Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you I spent way too much time in my youth fascinated with buildings. Drawing floor plans in school during free time, coming up with ideas while daydreaming. Architecture is something I thrive on. Always have, always will. Hotels just happen to be a subclass of the fascination with me. Vegas tends to offer an overload of this for me in the embodiment of the Mega Resort. Steve Wynn has always been one who also seemed to share this, in his design focus, detailing every last inch seemingly by hand of his resorts.
Having stayed at the Wynn Las Vegas a year after its opening, I was overwhelmed by the personal touch that Wynn has built into his hotels. The way the property can feel like an intimate affair when in reality it is a 2000-room behemoth is boggling, yet Wynn's resorts manages it as it it's as simple as a flick of the pen signing his name to the top of the hotel itself. Therefore when I found myself passing through Vegas again, less than a month after the opening of his newest acclaimed property, Encore, I booked away. I can tell you in no small terms that Steve has hit a homerun here in every way you could possibly imagine.
Wynn has gone for an intimate affair, the boutique hotel on a large scale, and Encore feels every bit as intimate as one would expect given the size you are working with in Vegas. My trip from the car park to the main lobby of the hotel was quick, a short walk, elevator ride, and another short walk past the pool. As with Wynn, Encore is divided into the main Resort and the higher end Tower Suites. Immediately past the pool by the casino entrance is the main registration for the Resort guests. This I can say with certainty, as set up, will be a nightmare for Wynn in his attempt to achieve 5-star status with Mobil. The area is complete chaos as seen in the picture above. Further punctuating the issue are countless employees who are VERY courteous but take no initiative to fix the disorder. Fortunately my suite had been upgraded and I proceeded down the casino edge to the private Tower Suites lobby. Service was nothing short of white glove. The intimate lobby is well staffed, and check in was expedient and thorough. I was accommodated on a request for a high floor with a view of the Strip. Additionally I was given complimentary cold water and a hot towel for refreshment. Overkill continued when I was asked 4 or more times for assistance with my one bag, which I declined. I chalk this up to the Wynn service standard. The clerk then also walked me to the elevators, only 3 servicing the hotel-within-a-hotel, and only ONE rider ever joining me in using them. Again she asks if I need help with luggage, to which I say kindly no. "Sir you do know you're on vacation?" she quips with a smile. I nod, clearly not accustomed to this level of service. 52 is pressed and off I go.
Every last room at Encore is a suite. Suite is to be taken loosely. The room is a room with a divider. As with Wynn, each room has a desk and sitting area, but the divider seems to give Wynn leisure to call these rooms suites. Some argue this, I will not. Each room does in fact feel like a suite because of its size and division. One must think of this the same way they think of a half wall being a wall. Unimportant to me.
Upon entering the room you are engulfed in materials and color, texture and shape. Everything is made to feel heavy in hand, heavy on the eye, yet light in composition. The palette of neutrals offset by pops of gold and red is lively despite the monotony. There is a long foyer with substantial closet and safe, at the end of which is the bedroom area, minibar and cabinet, and divider wall through which is the living area appointed with a desk, two chairs, a L-shaped couch and ottoman. It should be mentioned that the whole side of the room is walled with mirrors, which typically I'd consider tacky, but I think is a stroke of genius for the depth of the room. With a full width of floor to ceiling glass, the mirror wall is not really noticeable, but opens up the room to a great deal of light and color.
Bedding is top notch, comfortable, sleep like a log good. The bed itself is flanked by two marble topped nightstands, one with an iPod-dock clock, the other with a cordless phone and a remote that controls all lighting and curtains from the bed. One can be lazy as they want here. Room service in bed, lights off from bed, TV in bed. All check. The TV is at the foot of the bed, and is a 46" LCD. This TV swivels in the divider wall, easily viewed from either room area. You can even play Vanna White and turn it around mid-letter. Adjacent is the mini-bar, enclosed in a beautiful blonde-wood cabinet with underlighting and Matisse print above. Don't touch, everything is on a sensor. You will be charged. Avoid. Avoid.
The living room couch is comfy and good for small groups, the desk functional with fax and all-in-one Avaya phone that reminds you of who you are. You even get live plants. Jade plant, healthy, a nice touch. And the view, well. Amazing. Up the strip from the 52nd floor I could see the fountains at Bellagio at full height. The view to beat.
If you are a bathroom freak like I am, Encore will not dissapoint. The whole room is dark and light, no inbetween save gold accents around the mirror and 19" TV in the wall. Yes, TV in wall. I may never leave. The dual Kohler sinks are beautiful and simple, and the cabinetry is a mix of stone and wood that is elegant yet modern. Provided is a soaking tub and stand up shower with handheld sprayer, both of which were hot and excellently pressured. The toilet is in a separate room with phone, and two robes are provided as well as scales and a hair dryer. Posh is the feeling, top to bottom. You will want to lounge here but once you're done, venture out, because Encore is full of other things to do an explore.
Encore has a plethora of things to do once you leave the room, which you may not want to do but trust me, pry yourself away. The casino (which I cannot legally picture but you can view on their website) is ingeniously chambered with drapes and dividers and feels intimate. The chandeliers are worth the trip alone if you like the color red. There is also an abundance of natural light from the atrium at one end to the windows facing the pool to the other. You will not feel like you've been in a casino like this ever. The dining is phenomenal (see my review of Switch) and varied, and there are many options for every epicurean delight and even the showman in you. Shoppers rejoice, the Esplanade will not disappoint if you have the money to spend there. And XS nightclub on property is the hotspot in Vegas at the moment. The line on a Sunday was hours deep. That should tell you all you need to know.
The Tower Suites at Wynn Las Vegas, the original 5-Mobil star winner in Vegas, was the idea behind Encore. Wynn has tweaked the idea, and may have a very serious shot at winning the first major 5-Mobil star award for a full size resort in history. With a few tweaks to the system, its in fact his to loose. If you have the time, the money, and the will to see Vegas and hotels in general in a different light, take a chance on Encore. You will NOT be disappointed.
Encore at Wynn Las Vegas is located at 3131 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas NV. Reservations can be made at http://www.encorelasvegas.com or by phone at 702.770.7171. Rates start at $179 mid-week as of this writing.
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