robyng

My husband wants to go to Las Vegas for his birthday next year. I know that many/most people here don't think that Las Vegas "luxury" hotels are "luxurious" - especially in terms of service. OTOH - since our last trip (at least a decade+ ago) - a lot of hotels seem to have come up with the idea of "hotels within hotels". Where the rooms/suites are nicer/bigger - the service better - and there are perhaps separate/less crowded common areas - like pool facilities. Also - even in hotels that don't have these separate accommodations - there are various suites that seem to come with amenities not offered at the basic room level. And some suites are just knock-outs (I remember someone here posting a picture of a suite that came with its own spa room).

If anyone has any recent experience in any Las Vegas place like this - I'd love to hear what you thought about it (good/bad/ugly). Note that we want a traditional Las Vegas strip hotel. The kind with a casino - restaurants from every chef you ever heard of - shows/entertainment - etc. We don't gamble. But we want a party atmosphere (it's a birthday after all ).

FWIW - we stayed at the Bellagio our last trip in a Premier Fountain View Suite. And I haven't ruled that out for this trip. But I want to explore other options - many of which didn't exist during our last visit. Robyn

offerendum

I can recommend the Salon Suite at the Wynn. You find my review here Own pool area for Tower Suites (not crowded), own reception (no staying in line like an idiot) and own SPA-room.

Pierre&Cédric

+1^
We stayed in a Salon suite last August and we really liked it. The Tower part of the Wynn is great.

Our experience of Vegas is still limited as the only other property we tried is the Bellagio in an Executive suite.

DSI

"Note that we want a traditional Las Vegas strip hotel. The kind with a casino - restaurants from every chef you ever heard of - shows/entertainment - etc. We don't gamble. But we want a party atmosphere (it's a birthday after all ). "

Aria. Wynn, Four Seasons, meh... Aria.

robyng

Yes - I remember your spa room . For some reason - I think Steve Wynn knows how to do Las Vegas in a way that appeals to me (he owned the Bellagio when we stayed there). Just enough Las Vegas "glitz" with some taste thrown into the equation. I was looking at the hotel website this afternoon - and his videos are quite good at selling his new hotel too.

The resort even has a golf course. There's not much for us to do during the day since we don't gamble - and we'll be up early because of the jet lag - so perhaps we can play a couple of rounds!

Any idea what the difference between Wynn and Encore is? Why did you choose one over the other (if you considered both)? Robyn

robyng

Our experience is limited as well. We've only been there twice. Once to Bellagio when it was quite new - and the time before that so many decades ago I can't remember where or when. Trip must have been forgettable because I've forgotten it totally (except for our trip to the Hoover Dam) (unlike our trip to the Big Island - where I remembered everything about our hotel and stay except for the name of the hotel).

Same question re Wynn versus Encore. If you considered both - why did you pick one over the other? Robyn

P.S. In my looking this afternoon - one of the places I looked at was the MGM Sky Lofts. Seemed ok - but all of the accommodations there are 2 story. My husband has some problems going down stairs - so that wouldn't be a fun place for us to stay.

robyng

I agree about Four Seasons. We stopped by there our last trip for afternoon tea. And - although it seems like a nice hotel - it is very definitely not Las Vegas. I might stay there if I had to attend a funeral or a court hearing or something similarly grim in Las Vegas. But it's no place for a birthday trip.

Haven't looked into Aria yet. Aria versus Wynn - any comments? Robyn

robyng

Another question re Wynn/Encore. Does it have any rooms with a view of The Strip (or the mountains - or any really nice views)? If so - how does one request one (and what are they called)? All things being equal or better - I would be using a Virtuoso travel agent for my booking (this is a Virtuoso property) - but like to be specific about what I'm looking for. Robyn

Pierre&Cédric

Good question, not so easy to reply
We felt that Encore was slightly remote. Should you wish to go to the strip you have an additional walk from Encore compared to the Wynn.
Moreover the Wynn has a special pool dedicated to the Tower Suites guests. There is no equivalent at Encore. Actually the Tower Suites guests at Encore can access the dedicated pool at the Wynn. But again it means a lot of walking while you have direct & short access when staying at the Wynn.
Last point regarding the pool scene is that Encore parties were not appealing to us. We did not want to have drunk people dancing all around with loud music. Just try 'Encore Vegas pool party' on YouTube and you'll see what I mean

All Salon suite at the Wynn face the Strip, with a view going from Treasure Island hotel to the Trump.

sfoactuary

My favorites in Vegas are the MGM Skylofts which sounds like won't work due to layout, and the Mandarin Oriental, which probably isn't "traditional" enough for what you're looking for. Worth noting that personally I didn't feel like the lack of casino was an issue due to proximity to Aria.

As others have mentioned, Wynncore is a good option, but would also suggest that you give the Aria Sky Suites a good look. It all depends on what you want to do during the trip in terms of sights, restaurants, and shopping, but in general I much prefer the central location of Aria vs. Wynncore which as others have mentioned feels very isolated.

And depending on how much of a party atmosphere you want, there are some cool specialty suites at the Cosmopolitan, which is also home to my favorite restaurant in Vegas, e by Jose andres.

Michael82

Skylofts....!

Musken

We stayed three nights at MO in Vegas last week. We were in one of their signature suite, the APEX suite. It was a brilliant suite with loads of space, incl. your own bar, dining table, living room, huge bedroom, bathroom with free standing tub - all with floor to ceiling windows and a fantastic view. I highly recommend it.

Although MO is not a typical Vegas hotel (no casino), it is very central at the strip with walking distance to everything, meaning we did not at all miss the Vegas experience and found it wonderful to get back to our "oasis" after a day or night out. The pool scene is great with very good service and cabanas, restaurants were including Twist which is really beautiful, fine dining with a fantastic view and a great full tea in tea salon, awsome bar etc. Just go!

offerendum

Very good description! Rooms at Encore are a little bigger (not so much an issue with the 180 sqm Salon Suite) and ahave another style. I was told in 2013 that Wynn Tower Suites are freshly renovated. As the Salon Suite at Wynn (Virtuoso -20%) was 200 $+ cheaper per night it was a simple decision. The pool is a big Advantage, main pools at Wynn and Encore are really crowded. The entrance to the Tower-pool is opposite the Tower-Elevator so you can go down in your bath-rope. I understand all Salon Suites come with strip-view. The view was very difficult to photograph so only 1 photo to the Trump. You can see on some Pictures the view to Treasure Island and Venetian.

instyleprincess

I cannot agree more, I have always hated Vegas till I found MO...!!
MO truly is another world from your usual Vegas scene but still central to almost everything. Among all the 3-star chefs in Vegas, I enjoyed Twist the best.

vuittonsofstyle

Totally agree with everything Musken says. Best by a mile is MO Las Vegas, especially if you don't gamble. It's easy to get to the other glitzy hotels from here, but it's great to arrive 'home' after a show. Best food by far, too.