Whenever I’m in Vegas, it seems as if time stops; as if the only world that exists is the one created in this Nevada bubble. For me, this “throwing-your-cares-to-the-wind” attitude is one of the city’s major draws (aside from its pool parties). I’m assuming that I’m not alone in this, which is why hotels like Wynn Las Vegas exist. By its sheer size alone and the number of activities available within its property, you don’t even need to leave the resort to have a great time. With one of only two golf courses directly on The Strip, the nation's highest grossing nightclub, more Forbes four-star restaurants than any other luxury resort in North America, and some of the best VIP services, it effortlessly perpetuates the bubble mentality that I love so much.
Wynn’s cool-factor begins the moment you arrive in Sin City. From the airport, if you request a car service, you’ll be picked up in the house’s sexy Rolls-Royce (or limousine); because making an entrance really is everything in Vegas. After the short drive from the airport, you’ll pull up to either the Wynn or Encore side of the resort. Both options offer beautiful rooms and spacious suites. But for this trip, we stayed in the Encore Tower Suites, a separate, more upscale entity connected to the two main hotels.
Guests staying here are offered a private entrance; a key and the name on your reservation are needed to access the hotel from the street. Otherwise, your taxi can’t even pull up to the tower’s porte-cochère (hello, exclusivity). This also applies to those wanting to enter from the casino floor. If you prefer your privacy and would rather not deal with non-invited guests filtering through the lobby and guestrooms, you should definitely book the Tower Suites. Speaking of the lobby, it’s beautiful. Decorated in golds, greens and browns, the space features oversized curtains, plush couches and dimly-lit chandeliers.
The Suite Life
There are five room options within the Tower Suites ranging from a 745-square-foot room to a three-bedroom duplex. Their most basic tier, however, is more spacious and luxe than many standard Vegas guestrooms. Plus, your reservation comes with complimentary breakfast and coffee/tea service for two, no resort fee and gratis in-room high-speed Internet. Decorated in warm neutrals, dark browns and bold accents, the Tower King Suite includes a living room, work area, Italian marble bathroom, Molton Brown amenities and a bedroom separated by half a wall. It’s really roomy, and floor-to-ceiling mirrors make getting ready for the day or a night out that much easier (female-approved!).
But if you’re really looking for that truly epic Vegas experience, book the three-bedroom duplex. A suite like this is why you come to Sin City anyway, right? With 5,829 square feet of space, a private massage and exercise room, billiard room and floor-to-ceiling views of The Strip, this is the ultimate party pad. Comfortably fitting 16 guests, the duplex is for those who want the best-of-the-best. The main floor has a bedroom, powder room, work space, butler’s pantry with fridge, wet bar and buffet, and an elevator to the second story (of course). All rooms come with their own bathrooms, spacious closets and pop-up 42” LCD HDTVs.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Remember that Vegas bubble? Well, Wynn’s entertainment offerings play a big part in creating that mindset. The resort offers two main, larger shows: Le Rêve – The Dream and Steve Wynn’s Showstoppers. While visiting, we participated in a backstage tour of both; which you can do as well if you want to catch a glimpse of the actors practicing and life behind-the-scenes. Currently, those wanting to do so for Le Rêve can book The Diver’s Dream Package which comes with a two-night stay, a private backstage tour, an SDI Certified scuba training session with the show's diving team and a VIP Indulgence Experience ticket. Filled with theatrical numbers from some of Broadway’s best musicals, Showstoppers is a non-stop display of talent with 35 singers and dancers backed by an on-stage 31-piece orchestra.
Attendees will hear songs such as One from A Chorus Line, Razzle Dazzle and Cell Block Tango from Chicago, and Willkommen from Cabaret. From its initial inception to its current offering of songs, Mr. Wynn himself has been a part of the whole process, collaborating with McKinley and team on the songs, Swarovski-adorned costumes and immaculate sets. And, Showstoppers is also the only show that Mr. Wynn has placed his name in front of; a testament to his confidence in the hour-long production.
On the other end of the spectrum, Le Rêve – The Dream is entertaining in a completely different way. The show takes place inside Wynn Theater where a 21-foot-deep pool is the main focal point. Featuring a mix of choreography, aerial acrobatics, synchronized swimming and beautifully-imagined sets, Le Rêve is thrilling from start to finish. Boasting a cast of over 90 international athletes and entertainers, 1,600 arena seats, five lifts within the pool and 1.1 million gallons of water maintained at 89 degrees, Le Rêve is exactly the kind of show you go to Vegas for.
"I never realized that countries have specialties for different kinds of acrobatic performers,” said Rick Gray, General Manager of Entertainment Operations at Wynn Las Vegas. “If you want really terrific synchronized swimmers, you go to France. If you want those really big guys that they call porters and hold people and toss them around, you go to Poland or Czechoslovakia.” Which is exactly what the team did when searching out the best talent for the show. This international collaboration was evident backstage, where you could hear a plethora of languages being spoken among the actors. And when Gray refers to the cast as athletes, it’s no joke. At any given time, you can find the performers working out, lifting weights and talking with their trainers. A show like this requires strength, and this cast has plenty of muscle power.
During the show, underwater stage hands help to ensure the cast finds their air regulators as they wait for their cues broadcast through submerged speakers. Guests who book a VIP Indulgence Package seat ($195 per person), located on the top rung of the arena, are treated to personal TVs at their feet that showcase the happenings under the water and behind-the-scenes as the cast preps for each scene. Along with the TVs, a bottle of Champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and chocolates are given to every two guests to enjoy as they watch. This is the only way to experience the mystifying show (in our opinion).
Unique Dining
There are plenty of dining options at Wynn, ranging from casual fare to buffet-style cuisine and 10 fine dining restaurants all within the hotel’s walls. One of the most unexpected treats, however, is The Country Club, a new American steakhouse located on the property’s 18-hole, par-70 golf course (one of two directly on The Strip). The fine dining establishment is a favorite for many reasons, but mainly because of its gorgeous views and New Orleans-inspired meals. Viewed through floor-to-ceiling windows or from its patio, the Tom Fazio and Steve Wynn-designed course makes for a perfectly-soothing atmosphere. This proves a welcome break from the loud and buzzing crowds inside the resort. You really do feel like you’re in a whole different city when inside; which makes sense, since over 800,000 cubic yards of earth were moved to create this course.
A Forbes Travel Guide Four Star award-winner, The Country Club is helmed by Chef Carlos Guia and offers a Jazz Brunch on Sundays with live music. From sweet corn chowder to a King Creole Burger, gumbo, shrimp and grits (a must try) and dry-aged porterhouse steaks, there’s so much to enjoy at this eatery.
Sexy Nightlife
This year, XS Nightclub within the resort made Nightclub & Bar’s Top 100 list for highest-revenue generating bars and lounges in the U.S. But the 40,000-square-foot venue (indoors and outdoors) didn’t just make the list, it topped it, securing the No. 1 spot for its third consecutive year. Generating $103-105 million each year, this club is the place to be on a weekend night. It’s also a celeb favorite with guests like Nick and Joe Jonas, Katy Perry and Mario Lopez dancing to the beats of resident DJs such as Afrojack, David Guetta, deadmau5 and Tiësto. Inspired by the curves of the human body, the sexy club is outfitted with crocodile-embossed leather, gold chandeliers, gold leaf body forms and 10,000 individual light sources. XS recently underwent a $10 million production redesign and incorporated the latest in video, lighting and pyrotechnics.
While we opted for an outdoor table for our group, you’ll want to look into one of the indoor booths to really get the best feel for the club. While you’re at it, order the house signature Ono cocktail, which is a $10,000 mix of Charles Heidsieck Champagne Charlie 1981 and Louis XIII de Remy Martin Black Pearl cognac. The resort is also home to Surrender and Tryst (two additional nightclubs) which also made the Top 100 list at No. 6 and No. 18, respectively.
If you’d rather try your hand at gambling, Wynn offers 111,000 square feet of casino space featuring high-stakes poker rooms, table games, and race and sports betting tables. The casino floors are open 24-7, so even if you hit up XS to dance the night away, you can easily get in a few Blackjack bets when the club closes.
What Happens in Vegas, Happens at Wynn
There are really so many great options when heading to Las Vegas for accommodations, but the convenience factor of a one-stop-shop and the luxe suites here are why Wynn has our vote. When you head to the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” you want the bubble—the never-ending pampering of a resort and its exclusive amenities—it’s why we drop thousands of dollars on each visit. And in case you have yet to vacation here, let us assure you that getting from one resort to the next is a bit of a mission—especially in Vegas heat. It’s much nicer to have it all right at your fingertips, easily accessible through air-conditioned hallways that promise to keep you looking fresh for your next selfie.
