The Cosmo Parking Garage May Leave You Wanting to Park At Aria
Whoop! It’s Cosmo opening day today and before Mr Flowers sings us all into a state of Cosmo adoration, we thought we’d bring you some of our thoughts. But first we thought we’d write about how we arrived for our sneak peek – and how you will probably arrive – the entrance and the parking sitch, because yesterday we found ourselves doing the unheard of and wishing we’d parked at Aria - yes, Aria, home to the Never Park Here If You Want To Hold On To Your Sanity parking garage.
First up, we called the hotel to check that the car park was up and running, and after we’d been asked whether we were coming for “processing” (oo-er) we were told to take the first exit on the right after Bellagio. Not Harmon, as we’d thought.
Um, no, after we were sent on our way “round the back way” and then turned back by security guards, we can verify it definitely was Harmon. Drive as if you’re going to Vdara and turn right at the first lights.
And here’s our first problem with the Cosmo – the entrance just isn’t very prepossessing. Driving round the side of the building feels like you’re going in the deliveries entrance and is a bit of a downer. Once you’ve turned right, it’s glammed up with that huge silver nametag and funky music and lighting, but it still feels a bit depressing to be underground (although, you’ll be pleased to hear, not as depressing as Planet Hollywood’s entrance).
The valet seems like it would be straightforward enough but the self parking was horrid. All underground which always confuses us – it’s like Palazzo, only a lot bigger. And it’s not very well signposted. We know this because when we arrived, we wandered around looking for an elevator for a couple of minutes until someone directed us to the staff elevator, which they said was the closest. So we walked past stacks of duvet covers (starched and individually wrapped in dry cleaning bags – amazing) and a room full of minibar stock and lots of boxes until we emerged in the middle of the casino.
Then on the way down we took the proper elevator, only to wander around looking for our car for 20 minutes. We even had a guard on a bike help us and he sent us in what turned out to be the wrong direction. In the end, we looked for the entrance and went above ground to try and retrace our steps. Except we were at the entrance by the Bellagio. Once we found the Harmon entrance above ground, we retraced our steps from there.
Yes, we’re probably incompetent but the fact that nobody seemed to know where the elevators were made us think there may be a glitch with the parking.
On the plus side, there’s fabulous street art to look at as you wander back and forth across the carpark. Each floor has a mural by a different artist by the elevator bank, and we hit gold with Shepard Fairey.
We’ll give it a few more goes here, if only for the art.
On to the positive stuff next. There's lots, promise. Oh, and if you don't want to brave the self park, and don't like valet, we suggest trying Bellagio.
Comment (1)
Post a CommentReturn to » The Cosmo Parking Garage May Leave You Wanting to Park At Aria
Return to » The Cosmo Parking Garage May Leave You Wanting to Park At Aria
Join the conversation!