Bellagio, which last year became the
first Las Vegas hotel and casino and the largest resort in history to be
awarded the AAA Five Diamond Award, today received the distinction for the
second consecutive year.

Restaurants Picasso at Bellagio and Renoir at The Mirage also were honored
with Five Diamonds for the second consecutive year.  The two restaurants made
history last year when they became the first two Five Diamond restaurants in
Las Vegas history.  They are among a distinguished list of only 53 restaurants
nationwide to receive this distinction.

The AAA Five Diamond Award, presented to fewer than one-half percent of
the approximately 40,000 lodgings and restaurants in the AAA TourBook guides,
has been the most coveted symbol of excellence in the travel industry since
its inception in 1977.

“Bellagio guests are showered with first class service throughout their
entire stay,” said AAA spokesman Atle Erlingsson.  “The AAA Five Diamond
standard is evident from check-in to check-out, with gracious staff, sparkling
rooms and impeccable service.”

Bellagio`s President and CEO of Mirage Resorts said, “Bellagio`s employees
are the best in the industry.  Their ability to continually provide Five
Diamond Service makes them entirely deserving of all of the credit for this
honor.”

To be considered for AAA approval and rating, lodgings and restaurants
must undergo a thorough, unannounced, inspection by one of AAA`s 60 full-time
professional evaluators.  Five Diamond establishments go through the most
extensive reviews.

Chef Alessandro Stratta of Renoir at The Mirage said, “It is an honor to
be recognized for doing what you love to do.  At Renoir, we try to be a very
special aspect of the Mirage experience.”

Capturing the flavors and aromas of the French Riviera, Chef Stratta`s
cuisine highlights the finest of seasonal ingredients.  Guests can indulge in
prime meats, seafood and vegetable specialties while admiring numerous works
of art by master painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

Of the Five Diamonds Chef Julian Serrano said, “Awards are never the goal
—we set out to create special moments for our guests.  Moments they will
remember always.  The awards, like the Five Diamonds, tell us we have achieved
that.”

Chef Serrano`s cuisine is inspired by the regional cuisine of France and
Spain where Picasso spent much of his life.  The restaurant boasts a wine
cellar stocked with bottles from the finest European vineyards.  Picasso
masterpieces, as well as a collection of his charming ceramic pieces, further
delight the senses of diners enjoying the Picasso experience.

AAA first started listing accommodation information in its travel
publications in the early 1900s.  In 1937, the first field inspectors were
hired to inspect hotels, motels and restaurants.  In 1963, AAA began to rate
all accommodations as good, very good, excellent and outstanding.  The current
one to five diamond rating system was introduced in 1977 during AAA`s
75th anniversary.

Inspired by the beautiful villages of Europe, the AAA Five Diamond
Bellagio overlooks a Mediterranean-blue eight-acre lake in which fountains
perform a magnificent aquatic ballet choreographed to music and lights.
Within Bellagio are award-winning dining experiences including Julian
Serrano`s Picasso, a AAA Five Diamond restaurant, Michael Mina`s Aqua, Todd
English`s Olives and Le Cirque and Circo from the renowned Maccioni family.
The elegant Petrossian Lounge, a world-class art gallery, exquisite gardens,
Cirque du Soleil`s stunning performance of “O,” luxurious spa services and an
elegant casino all add to the extraordinary Bellagio experience.  The resort`s
shopping promenade, Via Bellagio, features upscale shops including Giorgio
Armani, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Prada, Fred Leighton, Hermes, Moschino, Yves
Saint Laurent.  Bellagio is the recipient of the AAA Five-Diamond Award for
2002.  For more information visit the resort`s Web site, http://www.bellagio.com ,
and for reservations call Bellagio toll free at (877) 987-7775.  Bellagio is a
wholly owned subsidiary of MGM MIRAGE(TM).

With an erupting volcano at its entrance, The Mirage offers exquisite AAA
Four-Diamond accommodations, exclusive shopping boutiques, upscale restaurants
including the AAA Five Diamond Renoir, extensive meeting and convention
services and excellent entertainment including Siegfried & Roy—Magicians of
the Century and Danny Gans—“The Man of Many Voices.”  From the
20,000-gallon aquarium in the lobby to the lush tropical foliage in the atrium
and the tropical pool with waterfalls, guests experience a world-class
destination unlike any other.  The Mirage is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM
MIRAGE(TM).  For more information visit the resort`s Web site,
http://www.mirage.com , or call The Mirage toll free at 1-800-627-6667.

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