Hotel Bellevue

“August 2025 stay”

I stayed at the Bellevue in August 2025, and let me tell you—it was absolutely amazing. I’ve stayed at plenty of luxury hotels around the world, from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, and honestly, Bellevue made me feel like I was in paradise. I know some folks complain abo… more

I stayed at the Bellevue in August 2025, and let me tell you—it was absolutely amazing. I’ve stayed at plenty of luxury hotels around the world, from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, and honestly, Bellevue made me feel like I was in paradise. I know some folks complain about the staff, but that was actually one of my favorite things about the place. Every single time I asked for something, I got it—no hassle, no excuses, no back-and-forth. Everything just happened. What I really loved was the atmosphere. Kids were running around, laughing, jumping into the pools, people had their pets with them, and there weren’t employees standing on every corner watching your every move. Somehow everything was organized and running smoothly, but it never felt like the hotel was hovering over you. That’s real luxury to me—when everything just works, and you don’t even notice all the people making it happen. The room was fantastic. I stayed on the fifth floor—or maybe the fourth, depending on whether you count the ground floor as the first floor. Either way, it was one of the rooms with the spa on the balcony. I also appreciated that I could enjoy a cigar or cigarette out on my balcony without staying at one of those completely smoke-free hotels. That was a big plus for me. The suite itself was huge, with a separate living room, bedroom, and a massive bathroom. The only downside I noticed was that maintenance could use a little more attention. There were a few loose bathroom fixtures and a couple of missing pool tiles here and there. As someone who used to manage at Four Seasons, I completely understand how difficult it is to keep a large luxury property in perfect shape every single day. Still, I think management should stay on top of those little details because they do stand out. The location was perfectly fine for me. I’m honestly not someone who cares all that much about having the world’s greatest view. Give me a good cigar, a nice pool, good food, and I’m a happy man. That said, the sunsets were beautiful. As for the noise, I really don’t have any complaints. No, it isn’t the quietest hotel I’ve ever stayed in—but that’s actually a good thing. A hotel that’s completely silent can almost feel empty. I loved hearing families enjoying themselves. Let the kids run around, laugh, and have fun—that’s exactly the atmosphere I’d expect from a family resort. Even with all that, the soundproofing inside the rooms was surprisingly good. My favorite spot on the whole property was—I think it was called the Lantern, or maybe the Sextant—the cigar lounge. Being able to sit in an air-conditioned lounge, relax by myself, smoke a cigar, and enjoy that classic taste that reminded me of home down in Texas… now that was something special. At the end of the day, yes, this is a true luxury hotel. It absolutely deserves its reputation. Sure, there are a few minor imperfections, but nobody should expect absolute perfection in a resort that’s taking care of hundreds of guests at a time. I’ve also stayed at Alhambra, and while I enjoyed it, Bellevue will definitely be my first choice when I come back next summer.

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