Wynn Las Vegas

Steve Wynn, a modern-day Vegas legend (he built The Mirage and Bellagio among others) spent nearly $3 billion to create this eponymous shrine to luxury and while that's a drop in the bucket compared to some of the hotels that came after it, one can still see evidence of the investment at every turn.

The hotel feels a little bit cramped when you first enter -- we are used to swooping Vegas lobby displays -- and the reception area is impractically proportioned, resulting in some check-in waits. The suspicion is that all this makes the place seem less behemoth and more resort size. The hotel has no discernible theme (apart from that tendency to prompt constant comparisons to Bellagio), which may be disappointing for those looking for theme-aganza. The interior has some superior moments, including considerable use of natural light (via various skylights and atriums), unusual in this town and most welcome; a floral motif reflected in eye-catching, brightly hued floor mosaics; artistic fresh-flower arrangements throughout; and, best of all, the atrium that runs down the center and, like its predecessor at Bellagio, features frequently changed displays. As with all other Wynn hotels, there is an installation in front of the building, a 150-foot-tall man-made mountain covered in trees (many mature trees taken from the old Desert Inn golf course) and waterfalls, and, like the others, this comes with a "free show." The quotation marks are because said show is not viewable from the street -- neither, in fact, is the mountain itself. You can only get a good look from the restaurants or bars where you'll have to pay dearly for a meal or a drink to sit down.

The rooms are gorgeous: large with much-appreciated floor-to-ceiling views (west side shows off the mountain and waterfalls, east side the golf course; both are choice); deeply comfortable beds, with high-thread-count sheets and feather beds atop good-quality mattresses; flatscreen TVs; and excellent up-to-the-minute bathrooms, complete with quite long and deep tubs, their own flatscreen TVs, and lemony amenities. Take note of the silky-satiny robes (the best we've ever had in a hotel) and plush velour slippers. It's all done in creamy tones that make it modern without being garish.

The gym is excellent, stuffed with up-to-the-minute equipment, most with individual TV screens, though we could do without the windows looking onto an interior hallway that make our workout visible to all passersby. The spa area is serene and particularly pretty, with an atrium emitting natural light into the bathing areas. The pool area has four oval-shaped numbers connected by some stretches long enough for laps, plus a "European sunbathing" (read: topless) area that includes outdoor blackjack tables.

Dining options are superb (though generally exceptionally pricey), including Bartolotta, Red 8, and the Wynn Las Vegas Buffet. A shopping street features high-end choices -- Chanel, Cartier, Manolo Blahnik, Gaultier -- but if that's not enough for you there's also a Ferrari dealership -- no, really. A showroom features the Cirque-like production Le Reve.

In the end, this is a very adult hotel, in the best sense -- classy and mature. But still, so was the old Desert Inn, which hit all the right resort notes even in its last days, only to be replaced by the bigger-is-better ethos.

Facilities:
14 restaurants; casino; concierge; executive-level rooms; health club; 4 outdoor pools; room service; showrooms; spa; 3 wedding chapels

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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