Hotel

This thread is to be used to discuss hotel accommodations at Wynn/Encore.

Too snooty for my taste. I much prefer Venetian/Palazzo.

Beware the little tray with goodies on it...they are all remote sensored to auto-bill you if you (re)move them! Maybe you can try the Indiana Jones trick :)

In late 2008, I received offers from both Wynn's/Encore and Venetian/Palazzo for free nights. Since I had never been to either place, I was surprised I was on their mailing lists. In fact, the Venetian offer was good for multiple stays before 6/1/09. I was fortunate enough to be able to get to Vegas several times last year and was able to take advantage of the offers.
Wynn's did not seem 'snooty', or at least no more than the Palazzo. The Encore was deserted while I was there. However, all the dealers/staff were very cordial, and one even suggested I try a different game during an amazingly 'cold' spell at the craps.
I would stay at either place again. However, of the two complexes, the Venetian/Palazzo had the nicer (mainly because they are larger suite type) rooms. The self parking at the Palazzo is the most convenient of any place I've been in Vegas.
BTW- Even after joining their Players Club, I have not received any offers for more free nights. I did gamble at least 4 hours each day, but usually at the minimums at craps and BJ. As I said to my wife while there, "We better enjoy this, as once they realize we aren't green/black chip players, they won't give us these offers again".

I should clarify: When i said 'snooty' i just meant that the place is expensive. When i stayed there I did all my dining/gaming elsewhere except for some $1 video poker.

boymimbo's review of the Wynn, which used to be found here, was so good that it was moved to the official Wynn review.

Great review, I see you used the Wizard's format. Perhaps he will post it on this site?
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That was generous of them to comp your food charges, nice to see some places still do discretionary comps.
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Did you utilize the pool or any of the spa facilities?

The Wynn pool was under renovations and the weather was not warm enough to use. We did not use the spa facilities.

The discretionary comp was a surprise. We were told to go see the casino host on our third night. We asked him if we could have a dinner comp at Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare and they denied me. I asked if we were even close and he shook his head.

Quote: boymimbo

upper tier strip hotel (Harrah's, Bellagio, Venetian).

One of these things is not like the others
One of these things just doesn't belong

Harrah's -- sorry. Maybe I meant the Paris.

Great review, thanks! I would indeed like to use that as the official Wynn review, with your permission. I'm also willing to pay you something for your trouble. Please write to me directly via the contact form to discuss.

Wow. What a well prepared review!

Quote: boymimbo

We stayed at the Wynn from March 5 to 9, 2010, over 4 nights. We booked the trip through Expedia.com as a package. Because most hotels have a lowest advertised rate policy, the only way that you can get rates below the advertised rate is to purchase it as part of a package. In this way, we were able to take advantage of a $95/night rate plus the 12% Nevada Hotel tax ($11.40/night) and a $75 resort credit. We could not pass on this offer for a premium hotel in Las Vegas.

Wait a sec... $75 resort credit? Are you saying the room cost $20 + $11.40 per night? That's a great price for a high-end place like Wynn.

Quote: boymimbo

....while another set of players at another $100 reserved table featured a young asian woman with a miniskirt that went way too high, forcing the craps dealers to personally walk around the table to hand you your Red Card, only to catch a peek.

Um... What days is that table open?

$75 resort credit, one time, for all four nights. So the net rate was about $87.65, all in. When this rate came up at Expedia, we jumped at it. We were divided between the Venetian which was a little more expensive (about $120 / night) but included Jersey Boys tickets and the Wynn. I can't stand the smell of the Venetian casino, but love the resort. Glad we chose the Wynn.

The mini-skirt table was one time, unfortunately. My wife was sitting at a nearby slot machine watching the action and she was fascinated by the range of responses to this sight.

Just got back from staying at the Wynn for three nights. We are members of their players club and got an offer for three free nights plus $300 in free play. Unfortunately, one of the nights we were staying was a Saturday and that didn't qualify for the free nights, so we had to pay for one night. Previously, when we got these types of offers, we could also stay for fewer nights and still get the free play. When I made the reservation this time however, I was told the free play would only be given to us if we stayed the full three nights. I was also told we wouldn't be able to collect our $300 free play until after our third night there. This turned out to be false, as we went to the player's club desk right after we checked in and got the free play immediately.

I do have some questions about comps at strip hotels. For the last couple of years, we've always stayed at the Wynn or Encore. Prior to that, we stayed downtown at the Fremont, where it was easy to get comps. At the Wynn, we've never really been able to score comps, other than what we get through our reservation package.

The last time we were there, we were told our play had to cover your free room and any free play they give you as part of your deal before they will comp you anything else. Not sure if all strip casinos are like that or not. This trip, they comped us two breakfast buffets - $45 total. We racked up about 5,120 points. At $9 a point (we played video poker only), that's $46,080 run through the machines. We got two free nights, valued at $169 each, plus $300 in free play, plus two bunches for $45. That's $683 in comps - or about 1.5% of the amount we played. Not sure if that's a typical comp rate or not. Oh, then we cashed in our points and got $104 for the 5,120 points. Twice, once on Sunday and once on Monday, I had an executive host come up to me and ask for me by name while playing and said she "noticed my play" and to be sure to contact her before I checked out for some comps, Honestly, when that happens, I'm expecting a little more in terms of comps than the two free breakfast I got. I was a bit disappointed.

I was also disappointed in the buffet. See more post about that in that thread.


Anyway.. My question is - is the Wynn stingy in their comps or was what I got typical? We're going back to Vegas in May or June and would like to plan accordingly. We played a bit at Bellagio this time and I am curious to see what kind of offers I get from them.

It wasn't all bad though.. We took their free play and sat down at a $5 video poker machine. On the very first hand, my wife hit four aces and won $4,000 :-)

Thanks!

I should also note that after I left, I realized I forgot to cash in one of my cash out tickets from the video poker machine. It was worth $100 and says it expires after 60 days. I called my executive host back and asked what my options were. We are planning on returning to Vegas in about 90 days, so he said to hold on to the ticket and bring it back then. He said they are pretty relaxed about the expiration dates on the tickets and said I should still be able to redeem it then. We shall see..

Quote: shaun5

I should also note that after I left, I realized I forgot to cash in one of my cash out tickets from the video poker machine. It was worth $100 and says it expires after 60 days. I called my executive host back and asked what my options were. We are planning on returning to Vegas in about 90 days, so he said to hold on to the ticket and bring it back then. He said they are pretty relaxed about the expiration dates on the tickets and said I should still be able to redeem it then. We shall see..

I'm 99.44% sure they'll take it. You have everything in your favor:

1. It will be only 30 days old.
2. You have proof of being a good customer.
3. Wynn is one of the more honorable casinos anyway, at least in my opinion.
4. Your host pretty much promised they would take it.

Even if you an unknown person off the street, I think any casino would accept a $100 ticket only 30 days old anyway.

I thought I read that the rather short expiration referred only to cashing it in a machine, but they are valid at the cage for 6 months. Maybe longer.

Just to follow up on this, I returned to the Wynn last weekend and they did, in fact, redeem my expired ticket. I took it to the cashier and did not try to redeem it in a machine.

Quote: shaun5

Just to follow up on this, I returned to the Wynn last weekend and they did, in fact, redeem my expired ticket. I took it to the cashier and did not try to redeem it in a machine.

Glad to hear it! Were you like "yeah, um, this ticket expired a month ago... will you still cash it for me?" or did you just hand it to them like you normally would? I'd be curious to know if they even noticed (if you did the latter).

Actually, my wife redeemed it at the cashier while I was waiting in the line at the player's club desk to claim some free play. She told them it had expired and the cashier called someone to get approval to cash it. She says it only took a minute or two to get the approval.

Sure. The casino wants you to return with the ticket. They have no great interest in being sticklers for the time period. The lawyers and accountants insist such time periods exist but the casino will be generous about it. If you mail such tickets to them they will take care of it but they prefer a personal visit because that way they will get another chance at your bankroll.

Thanks for reviving this thread. I've been meaning to give it a re-read.

I'm coming to Vegas in September. I have a booking at Imperial Palace, 5 nights free, 1 night at $27. I'm coming alone. I don't really care how run down the place is.

When my boss heard where I was staying, he gasped, and said he can get me in the Wynn for free. When he goes to Vegas, four or five times a year, he stays at the Wynn. I've heard stories that he plays $5 Video Poker all day long. So maybe he CAN get me in for free.

But wouldn't it hurt his rating to do that? Mind you I'm a $5 table player who's planning on going all over town...

Also, does the Wynn have a resort fee? I'm only gonna take his offer if it costs me less than what I'm planning on paying at IP.

If it weren't for the new ACE bus going to the Convention Center, I'd prefer IP because it has a monorail stop.

Last time we were there, my wife sat down at a $5 vp machine and, on her first hand, got 4 aces and won $4,000 :-)

No, there is no resort fee at the Wynn, or at least, they've never charged me one. I usually go with free night offers.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Thanks for reviving this thread. I've been meaning to give it a re-read.

I'm coming to Vegas in September. I have a booking at Imperial Palace, 5 nights free, 1 night at $27. I'm coming alone. I don't really care how run down the place is.

When my boss heard where I was staying, he gasped, and said he can get me in the Wynn for free. When he goes to Vegas, four or five times a year, he stays at the Wynn. I've heard stories that he plays $5 Video Poker all day long. So maybe he CAN get me in for free.

But wouldn't it hurt his rating to do that? Mind you I'm a $5 table player who's planning on going all over town...

Also, does the Wynn have a resort fee? I'm only gonna take his offer if it costs me less than what I'm planning on paying at IP.

If it weren't for the new ACE bus going to the Convention Center, I'd prefer IP because it has a monorail stop.

I don't know how that would work. Why would the Wynn want to comp a room for you, not knowing who you are and where/how you play? If you can get it, take it though

Wynn has a $20 resort fee now. It was highly publicized. But I'm sure they will waive it for you. Take your boss up on his offer! I don't see any downside to it.

Quote: ruascott

Why would the Wynn want to comp a room for you, not knowing who you are and where/how you play? If you can get it, take it though

I assume they'd do it because he's a very high roller, and they'd throw me a bone because he asked them to. Gotta keep those high rollers happy....

Quote: teddys

Wynn has a $20 resort fee now. It was highly publicized. But I'm sure they will waive it for you. Take your boss up on his offer! I don't see any downside to it.

Well, if they waive the fee, I'll take the room!

Quote: DJTeddyBear

I assume they'd do it because he's a very high roller, and they'd throw me a bone because he asked them to. Gotta keep those high rollers happy....

Well, if they waive the fee, I'll take the room!

Well, if your room is free, you are still only paying $20/night, which is a heck of a lot better that the dumpy IP for $27. Of course, if you are playing a lot of places, you might like the IP location better.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

I assume they'd do it because he's a very high roller, and they'd throw me a bone because he asked them to. Gotta keep those high rollers happy....

Well, if they waive the fee, I'll take the room!

Well, if your room is free, you are still only paying $20/night, which is a heck of a lot better that the dumpy IP for $27. Of course, if you are playing a lot of places, you might like the IP location better.

Quote: ruascott

Well, if your room is free, you are still only paying $20/night, which is a heck of a lot better that the dumpy IP for $27. Of course, if you are playing a lot of places, you might like the IP location better.

My IP reservation isn't $27 per night. It's $27 for Tuesday. The other nights are free. Total for 6 nights, with tax, $30.24.

If you really don't care at all about what your room is like and want to save money, then I guess that an average total nightly rate of under $5.05 has to be pretty attractive to you. On the other hand, if you can actually get the Wynn for $20/night total, it seems like a deal you shouldn't pass up. Consider it a splurge on a bit of luxury. If a rate of $20 strikes you as too steep a tariff, then maybe you shouldn't be going to Vegas at all. That amount seems likely to just get lost in the financial noise of everything else that is going on, even if you behave like a puritan. More so if you expect to gamble and live a little while you are there.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

My IP reservation isn't $27 per night. It's $27 for Tuesday. The other nights are free. Total for 6 nights, with tax, $30.24.

Check first what the Wynn resort fee covers. If it covers Wi-fi, for example, and you intend to use it, that may save you money or reduce the price diference.

Quote: Doc

If you really don't care at all about what your room is like and want to save money, then I guess that an average total nightly rate of under $5.05 has to be pretty attractive to you. On the other hand, if you can actually get the Wynn for $20/night total, it seems like a deal you shouldn't pass up. Consider it a splurge on a bit of luxury. If a rate of $20 strikes you as too steep a tariff, then maybe you shouldn't be going to Vegas at all. That amount seems likely to just get lost in the financial noise of everything else that is going on, even if you behave like a puritan. More so if you expect to gamble and live a little while you are there.

I tend to agree. $120 for 6 nights at the Wynn or $30 for 6 nights at the IP. I'm a cheapskate too, so I'd be tempted to have the extra $90 to spend elsewhere. But considering the amount of nights you are talking about, I'd probably "spring" for the extra $90 expense to stay at the Wynn.

Quote: ruascott

... I'd be tempted to have the extra $90 to spend elsewhere.

I can see that part of it, too: you could stay at the IP, place one $5 pass bet at the crap table each day (with double odds) and feel like a high roller. You might even win and get to play another hand. Nah, a $90 bankroll (or bankroll increase) for six days just doesn't sound like a big enough deal to warrant the downgrade in accommodations.

Quote: Doc

...then maybe you shouldn't be going to Vegas at all.

Valid point. I could have a $2K bankroll, but start to sweat the losses when I lose as little as $50.

But that's why I tend to come home ahead, or down very little.

The wife, on the other hand, has no trouble playing the one machine that always pays. You know. The ATM.

If she were coming with me, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Heck, she could probably get free rooms at Rio or Paris instead.

Me? I really don't care. I just need a bed.

Plus, since I probably will play a good deal whereever it is I stay, it makes sense to play where it might actually count.


If I'm gonna spend money on something that I or the wife thinks is extravagant, I'll get a rental car - which I think I AM going to do.

The fee includes internet access which is worth about $15 in and of itself.

But honestly, I'm sure you could get the fee waived if the room is comped.

See if your boss could also set you up with some F&B. His level of play could warrant that.

Yeah, I've always gotten my room comped and never paid a resort fee - including as recently as last weekend.

So I just got an offer from Wynn in my email, detailing special email rates for me... either $139 for a weekday rate or $219 for a Friday/Saturday... I'm thinking I might book a night while in town for WoVCon just to say I've stayed there...

I click on it, and the first thing comes up says "Sorry, we can't book at that rate!" The rate is $143 and lower for the weekend than the $219.

Bait and switch in action, but besides that, is the room worth it? I would like a luxury type room on the strip, and Wynn seems about as nice as any place. Any opinions?

I got the same offer. The Wynn is a nice place. However, it is tough to swallow a $139+ charge for a room you may only spend 8 hours in. After taxes and fees, you could be paying $20 per hour of actual use. There are other "hidden" costs too. Everything, even the snack bar, is very expensive compared to what you might pay at another, less "luxurious" resort.... (e.g., $6 for a small bowl of oatmeal!?)

I got the same offer - even though I had bet a grand total of $10 lifetime there.

I had posted about it, but didn't think to post here, and started a new thread instead:

https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/general/9456-wynn-encore-wants-my-action/


By the way, my letter was dated 3/21 and I got it 4/16.