I think the new Cosmopolitan hotel deserves it's own thread. It opened Wednesday in a semi soft opening. For the most part, reports say that it is a very impressive place. People like the design, the art, the well appointed rooms with big balconies, and the choices for food. As with any new opening, there are many complaints of confusion in front line employees, there are computer glitches, and restaurants that can't keep up with demand. The lines to get were huge. There were protestors outside complaining that they put a down payment on a condo there and now their units are being rented out as hotel rooms. I might visit there next week.

With the exotic and very large advertising campaign, the Cosmopolitan has created an image that they may have a hard time living up to.
I, personally, would be very disappointed if there were not a large herd of white Persian cats wandering the halls.

I took a personal tour through the Cosmo the day after it opened and was very impressed.

It has more of an 'intimate' feeling than the CityCenter locations simply due to its smaller size.

The pool area is somewhat unique in that it partially surrounds the outside 'edges' of the hotel (east side / south side/ and below the west tower).

The east side pool overlooks the Strip and is more of a party area than an actual swimming pool as the 'pool' is only inches deep and surrounded byn tanning lounges and those little 'pool-side tents' that you can rent for very many dollars in order to avoid the sunsine.

The 'pool' was empty but it looks like it will have several of those 'squirting fountains' and a good number of lounges that will be surrounded by inch deep water.

There are many levels of lounging areas and a couple of nice looking out-door bars and various pool tables, foose-ball tables, etc.

If you want to go for a swim, you'll have to walk around the south side of the east side pool area and visit the west side pool area which is actually a real swimming hole with all the amenities.

All in all, I was very impressed by the Cosmo pool areas, but I did notice that there are a few places where the 'ground' changes levels by mere inches to hold the water that will eventually be added, so there may be a few twisted ankles on a daily basis.

The shopping area was very different from Crystals! And there were many areas where shoppers could take a break and sit down and enjoy the passing scenery.

And even an area where the youngsters can play pool or other kid's table games.

The casino was on the Strip Street level with big windows facing out to the Strip. Very different than the Aria.

The casino itself is not huge but it is attractive with a bar in its center called Book and Stage where you could bet on the games, have a cocktail, and watch the live entertainment behind the bar.... a sight seldom seen in LV now a days!

Table minimums appeared to be $10.

They surrounded some of the slot machines with 'beaded tents' which I think will be removed real soon. They look nice but they will eventually 'get in the way'!

And Martinis are only $7.50 (not $14), so get'em while they're hot!

I was there less than an hour so I'll be going back to gather more details and will pass them on to one and all.

Any questions! Just ask and I'm sure that myself and JMT will offer various (and sometimes conflicting) responses.

will, I'm still waiting for my personal tour.

JMT, Just go and report on what you like and dislike.

My favorite "like" is the "Stage and Book" bar that offers something similar to the old day Vegas casinos. (Once again it's possible to be entertained while getting loaded!)

My second "like" is the fact that you can sit down in various and attractive locations in the shopping area or even play pool if you are so inclined. Foos-ball too!!

My third 'like' is that the casino is only steps away from the Strip allowing you to almost fall inside if you tripped on the curb,

I don't know if I like the 3 inch pool and lounge area ye though.

So far my only "dislike" are those hanging curtain things around a few of the slot 'islands'. But that is a minor 'dislike.

All in all ..... I like this place.

Next visit .... I'll take my camera. Hopefully tomorrow!

Just returned from the Cosmo. Took a lot of photos. Will place them on line hopefully tomorrow.

Unable to secure a personal tour as will800 did, I did venture to the Cosmopolitan on my own. I kinda like it. It's just loaded with intangibles that set it apart. There are so many little things that don't make a bit of difference until they come together to make me wish them the very best. You can certainly tell it's not part of City Center or a MRI property.

The first thing you notice is the footprint is VERY small. As I drove in on Harmon Ave towards the Self Park area, I noticed the lanes were small and turns were tight. Entering the parking garage, it's easy to tell the parking lot is long and narrow under the building. The parking garage does have some very helpful indicators to help you find a place to park. As you reach each level, there are signs that show how many spaces are open on each level so you can decide if you want to go down one more. It even specifies how many handicap spots are open. As you drive in the garage, there are signs with the number of spaces in each direction you can turn. Also, there are little lights above each parking place that are either red for occupied or green for open, so you can kinda see what's available ahead.

Because of the small footprint of the property, the public area is on several floors. The first floor is the casino. It is a little more open and brighter than some of the newer resorts I've seen pop up lately. Given all the factors that they had to overcome, I think that they did an excellent job for the flow of people. The casino seems to have a large number of reel slots, and a lesser amount of video slots and video poker. The video poker quantity and options were pretty weak.

Other floors have a variety of shopping and dining and walking and hanging out. The other floors are different from the casino floor as there are long hallways to get from the east side to the west side. There really isn't a lot on the west side, except for convention rooms and the buffet. Most everything above the casino level is on the strip side…east side.

I had lunch at Holsteins, which is an upscale burger restaurant. They were still dealing with grand opening issues. It was one of the best tasting burgers I've ever had in Las Vegas and I heard nothing but very high praises on all of the food. My burger and fries was very competitively priced at $14. Everyone was friendly. There were issues getting the right food delivered to right customer. I also visited the buffet for a "visual" tour. There were certainly steam tables in action. I did notice a lot of stations where the food was already plated into single serving dishes. For instance caesar salads, and boiled shrimp in single serving individual bowls. Some of the hot items were in single serving metal pans, earthenware pots, etc. I don't know if that's a gimmick that will go away or not, but it looks cute. And they did have a carving station and lots of desserts.

The highest level that I went was level 5, I think. It's the pool level on the strip side. This is the area where tiles that show how the deep the pool is start at 0' 4". As will pointed out, much of the pool area is barely deep enough to cover your feet. One interesting observation that I made was a lifeguard stand, where the lifeguard sits 6 feet up, overlooks a 4 inch deep area.

Overall, Cosmo is cool. There are many areas of couches and chairs where you can just sit and relax. There is foosball, pool, and other games to just mess around with. Even the pool area had ping pong tables. For the high society, there is a lot of art. Some of it is in old style cigarette machines. There is a huge 3 story tall chandelier that is the focal point of the public levels. While there are bars around this thing, it is good to know that's where escalators are to go up and down different levels.

All of the employees seemed very friendly. It is a comfortable feeling to not feel the boundaries of the Harrah's brand or Boyd, or MRI, or even Coast. That alone is worth wishing them well. I will now have nightmares that MRI will buy them and make it a part of City Center.

On the weak side, as a first timer, I found the signs to be poor. Once I finished exploring, I was okay. Initially, I just didn't know where to go. Another poor design was a restroom located near a food court type area where the restrooms lacked capacity. The mens room was set up for two standing and two sitting. There was a line out the door for the women's. Other restrooms such as the casino seemed adequate. I question on how sustainable some of the art and free space will be. There were a lot of kids and strollers. I don't know why and I hope it doesn't last. This place is too small for strollers. And pre-teens playing pool and foosball didn't score high marks with me.

That's my first impressions.

Shhhhh! Don't tell no one but there is a SECRET pizza place in the Cosmopolitan which most of you out of town visitors will never be able to find .... and I ain't tell'en because they want it to be a secret.

The fun is in the finding it! And it serves very good pizza by the slice when and if you do!

In fact, I had two very good slices plus a very nice beer in this very secret place and it only set me back 12 bucks but could have been a lot cheaper if I hadn't been so darn hungry and ordered all the toppings.

I'll give you a hint: Look for the record album covers and let them lead the way.

Sorry - no more hints!

I'm not a huge pizza fan. I did spend some time looking at the albums and it sure smelled good. I hate to give away another hint, but if you find the record covers, just follow your nose.

will, have you had pizza at that place across from the Green Valley District, in that area where the Whole Foods is? I keep hearing that's the best pizza in town.

No, JMT, I have not been in that area (Green Valley) this past year, but I'll definitely make an effort to give it a try ASAP.

I am also not a big pizza fan but I was a bit hungry and wanted something cheap to tide me over till dinner time and this place hit the spot.

I was impressed that you could get a good and cheap small meal in this high class place where it appears that a typical lunch would cost somewhere over $20+. (Even a hamburger and a milkshake at Holstein's.

BTW, I took a look at the Cosmo steak house (STK) and was very impressed by the interior. It is a dark room that overlooks all the lights along the Strip across the street which makes it strikingly colorful inside.

I only took a fast glance but it was very colorful and very impressive.

But the room decor that impressed me the most of all the Cosmo restaurants was the restaurant immediately to the right of STK. A very colorful spot even though it was mostly shades of white.

(I need some help with the name though!)I I'll be going back to shoot some pictures.