[NemesisX]

Here are some rates for Wynn/Encore for mid-January 2014 -



For the same dates,

Luxor = $67/night
MGM Grand = $65/night
Monte Carlo = $53/night
New York New York = $62/night
Circus Circus = $48/night

Now for a couple of high tiers/top tiers,

Venetian = $259/night
Mirage = $119/night
Aria = $123/night
Bellagio = $159/night
Ceasar's Palace = $351/night
Vdara = $125/night
Cosmopolitan = $227/night

If you're looking at visiting during New Year's day, then add anywhere from $50/night to $100/night onto those prices.

But as expected, Wynn's cheapest room has the highest rate ($356/night).

[keepittrill]

I've noticed that the Wynn was considerably cheaper before the encore was built.

[bbbbmw]

Stayed at the Encore last year, because it smells the least like smoke of any hotel in Vegas - I think they have a good scrubber system. It was fine, and IMO, one of the better ones in Vegas.

BTW - there is a cool car museum in the parking garage of the Imperial Palace hotel. It's kind of old and nothing fancy (and the hotel is really shabby), but is a nice distraction from the rest of Vegas - worth a couple of hours. Have a fun trip!

[Masterplan]

I think based on what everyone is saying I'd quite like to try out encore. It looks really nice and the mrs really likes it too.

Originally Posted by iBoost

January is cold out here pools will be closed, all else is pretty much the same. Luxor rooms are hideous (at least the ones i've been in). I think Planet Hollywood just remodeled rooms and they have good rates, also in the middle of the strip which is perfect. I would also try the $20 trick where ever you stay.

Ok, you have my attention. What's the $20 trick? And does it work?

[iBoost]

Originally Posted by Masterplan

I think based on what everyone is saying I'd quite like to try out encore. It looks really nice and the mrs really likes it too.



Ok, you have my attention. What's the $20 trick? And does it work?

When you're checking in hand the receptionist a $20 and ask if there's a complimentary upgrade available. If there is you'll upgrade your room for $20. If there isn't they'll hand you your $20 back. I've never tried it but have read that it works in most hotels when they're not too busy.

[NemesisX]

Originally Posted by bbbbmw

Stayed at the Encore last year, because it smells the least like smoke of any hotel in Vegas - I think they have a good scrubber system. It was fine, and IMO, one of the better ones in Vegas.

BTW - there is a cool car museum in the parking garage of the Imperial Palace hotel. It's kind of old and nothing fancy (and the hotel is really shabby), but is a nice distraction from the rest of Vegas - worth a couple of hours. Have a fun trip!

That's actually a very good point. In general, I absolutely cannot tolerate visiting Vegas during peak times simply because of all the smoke in the casinos.

[NemesisX]

By the way, if your or the Mrs enjoy good scenery, I highly suggest going to Mix restaurant in Mandalay Bay at least one night.

It is (or at least used to be) a 1 Michelin star restaurant, so the food is definitely "very good." It's not spectacular food, but very good nonetheless. What it does provide is a breathtaking view of Vegas at night. It's like 90 floors up up or something.

http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/mix/

Call ahead and ask to reserve one of the window seats. It'll be quite romantic.


Edit: And as a bonus, it's priced quite reasonably compared to the average Michelin star restaurant. IIRC you can get everything a la carte for around $25-$50 per entree which is just fine.

Comparatively, a place like Joel Robuchon is $300/person prix fixe only (although I also highly recommend going here at least once, as this is the only 3 Michelin star restaurant in Vegas and one of only 81 on earth).

[Masterplan]

Originally Posted by NemesisX

By the way, if your or the Mrs enjoy good scenery, I highly suggest going to Mix restaurant in Mandalay Bay at least one night.

It is (or at least used to be) a 1 Michelin star restaurant, so the food is definitely "very good." It's not spectacular food, but very good nonetheless. What it does provide is a breathtaking view of Vegas at night. It's like 90 floors up up or something.

http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/mix/

Call ahead and ask to reserve one of the window seats. It'll be quite romantic.


Edit: And as a bonus, it's priced quite reasonably compared to the average Michelin star restaurant. IIRC you can get everything a la carte for around $25-$50 per entree which is just fine.

Comparatively, a place like Joel Robuchon is $300/person prix fixe only (although I also highly recommend going here at least once, as this is the only 3 Michelin star restaurant in Vegas and one of only 81 on earth).

That's awesome! Really appreciate that. Will definitely reserve us some time there.

Anything else you would recommend we see/do?

I fancy trying out the gun ranges. Being from the UK it's not something I get to do often.

[Nkc]

Stayed at Venetian and then Aria last summer, I gotta say I enjoyed Aria a lot more because the crowd was younger and the scent was intoxicating. Its one of the newer ones on the strip and for the price, I highly recommend trying it.

[jophish17]

Wynn Champagne Buffet is awesome. I try to work it in to every trip

[kylek13]

Originally Posted by NemesisX

Wynn is probably the best hotel in Vegas by rating (IIRC it's the only 4 star rated hotel here). Encore is the little sister of Wynn and is a very very good hotel, but not the best, and as such it's a little bit cheaper than Wynn. There's confusion sometimes because people call the Encore "Wynn Encore," but these are different hotels owned by the same person. If you go to wynn's website you'll find that room rates for the Encore are around $50/night less on average than comparable rooms in the Wynn.

It is actually the exact opposite. Encore is newer, therefore more expensive.

Same hotel, two different towers.

[CJ421]

I went to Vegas in end of Jan/early Feb this year, it was 70-80*F during the day and got a little chilly at night (~50*F). I'd recommend bringing a jacket. No pools open as mentioned.

I stayed at the Hampton Grand Vacations on the Strip (right next to Circus Circus), pretty clean as expected for a Hampton - I was satisfied. Long walk anywhere though (I was there for business not pleasure).

[PurM3]

I have lived in the top tier hotels from time to time like Aria, Ballegio, Venetian, and Wynn. In my opinion, if you have to choose between these, Wynn has the best room hands down. Aria's room is more modern but less luxury. The other two are showing their ages. However, if you want to gamble, I would choose bellagio as it has the best gambling vibe for me. Hope this helps

[b0bab0i]

Originally Posted by iBoost

January is cold out here pools will be closed, all else is pretty much the same. Luxor rooms are hideous (at least the ones i've been in). I think Planet Hollywood just remodeled rooms and they have good rates, also in the middle of the strip which is perfect. I would also try the $20 trick where ever you stay.

Originally Posted by CJ421

I went to Vegas in end of Jan/early Feb this year, it was 70-80*F during the day and got a little chilly at night (~50*F). I'd recommend bringing a jacket. No pools open as mentioned.

I stayed at the Hampton Grand Vacations on the Strip (right next to Circus Circus), pretty clean as expected for a Hampton - I was satisfied. Long walk anywhere though (I was there for business not pleasure).

They have Ghostbar Dayclub or Lavo Champagne Brunch during the winter to party during daytime.

[NemesisX]

This is the cheapest possible room you can get in Vegas ($15/night):

Here's a mid tier room (Luxor) ($67/night):

This is a walkthrough of a room in the Encore ($411/night):

[NemesisX]

If you're dead set on spending $350+/night, here's an "off-the-beaten-path" recommendation:

There's a nice little hotel called Hotel 32 that forbes raves about. You can get the following "loft suite" at $350/night, for example

It's much better value than a standard room at the Wynn or Encore.

But yeah, definitely youtube a couple of rooms before you book. Don't get suckered into paying $400/night for a pedestrian room.