Shanghai's Bellagio: MGM's Hidden Gem? (Unbelievable Photos Inside!)
Shanghai's Bellagio: Is This REALLY MGM's Hidden Gem? (Unbelievable Photos Inside… or is it?) - A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, so I just got back from Shanghai, and my credit card is still screaming. And the reason? Shanghai's Bellagio. MGM's supposed "hidden gem." The pictures? Unreal. Seriously, Instagram-worthy, jaw-dropping photos of pools, rooms, and… well, everything. So, did it live up to the hype? Buckle up, buttercup, because this is going to be a bumpy ride. Let's dive into this experience!
Before we even wade into the deep end, let's cover some basics:
Accessibility: This is huge for me. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I appreciate places that try. The Bellagio in Shanghai does have facilities for disabled guests, and an elevator. I saw ramps, which is a great start. It gets a B+ here. Because while they have them, I didn't see enough evidence to say it's entirely seamless.
Cleanliness and Safety – The COVID Edition: This is where things really matter. Shanghai, you know? They were serious about the COVID protocols. The Bellagio? ON POINT. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Hand sanitizer everywhere you turned? Double check. They’ve got a whole checklist of cleaning and sanitization practices in place. Really, they were aggressive! Which, as a semi-paranoid traveler during a pandemic, I absolutely loved.
Safety is a priority:
- CCTV in common areas and outside the property: Makes ya feel safe!
- Fire extinguisher, smoke alarms, and smoke detectors in every room: Peace of mind, people!
- 24-hour front desk, security, and a doctor/nurse on call: They've got you covered.
OKAY, NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF!
Rooms: The Good, the Bad, and the OMG, That View! :
The photos lied. NO. THE PHOTOS DID NOT LIE. My room was… stunning. Seriously. Even after the initial "wow" wore off, I'd wander over to the window at 3 AM, groggy, and just… stare. The view was a glorious, shimmering tapestry of Shanghai's skyline. High floor? Yup. Blackout curtains? Absolutely essential after a long day of exploring (and indulging in karaoke).
The room itself was HUGE. I’m talking, enough space to accidentally lose your slippers and not even notice for an hour. The bed? Heavenly. Pillows like clouds. And the bathroom? Separate shower/tub? Check. Bathtub? Check. Additional toilet? Double-check! Everything felt luxurious. Bathrobes? Slippers? Complimentary tea and bottled water? Standard Bellagio fare.
Now for the imperfections. Oh, the imperfections. The “desk” was more of a fashionable design element than a functional workspace. I ended up perched on the bed, laptop precariously balanced, wrestling with the free Wi-Fi. While they offer free Wi-Fi in all rooms, it wasn't always the fastest. Internet Access – Wireless? Check. Internet Access – LAN? Check! But for me, wireless did the trick, thankfully.
What's missing? A little more socket near the bed and maybe a better desk setup. But hey, I am complaining!
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Where My Wallet Wept (But My Taste Buds Rejoiced)
Restaurants? Yes. Lots of them. Which is both a blessing and a curse for my bank account.
- Asian Cuisine? Check. International Cuisine? Double Check. From Cantonese to Italian, they had it all.
- The buffet? Glorious. Western breakfast? Also glorious. I’m not a huge buffet person usually, but the Bellagio’s spread was seriously impressive. Think mountains of fresh fruit, pastries that practically melted in your mouth, and a made-to-order egg station where you could finally live out your omelet fantasies.
- Happy hour? Yes! A necessary evil, really.
- Coffee shop? Yup. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Yup. Coffee/tea maker in the room? ALSO yup! Caffeine fix, sorted.
- Desserts? In a restaurant, of course! You can't escape the temptation.
My One Big Splurge: The Poolside Bar, The Pool, and That View
Let's talk about their outdoor swimming pool with view! I spent an entire afternoon lounging by the pool, sipping cocktails, and gazing out at the skyline. It was… perfect. A pool with a view? Absolutely. I'm not kidding, one of the best views I’ve ever had from a swimming pool. Pure. Bliss. The service was impeccable. The cocktails were… strong. The atmosphere? Pure, unadulterated luxury. I'd happily sell my kidney to go back right now.
I did not try this, but the spa looked AMAZING.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Because You Deserve It
The hotel offers a fitness center and a spa with all the trimmings:
- Gym/fitness, and SPA: I did not frequent this enough, but it's there!
- Spa/sauna, steamroom, Massage? Check.
- Body scrub, Body wrap? Check.
- Foot bath? Check.
I'm generally not a spa person, but a massage after a long flight? YES PLEASE.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Stuff that makes your life easier
- 24-hour Room Service: ALWAYS a winner.
- Concierge? Fantastic. Daily housekeeping? On point.
- Dry cleaning and laundry? Yup. Ironing service? Double Yup.
- Cash withdrawal? Check.
- Currency Exchange? Yes.
- Car park [free of charge] & Valet parking? YES!
For the Kids:
Family/child friendly? Yes! I'd say it's a good place for families.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer? Yes!
- Taxi service? Yes!
- Car power charging station? Check! They have that.
The Quirks & The Not-So-Great:
- The Language Barrier: While the staff spoke English, sometimes communication was a bit tricky.
- The Price Tag: Let's be honest, it's not cheap. But you're paying for an experience.
- The Noise? The room soundproofing was good, but sometimes the hallway noise would get me.
In my opinion, are the facilities for disabled guests enough? Okay, this is where I get real. In terms of access, it looks like they tried. But you really need someone living that disability to see it.
The Final Verdict: Is the Shanghai Bellagio REALLY MGM's Hidden Gem?
Sort of. Yes, it's pricey. It’s definitely a splurge. But is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY. The Bellagio in Shanghai is a stunning hotel with exceptional service, incredible views, and a luxurious atmosphere. The cleanliness and safety protocols were top-notch, which made me feel confident and at ease during my stay. And that pool? Chef’s kiss.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars. Minus half a star for the slightly fiddly Wi-Fi and the price tag, but hey, you can't have everything.
Ready to experience the luxury for yourself?
BOOK NOW! Exclusive Offer for My Readers!
Tired of generic hotel stays? Craving an escape? Escape to Shangai and treat yourself with the Bellagio.
Here's What You Get:
- Luxury Accommodation: Spacious rooms with breathtaking city views.
- Pampering Amenities: World-class spa, a stunning pool, and exceptional service.
- Unforgettable Dining: Experience the best of international cuisine.
- Peace of Mind: Benefit from our enhanced cleaning and safety protocols.
BOOK NOW and get:
- 15% off your stay! (Use code BELLAGIOVIP)
- Complimentary Breakfast for Two
- Early check-in & late check-out (subject to availability)
BUT HURRY! This offer is for a limited time only!
[Link to Book Now - and get a commission if you can!]
Don't miss out on the chance to experience the ultimate Shanghai escape! Book your stay at the Bellagio today!
North Platte's BEST Kept Secret: Quality Inn Review & Hidden Perks!
Okay, buckle up buttercups. This isn't your average, sterile travel itinerary. This is… me in freaking Bellagio by MGM Shanghai. And frankly, just thinking about it is already giving me a slight case of the wobbles. Here’s the utterly chaotic, likely-to-be-messed-up adventure plan, sprinkled with my own brand of delightful disaster.
Day 1: Arrival, Glamour, and a Near-Disaster with a Chopstick
Morning (Or, When the Jet Lag Finally Decides to Un-Hold):
- 6:00 AM (Maybe? Who the hell knows with jet lag?): Waking up. Or at least, blinking the sleep outta my eyes and realizing I'm actually in Shanghai. Holy moly. The Bellagio, right? High expectations. Praying I didn't accidentally book the wrong hotel AGAIN. This is how I usually start my journey.
- 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM (The Ritual of Panic): Shower. Evaluate my face in the foggy mirror. Remind myself that I do own actual clothes, not just the sweatpants I’ve been living in for the last 16 hours. Seriously, planning to actually do things…
- 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Breakfast. Should probably be fancy. Should probably involve something I can pronounce on the menu. Praying the buffet isn’t too overwhelming. Last time I was in China, I ended up with something that looked… well, let's just say it resembled a grumpy, green, unidentified vegetable. I'm already sweating.
- 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Recovering from Breakfast. Contemplating the meaning of life. Probably in the hotel room, staring out at whatever-the-hell-is-happening-outside.
Midday (The Glitz Begins… and Possibly My Demise):
- 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Exploring the hotel! The lobby. Pictures, pictures, pictures. (Let’s be real, I'm going to take a million.) Ooooh, the chandeliers! The flowers! The generally ridiculously over-the-top opulence! Feeling completely underdressed. (Probably am.)
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Near-Chopstick Incident: Lunch. Okay, gotta order carefully. Trying the "dim-sum" thing. I'm pretty sure I saw a lady with an entire mountain of dumplings. I felt hungry.
- 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Relax and explore. Finding my way around the hotel. Stumbling upon the hidden gardens. Getting lost. Probably getting lost.
- 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: The pool. Oh yes. I'm envisioning myself, floating effortlessly, sipping a cocktail. Reality? Probably more like me awkwardly clambering in and getting water up my nose.
Afternoon/Evening (The First Cultural Encounter… and More Confusion):
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: (Probably failing miserably) Trying to navigate the streets of Shanghai. Armed with my phrasebook, which I will undoubtedly mispronounce everything. "Ni hao" is my go-to greeting for everything. Pray to the gods I don't say something terribly rude.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. (Hopefully.) I'll try something I can almost identify. I'm going to love the food until I don't like it.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Exploring. Nighttime in Shanghai. The lights! The buzz! The possibility of accidental souvenir shopping. (I'm a sucker for those little trinkets.)
- 8:00 PM - Bedtime: Probably collapsing in my hotel room, totally exhausted but also thrilled. Journaling (or, you know, attempting to journal). Scrolling through my photos. Reliving the Chopstick Incident in my mind, probably a hundred times. This is going to be amazing, right? Right?!
Day 2: The Gardens, The Art, and the Emotional Rollercoaster of Tea
Morning (Morning Person, My Ass):
- 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM: Waking up. (Or trying.) Jet lag, you are not my friend.
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast, again. Praying I can find the same thing again.
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Attempting to get my bearings, again.
- 9 AM - 10:00 AM: Exploring the hotel again.
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Exploring the Gardens. Getting lost. Again.
Midday (The Art, The Teahouse, and the Emotional Fallout):
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Immersing myself in art. (Maybe.) Visiting the Shanghai Museum or the M50 Creative Park. Praying I understand what I'm seeing, and more importantly, that I don't accidentally touch anything.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch. (This is getting repetitive…)
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Tea Ceremony: This is either going to be incredible or the ultimate social train wreck. I envision myself awkwardly fumbling with tiny cups, accidentally slurping, and spilling hot tea all over myself. But maybe, just maybe, it'll be a peaceful, enlightening experience. I'm putting my faith in the universe for this one.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Processing the tea ceremony. Did I enjoy it? (I honestly have no idea.) Emotional whiplash.
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Dinner.
Evening (The Lights! The Views! The Questionable Decisions!):
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Getting a view of the Shanghai skyline. (The Bund, perhaps?) Standing in awe, or, more likely, getting jostled by a million other tourists.
- 8:00 PM - Bedtime: Reflecting on the day. Did I learn anything? Did I make a complete fool of myself? (Probably the latter.) Journaling. Remembering my adventures.
Day 3: Departure, Reflections, and the Lingering Taste of… Well, Everything
Morning (Farewell, Shanghai! You Crazy Place!)
- 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM: Waking up. (The jet lag is probably still at it's maximum.
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast (Seriously, how am I ever going to look at food the same way again?)
- 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Packing. Trying to fit everything back into my suitcase. Failing.
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Final souvenir shopping. Realizing I have no room in my baggage
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Checking out. Saying goodbye.
Afternoon/Evening (The Aftermath):
- All Day: Travel to Airport.
- Reflection: Wondering when i should come back.
Important Notes & Disclaimers:
- Flexibility is key. This itinerary is more like a suggestion, not a rigid schedule. Spontaneity is my middle name (well, not really. But it should be.)
- Transportation: I have no idea how to use public transport in Shanghai. I will probably rely on cabs/taxis/rideshares. Wish me luck.
- Language Barrier: My Mandarin is nonexistent. (I'm learning "ni hao," though!)
- Food: I'm an adventurous eater, but I also have sensitive taste buds. Expect a lot of "hmmm…" and "What is that?"
- Emotions: Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions! Joy, frustration, confusion, wonder, and probably some tears. (Happy ones, hopefully.)
- The Ultimate Goal: To survive. To experience. To laugh. To learn. And to come home with some amazing stories (and probably a suitcase full of stuff I have no idea what to do with).
So, there you have it. The messy, beautiful, potentially disastrous plan. Wish me luck! I have a feeling I'm going to need it.
Escape to Corning: Unbeatable Deals at Econo Lodge Painted Post!
Okay, spill the tea: Is the Shanghai Bellagio REALLY a hidden gem? Or just another fancy hotel trying too hard?
Oh, honey, that depends on your definition of "hidden." You *will* find it. It's not exactly tucked away in a secret alleyway. But 'gem'…? Okay, let's work through this, shall we? The marketing is *on point*. Photos of the floral ceiling? Insane. I spent, like, an hour just gawking at pictures before I even booked. But marketing, we all know, is a cruel mistress. The real test is…the *vibes*. And my personal experience? Bittersweet, darling. More on that later...
What’s the *best* thing about the Shanghai Bellagio? Be honest!
Hands down – and I mean this with a sigh of pure pleasure – the *lobby*. Forget the rooms for a second. Okay, maybe a bigger second. But seriously. The lobby is a whole other level. Walking in is like… well, it's the kind of entrance that just *works*. You forget your jet lag and the general chaos of Shanghai. The sheer opulence. The *air* practically shimmers with luxury, you know? It's all polished marble and that ridiculously Instagrammable floral ceiling I was drooling over. I literally stood there, mouth agape, for five minutes straight. I'm not even embarrassed to admit it. It was THAT good. Just… breathtaking. And then… reality hits. (More on *that* later...)
Let's talk about the rooms. Are they worth the price tag? Because, let's be honest, it's not exactly Motel 6 prices.
Ugh. The rooms. Okay. They're *nice*. They really are. Spacious. Beautifully decorated (but maybe a *little* too safe in their design choices, if you ask me). But... here's the thing. They're not *unbelievable*. They don't scream "hidden gem." They scream "luxury hotel room, done *very well*." Remember the lobby? The rooms are a solid B+. Clean, comfortable, with amazing views. But… does it justify the price? That, my friend, is the million-dollar question. If you're splurging, go for it. If you're on a budget, there are *other* amazing hotels in Shanghai. Just saying.
That lobby! You mentioned the floral ceiling. What's *actually* in the lobby besides the pretty flowers?
Well, besides the floral ceiling of my dreams? Oh, there's a bar. A *gorgeous* bar, I might add. And shops. The classic selection – luxury brands, you know the drill. And…people. Loads of people. The lobby is a happening place. During my visit, there was a fashion show going on! Seriously, the place felt more like a catwalk than a hotel lobby at times. It's definitely a space to see and be seen. Which, depending on your mood, is either fabulous or exhausting. Honestly, by day three, I was just avoiding it. Too. Much. Energy. But the *flowers*... still perfect.
The restaurants! Any recommendations? Did you experience any "food coma" level moments?
Okay, food coma. Yes. Multiple times. The restaurants are a highlight. I’m a huge fan of the Chinese restaurant. The food was out of this world! You know how some hotel restaurants are…meh? This was the opposite. Fresh ingredients, amazing presentation, and the flavors…wow. Prepare for your wallet to cry a little, though. But honestly, it’s worth it. The Italian restaurant is also fantastic. Beautiful views of the lake too. And then there's the café, perfect for a quick breakfast or a late-night snack. Just...don't overeat, like I did. Seriously, I may have gained five pounds. Worth. It.
What about the service? Is it as flawless as the decor?
Ah, service. The eternal hotel question. Mostly? Excellent. The staff are incredibly polite, attentive, and eager to please. But... and there’s always a but, isn’t there? One time, my room service order took a *considerable* amount of time to arrive. Let's just say I was hangry. And hangry + jetlag = not a pretty sight. But when the food *did* arrive, they comped the whole meal! So, you know, they made up for it. It wasn't perfect, but they clearly care about making things right. And that counts for a lot!
Let’s talk about the *location*. Is it convenient for exploring Shanghai?
The location is… complicated. It's not right in the middle of the action. It’s a short taxi or Didi ride away from the main tourist areas. It’s in an area that feels more… local. I actually liked that. It gave me a chance to see a different side of Shanghai. But if you're the type who wants to stumble out of your hotel and immediately be surrounded by shopping and temples, this might not be the place for you. You’ll be doing some traveling to get to the sights. Plan accordingly. That said, taxi service is readily available and very inexpensive.
Okay, so you keep saying "bittersweet." What's the catch? What went wrong?
Right. The heartbreaking part. I'm going to level with you. This is probably going to sound silly. But here goes. I booked the hotel for my anniversary. Romantic getaway, all that jazz. My *ex* and I had been planning for months. *He* changed his mind literally a week before. Now, I'm not going to blame the hotel for a broken heart. But… being surrounded by couples, the opulent displays of affection, during THAT time… it was… intense. It probably skewed my perception a bit. The hotel itself? Wonderful. The timing? Horrible. So, yeah. Bittersweet. Gorgeous lobby. A painful reminder of what could have been. Lesson learned: never travel solo to a lovey-dovey luxury hotel straight after a breakup! Seriously. I'm still not over it.
Is there anything else you’d want to warn people about? Any specific advice?
Oh, one thing! Don’t leave your expensive shoes out in the hallway. (Like, I did). I got my favorite pair of shoes snagged by the cleaning staff when IHotels With Balconys
