SFO777

A few weeks ago, Mrs. SFO started talking about a couple of days in Las Vegas... for some shopping, fine dining and maybe a show. Lo and behold JetSmarter came thru Thursday morning when APA-LAS popped up for Friday afternoon. Book it Danno. Now thoroughly spoiled by my Challenger 604 and Hawker 800XP experiences, I was a little disappointed that it was "only" a Hawker 400XP light jet. But hey, it sure beats United.

With a scheduled 1:45P departure time, we left our home at 1:10P and despite an accident on southbound I-25, pulled into the Signature APA parking lot at 1:25P. A few minutes later, we met our pilots and waited a few minutes while they finished refueling our plane.







Denver APA to Las Vegas LAS
Hawker 400XP Light Jet
Tail N490CT
1:50P-2:37P
November 6, 2015





On board, small but perfect for a short flight for the two of us.







After a review of the safety features from Captain Jim and a final check, we're ready to go.























Downtown Denver.



Snow has already come to the mountains.









Time for a drink and snack.



Now over southern Utah.















Ah, the good life.







Some spectacular scenery as we begin our descent and approach to McCarran.







Mrs. SFO, practicing her paparazzi pose.































After a perfect landing, a short taxi to Atlantic Aviation, today's FBO at LAS.





Where our driver was waiting and drove up to the plane.



Our bags were loaded and we were off for the short drive to Steve Wynn's place.

SFO777

About 10 minutes after pickup, we pulled into the Encore Tower Suites entrance where we greeted by multiple staff and escorted to check-in where we were the only guests. The Encore is a Virtuoso property and our rate including breakfast a $50 spa credit and $50 resort credit. More good news today as we were upgraded to a gorgeous Parlor Suite on the 62nd floor. Although I'm not sure if it really was 62 since floors 40-49 don't seem to exist. Hmmm. Or maybe someone just can't count.







OK, now this is one fabulous suite. Our Living Room.













Amazing view.



Bedroom.





Master Bath.





Entry.



Just inside entry, another bath.



And massage room!



After we settled in, we headed downstairs with a map to explore the amazing complex that is Wynn.



























Two hours later, finally a drink at Sinatra.





And then up to our room to get ready for dinner. One of favorites chef's is Jean-Georges Vongerichten. We've loved his restaurants in New York and Shanghai, and his other Las Vegas restaurant Prime at The Bellagio. So, Mrs. SFO has decided that we're going to Jean-Georges Steakhouse at Aria. The massive complex that is Aria.



Way too big for our tastes... and at least a 10 minute poorly marked walk from main lobby to the restaurant.



Huge room, comfortable seating.



Even though it's a steakhouse, we opted to go non steak tonight.



I started with the Tempura Calamari with Pea Shoots and Chili Dip. Similar to what we had in Shanghai. It was amazing!





For some reason, Mrs. SFO decided to just to a couple more starters, a shrimp cocktail...



... and crab cake.



While I went with the wonderful Veal Milanese.





All in all a good but not memorable meal. We passed on dessert and headed out to check out more shopping although it took forever to finally get to there in this cavernous place.











Yeah, just what I want after dinner, more shopping.















Not sure what this dude was trying to do the water tank.



After I fell asleep in one of the stores (most wisely have installed chairs and sofas for husbands), Mrs. SFO got the message and we headed back to our hotel.

KevinDTW

Great pictures as always; looking forward to more! I believe Wynncore does not have floors that begin with a "4" because it is considered a bad-luck number in some Asian cultures.

BTW, I greatly enjoyed your exchanges a few weeks ago with a certain insufferable poster in one of the DL threads.

CRAZ8

I'm a huge fan of the Wynn/Encore.

I ate with a group at Jean-George steakhouse in Aria a few years ago, and they did really poorly - food was Ok, but the service was frankly terrible. With so many great choices in Vegas, they only get one chance, and they blew it for me.

On the other hand, I just ate at Sinatra's for the 3rd time in 3 years! I love the vibe of that place. I talked to our waiter (Jay) on our last visit, and he told us that Mr Wynn wants everything to be perfect all the time - he's clearly got his finger on the pulse of the property and everyone cares about the experience, and it shows.

mike&co

Another amazing TR SFO777 - visited Vegas once, stayed at the Mirage and thought it was an adequate hotel. Vegas itself was an interesting place to visit. That room was simply stunning

kathykathy

mr sfo, you are tempting me to go to Vegas! I used to go about 3 times a year, but haven't been in a couple years. I usually stay at Aria. It is gorgeous, especially the suites. I was disappointed at Jean Georges - steak was just okay and the Bone Marrow was horrible! But you know Vegas - lots of restaurants to choose from.
Cheers,
Kathy

HawaiiTrvlr

Awesome report as always.

Any idea whose 747 that is parked with the Luxor in the background?

SkiUtah747

That's Sheldon Adelson's (Las Vegas Sands') 747SP. One of the few still flying!

SFO777

Thanks very much KevinDTW and for the insight into the reason there are no floors 40-49.

Thank you CRAZ8. We just love Wynn/Encore. Service is wonderful and the attention to detail is extraordinary. Interesting to read your take on Jean-Gerorges Steakhouse. We had good service, but the whole experience just wasn't a wow. Other than offering Jean-Georges a ton of money to put his name on the restaurant, not sure why he is here. The location is terrible. And yet another steakhouse? He has so many other wonderful restaurant concepts. Why not a Nougatine?

Thanks very much mike&co.

Thank you Kathy. Interesting to hear your take on J-G as well. There are so many other great restaurants and chefs here.

Thanks HawaiiTrvlr.

Thank you SkiUtah747 for identifying Adelson's 747SP. Still a beautiful bird.

Kagehitokiri

only 267 rooms

have Mrs. SFO start talking about longest route(s) destination(s)

offerendum

Vegas Last time I satyed at the Wynn Towers, also with (useless but funny) massage room. I liked it

DanielW

Another very excellent TR, SFO777.

The 'larger than life' city in the desert from your photo's reminds me of my own home town. Minus the gambling of course, but probably just as many 'working ladies' though.

Agree with above regarding the 747SP, wow!!! I wonder if he'll let Jetsmarter charter it out?

work2fly

Frankly, the lack of proper dining linens on the charter flight is appaling

SFO777

Early morning and gorgeous sunrise. Views from our suite.

















In room dining was an easy choice in this suite.



The smoked corned beef hash was very good.



Meanwhile I keep looking for a private way out tomorrow, or rather a practical one.



Then out for another round of shopping, looking for that perfect dress for a friend's December wedding. A gorgeous 68F/20C late morning as we take the walkway over S. Las Vegas Blvd. to more shopping.













But first a stop of Clark for a $35 pair of practical and comfortable shoes. Even Mrs. SFO has her discomfort limit in her stylish but not so comfy for lots of walking Jimmy Choo boots. Although she did agree that if we were in Paris, she would just suck it up and endure the pain.

She was not amused when I suggested this dress.



After a couple of hours we headed back to the Wynn for lunch. I suggested NY-style deli Zoozacrackers. She suggested Asian themed Red 8. So Red 8 it is. Nice decor but OMG, horrifically bad.







Mrs. SFO ordered wonton soup. Awful.





And BBQ pork chow mein. Gross.



I ordered the chicken satay. It was least unpalatable selection but not even close to MH or SQ.



After lunch, back to the room to relax, Mrs. SFO a nap and me watching college football and one of the classic games, Arkansas/Ole Miss. For dinner, we headed for Andrea's, apparently named after Steve's new and 2nd wife, not the ex he just kicked off the board. This place was sensational.

Pics from their website. The eye's are supposed to be Andrea's. I'm sure the ex loves that.











The Tuna + Crispy Rice with pickled jalapeño, spicy mayo, kecap manis starter was out of this world.



We shared a couple of mains.



The Jidori Chicken Adobo with onion, jalapeño and garlic was excellent.



While the Steamed Sea Bass with ginger, garlic, green onion, cured lemon, mushroom and cilantro was out of this world.



Crispy Brussel Sprouts were excellent.



And dessert. Yum.




An outstanding meal. Then back up to the room before heading out to cavernous Mandalay Bay for Cirque du Soleil's spectacular Michael Jackson One show.









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Showtime, where I did manage to sneak a few pics.

























What a wonderful show, and we beat the crowd to the taxi stand and got back to our room just in time for SNL and the Trump show.

SFO777

She already has.

Thanks offerendum. Yeah, that in suite massage room was hilarious. Wonder how many times it is actually used.

Thank you DanielW. LOL. A 747SP on Jetsmarter!! OK, that would be way too cool.

They actually did have linens in the galley. Blame the FA.