The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas is – like many hotels in the city – labyrinthine. It really is simply gigantic, with 3,026 rooms and suites and a 100,000-square-foot casino. There are myriad elevators and seemingly never-ending corridors and getting lost is not difficult.
Relax beside the pool on the rooftop of the hotel
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
However, I discovered that it’s still remarkably homely. Our room, a ‘terrace studio’, was spacious and comfortable, with two plush queen-size beds
The hustle and bustle of Sin City was quickly forgotten and I felt quite reluctant to leave the room. The luxurious bathroom and its deep bathtub also had a magnetic effect.
Along with the terrace it’s here that I spent most of my time. It boasts a panoramic view of the Strip and overlooks the famous Bellagio fountains. Utterly mesmerising.
A luxurious room with a view at the Cosmo
The hotel has plenty of other features that ensnared me – the 14 dining spots, for example.
These include award-winning Jaleo, the first Vegas location of David Chang's Momofuku restaurants, Masterchef judge Christina Tosi's milk bar and foodie fave Eggslut, which serves up wholesome egg sandwiches despite the rather risqué name.
We tried out two other restaurants in the city during our stay. Beauty & Essex is one of Manhattan's trendiest – and like the original, chef Chris Santos's first foray outside New York is entered through a pawn shop, leading to a gilded space with a 1920s Gatsby vibe.
ESTIATORIO MILOS
The following evening, we headed to Estiatorio Milos. The Greek restaurant is known for serving the freshest seafood – and every morsel we tried was more-ish, yet seasoned simply with just olive oil, salt and pepper.
The restaurant's signature dish, the Milos Special, consists of delicious paper-thin zucchini and aubergine, fried and seasoned to crispy perfection. It's presented in a tower that is disassembled to reveal a serving of tzatziki.
Rose. Rabbit. Lie: a modern supper club
WHERE TO DRINK
For drinks, the Chandelier is an Instagram-worthy bar spanning three stories and shrouded by a shimmering, beaded curtain of light.
We also called in at Rose.Rabbit. Lie, a modern supper club where we skipped the food and instead enjoyed cocktails and live entertainment.
Tucked away inside is The Study, which pays homage to the classic speakeasy and gives cocktail fanatics a more relaxing environment in which to unwind.
Then it was time to visit the hotel's exclusive nightclub - Marquee.
Entry is complimentary for hotel guests but it’s not for the faint of heart. You'll find some reprieve from the ear-splitting music and flashing lights outside by the pool.
The following day, we went back to Marquee to experience the Day Club - a raucous pool party that instantly reminded me of Spring Break shenanigans you'd see in a movie. If that's not your scene, don’t worry - it's not the only pool on offer.
BEYOND THE CASINO
The Boulevard Pool is the place to go to sunbathe in a social space while the Chelsea Pool offers more secluded havens.
And after a night and day at Marquee, I enjoyed a much-needed massage at the Sahra Spa. The signature treatment combines Thai, Swedish and Shiatsu techniques – and left me feeling invigorated.
The bustling Vegas Strip
Seeing the Strip from the air is definitely something to consider. We splashed out on Maverick Helicopters' most popular tour – the Wind Dancer. The flight took us on a thrilling ride over the city to one of the greatest natural wonders of the world – the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
I sat up front next to the friendly pilot, who pointed out incredible landmarks including Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam before we landed in the canyon. Once there we were treated to champagne and snacks.
On the journey back, we spotted incredible red rock formations and enjoyed an exhilarating flight over downtown Vegas and the Strip. Sadly, our thoroughly enjoyable weekend came to an end all too soon. We’d found so many ways to entertain ourselves at the Cosmo that that we didn’t even set foot in the Casino – so left with pockets not so light as they otherwise might have been!
First published in the Daily Mail - June 2018
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