
El Cortez Hotel and Casino
Best for travelers who want a historic, adults-only downtown Vegas stay within steps of the Fremont Street Experience.
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El Cortez Hotel and Casino is a vintage, adults-only downtown Las Vegas casino hotel for travelers who want classic Fremont Street energy and compact, grown-up service. The Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas is a trendy, luxury Strip casino resort aimed at travelers who prioritize modern style, balcony rooms, restaurants, and nightlife.
Updated · about 6 miles (≈9.6 km) apart by car

Best for travelers who want a historic, adults-only downtown Vegas stay within steps of the Fremont Street Experience.

Best for travelers who want a large Strip resort with many restaurants, nightlife options, and balcony rooms near the Bellagio fountains.
When El Cortez wins: Choose El Cortez if you want Old Vegas character, a compact adults-only environment, easy walking access to Fremont Street attractions, and a smaller, focused property where the casino and downtown nightlife are the main draw.
When The Cosmopolitan wins: Choose The Cosmopolitan when you want a full-scale, contemporary Strip resort experience — lots of dining choices, a large casino, signature nightlife and entertainment, and rooms with balconies in the center of the Strip.
Bottom line: El Cortez is the pick for travelers seeking vintage downtown Las Vegas and an adults-only stay; The Cosmopolitan suits travelers who prefer modern luxury, many on-site restaurants/bars, and a central Strip address.
| Category | El Cortez Hotel and Casino | The Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Vintage, classic downtown Las Vegas with historic character | Trendy, contemporary luxury on the Las Vegas Strip |
| Location | On Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, steps from Fremont Street Experience | On the Las Vegas Strip near Crystals and the Bellagio fountains |
| Size (rooms) | About 362–364 rooms | 3,032 rooms |
| Who can stay / age policy | Adults-only — 21+ to stay or enter guestrooms | All ages permitted (not adults-only) |
| Casino & gaming | Classic downtown casino with ~750 slot machines, 24 table games and sportsbook | Large Strip casino — listing shows ~1,300 slot machines and 83 gaming tables |
| Pools | No on-site swimming pool | Outdoor seasonal pool(s) with cabanas and poolside bars |
| Restaurants & bars | Several on-site restaurants and bars (Siegel's 1941, Alex Prime Steakhouse, Hot Noods, Sushi Ichiban, Eureka!, Starbucks, multiple bars) | About 18 restaurants and multiple bars/lounges (including well-known signature dining venues) |
| Spa & wellness | NV Spa with 12 private treatment suites offering massages and reflexology | Full-service spa with multiple treatment rooms and services |
| Meeting & event space | About 3,200 sq ft (Fiesta Room) and a few smaller meeting spaces | Extensive conference center — listing shows ~150,000 sq ft and 40 meeting rooms |
| Nearest landmark | Steps from Fremont Street Experience | Steps from Crystals at CityCenter and a short walk to the Bellagio fountains |
El Cortez sits on Fremont Street in the Fremont East entertainment district, within immediate walking distance of the Fremont Street Experience.
El Cortez puts you in the center of downtown Vegas action and short walking distances to Fremont Street attractions.
The Cosmopolitan is on the center Strip at CityCenter, steps from Crystals and a short walk to the Bellagio fountains.
The Cosmopolitan places you in the middle of the Strip with easy access to iconic Strip sights and nightlife.
El Cortez is a smaller, historic property with a range of room types across the original building, pavilion and tower.
Expect relatively compact, historically styled rooms that match the property's downtown character.
The Cosmopolitan has a very large inventory of rooms with many modern suites and rooms featuring balconies.
The Cosmopolitan offers many modern room options and a higher chance of finding larger rooms and balcony views.
El Cortez focuses on a compact roster of downtown restaurants and bars that emphasize retro and comfort-food dining.
Dining at El Cortez centers on a handful of distinctive downtown venues with local flavor.
The Cosmopolitan has a broad, high-profile dining program with many restaurants and bars on site.
The Cosmopolitan gives you more variety and higher-profile dining and bar choices on property.
El Cortez does not have an on-site swimming pool.
If an on-site pool is a priority, El Cortez is not a fit; plan off-site pool visits or choose another hotel.
The Cosmopolitan features an outdoor seasonal pool area with cabanas and poolside bars.
The Cosmopolitan provides a classic Strip pool scene for guests looking to spend time poolside.
El Cortez balances a modest on-site spa and a downtown bar scene tailored to adults.
El Cortez is geared to adults seeking focused spa treatments and vintage downtown bars rather than big-club nightlife.
The Cosmopolitan pairs a full-service spa with significant nightlife, bars and entertainment options.
The Cosmopolitan suits travelers who want an integrated spa and a robust nightlife/dining scene under one roof.

El Cortez — steps from the Fremont Street Experience and downtown attractions.

The Cosmopolitan — many restaurants, bars and a central Strip address near Bellagio.

El Cortez — strictly 21-and-over property with an adults-only policy enforced.

The Cosmopolitan — outdoor seasonal pool(s), cabanas and a wide range of resort services.
El Cortez is a short walk — about one block — from the Fremont Street Experience; The Cosmopolitan is on the Strip and requires a drive, taxi or transit ride to reach downtown.
No — El Cortez is adults-only (21+), and all guests and visitors must meet the age policy. The Cosmopolitan allows guests of all ages.
The Cosmopolitan has outdoor seasonal pool areas with cabanas; El Cortez does not have an on-site swimming pool.
The Cosmopolitan has much larger conference and meeting facilities (listing shows ~150,000 sq ft and 40 meeting rooms); El Cortez has smaller event space around 3,200 sq ft.
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