You’re standing on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sands Avenue, looking up at two massive, curved bronze towers that basically define the north end of the Strip. One is Wynn. The other is Encore. To the casual observer, they look like twins. But if you’ve actually spent time inside the Encore by Wynn Las Vegas hotel, you know they’re more like siblings with very different personalities. Wynn is the sophisticated older brother who went to law school; Encore is the younger, slightly more rebellious sister who knows exactly where the best party is but still insists on 500-thread-count sheets.
It’s expensive. Let's just get that out of the way. When Steve Wynn opened this place in 2008—right as the global economy was basically melting down—people thought he was crazy. But it worked. Today, it remains one of the few places in Vegas that feels genuinely "luxe" without trying too hard or feeling like a stuffy museum.
Most people book it because they want the name. They want the peacock feathers in the floor mosaics and the smell of that specific "Wynn" room fragrance that they probably end up buying in the gift shop for $90 later. But honestly? Staying here is a specific choice that isn't for everyone. If you're looking for a $50 blackjack table or a cheap buffet, you’re in the wrong zip code.
What Actually Happens Inside the Encore by Wynn Las Vegas Hotel
The first thing you notice is the light. Most Vegas casinos are designed like sensory deprivation chambers—no windows, no clocks, just the eternal glow of slot machines and the faint scent of desperation and cigarette smoke. Encore flipped the script. It’s airy. There are windows everywhere. You can actually see the sun hitting the butterflies on the carpet.
The rooms are technically all suites. Even the "base" Resort Suite is over 700 square feet. To put that in perspective, that’s bigger than a lot of one-bedroom apartments in New York or San Francisco. You get a floor-to-ceiling window that makes you feel like you’re hovering over the desert. There’s a swivel TV that separates the living area from the bedroom, which is great if one person wants to pass out while the other watches some weird National Geographic documentary at 2 AM.
The tech in the room is surprisingly intuitive. You use an iPad (or Alexa) to control the curtains, the lights, and the "Do Not Disturb" sign. It feels futuristic until you accidentally hit "All Lights On" at 4 AM when you're just trying to find the bathroom. We’ve all been there.
The Pool Situation is a Whole Different Beast
If you’re staying at the Encore by Wynn Las Vegas hotel, you have a choice. You can go to the regular resort pool, which is stunning and relatively chill, or you can go to Encore Beach Club (EBC).
EBC is legendary. It’s also intense. If you aren't prepared to pay $2,000 for a cabana and hear world-class DJs like Marshmello or The Chainsmokers at volumes that vibrate your internal organs, you might want to stick to the quiet side. It’s a fascinating ecosystem of high-rollers, influencers, and people who saved up for six months just to buy one bottle of overpriced vodka. It’s Vegas distilled into its purest, loudest form.
The Red Card and the Fine Print
Let’s talk money. The Encore isn't just a hotel; it’s a machine designed to separate you from your cash as politely as possible. The "Wynn Rewards" program (formerly Red Card) is how they track your play. If you're a serious gambler, the comps here are great, but the barriers to entry are higher than at, say, Flamingo or Bally's.
- The Resort Fee: It’s around $45-$50 per night plus tax. It covers Wi-Fi and gym access, which feels like paying for the air you breathe, but that’s the industry standard now.
- Dining: You aren't finding a food court here. You're looking at Sinatra, Wazuzu, or SW Steakhouse. Expect to spend $150+ per person for a "real" dinner.
- The Walk: Encore is tucked slightly behind Wynn. If you’re trying to walk to the South Strip (like Caesars or Bellagio), bring comfortable shoes. It’s a trek. Or just Uber. Honestly, just Uber.
Is the Service Actually Better?
In a word: Yes.
There’s a reason the Encore by Wynn Las Vegas hotel consistently racks up Forbes Five-Star awards. It’s the small stuff. The way the housekeeping staff organizes your charging cables with little Velcro ties. The fact that the concierge actually knows the name of that one obscure off-strip Thai place you heard about.
I remember talking to a floor manager once who said their training manual is basically a thick book of "How to say yes." It shows. You don't get the "it's not my department" shrug that you find at the massive mega-resorts owned by the giant corporations. At Encore, it feels like they actually give a damn.
Why Some People Hate It (And They Aren't Wrong)
For all its gold-leafed glory, Encore can feel a bit... isolated. If you want the gritty, chaotic energy of "Old Vegas," you won't find it here. It’s curated. It’s sanitized. Some people find the red-and-purple butterfly aesthetic a bit much—like living inside a very expensive jewelry box.
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Also, the table minimums can be soul-crushing. Finding a $15 blackjack table on a Friday night at Encore is like finding a unicorn. It’s usually $25, $50, or "if you have to ask, you can't afford it."
The Nightlife Factor: XS and Beyond
If you're staying at the Encore, you're likely there for XS. It’s arguably the most successful nightclub in history. It wraps around the outdoor pool, and on a warm Vegas night, there really isn't anything like it.
But here is a pro-tip: If you're staying in a room directly above the club, you will hear the bass. The hotel tries to soundproof, but 100,000 watts of EDM is a powerful force of nature. If you’re a light sleeper, request a room on a high floor facing the Strip (South) or the mountains (North), away from the pool deck.
Dining Without a Mortgage
You don't have to spend $300 on dinner. Wazuzu is in the Encore side and it’s actually somewhat reasonable for the quality. Get the "Drunken Noodles." They’re famous for a reason. It was featured on Best Thing I Ever Ate, and for once, the TV hype is actually justified.
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If you want something even more low-key, the Encore Players Lounge has some decent snacks, and the lobby bar is great for people-watching. You’ll see everything from CEOs closing deals to bachelorette parties in matching "Bride Tribe" shirts trying to navigate 6-inch heels on marble floors. It’s free entertainment.
How to Do Encore Right (Actionable Advice)
If you're going to pull the trigger on a stay at the Encore by Wynn Las Vegas hotel, don't just book the first price you see on an OTA like Expedia.
- Join Wynn Rewards First: Even if you’ve never stayed there, sign up on their website. They often have "member-only" rates that knock 15-20% off the public price.
- The "Tower Suites" Hack: If you can swing the extra $100 or so, the Encore Tower Suites have their own private entrance and lobby. You skip the massive check-in line, and the breakfast credit usually covers most of the price difference. Plus, you get a dedicated elevator bank, which saves ten minutes of your life every time you go to your room.
- Timing is Everything: Mid-week stays in January or August (when it’s 115 degrees out) can see rates drop to $200. During a major convention like CES? You’re looking at $800+. Plan accordingly.
- Spa Access: The Spa at Encore is widely considered one of the best in the world. Even if you don't get a massage, you can buy a day pass. Use the hot plunges, the steam room, and the "experiential showers." It’s the best way to sweat out the bad decisions from the night before.
The Reality Check
Look, the Encore by Wynn Las Vegas hotel isn't a "budget-friendly" destination. It’s an indulgence. It’s for the traveler who values the fact that the carpet is perfectly vacuumed and that the water pressure in the shower is strong enough to peel paint.
Is it "better" than the Wynn next door? It’s different. Wynn is larger, busier, and more classic. Encore is more intimate, a bit younger, and feels more like a boutique hotel that happens to have a massive casino attached to it.
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If you want to feel like a high-roller—even if you're just playing the penny slots—this is the place. Just don't forget to look up at the ceiling every once in a while. Those red chandeliers cost more than my first three cars combined, and honestly, that’s exactly why people keep coming back.
Practical Next Steps:
Check the Wynn Resorts official calendar for "low occupancy" dates—usually Tuesday through Thursday outside of major holidays. Download the Wynn Rewards app before you arrive to bypass the check-in desk via digital key, which is a lifesaver during peak Friday afternoon rushes. If you're planning on dining at Sinatra or SW, make your reservations at least three weeks out; they fill up faster than you’d think, especially on fight nights or during residency concerts.