The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas Review: Terrace Views, Marriott Stars

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has been on our list for a while. Known for its private terraces, vibrant nightlife, and central location on the strip, it was the second of five hotels we stayed at during this Vegas trip. We came in with good expectations and left with mixed feelings.

This video is part of our ongoing Las Vegas hotel series. The other properties we covered: Waldorf Astoria, Bellagio, Conrad, and Croxford.

---

About the Property

The Cosmopolitan is a modern luxury resort in the center of the Las Vegas strip. It has two towers: the Boulevard Tower and the Chelsea Tower. The casino floor is large and the energy here is very much alive, especially during the holidays.

One of the property's most well-known features is the private terrace. Many rooms have an outdoor balcony, which is genuinely rare in Vegas. That was a big reason we wanted to stay here.

---

Check-In

We arrived around 3pm on Christmas Eve, transferred over from the Waldorf Astoria via their house car service. The regular check-in line was very long. Because we booked through the Marriott Stars program, Vincent used the priority check-in lane, which was much faster.

We asked about an upgrade and were told none were available. Christmas Eve on the strip is about as sold out as it gets, so no complaints there.

We paid around $317 before resort fees and taxes. We were on the 40th floor.

---

Room Tour: Terrace Studio, One King Bed

We had a terrace studio with a king bed on the 40th floor. The view included the Bellagio fountains, the High Roller Ferris wheel, the strip, and a little bit of parking lot. Still worth it.

The terrace: The balcony is the centerpiece of this room type and it delivered. You can actually sit outside in Vegas, which almost no other hotel offers. There is a couch on the terrace and it is a good size. We were surprised at how spacious the outdoor area felt.

Living area:

• 60-inch TV
• Comfortable and spacious layout
• Working station with one chair
• Temperature control that goes down to 65°F (warmer than the Waldorf Astoria's 60°F, which is a slight downgrade)

Bed area:

• One king bed with reading lights (one was broken on our visit)
• Two outlets and two USB-A ports per side (no USB-C)
• Small ottoman

Closet:

• One mini closet near the bed with a safe, slippers, and an iron
• One main closet that is smaller but fits luggage and clothes
• Slippers are decent quality, firm and bouncy

Minibar:

• Snacks and drinks available, as expected at resort prices ($9 Coke here vs $8 at the Waldorf Astoria)
• Drink selection in the refrigerator
• No complimentary water bottles, which felt like a miss for a property at this price point
• There was also an adult item in the minibar for $45 and a few sensor-tracked items. We did not touch any of it.

Bathroom:

• His and her vanity area
• Cosmopolitan branded lavender and cedarwood toiletries, which smelled great
• Walk-in shower with body wash, shampoo, and conditioner
• Soaking tub: comfortable for one person, compact for two
• Hair dryer included (not Dyson)
• One standout feature: you can text a digital concierge to request more towels or any housekeeping item. We appreciated that kind of tech investment.
• One downside: the shower area had some visible grime that did not match the rest of the room.

---

Turndown Service

They delivered a robe. That was the extent of it. No dimmed lights, no bed setup, no touches. And the robe itself looked aged. Not what we would expect from a property at this tier.

---

Fitness and Amenities

Fitness center: There are two gyms on property. The Boulevard Tower gym is open 24 hours but is smaller. The Chelsea Tower gym is larger and open from 5am to 6pm. We went to the Chelsea one and it was impressive: plenty of cardio machines, solid equipment for heavy lifting, a Kinesis machine, and free weights up to 80 lbs. There is also a yoga room.

Courts: Two tennis courts and two pickleball courts are available free for hotel guests. Rackets and balls are provided. We did not use them, but it is a genuinely unique offering.

Pool: The pool area is on the upper floors and has good views of the strip. There is a bar in the pool area. We did a quick walkthrough but did not swim.

Spa and fitness shop: The spa was not something we tried. There is also a shop near the fitness center where you can pick up fitness wear or a bathing suit if you forgot one. Prices are high, but the selection is solid.

---

Dining: STK Steakhouse

For our $100 Marriott Stars experience credit, we chose STK Steakhouse, located on the third floor of the Cosmopolitan. We had heard good things and it was Christmas Eve, so we wanted a proper dinner.

It did not disappoint.

The steak was excellent: big portion, medium rare, crunchy on the outside, and not overly seasoned. The sides were good too. We also received a complimentary anniversary dessert, which was a nice touch.

Overall verdict on STK: worth it. If you have a credit to spend, this is a solid choice.

I also did a more detailed STK review on my food channel (@Choetina), so check that out if you want the full breakdown.

---

Breakfast: Wicked Spoon Buffet

We had a $30 breakfast credit per person ($60 combined) included with Marriott Stars. We chose the Wicked Spoon Buffet in the hotel.

One thing we did not plan for: it was Christmas Day, and the buffet was running a holiday special. The regular price is around $47 to $54 per person for brunch. On Christmas, it was $72 per person. We ended up spending quite a bit out of pocket beyond the credit.

The upside was that they also served holiday dinner items alongside breakfast, including king crab legs, roasted hog, and additional seafood and meat options. King crab at a buffet is always a win.

The line by the time we left was out the door and down to the elevator. We got lucky arriving when we did.

Again, I have a more detailed Wicked Spoon review on @Choetina if you want to see the full spread.

---

Marriott Stars Benefits Breakdown

The Marriott Stars program functions similarly to Amex FHR. If you have access to it through a travel agent or card benefit, it is worth using.

---

The One Big Problem: The Bed

This is the main thing we need to talk about. The bed was bad. Neither of us slept well.

The mattress was very firm and retained heat, so even with the AC running we were both hot throughout the night. The pillows were too soft but in the wrong way, they propped up our heads awkwardly instead of supporting them comfortably.

For a hotel at this price point and this reputation, that is a real issue. A bad bed means a bad stay regardless of everything else.

---

Final Verdict

The Cosmopolitan has a lot going for it: unbeatable location, great views from the terrace, solid dining options, impressive gym, and a fun atmosphere. STK was excellent and the Wicked Spoon was a solid buffet even at holiday pricing.

But the bed let us down significantly and the turndown service was minimal for what the property charges. If they fix the bed quality, this would be an easy recommendation.

Best for: Travelers who prioritize location, nightlife access, and the terrace experience.

Skip if: You are a light sleeper or prioritize sleep quality above all else.

---

Las Vegas Hotel Series

This is part of our 5-hotel Las Vegas series. Read the individual reviews or see how they all compare:

• Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas Review
• Bellagio Las Vegas Review
• Conrad Las Vegas Review
• Croxford Las Vegas Review
• All 5 Hotels Compared: Which Is the Best?