the Bellagio sign obstructs view)
  
• The Chelsea/West Tower will have obstructed views to the north from the Boulevard/East Tower obviously.
  
• Opinions on the Studio Terrace vs 1BR Terrace is mixed. Some love the Japanese tub next to the window but other do not like the layout of those rooms
  
• All (most?) of the standard Terrace Suite are in the Chelsea/West Tower. Boulevard/East Tower mostly has the Studio/1BR Terrace. Both Towers have Wraparound Suites.
  
• The value in Cosmo is the fountain facing balcony rooms. If unable to afford/get fountain facing views, it's better to find a stay at another hotel that is not as expensive. In essence (duh): Fountain View facing rooms are a MUST if you are paying a premium to stay at the Cosmo
  
• The "best" rooms in Cosmo is the Wraparound Fountain View Suites facing North-Northeast in mid-level height of the Boulevard/East Tower. You get a full unobstructed view of essentially the North and South end and East of the strip along with views to the West as well.
  
• Check-in is at Chelsea/West Tower.Parking underneath both.Casino is not that big so could be + for those who want quick walking access out of hotel room.

Some info on the Bellagio suites/rooms:

• Styling/decor is more conservative luxury. May feel bit more dated to some. In general older hotel than Cosmo and does show in certain areas. I've read bathrooms you can definitely tell the age of Bellagio vs Cosmo.
  
• Casino floor is large and there is a perpetual large crowd/foot traffic which can be annoying to some.
  
• Salone Suite seems to be the smallest/cheapest. Does have fountain facing views from an angle. And bathroom tub right next to window with views of either CP or the south end of strip depending on room location.
  
• Bellagio Suite: larger than Salone with 2.5 baths and separate living/bedroom. Has fountain facing views but bath tub is in its own room and no views directly from the tub
  
• Penthouse Suites are even bigger with separate rooms. Corner facing Penthouse Suites have tubs facing either CP or Cosmo end with fairly slightly off-mid view of fountains.
  
• Cypress Suites are lower middle, one very large studio with direct mid facing of the fountains. May get hot in summer hot days
  
• Bellagio actually DOES have balcony rooms. They are the 2 bedroom Grand Lakeview Suites from floor 29 to 36 (ending in odd numbers). These are the middle round windows you see near the upper half of Bellagio. There are 2 small balconies (need to request access when check-in) that opens to either side but not nearly as lounge-worthy due to higher railing and limited space and viewing angles as they face sides. These are $1500/night and likely too big for a couple and too expensive/VIP with a plebian $20/50/100 tip upgrade. Given the value, Cosmo terrace rooms are obviously better value proposition.

And in the end what did I decide?.......booked a Cosmo basic terrace king room (still has the balcony but no guaranteed fountain view)...and will use the $20/50 trick at checkin to hopefully upgrade into a 1 Bedroom Terrace with Fountain Views in the Boulevard Tower

[airics]

Originally Posted by ginmqi

Been talking to some people and reading online and it seems some are saying that the Bellagio is overrated and that the rooms are dated and that the Cosmo is newer and with the balcony that faces the fountains...they are a better buy than Bellagio.

I'm going with my GF Aug 15 to Aug 18 and initially I booked Bellagio but now having second doubts...I still have time to cancel for free and rebook Cosmo if people think that Cosmo has better rooms/views.

And of course will try the $20/50 dollar tip trick as well. Thankfully it's nothing big out of pocket since I have tons of Chase UR points that I will use to book the room.

the 20/50 won't get you far at the Bellagio or Cosmo.... try 50/100 at Bellagio and minimum 100 at cosmo

[Luvdawayulive]

I would say stay at cosmo with balcony. I've stayed at cosmo with balcony before and it was nice to watch the fountain sitting outside. You can also look at the strip view and enjoy being outside for a moment even in summer time. It just feels different. I would say feel more closer to the fountain.

[ginmqi]

Originally Posted by airics

the 20/50 won't get you far at the Bellagio or Cosmo.... try 50/100 at Bellagio and minimum 100 at cosmo

Jeez $100?!

The issue is not that the hotel is so luxurious that they expect high dollar tips (IMO) but how appreciated that particular check-in agent feels. Of course in the end it's up to higher ups to control room inventory (depending on what kind of rooms check in agents are allowed to upgrade guests to at the time of check-in).

But from what it seems the check-in agent's annual salary will play a big role. If they make 30,000 a year? Yes $20 to $50 will probably work just fine.

But if for some reason the check-in agent makes $100,000+ (with tips) then the $20 will likely not work as they will see that often and not worth their time. (Or maybe they live on many $20 tips and still work hard on just a $20).

SO hard to tell. One former Caesar's Palace checkin-agent posted that he was not impressed with $20 and that to get his eyes wide he needs probably $50-100 or even more.

I'm thinking of about $50 should be a good balance.

I will only flash $100 if it will have a very high rate of getting a truly high level penthouse-level suites from a low level room booking.

ie, if they are able to get me a high floor (but not too high), wraparound terrace suite in the Boulevard tower facing the Fountains....

Someone above posted that he/she was also strongly encouraging me to tip 50 to 100 dollars (I think this poster may have been a bit tongue-in-cheek).

But I seriously posted...if he can get me (I was thinking Bellagio at that time) a high floor Cypress or Penthouse Suite at the Bellagio then a large tip will come his way.

What's truly unknown is just how often this $20 trick is used. In my 3 other times been to Vegas, I've only observed myself doing this trick and never seen anyone else do it. It could be not nearly as common as we like to think....

Originally Posted by Luvdawayulive

I would say stay at cosmo with balcony. I've stayed at cosmo with balcony before and it was nice to watch the fountain sitting outside. You can also look at the strip view and enjoy being outside for a moment even in summer time. It just feels different. I would say feel more closer to the fountain.

Thanks and this is what I went with too. I was agonizing between the two and figured this will be our trip to Vegas for a while before we came back so wanted a bit more unique experience. Will definitely need to shoot for a fountain view. Hopefully a $50 tip will do it.

[foundapeanut]

I'm probably your parents age. Don't like the feel of the Cosmo, although I do like some of the restaurants there. I like the understated elegance at the Bellagio

Cosmo gets my vote for most likely place in Vegas for something bad to happen. Too big, too open, too dark, too loud.
Have heard numerous people who stayed there once and said never again. But again they are 50+.

I know they have won some awards from LEEDS for electrical efficiency so that is why its darker in there than most.

[ginmqi]

Originally Posted by foundapeanut

I'm probably your parents age. Don't like the feel of the Cosmo, although I do like some of the restaurants there. I like the understated elegance at the Bellagio

Cosmo gets my vote for most likely place in Vegas for something bad to happen. Too big, too open, too dark, too loud.
Have heard numerous people who stayed there once and said never again. But again they are 50+.

I know they have won some awards from LEEDS for electrical efficiency so that is why its darker in there than most.

Haha I can see that. Cosmo is definitely made for a younger crowd and is known as a younger-crowd hotel seeing how casino apparently is smaller and the big club/dance scene and the room decor looks more contemporary as opposed to Bellagio's old school conservative luxury style.

One thing that is worrisome is room noise. I can imagine you may be roomed next to a group of wild party animals that will be causing a ruckus until 4-6am...which would suck