THE COSMOPOLITAN LAS VEGAS

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Just the right amount of wrong.  According to The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas Hotel and Casino’s advertising campaign the Cosmo (as it is commonly referred too) is a place where you can indulge in just the right amount of wrong, but I would say that this hotel is just the right amount of right. The glimmering 3 story chandelier located in the center of the property and viewed clearly from the strip, draws visitors into the expansive lounge and once you’ve entered the doors you know you are in for a unique experience. I am certain after you read this review you are going to be scrambling to get online and book a reservation at this incredible, decadent, gem of a hotel in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.

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As we pulled into entrance of the hotel we were greeted by eight foot tall, silver, shimmering letters spelling out the name of the hotel and welcoming us and sending a message that we were in for an upscale experience. As a recent survey pointed out, most people travel to “get away from it all,” where the sole purpose of many trips these days is finding a bit of relaxation (King, 2011, para. 8). My husband and I were no different and we were looking forward to our weekend getaway. When I travel I view not only the destination, but the hotel we select, as an integral part of our experience. I traditionally select a hotel based on several criteria: location, customer service, featured amenities and affordability. The Cosmopolitan far exceeded my expectations on all counts.

Moving digital display in the elevators

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 Why did I choose to stay here in the first place? First, my husband is an active business traveler and while his time away from home can be sad, one perk we enjoy is reward points provided by airlines and hotels. The Cosmopolitan is now operated by J.W. Marriott and therefore you can use hotel points to cover your nights stay. Secondly, the location couldn’t be more perfect. Located right in the center of the strip, you are in the heart of all of the Las Vegas action when you stay at the Cosmopolitan. We were also looking for a well appointed room with a lot of amenities and upscale décor. The contemporary rooms provide a unique blend of trendy urban appeal and homey comforts, like a kitchenette, microwave and comfy full size sofa.

I hope you enjoy this detailed account of our stay.

My husband Jason enjoying the room

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We entered the foyer of the hotel after checking our car with the valet. The service proved to be fast, courteous and efficient. Upon entering the lobby we were initially struck by the boutique-like feel. Many Las Vegas casinos service larger number of clients and the check-in desk can feel more like an airport terminal than a welcoming guest service area. We were greeted by a gentleman holding an ipad who confirmed our reservation by entering our last name and then ushered to an open counter with a waiting registration associate. The associate was more than willing to accommodate my request for a room with a view of the fountains for an additional small fee per night. Many of the rooms in both the east and west towers have balconies overlooking not only the strip, but the world famous Bellagio Fountains. The developers, Eichner and Friedmutter chose this 8.5 acre lot (small by Vegas standards) in lieu of traditional 20 to 25 acre lots specifically due to its location. Not only is the lot size small, it presented tremendous obstacles for the construction of the property as it was situated among existing buildings with the added complication of an underground river that flows through the property pumping roughly 80,000 gallons a day through the foundation (Sieroty, 2011, para. 8). All I can say is their gamble paid off as the view is unmatched by any other hotel on the Strip. My husband and I have stayed at roughly ten different hotels on the strip in our years visiting Las Vegas, and this was one of the best rooms, with the best view we have ever seen. If you are looking for a romantic view while standing on your own private balconey snuggled up on a luxuriously padded chaise lounge, then the Cosmopolitan is for you. 

The gorgeous view from our room on the 39th floor

These eyes gaze at the bed from the closet interior

In addition to the view, the rooms are richly appointed and there are subtle but naughty little details in the room. From artwork of delicately displayed nude women, to the peek a boo eyed wall paper that lines the mirrored closet and faces the bed, those with a bit of a voyeuristic slant might appreciate these reminders that you are, in fact, in Las Vegas – sin city capital of the world. The edgy urban sex appeal doesn’t stop there. The hotel and small  casino are designed to encourage one to indulge their inner bad boy or girl. Subtle tones of purple and burgundy accent the clean, black and silver, urban lines of architecture. And, as mentioned earlier, the 3-story glowing chandelier in the middle of the hotel is above a round circular cocktail lounge with a gleaming bar  surrounded by plush intimate seating that encourages  intimate conversations. My husband and I enjoyed a delicious but expensive cocktail ($25.00 for two drinks, before tip!).

 

4th floor boulevard pool with a view of the strip

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The adjoining City Center shopping mall and dining complex, as well as the pool area located on the 4^th floor, are unique features to the Cosmopolitan. We were fortunate enough to be there in mid march and the temperatures that weekend topped out at 90 degrees so we decided to hit the pool. The pool area manages to evoke a contemporary feel while remaining true to the lounge style pools of Vegas past. The pool area overlooks the strip itself and despite the fact that the Planet Hollywood hotel towers over the pool area, the creative use of greenery and shrubs combined with the clean, crisp, white and blue walls, warm wood earth tones and blue lounges still create a very open and relaxed feel. Music is played in the pool area to lend to the party atmosphere but it isn’t overbearing and certainly is not the “bump and grind” stuff that is blasted at some of the other hotel pools we have stayed at. From the shaded recreation area, complete with banks of televisions and an outdoor pool table and  foosball table, the pool area is a nice blend of play and relaxation. For those looking for a 'party' atmosphere then the Marquee Day and Night club on the upper pool level is for you. Pumping in house music this 21 and over pool embraces a more lounge-like feel and at night actually transforms into an extension of the nightclub (Travel Impressions, Ltd, 2013, Miscellaneous Information section, para. 6). The only drawback in terms of the hotel itself is the location of the east tower in relationship to the main lobby which is situated near the exit to the Strip. Be prepared to trek your luggage through a winding maze of walkways that take you through several gaming areas and bars to reach the East wing elevators. This proved to be a challenge in my high heels after a few hours of dancing the night away. Other than that there were not too many other negatives in my book.

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Now, all of this luxury does come at a price. The average weekend room rate is between $300 to $400 per night depending upon your room, with suites starting at $1250.00 per night (TheCosmopolitan.com, 2013). The price range is on the top end of the standard room rate for Las Vegas but, in my opinion, well worth the rate. Many people don't just look at price in determining affordability, but the value you get for your dollar. I think the Cosmopolitan provides a lot of bang for the buck. While there are many dining options I would not consider any of them, affordable either. We ordered soup, two tacos, some chips and salsa, at the trendy Mexican-Asian fusion restaurant, Café Poblano and it set us back over 40 dollars, but I must say the flavors were unique and unlike anything I had eaten before. Poolside dining wasn't great and the wait was long, but the fun vibe at the pool and the warm sun made it enjoyable. And, as mentioned previously, cocktails are expensive however they use top shelf liquor and the most decadent Maraschino cherries you've ever tasted as a garnish! And herein lies the difference. The Cosmopolitan pays attention to the small details. From comfy robes and slippers in your room, to world class ingredients in their drink preparations, The Cosmopolitan goes the extra mile for you, the guest.

If you are a person who views your hotel as an integral part of your stay while on vacation then The Cosmopolitan is the place for you. Be prepared to experience the flagship of the next generation of Las Vegas hotels.

Crystal Clear Chandelier Bar - The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

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References

Book a Room. (n.d.). The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Retrieved from http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/

King, D. (2011, July 25). 2011 Consumer Trends: Surveys Find Hotel Guests Redefining Value. Travel Weekly. Retrieved from http://www.travelweekly.com/travel-news/travel-agent-issues/2011-consumer-trends--surveys-find-hotel-guests-redefining-value/

Sieroty, C. (2011, October 4). G2E 2011: Cosmopolitan said to represent future of gaming. Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved from http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/g2e-2011-cosmopolitan-said-represent-future-gaming

Unknown author (2013). The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Retrieved from http://www.travimp.com/hotel.php?msg=lascmp

Dawn M. Lacasella (Photographer). (2013). All Images [Vacation Photographs].