ARIA vs COSMO (help needed)

Let me start by saying I am a long time MGM customer and always stay at ARIA as I am a platinum Mlife member. Recently, my wife and I visited and really like the vibe and gambling options. We play mostly slots and the occasional table game (3 Card and Craps). Bankroll of about $4,000. As usual, when we look to stay elsewhere, we always go back to Aria as they take pretty good care of us and my host is always willing to match any other offer we get from another MGM property or CET property. We usually get 3/4 comp nights in Sky Suites, $100-$200 in free play and some food/beverage allowance.

I have contacted a host at Cosmo sharing this info with them in hopes they will perhaps offer something similar for us to try. We are already platinum identity club members as they matched our MLife card status last time.

What are your thoughts on the following compared to ARIA:
- restaurants (looks like a nice variety and a lot of them)
- spa (smaller I would imagine)
- service overall
- other?

At the end of the day it is sometimes hard to stay somewhere new if they aren't offering something on the front end, but in the event they do make a nice offer, I would like to hear your experiences compared to ARIA. Thanks in advance.

 

I give Cosmo the edge on restaurants and overall energy/vibe. The view from their fountain view rooms is hard to beat and the balcony is a nice bonus. The bar/club scene is also better at Cosmo, but I'm not sure if either is a factor in your decision.

I give Aria the edge in service, spa, and casino. Given your existing relationship with Aria and the flexibility of other MGM resorts, I would stick with Aria if I was you and just visit Cosmo at some point during the trip.

 

If you get a decent offer from Cosmo, I would try them, just to see what you think. The energy level is higher, in general it's a more "fun" and exciting casino than Aria's. And the balconies are unmatched, nothing like that anywhere else in Vegas.

I wonder what kind of response you will get from Casino Marketing, however. The Cosmo doesn't seem to be trying real hard to lure players from other properties.

 

Something else to consider is design of hotel.

Aria is contemporary, Cosmo is sort of artsy.

 

Honestly, I'd take Aria over Cosmo, but Cosmo has a lot to offer.

Aria is much more generous with comps and overall has better gaming conditions, and I prefer their sleeker and more restrained design sensibility.

Cosmo has better cocktails.

Restaurants are about equal... Aria has Julian Serrano and Sage, Cosmo has Scarpetta and other delicious joints.

My recommendation is to stay at Aria but visit Cosmo, since Cosmo's gambling isn't impressive but their F&B is.

That said, if you're a black chipper, Cosmo's Talon Club will comp you any food from any restuarant on the property. Spend a night in the Talon Club savoring every restaurant on the property; you'll have a blast!