Las Vegas: Encore Tower Suites vs. others
 

I've searched the forum and the posts on this topic are a couple years old now and not quite what I'm searching for...I'm planning a trip to Las Vegas in a couple of months for kind of a party weekend with a few friends. On my last trip, I stayed in a salon suite at the Wynn which I enjoyed (although the view could have been better), and so I thought this time I'd check out the Encore Tower Suites, maybe a parlor or salon suite. I like to have at least one bigger suite in the group because it's a good place for the group to gather and have a drink before heading out or a midnight snack after getting back. A couple questions for you all:

1) the tower suites at the Encore are a little more expensive than the Wynn...is there anything that makes them better? I understand that the Encore suites might have better views of the strip, anything else?
2) I'd like to spend up to (or less than) $1,500 a night on a room (for myself). Is there any other property I should be looking at? I'm looking for a place with a casino and that's "Vegas classy", restaurants aren't important because we'll be dining around. Aria Sky Suites came up but I can't find a lot of good firsthand, non-marketing info on it.

Appreciate any help or insight!

Encore salon suite is larger than the one over at wynn.
TS lobby on the encore side are a little more tucked away so it "feels" more exclusive and less busy.
Encore TS doesn't have a dedicated pool so if that is important, wynn side is a better choice.

Did you look at the Cosmo's Chelsea Penthouses?

I'd do Wynn-corn over Aria personally if location wasn't a factor
Skylofts at MGM used to be a big draw

For my preference, Encore is a little more youthful than Wynn. Both properties are first rate and virtually the top of service delivery in Vegas but where the Wynn is more classic and timeless, the Encore is sleek and sexy. I personally enjoy Encore because it's just far north enough that people typically turn back south after the esplanade shops. I find Encore to be more exclusive feeling and isn't nearly as crowded as Wynn or any casino resort further to the south. I think the spa at Encore is astonishing (easily the most beautiful hard product in North America).

If you're going for a tower suite, just keep in mind that the suites are exactly the same as the regular resort suites except for a separate entrance. I don't find the regular check in desk to be that big of a hassle but if you really want those 10 minutes back in your life, you'll pay the extra for it.

Cosmopolitan has some amazing views from their corner suites if you're looking for an alternative.

I'd say you're on the right path with the Wynn/Encore. I think it is by far the best option in Las Vegas (I've tried penthouses/suites at Aria, Bellagio, Caesars, Mandalay, MGM, Planet Hollywood, etc. and now only stay at Wynn). Especially if you are going for a party weekend, and heading that way in a few months once it warms up. Encore Beach is the best pool party.

I have a slight preference to the tower suites at Wynn, but that's based on the colors. I prefer the light colors at Wynn to the dark colors at Encore. The Wynn tower suites pool is not important to you if going for a party weekend, other than maybe to grab free bottles of water. The casino section at Wynn is more active and fun than Encore (it's also much larger).

If a strip view is important, Wynn/Encore is at a bit of a disadvantage. Encore is better, but it's not the same as a strip view penthouse at Bellagio, for example. I request the desert view at Wynn because otherwise you're just looking at Palazzo, Treasure Island, and Trump, along with the mall, and it's not an appealing view.

Use Virtuoso or Amex FHR and book a parlor suite and you should end up in a salon suite with the complimentary upgrade. If you want to roll the dice and save money book a regular tower suite room and you should end up in a parlor. I've only missed on the tower suite --> parlor suite upgrade once out of probably 15 times, and they let me pay $200/night to jump to a salon suite because the complimentary upgrade to a parlor wasn't available (it was Memorial Day Weekend).

Never stayed at the Wynn to compare, but enjoyed a suite at the Encore and had zero complaints. Fabulous views, extremely comfortable, and great service.

Definitely book with FHR if you have it.

Check out my walkthrough of the Bellagio Penthouse Suite , defo recommend for amazing views of the fountain and skip the line taxi passes.

It's not only another entrance, it's completely different with separate check-in (without lines as they are at the mass-check-in). Also there is a separate (and quite) pool. While entrance level suites may be the same (but OP won't book them) all proper suites are located in the Tower.

Aria Sky Suites are fantastic and the restaurant selection there and next door at Cosmo is excellent. Unless you have a need for two bedrooms, I would suggest booking a Panoramic Penthouse.

As mrfussion noted, the Parlor Suite upgrade from the Tower Room is almost always available. And the upgrade to Salon Suite for an extra $200 per night is also available (I've never *not* been offered this at The Wynn). Tower Suite rooms go for about $400 for regular times. This could get you into a Salon Suite for about $600 a night, with enough of your $1,500 per night budget left for whatever entertainment you can find in a small town in the middle of a desert! Just book via Amex FHR or Virtuoso to get this upgrade, and enjoy free breakfast too! It is a small gamble that the suites you want to upgrade to are available, but it's a big hotel, and unlike the tables, the odds are in your favor

Cosmo FTW.

Thanks for the rec on the Chelsea Penthouses at the Cosmo, looking into those now. Thanks for all the insight, will let you know what I choose.

I've stayed at the Encore more times than I can count to party. The Encore is slightly bigger than the Wynn and the design is more modern vs. the Wynn which kind of feels a bit old timey. The tower suites on the Encore side has its own check in area and valet too which is nice. It's a great place to stay if you plan on going to Encore Beach or any of their nightclubs. The only other hotel I would stay at is the Cosmo.

nice video, let me guess room number was ending by about 26 at the 29 or 30th floor. ?
the furnitures have been updated and are much nicer now.

I thought that taxi line pass are only for platinum or noir ?