As a long time Las Vegan, I thought I had seen it all, but even I was surprised by how cool the new The Cosmopolitan Hotel was, starting from the 8’ tall space heaters shaped like white ceramic table lamps that greeted us at the main entrance (and if you’re guessing the heat came out of the shade, you’re right!). Upon entering the lobby, we were greeted by glass columns with constantly changing computer graphics that are one minute, bookshelves, the next, abstract graphics and if you’ve had a few cocktails you may be shocked by the images of naked people desperately trying to escape. If you’re an arriving hotel guest, you don’t step up to a long sterile registration desk, instead there’s a row of beautiful red, French provincial tables and equally beautiful staff waiting to check you into the hottest new spot on Las Vegas Blvd.
Unlike most Las Vegas hotels, you aren’t obligated to walk through the casino to get to your room, but why wouldn’t you want to? Sure there’s the 21 and crap tables, roulette wheels and lots and lots of slot machines, but there’s so much more. Ever seen a casino where you can drape off a private gaming area just for you and your guests? Well The Cosmopolitan offers this experience as one of the ‘where’d they get that idea?’ cool options to be found throughout the property. There’s glass and mirrors everywhere including the famous Chandelier Bar boasting a 3-story chandelier with over 2 million Swarovski crystals draped in amazing patterns that truly are a feast for the eyes. Just as you’re thinking…wow! I’ve never seen anything like this, you realize there’s a winding staircase the takes you through the middle of the chandelier to bars, private conversations areas and eventually to the retail floor of the hotel.
The retail outlets are very cool. I’ve never seen any of these stores before and I’m already planning to spend my next paycheck on an awesome outfit I tried on at Stitched. I also like the rhinestone paintings by former Rap artist Fabulous Freddy. Priced at over $5,000 each, they, unfortunately, were a bit out of my price range. I love to eat and the dining options are numerous and affordably priced. There’s everything from Moussaka to Sushi, and in the French restaurant, you look out the window at the Eiffel Tower across the street…magnifique!
There are so many kick-back areas, some with pool tables and record players (complete with 45 RPM records of your choice) and my favorite was the “art-a-mat” cigarette vending machine that dispenses beautiful pieces of art for $5 each. Way cool! On my way out, I visited the art gallery on the main floor, which was a mind-blower. I loved the bench of 1,000 marbles. The seat was a Frisbee and we slid from one end to the other for half an hour!
The Cosmopolitan is amazing and I plan to hang out there a lot…especially in The Marquee Nightclub. With over 60,000 square feet, it’s the largest in the world and the city’s premier lesbian DJ – Lisa Pittman spins there…so what’s not to like?
