Vegas hotels don't get any better than Wynn Las Vegas with its luxurious accommodations and the finest of fine restaurants and shops.
The vibe: Razzle-dazzle architecture and décor, generously proportioned rooms, every possible convenience, totally gourmet.
What we love: There's just something about staying at an elite hotel like Wynn that makes you feel swanky. Revered for elegance and for having incomparably high standards of service, it doesn't matter who you are because you'll feel like someone very important here. A breathtakingly beautiful atrium alive with trees, shrubs and flowers is situated near the lobby. We adore the two whimsical floral installations. One is a carousel, the other a hot air balloon -- and both are sure to make your spirits soar. It goes without saying that Wynn would have a gorgeously landscaped pool deck. But we'll say it anyway because lying in the gardens beside either of the two lovely main pools (or splashing out for a cabana) is like escaping to "Fantasy Island"...minus the plane, the island and Tattoo.
Three words: Wynn Dream bed. Yes, this is a thing -- more specifically, it's a custom-designed Sealy mattress dreamily made up with 507-thread-count linens and overstuffed pillows and shams. A perfect night's sleep is guaranteed.
Good to know: Wynn Resort rooms are big and well designed. The one thing they don't come with is a fridge. Now you will find a minibar in these rooms, but be warned: If you move anything from its place to make space for your own drinks and snacks, you'll automatically be billed for it. It seems silly to talk about upgrades at Wynn, but the possibilities are endless when every room and suite at this hotel feels like a little piece of heaven. That said, the Tower Suites have been awarded the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award for nine straight years. Counted among the finest boutique hotels in the world, they have their own exclusive entrance, lobby and pool.
Insider tips: Welcome vegans and vegetarians. All of the restaurants in Wynn (and Encore) have special menu items designed for you. So if you're out with a group, no worries. Wherever you choose to dine, there'll be something perfect for everyone to eat. Visit the Lake of Dreams, located behind the Strip's only manmade mountain. You can't see it from outside Wynn, but when you come inside look for the circular escalator and ride it to the bottom. From dusk until 12:30 a.m., fanciful shows filled with music and holographics play at half-hour intervals on the lake's 40-foot waterfall. The best viewing point is on the terrace of the bar called Aft. Nurse a drink or two and you'll have an evening of entertainment.
Wynn is connected to its even more elegant sister property. So if you find you want to dial down the crowds and energy level a notch, Encore's quieter, boutique-style offerings are just steps away. Wynn has an awesome self-parking garage, but be aware that on extremely busy weekends as well as during major events or big premieres, you may want to go next door and use the self-parking garage at Encore. Also as an FYI, no outside food or beverages are allowed in the resort or the casino, even if you're staying in a room. All guests who arrive with these items will be told to throw it away or leave it in their car.