Hotel at a Glance: Five-Star The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

A glittery bastion of sophistication on the Strip, the five-star Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas resort encompasses more than a dozen elegant restaurants, a serene spa, and a roaring casino. Three swimming pools let you take the party outside; by day, the Marquee Dayclub pool is a glamorous sunbathing spot to see and be seen. After dark, it’s an extension of the sprawling Marquee Nightclub, known for its raucous dance floor and star-studded guest list.

• High-end home base: Guest rooms exude urban style; some come with private terraces, kitchenettes, and deep Japanese soaking tubs.
• Bruno Mars performs live at the Cosmopolitan’s concert venue, The Chelsea, on TK DATE; some options include tickets to the show.
• Glam up for a night out with a visit to the resort’s Violet Hour Salon. Shop for the perfect outfit at chic boutiques on the Strip, just outside.
• Ice skating with a view: Starting in November, a pool overlooking the Strip becomes an ice rink replete with fire pits, s‘mores, and cocktails.
• Consult an expert: The concierge can point you toward whatever experience you seek, whether it’s a spa day or bottle service at Marquee.

Las Vegas: The Strip Past and Present

Las Vegas usually conjures up images of spinning roulette wheels and stone-faced poker players. If that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll want to make a beeline for the casinos lining the neon-lit Strip. But for lower-stakes gambling in a throwback Vegas atmosphere, head downtown to Fremont Street. Vintage signs and showgirls crowned with headdresses recall the days of Sinatra and Martin, but this Glitter Gulch burns much brighter today than it did in the Rat Pack era: beginning at dusk, a canopy of more than 12 million LED lights erupts in a psychedelic light and music show every hour.

Educational attractions have never been Sin City’s strong suit, but the Mob Museum boasts a winning formula: bank robberies, prostitution, and money laundering. Exhibits profile legendary Mafiosi from Capone to Gotti, and mob artifacts include the bloodstained, bullet-pocked brick wall from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Within the former federal courthouse, you can fire a Tommy gun simulator, participate in a police lineup, or enter witness protection for the rest of your life.

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