Thanks. I used to go to Vegas on business (pre pandemic conventions) but haven’t been in years. I had heard athat Vdara was the value play for nice rooms.
I did enjoy Bellagio with a fountain view room before the neighboring hotels went up. A corner room with a fountain view would have a view far down the strip back then.
We stay there when we go out for all of the points that you raised. It isn’t as stuffy as Aria, definitely more of a party vibe without being low budget. The food options are great, especially if you’re not looking for fine dining. We like the pools as well. Sports book is easy to access. We are Marriott loyalists as well so is a nice bonus.
I thought the Cosmopolitan didn’t honor Marriott benefits much (upgrades, free breakfast).
They used to be one of the higher prices properties, are they more competitive these days?
Sorry, was more thinking of either using points for rooms or acquiring a bunch of points if paying with a card. I took my wife and her family for her 50th a few years back, so we had four rooms total. We added a lot of points for that trip. We also had a cabana one day at the pool that added a bunch of points. Additionally, they have a separate check in and check out room for Bonvoy members, so you can avoid some big lines there.
We are big fans of Egg Slut so we usually hit there for breakfast as opposed to looking for the freebies.
They do for ambassador, sometimes they’ll upgrade for titanium. I generally don’t bother as I’m pretty high status on mgm so not an issue.
Casino status - the worlds most expensive freebies.
Not yet mentioned, but one that sounds like it could fit your description is the Nobu Hotel at Caesars.
It’s been significantly revenue positive for me, so not so much.
I am not a big Vegas traveler but went twice in the last year on trips revolving around Sphere shows. Palazzo is my go to. Big and nice rooms, clean, and pretty quiet. Get a sphere view room wherever you go to do it right. Lots of excellent restaurants all over the strip.
every vegas hotel that’s popular is loud. at least Cosmo is just a small casino area that’s loud.
Also the best part of cosmo is there are easy walkways to Aria, Bellagio
Aria sky suites is a pretty nice retreat from all that. I think aria outside the actual casino is also much quieter.
I’ve stayed all over the Strip and for the past 10-ish years stay at Bellagio absent other reasons.
Fountain View Stay Well Rooms, the Executive Rooms at the end of the floors, and suites when available. The Stay Well rooms are on high floors and have been redone.
While I eat around the Strip, most of my dining is off Strip.
I haven’t stayed recently at the Waldorf, but if my wife were to join me, I’d stay there.
We were very happy at Wynn Encore earlier this year. I would stay there again.
If looking for something quiet, at the end of the strip, no casino but with underground connected walks to Mandalay Bay, Luxor, etc, then consider Four Seasons.
My wife chose for us to stay there for 4 nights and it was a welcome respite from the very busy and noisy lobbies of most casino hotels in the Strip.
Go see The Eagles at the Sphere and get the package deal at the Venetian/Palazzo
They’d probably play “Witchy Woman” and I’d have to blow the place up 
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Don’t “Take it to the Limit.” Calm down and think of a “Peaceful, Easy Feeling!”
If you really want peaceful wouldn’t the old Mandarin be the call? No casino but a pretty much perfect location to hit any restaurant or casino vibe you might want. Incredible upscale bar with maybe the best views I’ve seen, besides a Cosmo balcony.
And if cheap blackjack is your thing Ellis Island still has a $5 table that wouldn’t be a bad walk 
. I didn’t gamble a dime last time I was there this year (the Cosmo tables are out of my league at night) but previous to that El Cortez had cheap tables.
Encore is a beautiful property with everything but/and totally for grown ups and a bit out of the way if you plan on hitting up other places.
Problem is you can checkout anytime you like but you can never leave
Haven’t been in a couple of years but the Waldorf is always my go to as I don’t really care about the gambling. I have gotten some huge suites on the top floors for cheap. Great bar.
George