ARIA vs The Cosmopolitan: Which Las Vegas Hotel Should You Book?

ARIA vs Cosmopolitan is a choice between next-door neighbors with identical fees and opposite personalities: ARIA is the calmer, tech-forward resort with a Forbes Five-Star spa and its own tram stop, while the Cosmopolitan sells private terraces, Marquee and The Chandelier. Our ARIA Las Vegas review and Cosmopolitan review cover each hotel in depth; this page settles which one fits your trip.

At a glance	ARIA	The Cosmopolitan
Entry room	Deluxe, 520 sq ft	City Room, 460 sq ft
Private terrace	None listed	Terrace Studio, 730 sq ft, some with fountain views
Resort fee with tax	About $62.36	About $62.36
Guest self-parking	$20 per 24 hours	$20 per 24 hours
Spa (Forbes)	Five-Star	Four-Star
Tram stop	Yes, ARIA Express	No
Poker room	24 tables plus the PokerGO Studio	None listed
Nightlife	JEWEL, Friday and Saturday	Marquee, The Chandelier
Marriott brand	Autograph Collection	Autograph Collection

Fees and parking as of October 2026. Book ARIA for a bigger standard room (520 square feet vs the Cosmopolitan’s 460-square-foot City Room), a Forbes Five-Star spa, poker and a free tram stop. Book the Cosmopolitan for a private terrace, ideally facing the Bellagio fountains, plus Marquee and The Chandelier.

	ARIA	Cosmopolitan
Location	Center Strip	Center Strip
Price level	Luxury	Luxury
Best for	Design lovers, foodies, spa fans	Couples, nightlife fans, food lovers
Pool	Large resort pool deck plus the 21+ LIQUID Pool Lounge	Boulevard Pool facing the Strip, plus the 21+ Marquee Dayclub
Casino	Yes	Yes
Resort fee	$55 + tax per night	$55 + tax per night
Parking	Self-parking $20/day for hotel guests; valet $40/day	Self-parking $20/day for hotel guests; valet $40/day
Check-in / out	3 PM / 11 AM	—
Official rating	Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star: ARIA Sky Suites and The Spa at ARIA (2026)	Forbes Travel Guide Recommended
Rates	Check ARIA Rates	Check Cosmopolitan Rates

We compared the two from ARIA’s, the Cosmopolitan’s and MGM’s official pages and terms, checked in October 2026, and we don’t accept free stays; how we review hotels explains the method.

Location: neighbors with different connections

ARIA, at 3730 S Las Vegas Blvd, anchors the ARIA Campus (the former CityCenter), and the Cosmopolitan, at 3708 S Las Vegas Blvd, sits immediately north of it. Both are Center Strip hotels in the same airport taxi zone: a flat $26.25 per direct trip after an April 2026 fuel surcharge, plus 3% excise tax and a $3 card fee. Neither has a Monorail station.

The tram is the practical difference. ARIA has its own stop on the free ARIA Express, which runs daily from 8 a.m. to midnight per ARIA’s transportation page, with service to Vdara, Bellagio and Park MGM. The Cosmopolitan has no station, so its guests walk through The Shops at Crystals to the ARIA stop or use Bellagio’s. In return, the Cosmopolitan has an interior walkway to Bellagio and Vdara, which puts the fountains and the Conservatory an indoor stroll away.

For arena nights, ARIA is closer. MGM lists it at 0.4 mile and about 10 minutes from T-Mobile Arena, partly by tram, while the arena’s last published route list put the Cosmopolitan at about 16 minutes on foot plus tram. Our guide to hotels near T-Mobile Arena compares every option.

Rooms: tech-forward vs terraces

Room type	Size	Beds	Notes
ARIA Deluxe King / Two Queen	520 sq ft	1 King or 2 Queens	Corner views, tablet controls, soaking tub; no balcony listed
ARIA Tower Suites	920–2,000 sq ft	1 King or 2 Queens	Tower Suites lounge; whirlpool tub
ARIA Sky Suites	1,050–2,060 sq ft	1 King, 2 Queens or 2 Kings	Forbes Five-Star; private lounge and Sky Pool
Cosmopolitan City Room	460 sq ft	2 Queens (a Queen version is listed)	Large bathroom; no terrace listed
Cosmopolitan Terrace Studio (incl. Fountain View)	730 sq ft	1 King, or 2 Queens in one fountain-view version	Private terrace; bubbler tub listed for the Terrace Studio
Cosmopolitan Terrace Suite Fountain View	1,070 sq ft	1 King	Private terrace; two bathrooms
Cosmopolitan Wraparound Terrace Suite Fountain View	1,610 sq ft	1 King	1,200 sq ft suite plus a 410 sq ft wraparound terrace

ARIA’s case is consistency. Every standard room is a 520-square-foot Deluxe room with corner views, floor-to-ceiling windows and a 10-inch tablet that runs the lights, temperature and service requests, and every Deluxe bathroom pairs a bench shower with a soaking tub. Guests praise the blackout curtains and the sleep; they complain about the missing coffee maker and a sensor minibar that can’t double as a fridge.

The Cosmopolitan’s case is outdoor space. Its towers were first planned as condos, so many rooms have private terraces, kitchenettes and large bathrooms. Look for “Terrace” in the room name: the Terrace Studio, with sliding glass doors to an oversized private terrace, the Terrace Suite and the Wraparound Terrace Suite all list one, while the City Room’s description mentions two queens and a large bathroom, not a terrace. Guests love the terraces and views but report maintenance problems such as AC filters, mildew odors and temperature control, plus Boulevard Pool noise on lower floors.

So the size math depends on the category: ARIA’s standard room beats the City Room, and a Terrace Studio beats both. At the top end, ARIA’s Sky Suites hold the Forbes Five-Star rating, while the Cosmopolitan answers with 21 Boulevard Tower penthouses designed by Adam Tihany and two-story Lanai Suites. MGM told investors in 2025 that room renovations would begin at ARIA in 2026 and at the Cosmopolitan in 2027; ARIA hasn’t published dates or phasing. For outdoor space elsewhere, see our guide to Las Vegas hotels with balconies.

Pools: ARIA vs Cosmopolitan

ARIA’s pools suit a classic pool day. Its three ellipse-shaped pools, with cabanas, daybeds and gazebos on a 215,000-square-foot deck, are for hotel guests only, and in early October 2026 they opened daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting. LIQUID Pool Lounge, a 21+ dayclub with a 1,200-square-foot main pool, adds a party that’s open to non-guests, Wednesday through Sunday as of early October 2026. Sky Suites guests have their own Sky Pool.

The Cosmopolitan’s pools are built for a scene. The Strip-facing Boulevard Pool hosts summer events, such as the 2026 Dive-In Movies series (June 8 to Aug. 17) on a 65-foot digital marquee. Marquee Dayclub, run by Tao Group, is a 22,000-square-foot rooftop deck with a private infinity pool; expect a 21+ door and confirm the policy before you go. In October, Marquee’s The Dome encloses the deck and keeps it at about 85 degrees, and Tao Group bills it as the only winter pool party in Las Vegas.

Pick ARIA for a calm pool day and the Cosmopolitan for a party, especially in winter, when The Dome is the warmer bet. Either way, confirm cold-month hours before you book.

Dining

The Cosmopolitan has the destination reservation. é by José Andrés, a nine-seat Spanish tasting counter, holds the only MICHELIN Star between the two hotels in 2026, and his Chinese-Mexican China Poblano earned a Bib Gourmand. Zuma, Amaya’s Tulum-inspired coastal Mexican and Superfrico add range, and The Corner Store, with elevated American classics and a martini-focused bar from Catch Hospitality Group, opens Nov. 9, 2026. For easy meals there’s Block 16 Urban Food Hall and the Wicked Spoon buffet, both in 2026 restaurant guides.

ARIA wins on breadth. Gymkhana, Indian fine dining from the group behind London’s two-MICHELIN-star original, was MICHELIN-selected in 2026, and Carbone, CATCH, Jean Georges Steakhouse and Bardot Brasserie cover the big-night dinners. Din Tai Fung and Proper Eats Food Hall, which opened in the former buffet space in late 2022, handle everyday meals. Expect high prices at both; it’s a recurring guest complaint at ARIA, and Cosmopolitan guests raise value concerns too.

Casino

Neither casino is smoke-free. ARIA allows smoking in designated areas throughout the casino and bars and says its fresh-air ventilation system filters out smoke; the Cosmopolitan allows smoking on the casino floor. If smoke is a deal-breaker, Park MGM’s smoke-free casino is at the south end of ARIA’s tram line; our Park MGM review covers it.

Poker players should book ARIA, home to a 24-table poker room and the PokerGO Studio, which hosts televised tournaments the public can attend event by event. Its non-smoking BetMGM Sportsbook has 90 HD screens, including 220-inch TVs. The Cosmopolitan has two high-limit areas, The Reserve and Talon Club, plus its own BetMGM sportsbook. Both are MGM Rewards resorts, so one loyalty account works at either. Marriott also sells both as Autograph Collection hotels within MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy, as ARIA Resort & Casino, Autograph Collection and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Autograph Collection (checked Oct. 13, 2026), so Bonvoy members earn at either when they book through Marriott.

Entertainment and nightlife

The Cosmopolitan is the night out. Tao Group’s Marquee Nightclub covers 40,000 square feet with seven bars and three rooms and was recently renovated with new sound and video systems. The Chandelier, a three-story bar wrapped in two million crystals, is a guest favorite, Spiegelworld’s The Party at Superfrico is a dinner-and-performance show for about 50 guests a night, and The Chelsea, a 3,200-seat venue, hosts concerts and events.

ARIA’s nightlife is narrower. JEWEL Nightclub, also run by Tao Group, opens Friday and Saturday from 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., and Lift Bar pours rare spirits with cigar pairings. There’s no resident production show, but Dolby Live at Park MGM is a tram ride away, and the free ARIA Fine Art Collection includes Maya Lin’s 87-foot “Silver River” behind the front desk.

Resort fees and parking

Charge (as of October 2026)	ARIA	The Cosmopolitan
Resort fee	$55 + tax per night	$55 + tax per night
Resort fee with tax	About $62.36	About $62.36
Self-parking, hotel guests	$20 per 24 hours	$20 per 24 hours
Valet	$40 per day	$40 per day
Self-parking, visitors	$20 Mon–Thu, $25 Fri–Sun	$20 Mon–Thu, $25 Fri–Sun

It’s a tie on the fixed costs. The resort fee plus guest self-parking comes to about $82.36 a night with a car ($62.36 + $20), before the room rate and its tax. ARIA’s reservation terms, updated Aug. 26, 2026, list what its fee covers: in-room Wi-Fi, unlimited local and domestic long-distance calls, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, boarding-pass printing, digital newspapers and magazines, and 24-hour Cardio Center access for guests 18 and older. ARIA also waives the fee on eligible reservations for MGM Rewards Gold members and above; check the Cosmopolitan’s terms for the same perk. Our Las Vegas resort fees guide covers the rest of the Strip.

Parking perks match: Nevada residents get three free hours of self-parking, except during special events, MGM Rewards Pearl members and above park free, and Gold members and above get free valet. Budget for ARIA’s incidental hold, too: $150 a day for a Deluxe room and $350 for a Sky Suite. Our guide to Las Vegas parking fees compares other resorts.

Price positioning

Neither hotel is reliably cheaper. Both sit in the luxury tier with identical fees and parking, and rates vary by day of the week, events and season, so price the same nights at both. Compare like for like: ARIA’s 520-square-foot Deluxe room against the Cosmopolitan’s 460-square-foot City Room, or a Terrace Studio against an ARIA Tower Suite when space is the goal.

The upgrade logic differs. At the Cosmopolitan, the terrace is the upgrade that matters, and it’s the reason to book there. At ARIA, the standard room already delivers most of the hotel’s appeal, and the Sky Suites make sense mainly for their private arrival, lounge and pool.

Which is better for couples?

The Cosmopolitan, for most couples. A fountain-view Terrace Studio lets you watch the Bellagio fountains from your own terrace, é’s nine-seat counter makes the special dinner, and The Chandelier handles the nightcap. Book ARIA instead if the trip is built around rest: a Five-Star spa with a day pass covering the heated-stone beds and Outdoor Therapy Pool, a modern room and a quieter resort. Our guide to romantic hotels in Las Vegas names more options.

Which is better for families?

ARIA, narrowly. It’s the calmer of the two, the three main pools are reserved for hotel guests, and Din Tai Fung and Proper Eats make easy family meals. The catch is space: ARIA’s Two Queen rooms are 520 square feet, while the Cosmopolitan’s Terrace Studio Two Queen Fountain View measures 730, so a family that needs floor space may prefer the Cosmopolitan despite its party pools. The best family base on this block is neither: Vdara, the non-gaming, smoke-free suite tower next to ARIA, has kitchenettes, and its King Studios add a pull-out queen sofa bed. See our family-friendly Las Vegas hotels for more.

Which is better for nightlife?

The Cosmopolitan, without much debate. Marquee Nightclub, Marquee Dayclub, The Chandelier, The Party and concerts at The Chelsea are all under one roof. ARIA guests can still go out: JEWEL is downstairs on weekends, and the Cosmopolitan is next door.

Which is better for first-time visitors?

The Cosmopolitan, by a nose. Its Strip-facing pool and terraces, the interior walkway to Bellagio’s fountains and Conservatory, and the bars downstairs deliver the Las Vegas most first-timers picture. ARIA is the better first-trip base if you’re coming for a T-Mobile Arena event or want a calm room to retreat to, with the tram doing the walking to Bellagio and Park MGM.

Which should you book?

Choose ARIA if:

• You want a Forbes Five-Star spa or a Sky Suite.
• You’d rather have a bigger standard room (520 square feet) than pay for a terrace.
• Poker, a tram stop or T-Mobile Arena events matter.
• You want a calmer resort with a three-pool deck for hotel guests.

Choose the Cosmopolitan if:

• You want a private terrace, ideally facing the fountains.
• Nightlife, bars and a dayclub are part of the plan.
• You want a MICHELIN-starred tasting counter or a buffet on site.
• You’ll pay for a Terrace Studio, which at 730 square feet is the larger room.

If you’re undecided and the trip isn’t about nightlife, book ARIA: its standard room is bigger than the Cosmopolitan’s City Room, and the spa and tram serve almost any itinerary. If a terrace or a big night out is the point, the Cosmopolitan earns its place. Prices vary according to travel dates and availability; see how both rank among the best hotels in Las Vegas or browse more hotel comparisons.

FAQ

Is the Cosmopolitan better than ARIA?

It depends on the trip. The Cosmopolitan is better for terraces, nightlife and a MICHELIN-starred dinner, and its Terrace Studios are larger than ARIA’s standard rooms. ARIA is better for a spa day, poker, a calmer stay and tram access, and its standard room beats the Cosmopolitan’s City Room. Both charge a $55-plus-tax resort fee (as of October 2026).

Can you walk from ARIA to the Cosmopolitan?

Yes. The Cosmopolitan sits immediately north of the ARIA Campus, and the arena’s route list sends Cosmopolitan guests through The Shops at Crystals to the ARIA tram stop. We found no published walking time between the two. You can also ride the free tram one stop from ARIA to Bellagio and take the interior walkway into the Cosmopolitan; our guide to connected hotels in Las Vegas maps the indoor routes.

Which has the better pool, ARIA or the Cosmopolitan?

ARIA, for swimming: three pools on a 215,000-square-foot deck reserved for hotel guests, plus the 21+ LIQUID Pool Lounge. The Cosmopolitan wins for a party, with the Strip-facing Boulevard Pool in summer and Marquee Dayclub, whose enclosed The Dome keeps the deck at about 85 degrees from October. Confirm winter hours at either hotel.

Which has the better spa, ARIA or the Cosmopolitan?

ARIA. The Spa at ARIA is Forbes Five-Star for the eighth consecutive year in 2026, and a $100 day pass (as of October 2026, subject to availability) covers the wet areas, Ganbanyoku heated-stone beds, the Shio Salt Room and the Outdoor Therapy Pool. The Cosmopolitan’s Sahra Spa & Hammam, with a salon and fitness center, is rated Four-Star. Our guide to the best spas in Las Vegas ranks both against the rest of the Strip.

Should I book Bellagio instead?

Book Bellagio for the classic version of this block: the fountains out front, the free Conservatory, “O” and its own tram station, at the same $55-plus-tax resort fee (as of October 2026). Its spa has been closed for a remodel since March 2026, so ARIA wins for a spa trip. Our Bellagio vs ARIA and Bellagio vs Cosmopolitan comparisons go deeper.

Where does Vdara fit in?

Vdara is the third option on this block: a non-gaming, completely non-smoking all-suite tower inside the ARIA Campus, with an interior walkway to the Cosmopolitan and Bellagio and a stop on the tram. Its 582-square-foot studios have kitchenettes, King Studios add a pull-out queen sofa bed, and the resort fee is the same $55 plus tax (as of October 2026). Our Vdara review covers it in full.