The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Autograph Collection

On the Las Vegas Strip, the saying “less is more” is an obsolete phrase. The city’s famous boulevard is lined with over-the-top resorts that compete to outshine one another with various displays of grandiosity. But for the new generation of well-heeled Las Vegas travelers, replica Eiffel Towers and synchronized fountains are no longer considered impressive. Instead, travelers are seeking sophisticated, social-media savvy spaces that offer top-notch entertainment and dining. This is where The Cosmopolitan delivers -- in spades. 

The Cosmopolitan’s striking black lobby is a far cry from the cheesy themed reception spaces of some of its neighbors. Gigantic columns with LED screens portray a never-ending series of abstract art, which is reflected across the room’s gleaming surfaces. The lobby gives way to the intriguingly beautiful Vesper bar, and then to the casino, where marble floors and a ceiling of chandeliers seem to glimmer as crowds walk past. In very un-Vegas like fashion, the casino features floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Strip. 

Sleek and shiny as it may be, The Cosmopolitan is still plagued by typical Vegas woes. The hotel is always crowded, check-in lines are long, and there’s an exorbitant daily resort fee to cover “freebies” like Wi-Fi and the digital concierge. Though these issues don’t seem to stop travelers from coming. The Cosmopolitan, as its name suggests, attracts an elite crowd of 20- and 30-somethings looking to have a good time. The resort is extremely popular for bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, and romantic getaways. It is not the least bit child-friendly, and is not the most appropriate option on the Strip for corporate travelers.  

Arguably, The Cosmopolitan has one of the best locations on the Strip. Wedged between the iconic Bellagio and the trendy Aria, The Cosmopolitan is within walking distance of the Strip’s best attractions, dining, and nightlife. Visitors don’t really need to rent a car, as taxis and ride-share services are ubiquitous. Additionally, the free City Center tram stops at the Crystals shopping center (which connects to the Aria Hotel), the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, and the Bellagio. McCarran International Airport is a 10-minute drive from the property. 

The hotel’s sultry, sophisticated vibe continues in its rooms, which feature sleek decor, top-notch amenities, and private outdoor balconies (a rarity on the Strip). Rooms are decorated in varying shades of gray -- think textured gray wallpaper, striped gray carpeting, and dark-gray furniture. The monotone hue is stylishly accented by hints of gold in lamps on the nightstands, pillows on the sofa, and frames displaying sultry artwork. Bathrooms feature contrasting white and black marble surfaces and have large walk-in showers that give way to deep jetted soaking tubs. Of course, the hotel makes the shower/tub setting risqué with giant square windows (there’s a privacy shade for those who don’t like to be seen while bathing). All of the Cosmopolitan’s rooms feature large outdoor balconies, many of which overlook the Bellagio’s fountains.   

Most of The Cosmopolitan’s rooms are suites, but the hotel does have one standard category, known at the City Room. The City Rooms are the hotel’s smallest at 460 square feet, and feature two queen-size beds and an ensuite bathroom. Studio Suites, one of the hotel’s most popular room types, have a half-wall that divides the living and sleeping spaces. The next level up, the one-bedroom suites, have a full wall with a door between the two spaces; otherwise, the size and square footage isn’t much different. Of course, since this is Vegas, The Cosmopolitan has a multitude of high-roller suites, the largest of which is the three-bedroom, 3,700-square-foot Chelsea penthouse. 

The Cosmopolitan has two towers, Boulevard and Chelsea. Perhaps the most important distinction between the two towers is their decor. Boulevard features the same overtly sexual decor as the hotel’s common spaces, while Chelsea does not. As we’ve mentioned, The Cosmopolitan is not an ideal place for kids or business travelers, but families and convention-goers who find themselves here will want to book a room in the Chelsea tower, which lacks Boulevard’s naked woman artwork and wall embellishments.

The Cosmopolitan is home to some of the best entertainment, dining, and nightlife on the Strip. If you’re not staying at the Cosmopolitan, there’s a high probability you’ll be dining in one of its eateries, partying in one of its nightclubs, or gambling in its casino at some point during your stay. There’s a magnetism about the hotel that attracts people to come inside and check it out. Like nearly every hotel in Vegas, the Cosmopolitan charges a daily resort fee, which covers free Wi-Fi, spa and gym access, and digital concierge services. Cosmopolitan guests can text the hotel’s “chief mischief maker,” Rose, to make restaurant reservations and spa appointments, or ask about local events. This feature can be a life saver in a crowded hotel, where lines to speak to customer service agents can be nightmarishly long. The Cosmopolitan is also one of few hotels on the Strip that is pet-friendly for all dog breeds. Though guests who want to bring their furry friends will need to pay an additional daily fee per animal. 

The casino at the Cosmopolitan is a showstopper. The 100,000-square-foot space takes up most of the hotel’s ground level, and serves as a thoroughfare from the front of the resort to the back. In the casino, every available space seems to glimmer. Crystalline chandeliers adorn the ceiling, reflective marble floors swirl in glittery patterns, and natural sunlight pours through floor-to-ceiling windows. The fact that gamblers can see the light of day from the casino is an astonishing feat on the Strip, as most gaming areas are sequestered in windowless rooms where it’s impossible to see what’s going on in the outside world. Within The Cosmopolitan’s casino, there are 1,300 slot machines, dozens of table games, a race and sports book, and a swanky high-limit lounge.  

Any Vegas hotel worth its salt needs to have a good pool (well, multiple pools). The Cosmopolitan impresses with three distinct options. The Boulevard pool is the largest and most popular. It’s a fun space with a upbeat atmosphere (sometimes there’s a DJ) and a multi-level sundeck. It has its own bar, plus there’s an adjacent restaurant and lounge area with pool tables and multiple flat-screen TVs, as well as private cabanas (for rent), cushioned purple daybeds (for rent), and in-water lounge chairs. The atmosphere is social, and a tad scene-y, but it’s never rowdy or over-the-top. In the winter time, the Boulevard pool transforms into an outdoor ice skating rink. 

Guests looking for a daytime party atmosphere will want to check out the Marquee Dayclub pool, which is an extension of Marquee nightclub. Marquee is a 21-and-older day club with a non-stop party atmosphere. Its multi-level pool deck hosts one of Vegas’ hottest day-time parties, though like the Boulevard pool, Marquee is seasonal. 

The Chelsea pool is intended to be the hotel’s family-friendly, quiet oasis, though it’s often so crowded that the atmosphere isn’t quite relaxing. The Chelsea pool is ideal for guests who want to escape the see-and-be-seen environs of Vegas. There are no loud music or exotic parties, and there’s a casual bar where guests can eat and drink in their bathing suits. Chelsea is The Cosmopolitan’s only pool that’s open year-round. 

The Cosmopolitan is home to some of the most noteworthy restaurants on the Strip. New York hotspots like Beauty & Essex, Blue Ribbon, Momofuku, Milk Bar, Scarpetta, and STK are buzzy eateries that attract travelers from all over the world. Other popular names include Nashville’s Hattie B’s, Los Angeles’ Eggslut, and Portland’s Pok Pok Wing and Lardo. Additionally, celebrity chef Jose Andres has three restaurants within the hotel:China Poblano, É by Jose Andres, and Jaleo. Wicked Spoon is The Cosmopolitan’s answer to the compulsory over-the-top buffet. It’s regularly lauded as one of the best buffets on the Strip, and isn’t as insanely priced as some of its competitors. Rose.Rabbit.Lie., a speakeasy-style supper club, offers different dining experiences several nights per week. In total, The Cosmopolitan has 26 dining venues. No matter the time of year or day of the week, reservations are strongly recommended.

Like the restaurant collection, the bar scene at The Cosmopolitan is impressive. The most famous bar, the Chandelier, is a multi-story, multi-experience drinking venue housed within the shimmering crystals of a three-story chandelier. The Chandelier bar is one of the hotel’s most social-media-ready spots, and its iridescent lights are a recognizable feature. Equally buzz-worthy is Vesper Bar, named for the Vesper martini made famous by James Bond in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel, Casino Royale. Guests can also imbibe at Ghost Donkey, a mezcal and tequila bar, Clique, an artistic lounge, and the Study, a speakeasy within Rose.Rabbit.Lie. Marquee, The Cosmopolitan’s signature nightclub, is one of the most sought-after club experiences in Vegas. The 60,000-square-foot space has multiple levels, including a rooftop patio that overlooks the Strip. 

Guests looking for something to do at night other than gamble or bar hop will find other nightlife options at The Chelsea, an intimate concert venue, and Opium, a a live adult-only show.  

Sahara Spa & Hamman is The Cosmopolitan’s desert-inspired spa and Turkish bath. An oasis from sin-city chaos, the Sahara Spa offers all kinds of treatments, including massages, body rituals, facials, and detoxifying skin enhancements. But the spa’s most enticing treatments are the ones that take place in its hamman. The spa offers several hamman experiences, which can be booked privately or for up to three people. The Turkish inspired space contains a heated stone slab, two whirlpools, multiple steam rooms, and stone lounge chairs. Guests looking for an upgraded spa experience can book one of Sahara’s spa suites, which are equipped with private massage rooms, entertainment spaces with flat screen TVs, jetted whirlpools, and private outdoor balconies. For salon services, Sahara’s adjacent Violet Hour salon offers hair, nails, and beauty treatments, like blowouts, manicures and pedicures, and waxing services. 

There are two fitness centers on-site, one in the Boulevard Tower and one in the Chelsea Tower. The gym in the Boulevard Tower is the smaller of the two, but it’s open 24/7. The gym in the Chelsea Tower is located near the spa and is the hotel’s larger, “main” fitness center (though it isn’t open 24/7). Both fitness centers feature modern Technogym cardio and weight-training equipment, upright and recumbent bikes, and free weight areas. Additionally, the Chelsea gym has a movement studio, a kinesis wall, and two Vario machines. 

For meetings, conventions, and large-scale events, The Cosmopolitan has over 240,000 square feet of meeting space spread across three floors. The second floor has 10,000 square feet of common space with nine individual meeting rooms that can be closed off or opened up depending on the conference or convention size. The third and fourth floors feature four ballrooms and pre- and post-event space. Additionally, The Chelsea, the hotel’s unique theater space, is available to rent privately.