Cosmo wraparound, Nov 2022

COSMOPOLITAN WRAP AROUND SUITE, GHOST DONKEY, PARK MGM

NOVEMBER 2022

 I was at a conference and decided to use my 1 comp night.  Was sad as I'm no longer Platinum at Cosmo but am Marriott Platinum so I was sure to use my Marriott number to add to the room.  I got to check in at the Platinum Lounge area as such. I was upgraded to the wrap around suite!  Too bad I didn't get to use it much as I was pretty busy, but my roomie got to hang out in it a bunch.

 

Here are some pics from the balcony, Ghost Donkey (speakeasy in back of Cosmo food court), then our view from Park MGM later on in the trip and Best Friend in Park MGM.

How to find Ghost Donkey

Inside Ghost Donkey

Ghost Donkey, known for Tequila and Mezcal

View from only 5th floor of Park MGM was ok.

Strolling through NYNY

More Ghost Donkey

Nachos at Ghost Donkey

View from another balcony wraparound party

Slot Machine in Park MGM outside Best Friend Restaurant (Korean fusion)

Beverly Hills, Jan 2023 Beverly HIlton and Waldorf Astoria

 ahh the Beverly Hilton!

January 2023

I was there for a conference and luckily I was still Platinum, although there was no breakfast lounge here.  If I recall, I got a daily food credit instead.

I also visited the Waldorf Astoria rooftop bar next door which was really cool.  Great fun, good drinks.  I got to see a friend who I had just met in Alabama at a judicial conference as well!  

Byredo amenities in my favorite scent.  I was hooked.  This was overall a lovely place (they hold the Golden Globes here) and if I had to stay in the area, I would consider staying here again.  The Waldorf was much more luxurious, but at a hefty price.

The Whitney Houston room.  If you know, you know.

The bar upstairs.

View from the Waldorf

Delicious drinks at the Waldorf

View from my room

Where they hold the Golden Globes

Key Largo, Feb 2023! Wedding! Coconut Palm Inn

 TAVERNIER KEY, FLORIDA (KEY LARGO)

COCONUT PALMS INN, FEBRUARY 2023

I traveled here from DC for a wedding.  It was gorgeous.  All there is to do here is relax.  No major amenities, but for a quick mini vacation, it was nice.  Prices were through the roof for rooms, but as it was for a wedding, it was to be expected as they rented out the entire property.

I would not necessarily stay here again, but it was worth seeing once.  More like a motel - they don't service rooms daily.  Without a car it's kind of tough out here so I suggest pre-booking Uber.

All in all, gorgeous, relaxing location.

Elite 8 in Vegas, finally. NYNY was not scary.

 NEW YORK NEW YORK

VEGAS, MARCH 2023

So, I was totally hesitant to stay here as I consider it a lower end property, but it was right next to T-Mobile Arena and happened to be cheaper than Park MGM that day.  I booked banking on the hopes that Gonzaga would make it to the Elite 8 (which they did!).

I got a new Soho room, and it was nice. It even had a fridge, which you don't see at most MGM properties.  It was pretty basic, like a dorm, but was sufficient.  I'd stay there again for the location. Piano bar was cool, and pizza cheap and good.  Don't eat at the wing place on way to Excalibur, ugh.  Other than that, food was good and location stellar.  Do not fear NYNY!

Normal Kuer MGM Amenities. Nothing to write home about, but better than that new Almond lotion stuff at Delano.

Soho Premier room, here I come!  Skeptical...

View from the room of Roller Coaster and T-Mobile Arena

Dumplings at Chin Chin by elevators.  They were ok, not spicy enough for me but good.  People will like it.

My Alaska Air rage is over for now.

 

ALASKA AIR is the way.

I'm over my rage at Alaska.  Things are ok again post-Covid, although points aren't double anymore so I doubt I'll make my 75K again this year.  I was able to keep the status during the pandemic, but lost it early this year.  I did the challenge to get back as I think it's worth it for the free upgrades (higher up the list) and things like that.  I still pay for the lounge, although I'm questioning it as the food lately hasn't been great.

That said, I am still Alaska loyal.  I had to fly Southwest earlier this year as someone else was paying and booking.  I didn't die, but I also wouldn't ever choose it again.  I paid for early boarding, and despite measuring my bag, the GEG Employee said he thought it might be too big. Of course he asked another guy and he said no, it's fine, but by then a zillion others had boarded.  Trauma, stress.

In any event, I still love the Alaska program and for now I've decided to stay.

Protein plate in AM First Class has a weird maybe yogurt type dip, but the afternoon one was way better like a red garlic hummus or something. 

Nomad Atelier Suite was lovely! April 2023

 

 NOMAD!

Atelier Suite  April 4-7

The tub is key.  Get some bubble bath at Lush though, there isn't any provided.  Argan oil amenities. @ comp bottled small water in room.  I'd stay here again.  Way better than Park MGM basic rooms!