Choosing a hotel for your getaway in Vegas can be a REALLY tough decision. There are famous hotels and resorts lining the strip, all with different themes, restaurants, and shows that will have your head spinning. However, I’m about to make this choice sooo much easier for you: The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas is (in my opinion) the best hotel on the strip and should be your go-to stay.
We stayed at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas on our last vacation and there are sooo many reasons why I am so confident in this pick. Among many, these are the top 11 reasons why the Cosmopolitan is the best on the strip and should be the next hotel you book for your Sin City vacation!
This post is all about the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas!
Cosmopolitan Las Vegas: 11 Reasons to Stay There!
Opened in 2010, the Cosmopolitan is the second newest hotel on the Vegas strip, just behind Resorts World. The modernity shines through amidst the other hotels on the strip. Operating under MGM Resorts International, the Cosmopolitan was ranked one of the best hotels in the world in 2013 and deemed by Conde Nest Traveller as one of the “Top Hotels in the World”.
The resort exudes Hollywood Glamour – every corner you turn and detail you notice will have you feeling like a celebrity! With the Cosmo’s two large towers gleaming on the strip skyline both day and night, it’s no secret the Cosmopolitan is a treasure.
1. Location
The Cosmopolitan is located on prime LV Strip real estate. Just south of the Bellagio, it is located on the west side of Las Vegas Boulevard. This hotel is within easy walking distance to all of the iconic hotels nearby – Bellagio, Aria, Caesars, Paris and more. Yes, walking in Vegas is different from walking in other cities but there are easy walkways and cross walks to each hotel for dinner or attractions from the Cosmo.
If you are interested in visiting hotels a bit further down the strip (Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, Venetian, or even Wynn), there is a convenient Uber/Lyft pick-up area on the ground level parking deck area. We used Uber for almost every single night out – it’s surprisingly cheap and quick (and saves your feet if you’re like me and wear heels 🙂 ).
2. Views and Rooms
When we talk about the location, we HAVE to talk about the immaculate views the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas has to offer.
First things first – get a terrace room with Bellagio Fountain views. The Cosmo is the ONLY hotel on the strip that offers balconies with fountain views. Many hotels have views of the show, but you’ll have to press up to the glass to really take it all in.
Take our word for it and get the terrace fountain view. You will have the best spot for Vegas’ most iconic outdoor show!
Another huge draw to the Cosmopolitan is that each room has a kitchenette and living area – no matter what you book! We booked a “studio terrace fountain view” and I was expecting a small room with a great view. Were we wrong! We had a HUGE room, with a large sectional sofa/coffee table area, 2 TVs, a kitchenette, and a very large bathroom.
The room was extremely clean and overall better than we expected. Even though it was just the two of us, we really enjoyed having the living area and sofa when we wanted to relax in between activities.
10/10 in terms of room and view. I mean c’mon – how can you get better than this!?
3. Price
Okay, so I’m sure you’re thinking… you must have paid a pretty penny for that view. Well, for the dates and time of year we booked, we got a great deal.
We booked our trip for Monday January 9th – Friday January 13th and we paid $223 per night – THAT’s a good deal!
Looking across different dates now, you can snag a room from Monday-Friday anywhere from $198+ per night (depending on time of year).
Of course, Vegas is full of good deals. You will gamble, and spend way too much money on cocktails and food, but it’s important that the resort and room are up to standard. At the Cosmo, it is!
That being said, watch out for special events and peak times of the year. Monday through Friday was definitely a great way to get a good deal (and not fight as many crowds). Going in January also isn’t peak season – we’ve been to Vegas during the summer and aren’t about that 100°F+ life.
4. Restaurants
Having spectacular restaurants right in your hotel is one of the things I look for when booking a stay. The Cosmopolitan absolutely delivers when it comes to restaurants!
Block 16 Urban Food Hall
Located on the second floor, Block 16 Urban Food Hall is a foodie’s heaven! Here you will find many casual walk-up restaurants that offer choices for any taste! But don’t be fooled – these are chef-curated bites with flavors that are anything but casual. These spots also won’t give you (as much) sticker shock at the end of meal. Our favorites include:
Bang Bar by Momofuku – Order a spicy pork U-Wrap and a Yuzu Lemonade.. absolutely to die for!
Hattie B’s – One of the best spicy fried chicken sandwiches I’ve ever had
District – Enjoy Donut sliders, a beer, and these AMAZING torched cinnamon rolls!!
Tekka Bar Hand Rolls and Sake – My favorite spot on Block 16. Enjoy freshly made hand rolls and Sapporo – so delicious.
Sit-Down Restaurants
Of course, there are plenty of options when it comes to sitting down and enjoying an amazing meal at the Cosmo. There are so many different types of cuisine as well as price ranges. Here’s a look at all the sit-down restaurants by $ tier:
$$ – If you’re interested in more casual dining at a (slightly) more affordable cost, check out China Poblano, Wicked Spoon (known as one of the best buffets in Vegas!), or Holsteins. The Henry is also a great, more affordable choice for a great comfort food breakfast or lunch!
$$$ – Looking to spend a little more on a nice dinner after playing some slots? Check out Overlook Grill, Jaleo, Momofuku, Beauty and Essex, Blue Ribbon or Superfrico!
$$$$ – If you’re really ready to splurge on a night out at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, check out Red Plate, Zuma, Scarpetta, STK, or E by Jose Andres (E is a really exclusive dining experience that requires dining reservations months in advance!)
Check out my post on the best dinner shows in Las Vegas – Superfrico makes the cut on that list!
No matter what or where you eat at the Cosmopolitan, the experience is sure to be one of a kind. The restaurants at the Cosmo were one of the highlights of our trip to Vegas!
5. Bars, Lounges and Speakeasys
Another one of the coolest things about the Cosmo is that there are so many unique bars (including hidden ones) that will give you a new place to party every night!
The Chandelier is probably the most iconic bar and lounge in the entire hotel. Residing in the center of the building, the multi-level chandelier is truly a wonder just to look at. Stop here after checking in for a glass of champagne to toast to the beginning of your trip!
You’ll also feel the Hollywood glamour at the Vesper Bar and the Clique – both located centrally on Level 1 of the resort. A perfect place to grab a cocktail in between playing games!
Looking for a more unique bar experience? The Cosmo has you covered! Head over to any of the 3 speakeasy bars that will make you feel like you’re part of an elite club.
The Ski Lodge
Known as Las Vegas’ first “apres-ski” cocktail bar, this cozy bar is hidden at the end of Level 2, next to Superfrico. Once you enter, it feels like you’re arriving at a real ski lodge in Vail! Snuggle up to the fireplace and watch the snow fall as guys in ski suits serve you.
We had a drink here before our dinner at Superfrico and it was so fun!
Ghost Donkey
This bar is hidden in the back of Block 16 Urban Food Hall, right behind a green door with a (you guessed it) donkey on it! Upon entering the room, you transport to a Mezcal and Tequila bar that is small but mighty. Enjoy music, cocktails, and specialty nachos at Ghost Donkey!
The Barbershop Cuts and Cocktails
This next speakeasy is truly hiding in plain sight! Located in the back of a seemingly normal-looking barbershop, you’re taken back in time to a Prohibition-style speakeasy. With an extensive whiskey menu, live music at night, and the opportunity to get a haircut, the Barbershop may be one of the coolest bars on the strip!
6. Cocktail Hour
Okay, I know I’m talking a lot about food and drink, but Cocktail Hour at the Cosmopolitan is one aspect of this resort that brings this stay to the top of my list.
Yes – there are lots of happy hours and deals across the strip… but at the Cosmo, you can find deals on drinks and food at 9 different locations, almost every day of the week. Enjoy half-priced food and drinks at any of these restaurants: Beauty and Essex, Blue Ribbon, China Poblano, Holsteins, Jaleo, Momofuku, Scarpetta, STK, and Zuma.
Each restaurant holds their cocktail hours on different times and days of the week. Restaurants offer cocktails for as low as $7 each, and appetizers for as low as $12! Most cocktail hour deals are only available at the bars or lounge sections of the restaurants.
Jonnie and I went to Jaleo before one of our dinners – we each got a glass of sangria and our bill total was $14! You will pay more for one cocktail at most places.
Click here for all the information regarding Cocktail Hour at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas – you don’t want to miss out on these deals!
7. Casino
A casino’s a casino, right? Wrong! In my opinion, The Cosmopolitan has one of the nicest casino’s on the strip.
Like good Las Vegas tourists, Jonnie and I walked through just about every casino on the strip. Of course, they all have the same types of games and (unfortunately) the same winning rates. BUT when it comes to style and service, Cosmo pulls ahead.
For one, the casino is HUGE! You can’t quite see from one end to another, which could be a good or bad thing 🙂 But if we are talking about the cleanliness, overall style, and attentiveness of the staff, I think Cosmo takes the cake.
Jonnie and I played for at least 30 minutes at every casino we visited and only at the Cosmo did we have waitresses coming to us taking drink orders! We knew we picked right when we had “free” drinks flowing every time we sat down to play at our hotel.
No promises this will happen for you, but it certainly stood out for us!
8. Attractions / Shows
The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas has tons of options when it comes to entertainment!
If you are coming to Vegas looking to see big name performers, check out who is headlining at The Chelsea Venue. This 40,000 square foot concert space brings in some of the top in comedy and music every month.
If you’re interested in a party vibe, the Marquee Day and Night Club has you covered! Located on level 2 of the Boulevard Tower, you can mingle by the pool during the day and party it up at night listening to the DJ. Reservations are encouraged!
9. Pool
Cosmopolitan’s Pool District brings party and luxury together in their two pool areas, only available to guests that book a room.
Enjoy the Boulevard Pool if you’re interested in more of a “mix & mingle” scene – complete with music all day, lounge chairs and daybeds! Enjoy special events including movies at night, sunset cocktail hours, and even sunrise yoga.
If laid back is more your style, check out the Chelsea Pool. Inspired by the landscape of Nevada, this oasis will give you a break from the hustle and bustle of Sin City. It’s the perfect way to recharge before a night out.
Overall – in the summertime, the Boulevard Pool is a great spot if you’re looking to dance and drink the day away, while Chelsea will give more relaxed vibes.
In the winter, the pools transform to an ice rink where you can enjoy s’mores and hot chocolate, rooftop style!
All information the Cosmo pools and how to reserve day beds and cabanas is found here!
10. Sahra Spa, Salon & Hammam
Although we are winding to the end of this list, the Spa at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas is one of the highlights of the resort!
Upon entering the Spa, you will be taken into an all-encompassing experience for all 5 senses. Whether you are in need of a massage, vitamin IVs, a relaxing float in a Hammam experience, or a trip to the salon, the Spa at Cosmo has you covered.
One of the best offerings at the Sahra Spa, is that with any service booking $100 or more, you get a day pass to the Spa and Fitness Center. At the spa you can enjoy the vitality pool, monsoon rain showers, steam rooms, saunas, and mist rooms. If you’d rather skip booking a service, you can purchase a day pass to the Spa for just $60!
Of course, like all Vegas spas, the services are on the pricey side. But with the added perk of the full Spa day pass, it’s definitely a draw at the Cosmo! Check out all Spa information here!
11. Ratings
When you are looking to book hotels, taking a peak at the ratings is always a great idea. I tend to take a look at Trip Advisor and Expedia prior to booking just to see what the overall guest feedback is. I do think it’s important to read some of the lower ratings to see exactly what the guest had an issue with – it could be something totally off the wall, skewing the ratings unfairly.
All that being said, Cosmopolitan is rated a 4/5 on Trip Advisor and a 9.0/10 on Expedia.
On Trip Advisor, just about every upscale hotel on the strip is at a 4/5, with a few 4.5s in the mix. Compared to Bellagio, Cosmo scores higher on value and cleanliness.
On Expedia, Cosmo ties with the Wynn, the Bellagio is rated 8.6, and Caesar’s Palace is rated 7.4. Reviews aren’t everything but Cosmopolitan Las Vegas definitely holds its ground when comparing with the top travel websites.
I hope it’s clear why we chose the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas for our last trip to Sin City and why we probably always will! Between the views, rooms, price, restaurants, and overall amazing experience it would be hard to be disappointed with a stay at the Cosmo!
Stay Fancy, friends! 🙂
