Sleep. These are among my favorite hotel rooms in Las Vegas because they are spacious, they are well appointed and they make me want to hang out in the room and invite a few friends up for a drink. The sitting area makes me want to lounge and watch a game on the giant screen television. The tub begs me to soak in the bath with a view of the Las Vegas strip. The biggest feature is the balcony. This is what sets this room apart from anything else on the Las Vegas strip. Go ahead, stand out there morning, noon or night and you’ll just watch as Las Vegas moves all around you.

Eat. This might be the best collection of restaurants on the Las Vegas strip. I’m always excited about Comme Ca because I have a mad mancrush on Executive Chef Brian Howard’s insane kitchen skills. There are few people on the Las Vegas strip that are as creative and talented as he is. You can move in any direction from Comme Ca and have some pretty remarkable experiences. I typically head next door to D.O.C.G. or Scarpetta where Chef Scott Conant’s team delivers each and every night with a top notch culinary experience. The truth is I am so jaded by them that I’m positive I can no longer be objective about their food. What are your other options? China Poblano for a mix of Chinese and Mexican that makes you feel like you just drove into a Southern California strip mall for lunch. (In a very good way) Head into STK for a steak with a side of Las Vegas nightlife and if a burger is what you are craving Holstein’s will satisfy you. There is plenty more but I can’t go on because you’ll be hungry and I’ll be hungry and neither of us will get anything done the rest of the day.

Experience. You’ll want to see the pool but Marquee Nightclub will draw you in. You’ll have to see what all the excitement is about. You”ll also have to spend a few hours at Chandelier Bar. The cocktail program is impressive but the feel of the place should have you sitting around making new friends.

“Why are you at this nightclub?”

My usual answer? “It’s my job. I have to visit all the nightclubs. All the bars. All the restaurants. My muscles will be stretched, rubbed, warmed and soothed with every possible type of massage treatment. I’ll try a vodka cocktail, followed by a bourbon cocktail and then wash it down with both a gin cocktail and a tequila cocktail. I’ll laugh at every comedian and fidget in every showroom. I’ll have steak, seafood, pasta, soup, salad, bread, desserts and everything else simply to write about it. I’ll read a book by a pool, stick my toes in the water and make small talk with servers. I’ll even toss myself off a tower, drive super fast or hold my breath underwater.” I’ll pause and then end with, “I do this for you.”

The last part always makes them think I’m a little creepy. Of course the response is almost always the same. “ Do you need an assistant? I would love your job!”

So while it all sounds like fun and games to be the travel writer who gets to experience everything I thought I would share what a typical day is like for me. I want to let you into my world so that you can catch a glimpse of what I do in order for you to have the vacation you always dream about.

This is my sacrifice. This is my daily journey to the salt mines. My struggle.

• 6:05am – Waking up to see the sunrise from my balcony at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. You would think some loud alarm must wake me but the truth is after you sleep in so many hotel rooms you get real accustomed to knowing that you are on the clock. Start your day with the warm sun changing the colors down Las Vegas Blvd. and there is very little chance you won’t get excited about tossing off the blankets and taking on the day.
• 6:45am – Coffee and a croissant at Jean Philippe Patisserie at Bellagio – Yeah, I should shower before I leave my room for coffee but it’s very typical that the previous late night excursion at a spot like Marquee will force to me on a quest for coffee. I love the crepe’s at Jean Philippe but I usually have a flaky pastry and coffee with a view of the Bellagio pool.
• 7:30am – I’ll finish my coffee with a walk back to the Cosmopolitan by way of Vdara. I have to walk past Nancy Rubins’ “Big Edge” inside CityCenter. This piece is part of the City Center Fine Art Collection and it is one very impressive public art display.
  
• 8:00 – 8:45am Soak in the tub with a view of the strip. You need a room with a tub that has a view of the Las Vegas strip. You’re in Vegas and frankly how often do you get this opportunity? The Cosmopolitan offers rooms with the perfect spot to soak with a view.
• 9:00am – Breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris. Yes, I already had a snack but the truth is a little more coffee on the patio at Mon Ami Gabi with a view of the Las Vegas strip is how everyone should start their Las Vegas day. Fluffy eggs, simple potatoes and a pastry. That is all you need.
• 10:30am – Spa Treatment at Qua Spa at Caesars Palace. The Emperors Treatment at QUA has your body rubbed with dark coffee grounds. Yes, you read that right. The room will fill with the rich aroma of coffee and for the coffee lover this is how Utopia is defined.
• 11:45am – Lunch at KGB at Harrah’s. The burger of the month is always good but the waffle fry nachos and a thick milkshake help me recover from my spa treatment. If you walk in and do not have something spicy you’ll be missing out. Try jalapeno on your burger or in your milkshake. Trust me on this one.
• 1:00 pm – See Mac King at Harrah’s. I always have to stop in to see Mac King. Best afternoon show in Las Vegas. This might be a job but Mac King always makes me feel like a kid.
• 3:00 pm – Half way through the day and now I’m really getting adventurous. Fly the skies with Sky Combat Ace. They zip through the air and you hold onto the controls and realize that flying a plane is not all that difficult. Well, it is very easy because you have a trained pilot directing you.
• 5:30 pm – Cocktails at Sage at ARIA – You’ll need to come off the high of flying an airplane and attempting plenty of acrobatics over the Southern Nevada desert. The cocktail program at Sage is almost as good as the food and worth a visit. I should warn you that if you decide to try the Absinthe you might want to plan a little more time into your visit.
• 6:00 pm – Dinner at Tetsu. This is the show kitchen dinner for the person who doesn’t enjoy a show kitchen. You get an unforgettable meal while watching the precision of a very talented chef who does not impress you with a smoking volcano of onions but instead creates a dining experience that is very Las Vegas.
• 9:00 pm - Race over the Las Vegas strip with Maverick Helicopters – Like you really need more adrenaline after your day you’ll jump into a helicopter and fly over the Las Vegas strip. The Fountains of Bellagio are impressive from a helicopter your camera phone should capture a decent shot of the lights all the way down the strip.
• 10:00 pm – This late in the day you might be tired so getting hypnotized with Marc Savard Comedy Hypnosis will probably be fun. Just don’t spit or use any bad language. How will you know if you did? People will walk by and pat you on the back and give you a funny look as they say, ‘good job on stage, buddy.”
• 11:15pm – Your night is almost over and when you settle into your VIP booth at Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace you’ll actually feel your feet throbbing. Don’t get too comfortable because you’ll still have to dance.
• 4:15am – My own walk of shame as I’m too tired to keep the night going. This is what usually happens as my body rejects the notion that I cannot do this very much longer. I thought I would see the sun come up but instead I want to take my shoes off and walk barefoot back to my room.
• 6:30am – Wake up and do it all over again. Yeah, it’s a fun job.

Do you still want to be my assistant?

It’s always fun to look back on the past as you sit firmly planted in the present. Look no further than the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for a definitive description of what Las Vegas has become.

THE DRINK MENU AT COMME CA

I usually tell people to stop into Comme Ca because Executive Chef Brian Howard is the most talented person working a kitchen on the Las Vegas strip. However, when you combine his food with the cocktails on the 18A menu you’ll soon be torn between great food and superb drinks. Don’t worry, they‘ll serve you both. I almost always have a “Thyme for Bourbon” but you might want to “Ramble” with a little gin, fresh lemon and muddled raspberries.

Take your drink out on to the patio and take in one of the best views in Las Vegas. This is one of those spots that screams “romance!”

MEET, MINGLE, MARQUEE

The hottest nightclub on the Las Vegas strip is Marquee at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. You’ll see the line. You’ll hear people talk about it. You’ll need to be there. I’ll warn you that it’s crowded but ask yourself when was the last time you wanted to be at a party where nobody showed up? You’ll meet people, you’ll dance way too deep into the evening and then you’ll want to do it all over again. When the sun comes up you can head over to Marquee Dayclub to keep the party going.

WALLWORKS: CONTEMPORARY ART IN THE PARKING GARAGE

It’s rare that people will follow you into a parking garage just to see what you consider art. You might have to drop the names of the artists on display before you use the garage art line at the club if you hope to have any success. If you do get someone to follow you to see the murals and graffiti make sure to get their number and name. They might be worth keeping a bit longer term than a typical Las Vegas date night. Shepard Fairey, RETNA, Kenny Scharf and Shinique Smith have all contributed their talent to this unique installation.

Look around the resort and you’ll notice that art pops up everywhere from the lobby to the casino to the common areas near the restaurants.

Garage Art Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

THE PERFECT PIZZA AT D.O.C.G.

Thin crust. Perfect char. Sweet sauce. Fresh basil. Share a pie with a glass of wine and you’ll have one of the best meals in town for a very reasonable price. Sit at the bar and you might meet some new friends. Chat up the bartender and he might send you to a cool local bar. Sit on the café style tables just outside the front door and you just might fall in love with one of the many pretty people who happen to flood the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

This pizza is so good it takes under a minute to make. Go ahead, ask if you can see your pizza as they pop it into the wood burning oven. It’ll be out in 55 seconds.

Update Your Status: You, a Terrace, a View

No matter how many times I stay at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas each and every time I sit on the comfortable chairs on the terrace and I just watch. I watch the cars down on the Las Vegas strip. I watch the Bellagio Fountains. I watch the Helicopters taking tours of the strip. I watch people taking in Las Vegas. I eventually go back in to the room and sprawl out on the couch. I’ll thumb through the art books and sketch a doodle with the supplied colored pencils and paper. I’ll even consider taking a bath. After all of that, I’ll go back out and take a long look and come up with more things to do in Las Vegas.

If that’s not enough you should know that the buffet will have a line as it is one of the best in town. The cocktails at the Chandelier Bar will have you seeing stars. Milos will feed you the best lunch special on the strip and there is an 8 seat counter at one of the restaurants that is truly the hardest reservation in town. Oh, the secret pizza is hard to find and those windows with the dancing girls are really only found at the Cosmopolitan.

What’s so monumental about these digs? First off the amount of space. You’ll be pleased to behold a 620 square foot studio that’s decked out and equip with all the things you’ll need for a pleasant stay. How could you not be excited by a Sub-Zero mini fridge and a tray full of gourmet snacks all perfectly arranged in a mini-kitchenette? P.s. there’s a microwave in there too. Now that you know you won’t go hungry, marvel over the room lay out. Your cozy king-size bed is sectioned off, sharing the space with a flat screen, a glamorous bench that double as a storage space and a luscious floor-to-ceiling sliding door. Take note: the bed linens are lavish and the pillows are plentiful, so I can guarantee a good night’s (or morning’s) slumber.

Adjacent to your bed is the piece de resistance–a sweet terrace overlooking the city. Sitting out here will definitely have you thinking “Las Vegas really is my favorite place.” Another part of your Cosmopolitan Terrace Studio that you’ll want to spend some time in? The bathroom. Dipped in luxurious marble and peppered with C.O. Bigelow amenities, this place is a little sanctuary. Sneak into the rainbow, mosaic shower and relax. What more could you ask for? Posh furnishings, sleek design, a terrace, tv, and room service. This is perfection.

First stop–if you really are as cool as you claim–AllSaints. The mega-boutique has some of the most desirable leather finds around. The vibe is one part “I’m too cool to care,” two parts “I care and I’m going to look so cool in this.” Think jersey, denim, vintage, edgy, leather and even some sequins. Perfect spot for guys and dolls.

Next up: Beckley Boutique. Why? Because they’ll serve you champagne while you thumb the threads. Expect to score covet-worthy and nightclub ready Herve frocks, perfect party tops from Cut 25 and uber-sexy finds from the boutique owner’s line, Beckley by Melissa.

Forgot your bikini? Molly Brown has you covered. Though the Marquee Dayclub scene is tapering off, you can still hit up the pool and you’ll need a snazzy/sexy number to do it in. Here you’ll find exclusive designs and you won’t have to worry about some girl wearing your suit.

Sneakers? Headphones? Watches? Find ‘em at CRSVR–owned by Las Vegas resident DJ Vice. Score Nikes, Five Four Clothes, G-Shock Watches and Beats by Dr. Dre here. Tailored suit on the horizon? Head over to Stitched. Eyewear? It’s at the Cosmo too. And if you just want a little luxurious take-away (like a candle, perfume or fancy facial cleanser) plan to spend an hour or two in Skin 6|2.

So you get the point, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is where the cool kids are shopping. The boutiques are stylish, off-the-cuff and definitely where you want to be when everything in your bag is suddenly, “the ugliest thing ever.”

Don’t misunderstand, the Cosmopolitan’s other room options are nothing short of amazing, but the Terrace Suite gives you a few things that the others may not. If you’re the kind of traveler who can’t imagine not having the most fabulous design and spectacular views of the Bellagio Fountains from every room, then this spot was made for you. Still not enough for the discerning traveler? How about a 910 square foot suite that features one decadent (circular shaped) living space and two swanky bathrooms? Ahh surely now I’m speaking your language. Keep in mind, those aren’t standard bathrooms–the master bathroom is a bubble bathers dream thanks to a bubbler tub.

If you’re not in town for a weekend rendezvous, but an extended stay or work trip, this suite will feel like home. It features a full-sized kitchen (with a Sub Zero fridge), an in-room washer and dryer, a desk space and enough space to host a small meeting in the sitting room without spilling into your sleeping quarters. Wrap up that meeting with a few moments on the terrace before heading down to Holsteins for lunch or a drink at Vesper Bar. And when it’s time to shut down, look to a cozy king-size bed and a large television for relaxation.

There’s much to marvel over at Bond. But first grab a signature cocktail (perhaps the Berry Long Island, which comes complete with a gummy bear). Next look around, the place is a futuristic delight, outfitted in LED art and cascading feather chandeliers. It’s downright amazing. Over the bar is a massive light fixture with prisms hanging so low that they almost touch the top shelf booze. You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into an electric (pink) dream as the place plays some of the most memorable dance beats ever. And almost every time you show up, there’s a DJ spinning.

Consider this spot an upgraded lounge with club vibe, but minus the lines, the cover and any pretension. The crowd is a mix, so you never know who (or what ) you’ll see. But it’s a welcoming crowd who’s into having fun, sipping cocktails, chatting you up and getting a moderate grove on. Back to the design, it’s really outrageous and if you look up you’ll spot decked out go-go’s shaking it in overhead boxes. Floor to ceiling windows make the Strip visible, so there’s none of the “trapped” feeling. Bond is one of those places that you can end up spending the whole night–it’s just that fantastic.

Upon arriving at the hotel, you’ll be hard pressed to find a space that’s not peppered with unique technology. While The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas did incorporate traditional visual art and clearly they infused art through design, they spent a lot of time injecting the hotel with innovative digital art–art you won’t find elsewhere.

One thing you can’t help but notice are the LED pillars in the lobby as well as the digital images floating behind the guy at the check-in desk. This is the work of world renowned LED-artist, Leo Villareal along with other video artists like TJ Wilcox and Yoko Ono. The pillar images change constantly and show slight movement with each image. You almost feel like you’re floating through experiences. Yes, art is that powerful, in case you forgot.

Move through the hotel and you’ll find even more media art. The Bond Bar features various light installations, some overhead, some along the floor, at the entrance, even in the bar space. The tech art adds to the experience of the space, enhancing the colors and the overall energy of the space.

It’s fair to say that by using such rich digital art and making a commitment to provocative technology, the Cosmo blends the ethereal with the luxurious.

And when it comes to visual art, go get lost and explore The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas which is stocked with an abundance of magnificent pieces.

Some insider advice: Don’t be confused when you come across old school cigarette machines while perusing the hotel, these are converted vending machines courtesy of Art-o-Mat where you can purchase yourself a piece of art for $5.   And take a stroll down to each of the parking garage levels which have been tastefully tagged from well known graffiti artists including Shepard Fairey and Retna among others.

For the party planner who wants to keep it classy, this two story, 800-square-foot two story space is a must and one of the best kept secrets in Las Vegas. It’s right at the edge of the Bamboo Pool, so you won’t be too far from the action and it’s situated on the same floor as the spa, so you can go from hangover to hammam in minutes.

This suite features that same “laced in luxe” element that all The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas digs have, but this place offers way more space. Take note of a quaint living room (outfitted in modish furnishings) that lends itself to intimate discussions.  And just past the living room glass door is a private Jacuzzi, a hang out space and direct access to the pool. But when you aren’t swapping bridezilla stories, you’ll want to head to the kitchen and whip up some cocktails. The Lanai suite hosts a sweet kitchen set up, that’s ideal for mixing and mingling. And when the time comes to get prepped for a night out, it’ll be cat fight free since the suit features two bathrooms. The upper floor is a mini-wonderland with a cascading chandelier and a snazzy oversized spa shower and extra vanity space. Now when the time comes to hit the sheets, the woman of the hour (and whomever she chooses to join her) can cozy up in the loft style bedroom’s king sized bed and catch up on Housewives courtesy of a drop down television and wake up to bright sunshine coming through floor to ceiling windows.

The bride-to-be might rethink marriage if the last days of single life are this good. Or she’ll plan to come back with the new hubby because the Lanai Suite at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas doubles as a love shack for romantics. Well, done party planner.