HOW VERY COSMOPOLITAN - LAS VEGAS, NV on "TRAVEL TUESDAY"

Sitting next door to the Bellagio and its beautiful gardens is the most recent and, by far, most extravagant jewel in the Las Vegas crown - The Cosmopolitan opened its doors in December 2010.

Not to be missed - billed as the most expensive hotel ever, the centerpiece of the Cosmo is "The Chandelier" - a three story bar boasting 2 million glass crystals.  Playing tourist for the day, I snapped some shots of the artworks (aside from the jaw-dropping bar) that make up this grand Vegas adventure...

Evident as soon as you enter from the parking garage (actually, the parking garage is an amazing work of art, itself...large lighted signs indicate just how many spaces are available on any level, as well as green/red lights over each parking space so you know where to aim on your travels down any aisle), the artwork throughout the hotel and casino is spectacular.  The blue gal welcomed us as we were waiting for the elevator from the garage...the pink blown glass chandeliers, while I can find no information on them, I have a suspicion are Chihuly glass - someone correct me if you know for sure...

The lobby of the hotel boasts an ever-changing display of artworks - large columns of LCD screens feature moving displays of some very beautiful art pieces, while mirrors on the ceilings capture visitors below.  This day we were treated to peacefully twirling and undulating sea anemones...

that eventually changed to black and white moving graphics on all the columns.  I had heard, since the opening, that one of the displays had what appear to be people trapped inside of the columns.  I always called "malarkey" since on my numerous trips through, with out of town guests, I had never seen it...until last week.

These images were all taken within minutes of each other - like I said, the display is in constant motion - along with your mind.  Cosmo's now famous tag line?  "Just the right amount of wrong", which was exactly what I was thinking as I was snapping away - almost like a voyeur.  This really was cool, though.  There was a wolf in there, too...don't ask.

Glass and crystals abound...

Some of the most interesting and beautiful pieces are on the ceiling.  The upper right, and lower left photos are of chandeliers constructed entirely of ball chain...teeny tiny ball chain!  The yellow and orange stained glass lighting can be found above a bank of escalators.

Fabulous shopping and eateries can be found on the upper levels of the casino...if you squint at the lower right photo, you can see what it spells out a little easier...it was changing so fast, I had to snap the shot quickly, before it disappeared, which is why it's a little fuzzy.  I hate subliminal messages - they make me thirsty!

And, if you get hungry while exploring, and are up for a Cosmo version of "Where's Waldo", you can try and find the little joint known only as Secret Pizza...there is no particular name it's known by...nor is there any signage leading you to it.  Nor, is it advertised as even being in the hotel - AT ALL!  But it's there, and it's worth finding!  Don't ask - try and find it on your own...once you have, the aroma and a long hallway covered with record albums leads back to a little slice of NY pizza heaven.  If you're absolutely stumped and desperately hungry, you can ask a hotel employee, or get ahold of me.  Definitely worth finding!

And more glass and crystals!  I can attest to some mighty spectacular rooms at the hotel (my husband's company installed the elevators and escalators, and we were treated to a night there, before the grand opening).  Even if you're not staying, this is an absolute MUST SEE on the Vegas Strip.  And, by all means, do the silly touristy thing and succumb to the subliminal - have a "Cosmopolitan" at the Cosmopolitan (I liken it to holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa in your souvenir travel photos of Italy).  I admit - I downed one, the first time I went.  Damn sign!