Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

December 15, 2010

Will Cosmo Common Spaces Take Off?

Posted by Hunter

On Cosmo's second and third levels, between restaurants and retail stores, the hotel has installed a bunch of furniture in walkways that would probably look pretty awful with it.

The idea is to create a sort of hotel lobby feel, but spread over the different levels instead of just in the check-in area... and not just chairs and couches - there are pool tables, foosball and a ton of other funky furniture.

It actually looks pretty cool but we'll see if it turns out to be problematic at all - there was a long period where Bellagio removed all of the furniture from their lobby due to people just hanging / snoozing there all day.

Here's an example.

The idea is that people can not only hang out and do work, meet friends, grab a quick few minutes of rest but also that they can get some take out food from the restaurants, many of which are setup to make that pretty easy.



Comments

Read archived comments (18 so far)
December 14, 2010 9:15 PM Posted by parchedearth

Good for meet-up locations before dinner and between shopping. It'll be interesting to see how these areas fill-up when the property is full. It looks like it might get pretty crowded in certain areas and at certain bars.

Excellent photo gallery you posted!!! It really gives a good sense of the details.

December 15, 2010 7:58 AM Posted by detroit1051

Part of Bellagio's problem with lobby sleepers is the main location right inside the entrance. Imo, there will be fewer problems at Cosmopolitan because of the separation of the 2nd and 3rd floor from the main Strip entrance. Cosmopolitan's Security "co-stars" should enforce no loitering even if it is sometimes politically incorrect.

December 15, 2010 8:53 AM Posted by Craig

I seem to recall being able to sit in the MGM lobby also, around the lion statue. Now that area is covered in plants.
The cosmo area looks nice but seems a bit cluttered. Wouldn't be surprised if, in time, it got a food cart / juice wagon / fat tuesday style vending option.

December 15, 2010 9:48 AM Posted by Jeff Simpson

Balconies and balcony views look great. Nice photos.

Hunter, do any of the rooms look directly at the Jockey Club? If so, how close are the Cosmo rooms to the JC?
I'd have to think those JC-facing views, if they exist, would rank (alongside some lower-level Venetian rooms that overlook the interior/backside of that property) among the most expensive, yet crummy views in the city. (For cheap, horrible views some interior rooms at the IP must be at or near the top.)

December 15, 2010 11:29 AM Posted by Eric

I won't see the Cosmo in person 'til January. But it seems as though public spaces take up the first 4-5 floors of Cosmo. And isn't JC only about 5-6 stories high?

My completely uneducated guess is that the room levels at Cosmo don't start until they are above the JC.

December 15, 2010 12:30 PM Posted by Hunter

That's correct - most of the crummy views are hidden due to where the guest floors start. Still, I wouldn't want to be on the lowest floors.

December 15, 2010 1:06 PM Posted by Jeff Simpson

Thanks, Hunter.
I remember checking out (from the top deck of Bellagio's garage) how Cosmo enveloped the south side of the Jockey Club (which I think is at least 10 floors) and wondering if JC would block any Cosmo rooms or just convention/entertainment/other space. Cosmo definitely blocks JC views.
I wouldn't want the Jockey Club's south view, that's for sure.

December 15, 2010 1:09 PM Posted by jinx

Places to sit in Vegas that don't cost you anything. Isn't that an unwritten rule of bad casino management?

I think it's a great idea though and hope it starts a trend. It's inviting and comfortable and shows the property at least is trying to provide a true 'resort' experience.

December 15, 2010 1:14 PM Posted by jinx

Great pictures too, I almost get a refined Planet Hollywood sense from them. Which if they can mesh the energy of PH (which I think Earl managed to generate) with the quality of Aria, then I think they'll do quite well.

Also as you mentioned in the other post, lack of legacy tech and correct implementation is definitely a good thing.

December 15, 2010 7:13 PM Posted by kagehitokiri

great concept. will detroit1051's point re levels save it, in a 3000 room property? wonder if they just did it, or if they actually have some kind of "if this then this" for seeing how it plays out.

speaking of common areas, will there ever be >
- a larger mansion-style property (guest-only, regardless of size)
- a property with private pool for say 300 rooms or less

December 15, 2010 7:45 PM Posted by detroit1051

My Jockey Club friends try to get a Bellagio view, but they're happy Cosmopolitan is there since JC got millions for the land and also dedicated parking in the garage, pool passes and tennis courts.

December 16, 2010 6:23 PM Posted by Ted Newkirk

I loved the third floor lobby area. I can't remember the last time I saw people playing pool in an upscale Vegas property. The nice thing is that I feel it will stay a "best kept secret". Great place to meet people, probably will never get mega-crowded. Most people will pass through while waiting for their restaurant reservation, say "we have to come back here" then forget about it until they come home.

Cosmo is a must-see. Not the normal place. Won't be for everybody. But a must-see.

December 17, 2010 10:05 AM Posted by Brandon Evans

Kind of off topic but, does Cosmopolitan have suites bigger/better than what they have listed on their site now? The wraparound terrace suite looks very nice, but its not near as big as the other top tier hotels are offering. i have not read all the media about the opening, have they just not finished the higher end suites yet?

December 17, 2010 12:38 PM Posted by mike_ch

They don't seem to be going with the exclusivity thing, so Mansions and private pools probably aren't in the cards. Not to mention that the actual acreage is so small that anything too private becomes very expensive indeed.

And honestly, I feel the time is about due. I've talked before about how I feel luxe resorts should be, which is that if you're going to build a fabulously fancy place you need to practically shove the price tag in my face with beautiful common spaces and a spectacular design 'show'. Whether that comes in the form of free shows or mind-bending architecture or layers upon layers of decoration, I don't care. Just do something that makes the person not staying at the hotel want to stay there.

Cosmo puts on a pretty good show, I think. Haven't seen nearly as much as the other VTWHT crowd that has come here for the opening. But in just half a floor it beats Wynncore's "reserve a room here when you come back, and then that time you'll see why people like the place" philsophy.

December 17, 2010 5:21 PM Posted by Eric

"reserve a room here when you come back, and then that time you'll see why people like the place"

Mike, that line is brilliant. The best summary phrase re. Wynncore I've ever seen. The non-guest at Wynn (and I've never been a guest there) doesn't really see what the heck makes the place so special.

December 17, 2010 10:00 PM Posted by Hunter

You can get a two bedroom wraparound if you want - I don't think that a Wynn Las Vegas Salon suite would be much larger.

They have rooms that you can't reserve online, down by the pool. Sorta villa-like with outdoor jacuzzis, etc...

December 18, 2010 8:31 AM Posted by kagehitokiri

IIRC the top 2 suites have connecting.

yeah i wondered about those by the pool >
"The Day Club pool features Grand Cabanas with infinity pools, three-story Bungalow Lofts, complete with cabana, LIVING QUARTERS and a party deck on top."
http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/explore/pools-and-cabanas/day-club-pool.aspx

surely there are larger suites as well, but maybe not finished.

...

isnt wynncore tower simply the best casino property? MO and FS are better regarded for service, but still mixed reviews.

December 19, 2010 6:45 PM Posted by Martin

I was disappointed to see ashtrays in those lounge areas. Not only is it tacky right next to all of those wonderful restaurants but also against Nevada law. Someone dropped the ball there.