The Cosmopolitan

Squeezed between CityCenter to the south and Bellagio to the north, The Cosmopolitan is confined to a surprisingly small amount of space, which means the resort was built vertically.

It is unlike any other property in Las Vegas. Each floor is clearly devoted to a specific purpose; subtle brown and beige hues mix with bright pink accents to create a sophisticated and chic ambiance. The highlight is a three-story chandelier with more than two millions crystals, which hangs down to the casino floor. Visitors to The Cosmopolitan will find several dining options, unique retailers and rooms with terraces that overlook the Strip.

A Little History

The Cosmopolitan celebrated a soft opening on December 15, 2010, with a grand opening in January 2011. It intrigued Las Vegas enthusiasts because of the lack of information given to the public prior to its opening. Photos were not released, commercials provided no information and media were kept at bay until hours before its opening.

Location

Restaurants

The Cosmopolitan has introduced a new dining concept to Las Vegas with its restaurant neighborhood. The resort’s finest restaurants are all clustered together on the third floor, and they all open out into a common sitting area. Several lounge couches and comfortable chairs are gathered in this area, which is bathed in a rich, warm light from the stained glass ceiling fixtures. Guests are welcome to enjoy the ambiance, and, while the food is noteworthy, they are encouraged to relax and stay awhile.

Visitors will find 13 dining establishments in The Cosmopolitan, which range from casual grill food served on the pool deck and a funky joint serving specialty burgers and shakes to a chic French restaurant and a sexy steakhouse. Eight of these are located in the restaurant neighborhood.

Nightlife

Marquee Nightclub is the only nightclub in The Cosmopolitan. With more than 62,000 square feet of space, it provides plenty of space for mingling and dancing. Beyond the nightclub, visitors will find several bars and lounges in the resort. Inviting couches and chairs welcome night owls to chill and chat throughout the property at any hour of the day.

Entertainment

There are about a dozen retail shops on the second floor of The Cosmopolitan, all of which are unique to the Las Vegas shopping scene. Guests will also want to take some time to enjoy the visual art program at the resort, which features a revolving works of art at the on-site gallery. Each of the floors of the parking garage is also artfully decorated.

Though The Cosmopolitan does not have a permanent show on property like other properties do, there are live acts at some of the bars and lounges.

Things to Do

The Cosmopolitan’s pool deck is a stacked affair found on the fourth floor of the resort. Guests will find three pools that overlook the Las Vegas Strip. A 43,000-square-foot spa features 30 treatment rooms, a salon and two fitness areas.

Ideal Visitors

Representatives of The Cosmopolitan note over and over again that they want people to visit the resort, relax with their friends, maybe enjoy a few drinks and just chill out (hence all of the couches and lounge areas). For that reason, it would be a great place for business travelers hoping to pound out deals in a relaxed environment or friends who want to catch up without the stress of some of the more overwhelming themed resorts. The views of the Strip from the lounges on the first floor and the restaurants on the third floor make The Cosmopolitan the ideal place for a date or romantic evening. Its ideal location in the center of the Strip makes it a good place to stay for first-time visitors.

This is not a resort that caters to children; skip The Cosmopolitan if you’re planning a family vacation.

Travel Tips

• Self-parking is located below ground and can be accessed on both the south and north sides of the building, but entering from the south is extremely confusing. Once you reach the bowels of the garage, however, it is easy to find a place to park as colored lights hang above each spot. Green indicates the spot is open; red indicates that it is taken.
• Don’t feel pressured to buy a drink just to enjoy the picturesque seating on the casino floor. You don’t have to buy (though there won’t be any arguments if you do).
• Each bar has its own signature drink menu, but you can request the same drink at any of the bars in the resort if you’d like.
• There is a hidden pizzeria down a long hall plastered with vintage Italian album covers on the second floor. Seek it out for slices or whole pies late into the night.
• A U Tique vending machine near Va Bene on the second floor sells lotions, creams, perfumes, shaving kits and other need-now items for a night out or early morning.

Photo credits: Feature photo, room (The Cosmopolitan)