Bellagio vs ARIA: Which Las Vegas Hotel Should You Book?

Bellagio vs ARIA is the closest call on the center Strip. MGM runs both, a free tram links them, and they charge the same $55-plus-tax resort fee and $20 a day for guest self-parking (as of October 2026), so the choice comes down to style: Bellagio is the classic, with the fountains, the Conservatory and “O,” while ARIA is the modern one, with tech-forward rooms, an open Forbes Five-Star spa and a busy poker room. Our Bellagio review and ARIA Las Vegas review cover each hotel in full.

	Bellagio	ARIA
Location	Center Strip	Center Strip
Price level	Luxury	Luxury
Best for	Couples, first-timers, food lovers	Design lovers, foodies, spa fans
Pool	Five pools in a Mediterranean courtyard, plus the 18+ Cypress Pool	Large resort pool deck plus the 21+ LIQUID Pool Lounge
Casino	Yes	Yes
Resort fee	$55 + tax per night	$55 + tax per night
Parking	Self-parking $20/day for hotel guests; valet $40/day	Self-parking $20/day for hotel guests; valet $40/day
Check-in / out	3 PM / 11 AM	3 PM / 11 AM
Rates	Check Bellagio Rates	Check ARIA Rates

Location: one tram stop apart

Bellagio sits at 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, on the Flamingo Road corner, with bridges to Caesars Palace and Horseshoe and MGM’s interior bridge to The Cosmopolitan and Vdara. ARIA sits farther south at 3730 S Las Vegas Blvd, the anchor of what MGM now calls the ARIA Campus (the former CityCenter), with Vdara, The Shops at Crystals and Waldorf Astoria; The Cosmopolitan is immediately north.

Is there a tram between ARIA and Bellagio? Yes. The free ARIA Express runs from Bellagio’s station, shared with Vdara, to ARIA and The Shops at Crystals and on to Park MGM, Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to midnight, according to both hotels’ transportation pages. ARIA’s transportation page also still carries an older notice about 2 a.m. service, so don’t count on a ride after midnight.

You can also walk: ARIA’s casino-level map points the way “to Vdara, Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan,” though no source says whether that route is enclosed, and neither hotel publishes a walking time. Our guide to connected hotels in Las Vegas maps every link.

The location split matters for events. MGM puts T-Mobile Arena about 0.4 mile and 10 minutes from ARIA, against 1 mile and 15 to 20 minutes from Bellagio, partly by tram in both cases; see our hotels near T-Mobile Arena. Neither hotel has a Monorail station.

Rooms: 510 vs 520 square feet

Feature	Bellagio	ARIA
Standard room	Premier King or Two Queen: 510 sq ft	Deluxe King or Two Queen: 520 sq ft
View	Fountain View King or Two Queen: 510 sq ft	Corner views in every Deluxe room; Strip View versions
Bathtub	Soaking tub in Spa Premier and Resort Tower King (626 sq ft) only	Soaking tub beside a bench shower in every Deluxe room
Extra guests	$50 + tax each per night	$50 + tax each per night
Latest room work	Main tower 2021, Spa Tower 2023	Room renovation reported to start late 2026
Top tier	Lakeview Suites from 2,075 sq ft	Sky Suites, Forbes Five-Star, 1,050–2,060 sq ft

On size it’s a draw, so look at the details. ARIA’s Deluxe rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, a 10-inch tablet for lights and temperature, a granite dual-sink vanity and a private water closet, and guests praise the blackout curtains and the sleep. The recurring gripes: no coffee maker, a sensor minibar that isn’t food-safe (a fridge is available on request, and fees may apply) and the occasional glitchy tablet.

Bellagio’s Premier rooms are remodeled, with dual sinks and a frameless shower, and Spa Tower rooms were redone in 2023. Guests praise comfortable beds but mention dated rooms and thin walls in some. The fountain view is sold by category, so book a Fountain View room rather than asking at check-in; Bellagio also sells a VIP Lounge add-on on those rooms for $150 a night (as of October 2026).

The timing risk is at ARIA. MGM said in 2025 that ARIA’s room renovation would begin in 2026, and later reports put the start in late 2026 with most of the work in summer 2027. There’s no official schedule, so ask about nearby work when you book.

At the top end, ARIA Sky Suites are Forbes Five-Star, with a private porte-cochere, registration and elevators, a lounge with nightly wine and the Sky Pool. We couldn’t find a current Forbes Travel Guide hotel rating for Bellagio.

Pools

Bellagio’s newly renovated courtyard has five pools in a Mediterranean setting, open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with cabanas until 5 p.m. The Cypress Pool is a reservation-only retreat for guests 18 and over, and kids under 16 need a parent or guardian 18 or older with them.

ARIA’s main pool area has three ellipse-shaped pools and a pool bar, open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting, for hotel guests only. LIQUID Pool Lounge is the 21+ party: 16,000 square feet with a 1,200-square-foot main pool and eight cabanas, open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and open to non-guests. TAO Group listed DJ events through Oct. 11.

Which has the better pool? Bellagio for a calm courtyard, an adults-only option and teens in tow; ARIA for a 21+ pool party. Neither has published a 2026–27 winter schedule.

Spas: ARIA’s Five-Star vs a spa under renovation

The Spa at ARIA has held a Forbes Five-Star rating since 2019, spreads 80,000 square feet over two floors and sells a $100 day pass, subject to availability, covering the wet areas, Ganbanyoku heated-stone beds, the Shio Salt Room and the Outdoor Therapy Pool (as of October 2026). Guests must be 18, and facilities access at The Spa at Vdara next door is limited to ARIA and Vdara guests.

Spa Bellagio’s official page still said “currently under renovation” on Oct. 9, 2026. Select treatments run on the Spa Tower’s fourth floor and in-room, but there are no whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas or locker rooms, and no reopening date is posted; a November 2026 target comes only from trade reports earlier in the year. Our best spas in Las Vegas guide compares day passes.

Dining

Bellagio’s restaurants sell the view. Carbone Riviera, Major Food Group’s coastal Italian, opened Nov. 7, 2025, in the former Picasso space, with lakeside terraces over the fountains, and PRIME Steakhouse and The Mayfair Supper Club also face the lake. Michael Mina is Forbes Four-Star and was selected by the MICHELIN Guide in 2026, and Spago, LAGO and Sadelle’s Cafe round out the list. Le Cirque served its last dinner on Aug. 23, 2026, with a new concept expected in mid-2027.

ARIA’s list is deeper for everyday meals. Gymkhana, Indian fine dining from the group behind London’s two-MICHELIN-star original, was selected by the MICHELIN Guide in 2026, and Carbone, CATCH, Jean Georges Steakhouse and Bardot Brasserie cover the big nights. Din Tai Fung, Wexler’s Deli and Proper Eats Food Hall keep lunch quick. We found no ARIA restaurant closures in 2026. Major Food Group runs both Carbones: the Italian-American one at ARIA and the coastal Carbone Riviera at Bellagio.

For a buffet, pick Bellagio. The Buffet at Bellagio serves weekday brunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at $44.99 and runs 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends, with Saturday’s seafood dinner at $69.99; kids 5 and under eat free (prices before tax and gratuity, as of October 2026). ARIA’s former buffet space has been Proper Eats Food Hall since late 2022.

Casino and poker

Neither casino is smoke-free. Smoking is allowed on Bellagio’s casino floor, and guests often mention smoke drifting into common areas. ARIA allows smoking in designated areas throughout the casino and bars, though it says its ventilation system filters out smoke and its BetMGM Sportsbook is non-smoking. Both keep a few designated smoking accommodations (on the Bellagio Tower’s 19th floor and in certain ARIA Sky Suites).

Which poker room is better?

ARIA’s is the easier recommendation on the facts: 24 tables on the east side of the casino, next to Main Valet, plus the PokerGO Studio, open since 2018, which hosts televised tournaments the public can attend event by event. Bellagio’s poker room is famous for its high-limit Legends Room, formerly Bobby’s Room, but we couldn’t confirm a current table count. Grinders and tournament fans should lean ARIA; high-stakes players will want to see the Legends Room.

Both are MGM Rewards resorts, so one account works at either, and Bellagio is also sold through Marriott Bonvoy as part of the Luxury Collection.

Entertainment and nightlife

Bellagio has the free spectacle. The fountains run every 30 minutes from 3 p.m. on weekdays and from noon on weekends, then every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight, according to Bellagio’s schedule. The Conservatory changes with the seasons, and “O” by Cirque du Soleil has played its 1,800-seat theater since 1998, for ages 5 and up. The Cosmopolitan’s Marquee Nightclub and The Chandelier are across the interior bridge.

ARIA has no resident production show, and its entertainment page points to other MGM venues; Dolby Live at Park MGM is at the end of the tram line. Its nightlife is on site: JEWEL Nightclub opens Friday and Saturday from 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. with an “upscale fashionable” dress code, and Lift Bar, Easy’s Cocktail Lounge and Gem Bar cover quieter evenings. The free ARIA Fine Art Collection includes Maya Lin’s “Silver River” behind the front desk.

Resort fees and parking

As of October 2026	Bellagio	ARIA
Resort fee	$55 + tax per night	$55 + tax per night
Resort fee with 13.38% tax	About $62.36	About $62.36
Self-parking, hotel guests	$20 per 24 hours	$20 per 24 hours
Valet	$40 per day	$40 per day
Self-parking, visitors	$20 Mon–Thu, $25 Fri–Sun	$20 Mon–Thu, $25 Fri–Sun

This is a tie. Both fees cover in-room Wi-Fi, calls, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, boarding-pass printing, digital newspapers and magazines, and fitness access for guests 18 and over (at ARIA, the 24-hour Cardio Center). With the Strip’s 13.38% room tax, each fee is about $62.36 a night, and adding $20 self-parking makes about $82.36 a night in fixed extras at either hotel ($62.36 + $20). MGM Rewards Gold members and above can have the fee waived when they book direct with MGM. Our guide to Las Vegas resort fees covers the rest of the Strip.

The parking perks match too. MGM Rewards Pearl members and above park free, Gold and above get free valet, Nevada residents get three free hours except during special events, and a paid 24 hours includes in-and-out privileges at every MGM Las Vegas resort in the same parking type, so a Bellagio guest can drive to ARIA without paying twice. On T-Mobile Arena event nights, ARIA’s event garage is prepaid only. Our Las Vegas parking fees guide compares other resorts.

Price positioning

With the fee and parking identical, the real difference is the room rate, and neither hotel is reliably cheaper, so price the same dates at both. Premium categories differ: at Bellagio you pay up for a Fountain View or Lakeview room, and at ARIA for Strip View rooms, Tower Suites or Sky Suites. ARIA holds $150 a day for incidentals on Deluxe rooms, rising to $250 for Tower Suites and $350 for Sky Suites (as of October 2026).

Dog owners have only one choice. ARIA has dog-friendly rooms for up to two dogs with a combined weight under 100 pounds, at $150 per dog per night plus tax in a room (as of October 2026); Bellagio doesn’t permit dogs, though trained service dogs are welcome.

Which is better for couples?

Bellagio, for most couples. Book a Fountain View room or a Lakeview Suite, dine on Carbone Riviera’s terraces, walk the Conservatory and spend an afternoon at the 18+ Cypress Pool. The catch is the spa: until Spa Bellagio reopens, spa-first couples should book ARIA and ride the tram to the fountains.

Which is better for families?

Bellagio. The fountains and Conservatory are free, “O” admits ages 5 and up, kids under 16 can swim with a parent, and the buffet has kids’ pricing. ARIA requires guests to be 21 to check in, and LIQUID is 21+. If you want this corner of the Strip with more room, our Vdara review covers the casino-free, smoke-free suite hotel on the same tram stop as Bellagio, where Studio suites run 582 square feet with a kitchenette.

Which is better for nightlife?

ARIA, for a night out without leaving the building: JEWEL, LIQUID in season and a deep bar list. Bellagio guests aren’t far from the action, though, since The Cosmopolitan’s Marquee and The Chandelier are across the interior bridge. Our Bellagio vs Cosmopolitan and ARIA vs Cosmopolitan comparisons cover that third option.

Which is better for first-time visitors?

Bellagio. It’s the Las Vegas most first-timers picture, with the fountains out front and the Conservatory and Chihuly ceiling by the lobby, and the tram puts ARIA, Crystals and Park MGM within easy reach. Pick ARIA instead if a spa day, a T-Mobile Arena event or a modern room matters more than the postcard.

Which should you book?

Choose Bellagio if:

• It’s your first trip, and you want the fountains, the Conservatory and “O” on the property.
• A fountain-view room is the reason for the trip.
• You’re traveling with kids, or you want a buffet on site.
• You collect Marriott Bonvoy points as well as MGM Rewards.

Choose ARIA if:

• You want a Forbes Five-Star spa day this fall.
• You want a soaking tub and corner views in a standard room.
• You play poker, or you’re heading to T-Mobile Arena or Dolby Live.
• You’re traveling with a dog.

For a first trip or a romantic one, Bellagio is the better buy, since the setting is the point and ARIA is one tram stop away; for spa-focused stays, poker trips and arena nights, book ARIA. Prices vary according to travel dates and availability, and our best hotels in Las Vegas ranking shows where both land.

FAQ

Which is better, Bellagio or ARIA?

Bellagio is better for a first, romantic or family trip, with the fountains, the Conservatory and “O” on site. ARIA is better for a spa day, poker and a modern room, with an open Forbes Five-Star spa and a 24-table poker room. They share a free tram, the same $55-plus-tax resort fee and $20 guest self-parking (as of October 2026), so the trip decides it.

Is ARIA or Bellagio nicer?

It depends on your taste. ARIA is sleek and modern, with tablet-controlled rooms, corner views and a public art collection; guests praise the sleep but miss a coffee maker. Bellagio is classic and elegant, with the Conservatory, the Chihuly ceiling and fountain views, though some rooms feel dated. ARIA’s room renovation, reported to start late 2026, may shift the balance.

Which has better rooms, Bellagio or ARIA?

ARIA, narrowly. Its 520-square-foot Deluxe rooms all have corner views and a soaking tub beside the shower, against 510 square feet for Bellagio’s Premier rooms, which list a shower only. Bellagio’s rooms were remodeled in 2021 and 2023, while ARIA’s are due for a renovation, and only Bellagio sells rooms with a guaranteed fountain view.

Which has the better pool, Bellagio or ARIA?

Bellagio is better for a relaxed pool day, with a five-pool courtyard and the reservation-only Cypress Pool for guests 18 and over. ARIA is better for a party, with the 21+ LIQUID Pool Lounge, while its three main pools are reserved for hotel guests. Both listed 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. hours in October 2026; confirm winter hours before a late-fall trip.

Is there a tram between ARIA and Bellagio?

Yes. The free ARIA Express tram links Bellagio’s station, shared with Vdara, with ARIA and The Shops at Crystals and with Park MGM. Both hotels list hours of 8 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Sunday. An older notice on ARIA’s page mentions 2 a.m. service, so plan on walking or a rideshare after midnight.