Recently I went to Las Vegas with my dad, to do a story on Mastercard’s priceless moments. They put us up at the Wynn Las Vegas, which is a fantastic hotel right in the heart of the action on the Las Vegas Strip. Here are 10 reasons to stay at the Wynn Las Vegas.
1. Wow factor
The moment you walk through the Wynn Las Vegas’ doors, you’ll notice that this five-star hotel is over the top. The entryway alone will make your jaw drop. The entry changes each season and is decked out with thousands of fresh flowers. I was visiting around Christmas so it had a holiday theme. I noticed guests would visit the hotel just to see and document the stunning display.
2. Attention to detail
The attention to detail doesn’t stop with the entryway – it can be found throughout the hotel. Just take a walk through the 111,000-square-foot casino to see what I’m talking about. One of my favorite details were the lampshades above each gaming table. The same goes for their connected sister property, Encore.
3. Elegant rooms
The rooms at the Wynn Las Vegas are elegantly appointed and feature oversized marble bathrooms with a separate tub and shower. I also loved the fact you could open and close the curtains with just the press of a button.
4. Restaurants
You won’t go hungry at Wynn Las Vegas, that’s for sure. They have seven fine dining restaurants, eight casual and five bars and lounges. That includes one of the city’s best steakhouses, SW Steakhouse, where Chef David Walzog presents his unique interpretation of the classic American steakhouse. When I was there, I walked by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his security detail so you know it’s got to be good. My favorite meal of the trip was the Kung Pao chicken at Red 8. Chef Larry Wong’s restaurant serves authentic tastes from Cantonese noodle dishes to Hong Kong-style dim sum.
5. Lake of Dreams
Walking into SW Steakhouse I was mesmerized by an oasis called Lake of Dreams. It has over 1,500 trees and features a 140-foot high waterfall. There are 4,000 color-changing lights, which creates a multimedia sensory experience unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I can’t even explain it so see the photo above to see what I’m somewhat talking about.
6. Spa
The Wynn Las Vegas spa is huge – they have 45 treatment rooms for massages, body treatments, facials and hydrotherapy. They claim no two treatments are exactly the same since each is customized to their guests’ personal needs. My dad and I really enjoyed our therapists, lounging around in our robes and slippers afterwards and using their facilities (showers, steam room and sauna).
7. Ferrari Maserati dealership
Imagine a hotel so large that it can house a car dealership! Not only that but it’s Nevada’s only factory-authorized Ferrari Maserati dealership. The 10,000 square-foot showroom allows guests to buy or admire the “world’s finest vehicles.” Unfortunately, to keep the riffraff out, they charge a $10 admission fee unless you have proof of ownership of a Ferrari or Maserati. But there is a Ferrari Store, which features a unique selection of Ferrari merchandise including activewear, collectibles and memorabilia that anyone can visit for free (shocking, I know).
8. Golf Course
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to play on their unique 18-hole, par 70 golf course, which was designed by Tom Fazio and Steve Wynn. But I did get to admire it every time I opened my blinds. The 18th hole has a 37-foot waterfall, which is absolutely gorgeous. Good to know: Roughly 1,200 existing trees were salvaged and relocated from the former Desert Inn Golf Course, some more than 50 years old and over 60 feet tall.
9. Views/location
The Wynn Las Vegas is located on the north end of the Las Vegas strip, next to its sister property, Encore Las Vegas. The Fashion Show Mall and Trump Hotel are across the street. Depending on what side of the hotel your room is on, you will have either an amazing view of the Strip or the golf course. As you can see from the photo, I had a golf course view and each morning, we were greeted by the most amazing sunrises over Sunrise Mountain.
10. Shopping
I’m not into shopping but I know many are so they will appreciate Wynn’s array of international, exclusive and unique shopping boutiques housed in approximately 75,000 square feet of retail space. There are 26 shops from Cartier to a drug store. The Shops at the Esplanade are open seven days a week.
What I didn’t like
Since I was there in the winter, I didn’t get to experience their heated pools or their nightlife but I’m sure they are amazing. But, not everything at the Wynn Las Vegas is all rosy. What I disliked most: They charge guests a $25 resort fee. I despise resort fees. Also the in-room minibar is electronic meaning that if you even just pick up one of the items to see what it’s made of, you will be charged. Of course, you can fight the charges but what a hassle. And finally, there are long lines to check in and check out. Why they don’t staff more people or have roving agents, I don’t understand. It’s a disappointment and not the best way to start off what is otherwise a great stay.
The Wynn Las Vegas; 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South; Las Vegas, NV 89109; (702) 770-7000, (888) 320-7123.
I love the sound of the WYNN. Walked into the lobby a few times and it was impressive. Your comments are excellent on what they offer. I stay at a fine timeshare when I am in Vegas–Marriott Chateau– but if I get an opportunity I shall treat myself to a WYNN weekend.
I’m enjoying your blog, especially because I’m a friend of one of your writers and loving her “Not Your Grandma’s Bus Tour” posts. I wanted to comment here because my boyfriend and I are total “Wynn-whores.”
We’ve stayed at both properties and love ’em both, though my favorite is definitely the original. The Encore, in my opinion, is geared more to the Generation Xer, which is great–I’m all for it—but my place in the alphabet occurs much nearer the middle, hence my preference for the people and places of the Wynn. We appreciate both properties for the aforementioned luxury (even a “regular” room is loaded with the kind of posh amenities that will make you come back time and again and have you ringing the front desk to find out where you can purchase one of their beds/comforters/pillows/bathrobes); I could happily live and die in the bathroom—and let’s not forget the artwork; Steve Wynn is a well-known collector), attention to detail and, above all, the SERVICE, which is second to none. We’ve traveled extensively here in the U.S. and abroad; in a world that seems to’ve largely discarded the concept of customer service as antiquated or bothersome, the Wynn’s philosophy–the absolutely unparalleled way they treat their paying guests–is nothing short of decadent.
You’ll have to go back to enjoy the pools. The pool area at the Wynn is spectacular, bordered by restaurants, cabanas, a couple of small gift shops and replete with lush manicured grounds, helpful pool attendants, an outdoor mini-casino and, of course, the requisite adult (Euro-style) pool with bar. It’s Disney-esque in its cleanliness, to boot. Restrooms are always sparkling clean, servers are constantly yet unobtrusively checking up on you and clearing away unwanted detritus, so your immersion in paradise is never upset by the sight of overflowing ashtrays or empty beer bottles.
My boyfriend spent one long morning in the spa and walked out with a renewed sense of purpose! (Incidentally, his spa visit during our most recent stay was complimentary; check-in took such a long time, and when it was finally our turn we were chatting with the registrar about his oncoming cold. To our delight, she handed him a day pass for the spa. Remember when I said their customer service is the best? P.S. Very often you can negotiate the resort fees, too.) He still raves about the amenities, which apart from the by-appointment-only services included steam, sauna, whirlpool and a full breakfast buffet consisting of fresh fruit, breads, coffee, tea and juices.
I am of the opinion that if you do nothing more during your stay than traverse the path between your room, the pool and the property restaurants, you’ll have treated yourself to a first rate pampering. If you’ve been thinking about it, don’t hesitate. It’s worth every penny.
What I liked most about the Wynn is the fact that you can do everything you want without leaving the resort. Then there are a lot of restaurants available onsite. You probably need 2 weeks to try them all.
The resort fee is something you find in a lot of Vegas hotels now. It is a way for them to get more money with some services.
If you don’t want the check in and check out lines, which I can certainly understand based on their size there, the Tower Suites are a good option but it is more expensive. Still worth the money from my point of view.