By David Yeskel
Wynn Las Vegas continues to makes its mark on the Las Vegas hospitality landscape that is already rich with high-end, luxury hotels, pampering spas and gourmet restaurants. But apparently Wynn’s stand-outs are strong enough to gain the continued attention of the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide.
The well-known independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas handed out a total of 16 5-Star awards in the city this year and Wynn Las Vegas garnered 7 of them – five more than any other competing Vegas property. And while I didn’t have the privilege of being a Forbes Travel Guide anonymous inspector, I spent a recent weekend on-property experiencing each of those seven award-winning products, and now understand why they were so honored.
Wynn Las Vegas — Fresh off of a nearly-completed renovation the company calls “the largest and most extensive design evolution ever made” to the Wynn tower’s guest rooms, suites, elevator lobbies and corridors, the property fairly oozes sophisticated luxury. New furniture, fixtures and lighting are complemented by soft colors and a mix of textures that promote a comfortable, residential feel. And with a minimum of 640-sq.-ft. In the standard Wynn Resort King, guests have plenty of space to relax in style and pamper themselves in the completely renovated bathroom. The most significant — and smartest — architectural change here is defined by the new, completely split vanities, which allowed for the insertion of a multi-level, shared rack that provides ample storage space for all the products we (increasingly) need to keep us beautiful.
Wynn Tower Suites — With suites interspersed throughout the Wynn tower, this hotel-within-a-hotel has historically provided a slightly more intimate experience for guests – at a price differential that varies per night, depending on day-of-week/season. Tower Suites rates also include a $50 daily breakfast credit in the exclusive and lovely Tableau restaurant or any other a.m. venue. Room renovations in both Wynn Las Vegas and Wynn Tower Suites also feature newly-commissioned artworks. Tower Suites guests will find floor-to-ceiling mirrors, chandeliers and four-poster beds enhancing their accommodations. 
Encore Las Vegas — If the Wynn Las Vegas side of the house could be considered classic luxury, I’d categorize the Encore wing as modern luxury. The colors pop a little brighter at Encore, and the property hews to a slightly younger demographic, especially with the popular Encore Beach Club and the lively, new Casa Playa Mexican Coastal Cuisine outlet. The standard Encore Resort King is a generously-sized 745-sq.ft. and features separate living and sleeping areas, a large work desk and plush sofa.
Encore Tower Suites — As with Wynn Tower Suites, the Encore equivalent features a dedicated check-in area and lounge, daily coffee and tea service and a $50 daily breakfast credit. And the Encore Three Bedroom Apartment, a 2-level home-away-from-home featuring a billiard room, wellness room and floor-to-ceiling golf course views offers an over-the-top, only-in-Vegas experience.
All four hotels also feature an in-room Amazon Echo device with custom skills specifically configured to control curtains, lighting, ambient temperature and entertainment.
The Spa at Wynn — Guests entering the Den, the Spa at Wynn’s welcome lounge, immediately realize that they’re in for a relaxing, luxurious experience. Featuring rich, dark leather furnishings and a roaring fireplace, the candle-lit room reflects the Zen-like atmosphere found throughout the facility. The spa’s deep, dusky color palette evokes nightfall, and accents of textured stone and sculptural metal lend a rich air.
The Spa at Encore — A walk down the Spa at Encore’s drop-dead gorgeous treatment corridor evokes a dreamlike experience that can only be described as heavenly. Yes, it’s that ethereal, and the feeling continues at the lushly-decorated Tranquility Lounge. The spa’s Wet Area (larger than the equivalent zone on the Wynn side) features 2 heated pools, 2 cold plunges, heated stone chairs and two “experience” showers with water pressure just short of fire-hose strength.
Wing Lei — As the only fine-dining Chinese restaurant in North America to be awarded 5 stars, Wing Lei lives up to its reputation, which was previously enhanced with a Michelin star. Dinner here is a study in careful preparation and exquisite presentation of gourmet dishes, many of which are given a unique twist by chef Ming Yu. And the attentive, professional service from the seasoned wait staff and management complete the luxe experience in the comfortably elegant dining room, enhanced by soothing colors and well-spaced tables. I recommend the 6-Course Imperial Peking Duck Tasting dinner, which features the bird in 5 different preparations, followed by the chef’s special dessert. At a price of $118.88 per person, this gourmet repast is a value proposition that simply can’t be topped elsewhere.
Wynn Service — At the core of all of these Forbes Travel Guide awards, of course, is an intangible: service. The professional, caring, exacting and detailed service levels I observed and experienced while on-property surely played into these ratings, forming the basis for their respective award level. Early in the pandemic, when Las Vegas casino-resorts were shut down completely for months, Wynn management wisely opted to continue paying staff, with the belief that the training and experience investment previously made in their employees was worth preserving. That decision proved wise, as evidenced by the property’s recent awards bounty.
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