Michael Mina Archives - The Hotel Guide https://thehotelguide.com/tag/michael-mina/ Stay for a Day, or a Lifetime. Wed, 28 May 2025 19:42:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://thehotelguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cropped-THG-Instagram-1-32x32.png Michael Mina Archives - The Hotel Guide https://thehotelguide.com/tag/michael-mina/ 32 32 Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens Unveils “Glam Menagerie: A Surrealist Summer” https://thehotelguide.com/bellagios-conservatory-botanical-gardens-unveils-glam-menagerie-a-surrealist-summer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bellagios-conservatory-botanical-gardens-unveils-glam-menagerie-a-surrealist-summer https://thehotelguide.com/bellagios-conservatory-botanical-gardens-unveils-glam-menagerie-a-surrealist-summer/#respond Wed, 28 May 2025 19:42:42 +0000 https://thehotelguide.com/?p=32973 Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens debuts its delightfully eccentric summer display, “Glam Menagerie: A Surrealist Summer,” on view through September 6. Created by designer Ed Libby and Bellagio’s Horticulture team, the illusory experience transforms the Conservatory into a European garden party like no other, where baroque elegance meets whimsical fantasy, and luxury collides with imagination. Designed…

The post Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens Unveils “Glam Menagerie: A Surrealist Summer” appeared first on The Hotel Guide.

]]>
Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens debuts its delightfully eccentric summer display, “Glam Menagerie: A Surrealist Summer,” on view through September 6. Created by designer Ed Libby and Bellagio’s Horticulture team, the illusory experience transforms the Conservatory into a European garden party like no other, where baroque elegance meets whimsical fantasy, and luxury collides with imagination.

Designed to bring surreal art to life, the exhibit blends dreamlike creativity with opulence, sweeping visitors into a world where the extraordinary reigns supreme. Towering topiaries, couture animals and multi-sensory surprises dazzle and disorient, while intricate trompe-l’oeil illusions challenge perception at every turn. Throughout the display, surrealism takes shape in fanciful animal figures adorned in French Renaissance-inspired costuming, adding a whimsical flair to the escape from reality.

“Designing the summer display was more than just creating a beautiful garden – it was about transporting guests into an extraordinary realm where nature and opulence intertwine, surreal art comes to life and elegance blooms with every step,” said Libby. “Each element was chosen to challenge perception and celebrate luxury, imagination and the beauty of summertime.”

West Bed
The West Bed showcases a life-sized chessboard with moss-covered figures poised for a fantastical duel. On the left, a soaring archway crowned with the Bellagio “B” welcomes guests into a fairytale garden, where an elegant pink cockatoo swings gracefully beneath. Inspired by Fragonard’s iconic painting “The Swing,” the cockatoo brings a touch of 18th-century romance to the scene. To the right, a towering chess piece houses The Garden Table, where guests can indulge in a lavish Sadelle’s brunch or an elegant dinner from MICHAEL MINA Bellagio. Overheard, grand chandeliers illuminate pink botanicals and oversized topiaries that fill the bed below.

North Bed

In the North Bed, two topiary giraffe sisters are joined by Tigress Giovanna, gracefully perched on a swing and dressed in a striking black-and-white haute couture ensemble inspired by the high fashions of the French Renaissance. Nearby, two cherub fountains add a sense of gentle tranquility, while surrounding lavender, pink, blue and white flowers evoke the elegance of classic European gardens. LED screens filled with illusionary art brighten the bed from behind as a harmonious soundtrack and a delicate jasmine scent fill the air. Guests can bring home a piece of the Conservatory with a bespoke candle available for purchase at the Giardini Store.

East Bed 
A captivating gazebo stands at the heart of the East Bed, where pedestal columns support a wrought iron dome adorned with pink and white blossoms. A flock of elegant flamingos wade in shimmering waters surrounding the structure, illuminated by antique-style lanterns embossed with the Bellagio “B” hanging high above. Throughout the bed, lush topiaries and boxwood creations add allure within a landscape.

South Bed 

In the South Bed, zebras Sir Pierre and Lady Colette lounge amidst sculpted greenery. A pirouetting water feature pays tribute to the iconic Fountains of Bellagio, set beneath baroque chandeliers shimmering overhead. Behind the bed, carefully detailed doors invite admiration, framed by an array of pastel botanicals and topiaries of geometric shapes.

The Garden Table

Visitors are invited to embark on a one-of-a-kind culinary journey at The Garden Table, hosted within an opulent chess piece at the heart of the Bellagio Conservatory. Guests can experience an exclusive dining experience within the summer wonderland with brunch service from Sadelle’s at $125 per person and dinner from MICHAEL MINA Bellagio at $195 per person.

Reservations are required. To book and find more information, call 702.693.7075 or go online.

Sustainability at the Conservatory 
Water used in Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens comes from on-site underground wells that use rain and recycled water from the resort, avoiding the use of municipal potable water. The water in the Conservatory is also recycled throughout the exhibit and reused at the resort. Bellagio’s water conservation efforts are part of MGM Resorts International’s overall sustainability commitment.

At the conclusion of each display, plants and botanical material without remaining viable life are separated for collection by a local composting facility. The organic waste is made into compost products to help improve the environment. This method of recycling keeps thousands of pounds of waste out of local landfills and turns it into something that improves the region’s soil, air and water quality.

“Glam Menagerie: A Surrealist Summer” 2025 Summer Display by the Numbers

  • 125,000: Pounds of ivy weaved throughout the display
  • 22,000: Potted plants, shrubs and trees
  • 5,000: Square feet of boxwood sculpted into topiaries
  • 120 feet: Total amount of live hedges throughout the display
  • 80: Visionary artists, horticulturists and engineers collaborating to bring the summer display to life
  • 20 feet: Height of the king chess piece in the West Bed
  • 17: Hanging lanterns illuminating the display
  • 4: Playful flamingos in the East Bed
  • 2: Giraffes draped in moss standing at 22 feet tall
  • 1: Grand marble chess board in the West Bed

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary and open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To learn more, please visit Bellagio’s website.

The post Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens Unveils “Glam Menagerie: A Surrealist Summer” appeared first on The Hotel Guide.

]]>
https://thehotelguide.com/bellagios-conservatory-botanical-gardens-unveils-glam-menagerie-a-surrealist-summer/feed/ 0
Spring Has Sprung at Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens https://thehotelguide.com/spring-has-sprung-at-bellagios-conservatory-botanical-gardens/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=spring-has-sprung-at-bellagios-conservatory-botanical-gardens https://thehotelguide.com/spring-has-sprung-at-bellagios-conservatory-botanical-gardens/#respond Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:20:26 +0000 https://thehotelguide.com/?p=32828  Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens invites visitors to experience the magic of spring with its newest display, “The Birds and the Bs,” now open to the public through May 17. Imagined by designer Ed Libby and brought to life by Bellagio’s Horticulture team, this enchanting exhibit transports guests into a pastel wonderland, embodying transformation with stunning…

The post Spring Has Sprung at Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens appeared first on The Hotel Guide.

]]>
 Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens invites visitors to experience the magic of spring with its newest display, “The Birds and the Bs,” now open to the public through May 17. Imagined by designer Ed Libby and brought to life by Bellagio’s Horticulture team, this enchanting exhibit transports guests into a pastel wonderland, embodying transformation with stunning botanical masterpieces, wildlife-inspired elements and whimsical scenes that captivate the senses.

The name “The Birds and the Bs” is a playful nod to spring and nature, evoking images of pollination, growth and the vibrancy of the season, while the “Bs” also pay homage to the iconic Bellagio “B” that appears throughout the display, subtly weaving the resort’s signature identity into the garden’s storytelling.

“The spring display was created to honor nature’s beauty and the sense of renewal that comes this time of year,” said Libby. “We invite guests to immerse themselves in a world where Bellagio’s signature glamour intertwines with the whimsy and romance of spring. From the charm of the birds and the bees to the glowing allure of a walk-through beehive, each element of the exhibit celebrates the enchanting transformation that makes this season so extraordinary.”

West Bed
At the heart of the West Bed is Mother Earth, an impressive 18-foot-tall statue celebrating the season of change. Surrounded by vibrant wildflowers, Mother Earth wears a bonnet made of the finest spring botanicals while larger-than-life butterflies and finches soar above. On the left of the bed, an inviting woodland birdhouse serves as home to The Garden Table, an immersive dining experience where guests can enjoy a spring-inspired menu within the beauty of the garden.

North Bed
The North Bed features a striking waterfall cascading into a serene pond below. The signature Bellagio “B” emerges through the falling droplets, framed by a tapestry of lavender blooms. Striking purple pansies sculpted from live carnations and botanicals add a fresh and fragrant palette to the scene, inviting hungry birds to feed on their nectar. LED screens filled with natural imagery illuminate the bed from behind, while a harmonious soundtrack and a sweet honeysuckle scent fill the air. Guests can bring home a piece of the Conservatory with the bespoke candle, Nectar, available for purchase at the Giardini Store.

East Bed 
A captivating 18-foot-tall beehive crafted from birch tree bark serves as the centerpiece of the East Bed. Guests can walk along a stone pathway through the beehive, where an intricate golden honeycomb illuminates the hive from within. Floral bees hover above, gathering nectar and producing honey as a symbol of hard work and cooperation. A gilded honeypot, adorned with the Bellagio “B,” spills its sweet contents onto the bed. Yellow roses and climbing stephanotis bloom in full glory, creating an inviting atmosphere of joy that complements the beauty of spring.

South Bed 

In the South Bed, three baby birds hatch inside a grand 18-foot nest, nestled among artfully crafted Fabergé-style eggs and watched over by adult birds flying above. Below them, a vibrant kaleidoscope of orange, white and gold koi fish glide through a tranquil pond, symbolizing harmony, strength and good fortune. To the left, live finches flit within a deftly crafted birdcage, while a radiant caterpillar named Cassandra rests atop a nearby branch, surveying the scene. Wisteria trees in full bloom surround the delicate creatures, creating a symphony of lavender hues that add to the scene’s beauty.

The Garden Table

Visitors are invited to embark on a one-of-a-kind culinary journey at The Garden Table, hosted within a charming woodland birdhouse at the heart of the Bellagio Conservatory. Guests can experience an exclusive dining experience within the spring wonderland with brunch service from Sadelle’s at $145 per person and dinner from MICHAEL MINA Bellagio at $195 per person.

Reservations are required. To book and find more information, call 702.693.7075 or go online.

Sustainability at the Conservatory 
Water used in Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens comes from on-site underground wells that use rain and recycled water from the resort, avoiding the use of municipal potable water. The water in the Conservatory is also recycled throughout the exhibit and reused at the resort. Bellagio’s water conservation efforts are part of MGM Resorts International’s overall sustainability commitment.

At the conclusion of each display, plants and botanical material without remaining viable life are separated for collection by a local composting facility. The organic waste is made into compost products to help improve the environment. This method of recycling keeps thousands of pounds of waste out of local landfills and turns it into something that improves the region’s soil, air and water quality.

“The Birds and The Bs” 2025 Spring Display by the Numbers

  •  35,000: Purple wisteria on the wisteria trees
  • 18,000: Potted plants and flowers
  • 2,800: Succulents on Cassandra the caterpillar
  • 100: Team members working 24 hours a day for six days to bring the display to life
  • 28: Birds in the spring display, including 19 live zebra finches
  • 18 feet: Height of the walk-through beehive
  • 8: Bellagio “Bs” throughout the display
  • 4: Honeybees hard at work above the hive
  • 2: Hummingbird nests woven out of willow

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary and open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To learn more, please visit Bellagio’s website.

The post Spring Has Sprung at Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens appeared first on The Hotel Guide.

]]>
https://thehotelguide.com/spring-has-sprung-at-bellagios-conservatory-botanical-gardens/feed/ 0