Guests are invited to embark on an adventure of new heights as Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens unveils its spectacular summer display, “Higher Love,” on view through August 24.
Welcoming the new season with stunning floral arrangements and whimsical hot air balloons, the display thoughtfully draws inspiration from steampunk, European nostalgia, universal love, and the timeless symbolism of nature’s beauty. Each meticulously crafted hot air balloon invites visitors to revel in the feelings of renewal and freedom that summertime brings.
Brought to life by designer Ed Libby and the talented Bellagio Horticulture team, this fantastical summer scene will elicit wonder and wanderlust around every corner.
“This incredible display was created to inspire guests to reflect on how love can lift us all up,” said Libby. “We hope ‘Higher Love’ not only enchants our visitors but garners feelings of growth, celebration, and warmth through all of the iconic symbols associated with the splendor of the summer season.”
West Bed
Three spectacular hot air balloons float gracefully amidst cloud-shaped Wisteria in the West Bed, serving as a grand centerpiece for the summer display. A baroque-inspired balloon stands in the middle of the bed, adorned in mirrored jewels and illuminated by its gold texture and exquisite lighting. To the left, crystal-clear water cascades down rugged mountain slopes into a misty pond, while above, a second balloon flies in the air, covered in hues of red and orange and sculpted roses. The pièce de résistance is the bed’s towering 36-foot-tall balloon on the right, crowned with the iconic Bellagio ‘B” and blossoming into a symphony of draped peach and coral saris, symbolizing warmth and joy. In the basket of this striking balloon is The Garden Table, offering an intimate culinary experience tucked within the lush beauty of the Conservatory.
North Bed
At the center of the North Bed is a larger-than-life steampunk balloon created with 19th-century mechanical ingenuity and futuristic elements. The bed blends themes of the past and present, symbolizing old-world technology reimagined in new and creative ways. Delicate butterflies soar around the balloon to represent transformation and renewal, as a lively frog plays in the water below them. In the background, LED screens illuminate depictions of moving gears and a kaleidoscope of colors to enhance the sensory journey of the display.
East Bed
In the East Bed, an enchanting scene unfolds as a colorful Zeppelin ascends from a large waterscape, ready to be whisked away by adventure. To its side, a hot air balloon with a whimsical color palette and playful tassels flies in the air, signifying exploration and the excitement of discovery. Thoughtfully placed in the center of the bed, a European-style fountain sets a scene of strength and harmony. Two willow trees provide a canopy for the graceful flowers below, while giant pink and blue butterflies glide above the peaceful garden.
South Bed
The South Bed transports visitors into a world of European opulence with one of the display’s most elaborate balloons. This captivating creation, resplendent with jeweled embellishments and adorned with Callistephus Chinensis flowers, known as the “annual aster,” serves as a symbol of love and wisdom. Giant purple pansies sculpted from 2,000 fresh-cut carnations command the base of the balloon. Every inch of the bed is a masterpiece in itself, harmonizing a vibrant palette of pinks and purples with an array of botanical gems to create a setting full of whimsical allure and captivating beauty.
The Garden Table
Guests are invited to hop aboard and experience an immersive culinary journey at The Garden Table, hosted within the basket of a spectacular 36-foot-tall hot air balloon overlooking the picturesque Bellagio Conservatory. Passengers can let their tastebuds soar without their feet leaving the ground with an intimate brunch experience from Sadelle’s and dinner from MICHAEL MINA Bellagio.
Sadelle’s Brunch
Menu highlights include a House-cured Salmon Tower with caviar and bagels; Steak & Eggs; French Toast with berries; and Salmon Benedict, among other specialties, along with dessert and select beverages. To view the entire menu, click here. Available seven days a week; reservations available at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. only. Accommodates up to six guests; reservation time is limited to 1.5 hours. $125/pp prix fixe menu and $195/pp with bottomless mimosas addition, exclusive of tax and gratuity.
MICHAEL MINA Dinner
Menu highlights include Burrata and Tsar Imperial caviar with gnocco fritto; Bluefin Tuna Crudo with fennel, herb oils and sun gold tomato; Crispy Black Cod with malt vinegar, Kennebec potato and sauce ravigote; and Filet Mignon “Smoked in Alfalfa Hay” with Coachella corn and Yorkshire pudding among other specialties, along with dessert and select beverages. To view the entire menu, click here. Available Wednesday through Sunday; reservations available at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. only. Accommodates up to six guests; reservation time is limited to 2.5 hours. $195/pp prix fixe menu with wine pairings available for an additional $115/pp, exclusive of tax and gratuity.
Reservations are required for The Garden Table and can be made online or by calling 702.693.7317.
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 Resort 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.
“Higher Love” 2024 Summer Display by the Numbers
- 75,000: Preserved roses and other floral elements that make up the balloons in the North and South Beds
- 35,000: Yellow mimosa and blooming orchids on the mimosa tree
- 22,000: Potted plants, shrubs, and trees within the display
- 2,000: Fresh carnations making up the pansy flower in the South Bed
- 80: Artists, horticulturists, and engineers who worked to create the summer display
- 26 feet: Height of whimsical violet hot air balloon in the South Bed
- 7: Artfully designed hot air balloons throughout the display
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.
About Bellagio Resort & Casino
Inspired by the beautiful villages of Europe, Bellagio Resort & Casino overlooks a Mediterranean-blue, 8 ½-acre lake in which fountains perform a magnificent aquatic ballet. Award-winning dining, a world-class art gallery, the exquisite Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, the stunning performance of “O” by Cirque du Soleil, a sumptuous spa and salon, and exclusive luxury shopping all work together to compose the symphony that is Bellagio. Bellagio is owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit bellagio.com, call toll-free at (888) 987-6667 or find us on Facebook and Twitter.