New Jack City: Chic, New Vegas High-Rise The Cosmopolitan a KC Magnet

Even during this recession Las Vegas ranks right at the top of the favorite getaway destinations for Kansas Citians.

It’s still relatively affordable, features great and ever-changing attractions and it’s easy to get to—even though Southwest‘s non-stop flight frequency has been cut back to just four these days.

And after years of seemingly unstoppable growth, Vegas this week welcomes what may be the last mega resort to open there in the forseeable future, THE COSMOPOLITAN.

Many of the opulent new hotels that have replaced old outdated properties were planned way ahead of the economic freefall that has probably hit Sin City harder than any other market in this country. And so it is with THE COSMOPOLITAN,
which was initially set to open a year ago. But the economic downturn became its ugly fork in the road and it took Deutsche Bank to rescue the property from foreclosure.

The contemporary aesthetic Cosmopolitan adds 3,000 new rooms and suites to the Strip and features a 100,000 sq. ft. casino. It is snuggled directly in-between the huge CityCenter hotel complex and the Bellagio.

As for notable differences from the other Las Vegas palaces, for one The Cosmopolitan is an independent property and not affiliated with the other big players in town including MGM Resorts, Caesars and Wynn. And instead of stretching out like its 75 acre CityCenter neighbor and the 56 acre Bellagio, the Cosmopolitan sits on just 8 acres but makes up for it vertically.

We’re talking two 52 storied towers here!

Rooms at Cosmopolitan are generally larger in size than at competing resort hotels and feature kitchenettes with coffee makers. Of course the nightclubs, restaurants, pools and high end shopping abound.

But something I really like about this hotel is that 70% of its rooms feature walk-out balconies.

Compare that to the other Vegas palaces where you can’t even open the windows to jump out.

And harking back to Vegas’s glory days, the Cosmopolitan’s casino lounge features live entertainment—something not seen in Sin City since the early 80’s.

And pedestrians strolling past the new resort can walk directly into the casino since the building actually fronts the Strip, not sitting way back like its competitors. Cosmopolitan’s room pricing compares to such nearby palaces as Paris, Aria, Mirage and MGM Grand.

Now one last tip!

When looking for a great show to see during your next trip to Vegas, be sure to consider VIVA ELVIS by Cirque De Soleil.

It’s the flashy new production at the Aria resort in CityCenter and is as spectacular and fun as its sister production LOVE playing at the Mirage.

I guarantee it!