I recently made a trip to Vegas and experienced the new CityCenter, albeit, it wasn't the full-on experience since all the stores were already closed at Crystals by the time I got there, and I didn't really have time to eat, gamble, club, or drink there. Unfortunate. Nevertheless, I did a quick walk-through and enjoyed the architecture and design. While definitely achieving the modern look with industrial finishes, I felt CityCenter lacked life. It felt a little sterile and uptight - I suppose because it is geared to be more "premium" and high-end, it has a bit of that air to it. The walls and ceilings in Crystals, for example, felt wide open, tall, and plain, a quite spacious feeling. I think the CityCenter is captivating from the outside, the buildings are tremendous, and even the area to valet looks almost like a mini-airport. Do I prefer this to the warmth and ambiance I get from any of the other hotels/casinos on the strip? So far, not really. I am fond of the rest of the Vegas strip, simply because they have a little more character and personality, but that's just me. Then again, I'd love to give it another shot, and see if it has stronger vital signs on my next trip around. Here's my favorite picture from the night, a couple who also seemed to be exploring the new digs.
