Wynn Las Vegas Review for November 2024

Wynn, and its sister hotel Encore, cast a striking and unique outline on the Las Vegas skyline. 

Sleek and sophisticated, yet minimalistic, the Wynn design signalled a major shift in Las Vegas architecture which can be seen in every Vegas hotel built since. 

When I first saw Wynn, I thought it looked stunning, but it didn’t strike me as particularly Vegasy. 

I was used to extravagant themed hotels, where the hotel architecture itself is part of the attraction and I loved that. In comparison, Wynn, to me, seemed a little too understated and, dare I say it, plain.

However, this was in the days before Resorts World and Fontainebleau and before Vegas really started taking itself seriously. So, to give you an idea of what it is like to stay and gamble at Wynn now, I went along to find out. 

Wynn is situated on the site of the former Desert Inn resort on the north side of the Las Vegas Strip.

Named after its owner and creator, Steve Wynn, the site was purchased as a birthday present for Wynn’s wife, Elaine, in 2000 and opened on her birthday, 28 April 2005. (Why do I never get gifts like this?)  

At the time of opening, Steve Wynn was already an established and renowned name in Las Vegas. He had overseen the design and development of Mirage, Treasure Island, and Bellagio on the Strip and Golden Nugget in Downtown Las Vegas. 

When opened, Wynn broke records for being both the most expensive hotel ever built and the 45-story hotel tower was the tallest building in Nevada too. Sister hotel Encore was opened three years later in December 2008. 

Wynn resort signalled a major design shift, not only for Steve Wynn himself, but Las Vegas as a whole. Gone was the over-the-top theming, the open public attractions to lure people in, and the gimmicks. 

In its place was taste and elegance, sleek architecture, and a more refined experience entirely. And, being perfectly honest, Wynn has been setting the standards of luxury in Las Vegas ever since.

As of 2024, even the brand new casinos have not be able to usurp Wynn from its position as the standard bearer for luxury in Las Vegas.

Location

With the development of Resorts World (2021) and Fontainebleau (2023), Wynn has become a lot less isolated at the north end of the Strip.

Attracting similar high-end clients, Wynn, its sister hotel Encore, Resorts World and Fontainebleau have formed a little mini community with the Fashion Show Mall also in the zone.

The only exception to this is Circus Circus, which, with all due respect, caters for an entirely different type of customer. 

Transportation links are still not particularly great around Wynn. There is a fair bit of walking involved to get to neighbouring resorts and a shortage of pedestrian bridges too. 

I walked from Wynn to Resorts World and it took me around 17 minutes. A similar walk from Wynn to Fontainebleau took 25 minutes. 

Palazzo/Venetian and TI are within closer walking distance situated to the south of Wynn, with Palazzo being connected via an upper walkway. 

The Las Vegas monorail does run behind Wynn, however, there isn’t a convenient station. The closest station would be Harrah’s/LINQ and that is around a 20-minute walk from Wynn. The Deuce bus does have a stop at Encore, though, which can get you around the Strip if you are happy with cheap and (not so) cheerful bus transport. 

Wynn falls into Zone 3 of the fixed rate taxi fee from Harry Reid International Airport so will cost a flat fee of $29 plus tip. Unusually for Vegas, Wynn offers complimentary parking to registered Wynn and Encore resort guests and Wynn poker room guests too, subject to availability. It does require validation from the casino though.

The interior of Wynn casino is every bit as sleek and sophisticated as the exterior. Walking through it, everything looked polished, shiny, and immaculate from the floor to the finishings.

Decorated overwhelmingly in gold, red and purple, the casino felt very opulent, like the actual King of England wouldn’t look out of place here. 

Taking up a large rectangular shape, I could navigate the casino fairly easily, although the high ceilings made it feel bigger. In contrast to some other Vegas casinos, Wynn casino is extremely well-lit, showing off its decadence to everyone who visits. It's as far away from even the best online casinos in terms of experience as you could get. 

Table Games Selection

I counted around 140 live table games in Wynn casino, with more in the high limit area. What struck me, though, was the variety of the game selection. Of course, all the usual games are here - blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat – but there’s also some rare poker pit games and lots of variation too. 

When I visited the casino, the lower stakes games were actually all busy and I didn’t have the budget for the $100 minimum bet tables, but I did get a good look. 

As I expected from Wynn, tables and chairs were pristine, and the dealers were all immaculately presented and professional. Wynn has built a reputation of providing a premier service and this is evident. 

Classic table games:

• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Craps
• Baccarat
• Three Card Poker

Variants:

• Crapless Craps
• Let it Ride Poker
• Casino War
• Pai Gow Poker
• Texas Hold’em
• Pot Limit Omaha
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em
• Crazy 4 Poker
• High Card Flush

If you’re looking for some low stakes table games, then Wynn is not the place for you. The lowest table minimum I could see was $25 and that was on one blackjack table. Most of the others started at $50 plus. 

I saw a mix of 6:5 blackjack and 3:2 blackjack on the main floor, but the latter were all on the higher limit tables. I also found single, double, and triple digit Roulette, but the single digit European was only available in the high-limit room. 

If poker is your game, then you do have to walk a few steps across to the Encore side of the complex. If you do, you will find poker 24 hours a day, seven days a week with daily tournaments and cash games. The poker room also hosts the Wynn Classic Poker Series. 

Slots

I’m a huge slots fan, in general, and Wynn offered more than enough variety to keep me entertained. What I really liked about Wynn was the space in between slot machines. It felt very open and spacious, which I much prefer when playing. 

Among the 1,000+ slots, I found everything from traditional penny, nickel, and quarter slots to all the modern video games with their staggeringly impressive audio visuals.

Some of the most popular include:

• Wheel of Fortune
• Top Dollar
• Monopoly
• Blazing 7’s
• Huff n More Puff
• Dragon Link

I played some All Aboard among other games and after an hour or so, I came out just a little on top, which is always a bonus. 

I wished I’d been as lucky as the player who won $1.6M in Wynn in August 2023 though. They hit a huge progressive jackpot on Dragon Link Panda Magic. However, according to reports, he was playing at $750 a spin, which is so far out of my league, I can’t even see it. 

Bar-Top Gaming

While bar-top gaming can now be found everywhere in Las Vegas, it is perhaps not a prevalent at Wynn as it is elsewhere. This is, undoubtedly, due to the fact that most bars and lounges in Wynn are lavish affairs. I don’t think gaudy gaming terminals would fit in with the carefully crafted surroundings.

There are definitely at least two bars that offer it though, Charlie’s Sports Bar and B Bar, both on the casino floor.

Now, usually I advise all bar-top gamers that they can expect comped drinks while gaming. This is certainly standard practice throughout the Strip. However, B Bar does not offer comped drinks no matter how much you play, so make a note of that. 

If you want comped drinks, play at Charlie’s Sports Bar, like I did. Just pull up a stool, enter your money, choose your game (usually a mix of video poker, keno, blackjack, and slots) and accept the comped drinks when offered. 

I stuck in $50 and hadn’t been playing long when I was offered a drink which I gratefully accepted. 

Wynn Sportsbook

If you want to watch and place sports bets in style, then you really cannot go wrong at Wynn Sportsbook. In fact, it is pretty stunning, even by Vegas standards.

I found it to be open and inviting with a lovely atmosphere and big comfortable red chairs. As I walked through, I couldn’t help but be impressed with the 16,000 square foot wraparound video screen plus many other screens throughout the area too. 

I played some bar top games and soaked up the atmosphere for a bit. I found the bartenders to be really fun and approachable and as I chatted to some other guests around the bar. It felt casual, warm, and a hive of activity. 

Race bettors are particularly catered for here with individual booths providing personal monitors, individual lighting, USB plugs, and electrical outlets. 

You can order food from Charlie's Sports Bar while watching sports, choosing from a good range of burgers, sandwiches, dogs, loaded nachos and giant pretzels. Although I didn’t order myself, the food looked yummy.

Waitress Service 

While waitress service comes as standard in Las Vegas casinos, it’s not always up to the same standards depending on the property.

I got offered two drinks while playing slots at Wynn, which was pretty good considering I was playing for around 25 minutes. What is great about Wynn is the quality of the comped drinks. 

While you may get a basic service elsewhere, Wynn uphold the premium service level that you get throughout the property in their waitress service.

I ordered a Pina Colada, and it came in a beautiful glass, with whipped cream and a cherry too. It was a masterpiece and certainly a step up from the plastic glasses and sorry affairs I’ve had in some other Vegas casinos. 

High Limit Gaming at Wynn Casino

With such a premium service offered for regular gamblers at Wynn, you can imagine the level that high rollers get. This is why Wynn has retained the loyalty of its main target clientele. It offers unrivalled luxury which is something quite extraordinary in Vegas.

There are different high limit table game areas in Wynn including the Baccarat Lounge, as well as some private salons that you can reserve for high limit table play. Minimums usually start at $100.

The high limit slots area is quite large and features predominately traditional slot games with some more modern video slot stations too. You can usually spin from $5 or more on most machines so, if that’s in your budget, it’s a fancy way to gamble. 

The high-limit areas are as decadent as the rest of the property only more-so with personalised service from dealers and waitresses. 

Cash and Payment Options

Cash is the primary currency on all Las Vegas casino floors. Although you can withdraw cash from ATM’s, bank cards cannot be used to place bets.

You need cash to hand over to dealers and to insert into the slot machines – and to tip of course! ATM fees can be as high as $10 per withdrawal on the casino floor, so I always advise to bring along your gambling budget with you. 

Outside of the gambling, everything else can be paid for digitally including room stays, restaurants, bars, and shopping, as you would expect.

Winnings also come in cash unless you hit the millions. And don’t worry as, if by any chance that happens, you won’t have to carry out suitcases stuffed full of cash if you hit the big one. I’d love to give you the benefit of personal experience of exactly how you receive your millions of dollars in winnings in Las Vegas, but alas I can’t. Not yet, anyway… 

Table games winnings come in chips which you redeem for cash at the cage. While slot winnings are paid out via a voucher that comes out of the slot, which you then redeem for cash at the cage or at a machine. 

Rest assured that, jackpots aside, you get your winnings almost instantly in Las Vegas, which is a speed that puts even the fast payout online casinos to shame. 

Wynn has a distinct bronzed reflective glass exterior and a sleek, curved, almost flag-like shape, making it a unique and instantly recognisable feature on the Strip. 

I’ve already talked about the overall luxury and opulence that Wynn offers guests, but you don’t have to take my word for it. 

Wynn, together with its sister property Encore, hold more Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) Five-Star awards (22) than any other independent hotel company in the world.

Offering 2,716 rooms and suites, just in Wynn alone, the resort promises so much in terms of luxury and quality, that I just had to check it out for myself. 

Wynn Rooms

The cheapest option I could book was the Wynn Resort room, which was stated as 640 square feet. This is extraordinarily large for a standard room, even in Vegas.

Due to already observing the general standards of the property, I had lofty expectations of the room. And I’m pleased to say, not only were they met, but they were exceeded.

Walking into the room for the first time, my reaction was wow.

Although I’m aware this sounds odd, the room felt glowing. It was bathed in soft textures, warm, neutral tones, immaculate décor, and the bed looked so plush and comfortable, I just wanted to jump on it right there and then. 

The huge window was framed by big drapes, giving a dramatic effect to an already stunning view over the mountains and golf course.

The bathroom was just as decadent, with protruding his and hers sinks, striking light up mirrors, and a separate bath and shower. 

Although it was a room, it definitely felt more like a suite. And although I’d booked the cheapest room I could find, I felt like a VIP. That’s how good it was. 

All the usual amenities were there, 55-inch TV, safe, hairdryer, iron/ironing board, and the complimentary bath toiletries were lovely too. 

An added amenity though, was that I could control the lighting, drapes, and temperature from a touchscreen tablet in my room. If I wanted, I could also order room service and book restaurant reservations too.

The highlight of the room for me was the huge floor to ceiling windows which let in so much light and made the room feel even more up-scale. Finally, the bed was spectacularly comfortable and gave me probably the best night’s sleep in Las Vegas I’ve ever had. 

If you did want to take a step up, then Wynn also offer Panoramic View Rooms, Corner Panoramic View Rooms, Tower Suites, a Wynn Parlour, Wynn Salon and even a Wynn Villa with personal butler service.

For any guests who want to bring their pampered pooches to Vegas, Wynn is not the place for you. Pets are not permitted in resort, just service animals only. 

Bars

If you love drinking the high life as much as you love living it, then Wynn has you covered. There are a number of swanky cocktail bars and beautifully decorated lounges for you to enjoy. 

Here are a few highlights:

• Aft Cocktail Deck – patio area serving cocktails overlooking Lake of Dreams  
• Little Bubble Bar at Delilah – vintage supper club with canapes and champagne
• Charlie's Sports Bar– casual lively bar with great sports views
• B Bar – luxurious bar with excellent views of the casino floor

The Lake of Dreams show is a popular attraction at Wynn and there are three bars that offer views of it. Aft Cocktail Deck, Bar Parasol and Overlook Lounge provide three different tiered views all with their own style.

If you’re a partygoer looking for something a little more hardcore, then sister property Encore has XS Nightclub and Encore Beach Club which will be right up your street.

Buffets and Restaurants

The Wynn Buffet is renowned as one of the best in Las Vegas. Featuring sixteen food kitchens offering over 90 different freshly prepared dishes, it’s a food-lovers heaven. 

Guests can choose from the Daily Gourmet Brunch Buffet which runs 8am – 1pm or the Daily Seafood Gourmet Dinner from 1pm – 9pm. I have eaten here once before, and it was spectacular both in surroundings and flavour. 

High-end restaurants at Wynn are plentiful, with no less than ten top fine-dining options. These include Lakeside, Mizumi, Delilah, SW Steakhouse, and Wing Lei. Lakeside and SW Steakhouse have the added benefit of Lake of Dreams views.

When it comes to casual dining, however, there is a distinct difference with what Wynn considers ‘casual’ to what I consider casual. Wynn’s casual is still pretty posh in my books. 

Casual dining according to Wynn’s website includes La Cave and Red 8 but if I rocked up to either of these in my most casual attire, I’d feel severely underdressed. 

Casual dining I do kind of agree with is Charlie's Sports Bar, Allegro and Terrace Point Café. I have been to both Allegro and Charlie’s as I mentioned earlier, and I’d recommend both. 

Let’s just say most “casual dining” at Wynn would be classed as towards the high-end at some other casinos such as Circus Circus or Excalibur. 

If you’re looking for cheap eats or a food court at Wynn, then you’re in the wrong place, full stop. 

Shows and Entertainment

Remember I said earlier that Steve Wynn moved away from the flashy public-facing gimmicky attractions when he developed Wynn? Well, that is true… 

However, it doesn’t mean the attractions aren’t there. They are just more discreet as I found out when I walked around the resort.

With a golf course, an artificial mountain, a man-made lake plus an inside garden atrium, I found plenty to entertain me.

The mountain rises more than 100 feet and cost $130 million to build. Its main purpose was to provide a picturesque landscape for guests with glistening waterfalls. But also served to block the view of traffic and other pedestrians from the Strip. 

In front of the mountain is the Wynn Lake of Dreams where you will see nightly shows projected on a 90-foot performance waterfall. Yes, I said performance waterfall.

An audio and visual spectacular mixed with puppetry. It’s hard to really describe this show, other than to say its unique and a Vegas must-see. 

Shows run every half hour from dusk and are free. However, the best viewing spot is one of the lakeside bars (Aft Cocktail Deck, Bar Parasol and Overlook Lounge) or by dining at Lakeside or SW Steakhouse.

The Wynn Atrium is another must-see and offers an absolutely stunning floral display close to the hotel lobby. With a working carousel, hot air balloon and a fabulous walkway surrounded by beautiful trees and colour, it is an ideal place for photos and selfies.

If shows are more your thing, then Wynn offers Awakening, a spectacle of dazzling acrobats, costumes, and choreography. Although not part of the Cirque de Soliel family, it is reminiscent of one.

There’s also Encore Theatre, based within Wynn, which hosts many headline music and comedy acts. I saw Bryan Adams here myself and loved the intimate setting.

If shopping is your entertainment, and you have pockets stuffed with gold(!), then Wynn is a big spender’s dream. Wynn Plaza and The Shops at Wynn are packed full of designer retailers plus The Shoppes at Palazzo and Fashion Show Mall are close by too. 

Finally, golfers can enjoy Wynn Golf Club which lies on the old Desert Inn Golf course. The 70-par, 18-hole course covers 128 acres and is the only golf course situated on the Las Vegas Strip.

Wynn Pool

The pool area at Wynn is tranquil, pretty, and actually very big. I accessed it using the elevator directly opposite the Wynn Buffet and, as I walked out, it felt initially like an up-scale garden party.

I was greeted with beautifully manicured topiary, lush green lawns, and colourful flowers, with calming music in the background. Walking to the poolside, I was surprised by how large it was. 

The pool sprawls out over a long stretch with two large circular pools at each end and several smaller circular pools along the run too. Think of it like a large length of rope with various knots along it. Every knot is another pool.

For this reason, it felt very spacious and calming. Free day beds run along the full stretch of the pool making for a less cluttered and more relaxing experience. Plus, the grounds are stunning. 

I spotted some additional pools around the main one, one was an adult only pool which had poolside blackjack and craps tables. These were located beside the pool rather than swim-up tables. There were also a couple of smaller pools reserved for Tower Suite guests only.

Private cabanas were available to hire and looked like great fun, but I noticed food and drink wasn’t included in the price. If you want to order poolside food, though, you can from the Terrace Pointe Café.

A luxury spa is also available for guests, which is meant to be one of, if not the, best on the Strip.

Wynn Spa

Although the Wynn is not a new property anymore, the Spa certainly is. It was completely remodelled and reimagined in 2019 to update it to a more contemporary aesthetic. 

What resulted was a typically Wynn-esque space full of opulent purple and decadent gold. 

It isn't just style and no substance, though. In fact, the Spa at Wynn was the first spa in las Vegas to receive a Forbes Five-Star award. Expect a price point to reflect that, though. 

Wynn operates the Wynn Rewards program for guests and visitors. 

Anyone 21 or over can join Wynn Rewards, you just have to go along to Wynn Rewards Desk in the casino with some photographic ID.

Once you have your Wynn Rewards card, you build up points by using it every time you spend money in Wynn or Encore. 

It is vital you use it when you gamble – so handing it to your dealer at the table or inserting it in a slot before you play. But don’t forget you can also earn points every time you pay a restaurant or bar bill, go shopping in resort and book show or activity tickets.

There are three benefits to doing this. Firstly, you earn Tier Credits to help you climb the tiers. Higher tiers mean higher rewards. Secondly, you can earn Slot Points which gives you slot freeplay. Finally, you can earn Comp Dollars which can be used to purchase a range of benefits.

There are three status levels at Wynn with some key benefits: 

• Red (0 – 6,999 Tier credits) – Hotel discounts, special promotional offers, discounted cruise for two
• Platinum (7,000 – 69,999 Tier credits) – all of the above plus $100 spa credit, priority buffet seating, complimentary cruise, birthday freeplay and dinner
• Black (70,000 + Tier credits) -  all of the above plus personal casino host, 30% slot points bonus, complimentary hotel stays, upgrades, valet, golf, and nightclub entry  

It’s important not to get too obsessed with the tier levels as they can appear unobtainable. The crucial thing to remember is even at the lowest level, you can receive some great benefits and you can earn slot freeplay and resort credit too. 

Should you join Wynn Rewards?

My personal opinion is yes. Even if I don’t know whether I’m going to spend much time in a resort, I always join the rewards program before I spend a dime.

This means I can maximise every dollar spent and it puts me on their radar for discounts and promotions too.

Not all Las Vegas rewards programs do this, but Wynn has a new member offer too. Join up, and for every 150 slots points earned in the first seven days, you get one prize wheel spin. Prizes include between $5 - $5,000 in freeplay for slots or table games.

Another benefit is that, regardless of tier level, all gambling spend at Wynn, helps you earn Slot Points and Comp Dollars.

For slot play, you earn one Slot Point for every $5 coin in on slots and every $10 or $20 coin in on video poker, depending on the game. 500 Slot Points will get you $5 in freeplay.

It’s a little less transparent when it comes to earning Tier Credits and Comp Dollars. Wynn states it is based on your average bet, type of game you play, and length of play.

Ultimately though, just spend what you normally would, and every time you do, show, or use your Wynn Rewards card. You’ll be surprised at what you can build up and what rewards and offers could follow. 

If you can afford to do Las Vegas in style, then Wynn is an ideal choice.

It screams luxury, in a delicate and refined way of course. I found the bars, restaurants, casino floor and general standards to be of the highest quality I’ve seen in Vegas, and in fact, anywhere in the world. 

If I were to look for a negative, the position isn’t the best in terms of transport links and how long it takes to walk anywhere. But there’s always taxis or rideshare. 

The other downside, in my opinion, is that if you are more financially challenged (like me), then Wynn can price you out. 

The resort is clearly aimed at a high-end clientele, with prices to match. So, there is a risk of feeling a little out of place or uncomfortable if you are on the more casual side.

However, if you want to experience the best that Las Vegas has to offer, then Wynn will show you it.