Gaming hotels and smoke
 

I'm planning a first trip to Vegas and for the sake of convenience I'm considering staying in a gaming hotel, probably Wynn/Encore. I am somewhat sensitive to smoke, so I am also considering combinations like FS/MB so I don't have to leave the property. What can I expect at casino vs. non-casino properties? Also, would I give up comps (assuming I'd get any -- bankroll of high 3/low 4-figures) by booking on an Amex FHR/FHR-like rate?

I think you'll be fine in a non-smoking room. But you're going to have a hard time walking through any casino :)

In my experience, I don't generally smell a lot of smoke in the air in the Wynn/Encore casinos. Obviously that varies minute by minute depending on the crowd. You should probably avoid Caesar's Palace & Harrah's.

Comps will be based on your play, not based on the credit card you used for the reservation.

Do you actually want to play? If so, avoiding smoke is kinda hard to do.

In general, older properties are worse than newer ones when it comes to smokiness. Wynn/Encore will be good. So would Aria. Of course, it's all for nothing if someone sits down next to you at a table or a slot and starts smoking.

Vdara is 100% nonsmoking, and allows guests to charge to their room account at Aria (and some other MGM Resorts properties, such as the neighboring Bellagio, as well.

you should be able to charge across all MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas.

Yes, since it's my first trip I do want to gamble. The casino floor, I could probably deal with it, the rest of the hotel, not so much. I'm also trying to stick to one property (or connected/close properties) for hotel and gambling since I'm staying only two nights.

Was referring to this discussion regarding "travel agent" (FHR) rates and comps. I imagine I'm better off taking the credits/benefits anyway with a low level of play.

Definitely stick to the newer hotels (1990s era and later) with good ventilation systems. I've stayed at the Venetian a couple times on non-smoking floors, and never noticed any hint of smoke; I imagine Wynn/Encore would be the same. Same for restaurants, shopping areas, etc -- completely non-smoking, though bars and clubs I believe allow smoking.

The casino floor is another story. The newer places have the best systems, but someone smoking at the same table or nearby machine will always be noticeable. And real non-smoking gaming areas are rare (many poker rooms seem to be non-smoking, and the occasional table). Not sure how old this link is, but it has a summary of each casino:

http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/nonsmoke.cfm

The main reason for a non-gaming hotel would avoid having to go through smoke to get to the room elevators (again, some are better than others, even in the same complex -- Palazzo signs the walkway area as non-smoking and has some clearance, while Venetian it's not as avoidable). But if you're planning to do some gambling anyway, that may not matter.

Aria is very good smoke wise. You won't notice it unless someone is smoking at the same table to near you at a slot. No smoking alowed in restaurants. But the casino bars/lounges are a different story. If it really bothers you, you may want to be careful about where you sit. I'm not 100% if bars/lounges in the restaurants allow smoking.

Smoking in public buildings is illegal in Nevada except for casinos, bars/clubs with no food being served, strip clubs, and brothels. So there won't be any smoke in the rest of the hotel (except smoking rooms) unless people are being naughty. But the older properties are pretty much 100% casino, so there's smoke everywhere. I recommend Encore Tower Suites.

Do not prepay your hotel if you want a chance to get it comped. They can't undo prepaid rates. Using FHR rates should not be a problem as long is it is not prepaid. I'm not sure if you can get a Four Seasons room comped easily.

I have a difficult time with smoke as well, but if you are staying in the Wynn you shouldn't have any issues. Play at non-smoking tables.
I play at the Wynn, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay and Aria mostly because they have a lot of non-smoking tables.

With the $ amount you stated (+/- $1K) and the hotels you are considering (Wynn, City Center, etc.) you are probably right in assuming minimal potential to get rooms comped. Go for whatever benefits you can get up front.

I agree with the sentiments stated here - the newer the better for smoke avoidance.

Also, one unsolicited comment... It sounds like you are planning on focusing your time in one place during your trip. To me, the most interesting thing about LV is the variety and volume of properties. Since, as stated earlier, comps (the primary reason for concentrating at one property) are not really in play, why not bounce around a bit and enjoy the different properties? If smoke is a significant concern, there are many places where you'll be "safe" - the Forum Shops, Bellagio fountains and conservatory, Venetian canal, etc. and most of the gaming floors in the higher-end properties are very well ventilated.

I'm pretty sensitive to smoke as well. I've also stayed at about eight different Las Vegas properties in the past two months. Here are my rankings for least to most:

Mandarin Oriental
Four Seasons
Aria
Encore
THEHotel
Wynn
Bellagio (really bad, even in a renovated lakeview room on a non-smoking floor)

I think in general I like Aria best- high ceilings, well ventilated, easy to get outside quickly with minimal exposure to the casino, available gambling floor when you want it.

Stayed at Encore when I was speaking at a conference about 9 months ago. I hate smoke. No noticeable smoke smell in my room, but I could smell it in the casino, and it dissuaded me from gambling for very long.

If I had my choice, I'd stay at a complete non-smoking hotel casino in a minute.

Venetian/Palazzo
 

We didn't encounter cigarette smoke when repeatedly walking across the Venetian or The Palazzo casino floors this week.

be prepared for smoke at the tables, it's definitely going to happen