Encore Resort and Casino - Las Vegas: The Encore Resort at Wynn Las Vegas opened in December 2008, and we stayed there just ten days into its opening. This $2.4 billion construction is certainly a lavish addition to its sister property, the Wynn Resort both having an identical building facade. From outside, the 50-story building glitters with n bronze and curves towards the sky, a magnificent structure and a work of art.

First Impression/Lobby: We were greeted at the door by the bellman and the doorman, both of whom were sharply and ultra-dressed. The lobby is glorious! The moment you step inside, you could immediately tell that you were in a true first-class luxury hotel.

Share this review on Facebook.

The lobby opens to a direct view of the resort’s lush gardens and magnificent pools. Red Italian chandeliers hung above the high ceilings providing a complementary touch to the predominantly crimson and beige hues of the hotel’s interiors.

Reception: Considering that this hotel has more than 2,000 suites, there are two arrivals and check-in areas to anticipate a full house. Similar to the reception we had at Mandalay Bay, our reception at Encore was unorganized and a bit of a mess (but not as bad as Mandalay Bay).

Once we got up to the desk, we thought everything would be fine and our check in would be processed quickly but the lady behind the counter simply had no clue as to what she was doing. I wondered if this was because they had only been open a few weeks or that she was simply untrained and inexperienced; either way, it was a bad experience that left us with a sour first impression.

The Suite: There is nothing better than a brand new suite that is as large as a house. The smallest suites in Encore span 700 square feet and the largest one measure up to 5,800 square feet! We booked a Panoramic Suite which simply defies description as to how gorgeous it was, but the size was smaller than expected.

While it is termed as a suite, it is actually not a true suite with the usual two rooms; instead, it is a large living room separated by a half wall. The TV sits in the wall and can be turned around 360 degrees so you can watch it in either room.

The design of the room is contemporary chic with mostly beige furniture, black, white and gold accents, and a dark red wall. Every lighting fixture in the room can be controlled with the touch of a button. The view is the best part and is the selling point of the panoramic suite.

The bathroom is extra large with double basin sinks, private toilet, and a shower and deep soaking bathtub separated by glass. It is exactly what I expect of a true luxury suite.

Room Service: The room service menu consisted of the typical room service fare of soups, salads, sandwiches, steak, chicken, and fish. The food was very pricey but convenient and satisfying.

The service, however, was very poor and slow. It was a drop-and-run type of service, not indicative of luxury. Needles to say, the room service we experienced here simply did not match the price or the luxuriousness of this five star hotel.

Housekeeping: The housekeeping was invisible and thorough but still below the “Four Seasons” standard that I’ve come to measure all housekeeping against.

Concierge: Lacking, lacking, lacking… We asked for a good Italian place for lunch (other than their own, since we had already tried that) and they could not come up with anything. In all of Las Vegas they could not recommend anything? Very disappointing, indeed. For dinner reservations, we wanted sushi, they recommended Yellow Tail—we tried it and hated it. Apparently they have not experienced Las Vegas. For a luxury hotel of this kind, I expect so much more from the concierge.

Restaurant: Encore has a total of five restaurants plus a lobby bar and café. Sinatra serves Italian cuisine, Switch is a French-inspired seafood and steak restaurant, Wazuzu is a Pan-Asian bistro, Botero is a steak house, and Society Café Encore provides all-day dining.

Pool/Spa/Activities: Inspired by the “French Riviera,” the pools at Encore takes you to another world (or a foreign country), surrounded by manicured gardens, whirlpools, mosaic tiling, and cabanas. There is a shopping center inside the hotel called The Esplanade and includes Chanel and Hermes. As Wynn is known for its world-class spa, Encore’s is also impressive.

Overall Impression Yes, they are a beautiful property and yes, they cater to the high-end of the high-end but they need to get their service and attitudes in order. The overall attitude I got from the staff was arrogance. A large part of the reason people stay in a luxury hotel is for the service. Part of true five-star luxury service is doing an excellent job each and every time and part of it is making guests feel welcomed and appreciated. My experience at Encore was less than stellar, getting an overall attitude that I should feel lucky that I was able to stay there.

With the prices they charge, they need to know that they are the one who is lucky that I chose to stay there. As great hotels in Las Vegas go, The Mandalay Bay Hotel and The Venetian offer the service that I expect of a true five-star luxury hotel.

Overall rating for the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas – Between bombastic and not.

Join us on Facebook!

5 Star and Luxury Hotel, Resort,
Restaurant, Airline and Travel Reviews,
Advice and Information - Independent and Unbiased