This was just my second stay at the Cosmopolitan. When it first opened, I believe it was an independent hotel, very different for Las Vegas because it has such a small land imprint (square footage-wise) compared to the other Strip resorts. It's definitely more of a vertical resort, with 2 tall towers, the Chelsea and Boulevard Towers and 2 pools squeezed in on the casino rooftop. It's now part of the huge MGM Resorts empire and also has some affiliation with the Marriott Bonvoy empire. It has an excellent location between the Bellagio and the Aria complex, both MGM properties. There are now indoor walkways towards the rear of the properties that connect the Cosmopolitan with the Bellagio and Vdara.
The majority of rooms are large studios or bedroom suites with a large sitting area and a balcony, very rare in Vegas. This is because the complex was originally designed to be luxury condominiums, but the 2008 financial crisis led it to be transformed into a hotel.
From the get-go the Cosmopolitan had a hip, urban air, bustling and not particularly family oriented. What I found impressive in the past and now is the large amount of modern art throughout. There were (and still are, somewhat) starry restaurants. There's a day and night club, large conference center, "secret" bars, and of course a bustling casino. While the public areas have been decently maintained and refreshed (the Wicked Spoon Buffet was being refreshed during my visit), the rooms (at least my room) have seen better days.
The check-in area is small, cramped and dark, as is the rideshare/taxi area outside. There are some pillars in the lobby with video installations to look at while you wait. And you will have a wait. I arrived early, so my room wasn't ready. However I was texted about an hour later my room was ready. Instead of waiting in line again, there are kiosks where you can make your own keys by scanning the QR code sent to you.
I booked a Terrace One Bedroom Fountain View Suite. It seems the Terrace Studios are similar in size, but with a different floor plan. The One Bedroom opened to a large but dark sitting area, wet bar that had a minibar fridge PLUS an empty fridge (probably was meant to be a kitchenette), a walk-through closet/dressing area, then the bedroom with access to the balcony. The bath was adjacent with a wet room--shower and deep tub with a window and opening to the bedroom. The amount of natural light was minimal except in the bedroom. My suite was in the Chelsea tower further from the Strip, so the Bellagio Fountain views are lesser than those from the Boulevard Tower. Plus I was on a lower floor (16).
Here were the niggles with the room: some lights didn't work. The pulls for the drapes were missing/torn off. Some of the bathroom pump dispensers were empty. The ashtray on the balcony was full of cigarette butts (smoking is only allowed on the balconies). If you use the balcony, you will smell cigarette/cigar/weed smoke, or bacon. Lastly, it is difficult to check your billing folio at check-out unless you stand in line. This was not the case at the Bellagio, another MGM property.
I had a dining credit with my booking, but chose to use it at a Bellagio restaurant. The Cosmopolitan has some fine restaurants (I especially liked Jaleo, China Poblano and Momofuku in the past), but some do not participate in the dining credit offer. There is a very fine food hall called Block 16, I've been to Hattie B's Nashville Hot Chicken a few times.
I'd still stay at the Cosmopolitan again if the rate was decent
