3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Forget the palm trees, the wave pools and the beach-in-the-desert vibe. Bellagio takes a different tack, placing its six swimming pools in a formal, five-acre garden setting that recalls the Italian Renaissance, complete with a central promenade. As for the almost 300 pine trees swaying in the desert breeze: they're remnants of the old Dunes golf course, which provides the Bellagio pool area with its sylvan setting. Splashing into second place: that Dunes-era Las Vegas mainstay, the Tropicana.
Our Pick: BELLAGIO
Once again, readers, we applaud your discerning taste. The Las Vegas rule used to be "the bigger the better," whether it was showgirls' exposed breasts or swimming pools. We can't speak to the former topic, but Bellagio has definitely disproved the latter with its pool area. There's nearly a half-acre of water when you add it all up, but Bellagio's six pools are refreshingly human-scaled, surrounded by fountains and greenery.
