Why I Was Surprised by Las Vegas

We decided to go top-of-the-line and booked ourselves into the Bellagio for four nights. The room was impressive with special features we came to appreciate—like the automatic curtains that could be opened or closed from a control panel by the bed. Our room looked out on the pool area of Caesars Palace—a spectacle definitely worth viewing from the 24th floor!What impressed me most were the varied themes of each hotel and casino resort. From Caesars Palace's statuary to the 's pyramid-shaped hallways, every detail is unique and impressive. In most cases, you will know exactly which resort you’re in just by gazing around at the décor. Each casino tries to out-do their competition in the beauty of their lobbies and public spaces. The Conservatory Garden in the Bellagio offers beautiful seasonal sculptures not unlike the beauty of floral parade floats. One of my favorite casinos was The Venetian, with its indoor shopping mall that gives you the impression of walking along an outdoor piazza, complete with a ceiling painted in sky blue with just enough puffy clouds to keep it real. has a mock Coney Island built right into the façade, complete with a working roller coaster.