Encore Las Vegas Review for July 2024

Encore is the sister hotel to Wynn, and together they cast a sleek, curved, bronzed presence on the north end of the Las Vegas skyline.

Considered part of the Wynn Resort, many see Encore as just an extension of Wynn without its own identity.

However, many people actually prefer to stay at Encore rather than Wynn and it has its own casino floor as well as its own hotel lobby, pool, restaurants, sportsbook, bar and nightclubs.

In fact, when Encore was developed it was targeted at an even more high-end clientele than Wynn. 

So, what can you expect from staying at Encore and how does it differ from Wynn? In the design-stage Wynn resorts called Encore ‘Wynn’s flirty little sister’ so I went along to find out what that actually means. 

Encore opened in December 2008, three and a half years after Wynn opened its doors in April 2005. That feels like a long time ago, but it is still very much comparable to the brand new casinos that have opened around it. 

Yes, I know we want to talk about Encore as a separate resort, however, it’s impossible to do that without at least mentioning Wynn and its origin.

Wynn was the brainchild of Steve Wynn, who had already been hugely influential in Vegas architecture with the Mirage, Treasure Island and Bellagio.

When Wynn was built it was unlike all previous resorts built on the Strip. Moving away from the popular themed resorts, Wynn was stylish, tasteful, elite and in a different class of its own. 

Wynn had always planned on building a ‘second hotel tower’, so when it was time to build Encore, he wanted it to look like a mirror image of the initial resort.

Both Wynn and Encore are built on the site of the former Desert Inn resort. The last two remaining Desert Inn hotel structures - the Palms and St. Andrews towers – were imploded in November 2004 to make way for Encore.

Because Wynn was already well established, Encore designers actually consulted with Forbes Travel Guide to ensure the new build would maintain the resorts five-star rating.

It worked, and at the end of 2009, Encore received the AAA Five Diamond Award, as well as the Five Star award from Forbes Travel Guide.

Location

For a long time, Wynn and Encore were quite isolated at the north end of the Las Vegas Strip. Encore even more so, with it being the most northern of the two.

However, over the last few years, the area has seen a resurgence with the opening of Resorts World in 2021 and Fontainebleau in 2023.

Both resorts not only make Encore more integrated on the Strip, but also offer a similar high-end experience to visitors and attract a similar clientele. 

Along with the Fashion Show Mall, which is situated directly opposite Encore, they make for a fun, if expensive, little community. 

This does come with one exception – Circus Circus – which is located in the same backyard but does not come with the same price tag or prestige. That’s probably the kindest way of putting it.

Despite this closer integration, Encore still suffers location wise when it comes to visiting other resorts and attractions.

Some resorts are walkable – to the north Resorts World is around a 15-minute walk and Fontainebleau around 22 mins. While to the south, Palazzo is approximately 15 minutes and Treasure Island around 17 mins.

If you want to walk to the centre of the Strip though, say for example to see the Bellagio Fountains, then you’re looking at around 45 minutes. In the Las Vegas heat can make you a hot mess and is not recommended.

Of course, Wynn is connected to Encore via internal walkways and it can actually be quite hard to distinguish when you leave Encore and step into Wynn as it’s so seamless and similar.

When it comes to transport links, the closest Las Vegas Monorail station is at Harrahs/LINQ which is around a 25-minute walk. Alternatively, if you’re happy to take the bus, then the Deuce has a stop directly outside Encore which can take you anywhere on the Strip for just a few dollars.

If travelling by taxi from Harry Reid International Airport, Wynn falls into Zone 3 of the fixed rate taxi fee so will cost a flat fee of $29 plus tip. 

Unusually for Vegas, Encore offers complimentary parking to registered resort guests and poker room guests too, subject to availability. It does require validation from the casino though.

If you’re familiar with Wynn, then you’ll know what to expect when you visit Encore. To sum it up in two words – immaculate elegance.

Walking around the Encore casino is like walking around a (busy) art gallery or attending a VIP party. Everything is clean, shined, polished, and there’s not a thread out of place.

With high ceilings and large gold lighting, the polished marble floors are adorned with rich red and purple carpets. And if you like butterflies then you’re in luck as I saw them not only on all of the carpets but painted on the floors as well.

It really is opulent, and what I noticed more than anything was how small it was but also how spaced out all the slots were. Contrary to some other Las Vegas casinos, Encore deliberately doesn’t try to fill every inch of its floor with games.

That results in a really spacious, comfortable and refined gambling experience. Almost like playing in a high-limit lounge but across the whole 72,000 square feet of casino floor.

Table Games Selection

There are just over 90 table games in Encore casino, all of which looked pristine as I walked around. They are also housed under striking red chandeliers which makes the room feel even more premium, if that’s possible.

I saw all the favourites – roulette, blackjack, baccarat and craps – plus some good variety in poker pit games.

It was good to see some 3:2 blackjack on the main casino floor here as often this is exclusive to the high-limit lounges. It was also great to see some European single zero roulette, although this was only available at bet minimums starting from $200.

Generally, Encore does offer lower table minimums than Wynn. While I didn’t see anything lower than $25 at win, I saw a couple of $15 bet minimums at Encore through the day.

Classic table games:

• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Craps
• Baccarat
• Three Card Poker

Variants:

• Pai Gow Poker
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em
• Blackjack Switch
• Free Bet Blackjack
• Let it Ride Poker
• Casino War
• High Card Flush
• Mississippi Stud
• Four Card Poker

If poker is your game, then prepare to be a little confused. It’s called the Wynn Las Vegas Poker Room but it’s positioned around the outside of the Encore casino.

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the poker room hosts the Wynn Classic Poker Series. And when that’s not taking place is has daily tournaments and cash games.

Slots

With just over 800 slots, I found plenty to keep me entertained at Encore for a few hours. There was a small selection of traditional three and five real games, but the vast majority of the room was given to modern video slots that you see throughout Las Vegas.

I’ve already mentioned this, but it’s worth reiterating: the layout of the slots is a big plus at Encore. The seats are luxurious and the slots are spaced out, so player comfort is really taken seriously here.

Some of the most popular slots I found included:

• Wheel of Fortune
• Mega Bucks
• Monopoly
• Blazing 7’s
• Top Dollar 
• Dragon Link
• Huff n More Puff
• Lightning Link
• Dancing Drums Prosperity

I played some slots while I was at Encore – some Dragon Link Happy & Prosperous and Ultimate Fire Link and I ended up down a little bit but had fun trying.

Bar-Top Gaming

Unlike almost every other casino in Las Vegas, I couldn’t find bar-top gaming at Encore. 

I know there was very limited bar-top gaming at Wynn last time I visited, but I did find it in a couple of bars. But at Encore, I couldn’t find it at all. Then again, there are only really two main bars on site and both get exceptionally busy.  

Sportsbook

The Encore Sportsbook is in the centre of the casino, but it has to be said it’s not the most impressive sportsbook on the Strip. In fact, it doesn’t really come close.

With so much else of the resort and the casino giving off high-quality and high-end standards, I was really disappointed. 

There is a wall of screens showing sports, but the overall size of the wall is small, and the individual screens are small too. Especially compared to what else you can find in Las Vegas.

When I went to look around many of the screens had duplicate content and there were around 20 seats just randomly positioned on a carpeted floor. It actually looked a little sad.

Having recently visited the new sportsbook at Wynn, which is outstanding, I would definitely recommend giving the Encore one a miss and walking 5 or 6 minutes to Wynn instead.

In the meantime, if you do want to place a bet at the Encore sportsbook then you can use the WynnBet app or go one of the three betting stations to place a bet in person. 

Waitress Service

Las Vegas waitress service is one of big perks of gambling in Sin City, and it’s something that even the best online casinos can’t offer. While you’re playing on the slots or at the tables, waitresses circulate offering comped drinks for players.

While this is the case in all Vegas casinos, the quality and frequency of the service varies considerably. But I’m pleased to say that at Encore, it was excellent.

I was offered a couple of drinks while playing slots and went for a Cosmopolitan cocktail. It came in a nice glass and was made exceptionally well plus the waitress was lovely. 

The trick to getting good waitress service is to always tip well. If you want great service, then show your appreciation. Believe me, if you tip well, you will see a lot more of the waitress and enjoy a lot more drinks too. 

If you’re unsure of what to ask for, then you can usually request beers, wines, spirts or cocktails, but the waitress will be able to tell you what’s available if you ask nicely. 

High Limit Gaming at Encore Casino

The High Limit Lounge at Encore casino is something else. Situated to the back of the casino, right beside Sinatra’s restaurant, the lounge is in an elevated position.

There is a grand entrance guarded by two big decorative peacocks and there’s a large floral display at either side to make the lounge feel very exclusive and private.

Inside the salon you’ll find table games including roulette, craps, and baccarat but table minimums are usually in the $100 to $500 range.

There is also a small but luxurious high-limit slots area right next door which has high denomination games of all the big favourites including Top Dollar and Lightning Link, as well as a good video poker selection.

While many believe high-limit slots areas are purely for high rollers, it is possible to bet at $5 a spin. So, if this is in your budget, then feel free to play in the high-limit areas. It really adds something to your experience. 

Plus, I really like the private restrooms in here and the waitress service is exceptional. 

Cash and Payment Options

To gamble at Encore, you must have cash. Card payments aren’t accepted, although you can use card payments to pay for everything else. When it comes to gambling, though, cash is king.

You insert cash directly into the slots to play and you hand cash over at the tables to buy in.

With slots you will receive payouts by a voucher known as a TITO (ticket in, ticket out). The slot will give you a TITO and you can then insert this straight into a different slot to continue playing or cash it out at a redemption machine.

With tables, any winnings are paid in chips and you can then redeem your chips for cash at the cashier cage. Either way, TITO or chips, you get your winnings quicker than even fast payout online casinos.

If you don’t have cash with you, then worry not. There are ATM machines on the casino floor but be wary of withdrawal fees, which can be as high as $10.

Don’t forget to keep cash back for tips too!

I’ve (hopefully) made it clear throughout this review just how luxurious and sophisticated Encore is. 

From the sleek bronzed exterior to the red chandeliers, lush carpets, and general shininess of everything inside, it is the definition of high-end.

However, just in case you need some facts to back me up, Wynn Resorts worldwide hold more Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) Five-Star awards (22) than any other independent hotel company in the world. Encore by itself has two of these for the Tower Suites and the Spa.

Encore has a 48-story hotel tower with 2,034 rooms and suites. Known for their luxury and spaciousness, I was keen to check the rooms out for myself. 

Encore Rooms

At an incredible 745 square feet, the most basic room you can stay in at Encore is the Encore Resort King Room. And when I describe it as wow, I am not exaggerating.

Walking into the room, my jaw actually dropped. It felt like I’d suddenly become a Las Vegas VIP and I was walking into a big suite rather than a basic room.

It was even larger than the basic room at Wynn which at 640 square feet I thought was exceptionally big. Immediately I realised why I hear a lot of people say they prefer to stay at Encore.

It wasn’t only the size of the room though. The décor and design were spectacular as well. The first thing that hit me was the light courtesy of the huge three-panel floor to ceiling windows that lit up the room making it look huge. 

It also looked like two rooms at first glance. That’s all thanks to a semi-dividing wall right in the middle that gives it a suite effect.

On one side of the dividing wall was the bed and a mirror that took over the whole wall. On the other side of the dividing wall was a full lounge area with a corner sofa, coffee table, and a separate desk and chair. 

The room also had a big double wardrobe, a separate unit with drawer space, and the dividing wall itself contained more drawer space and a 55 inch HDTV that actually swivelled between the bedroom and the lounge. 

The bathroom was just as spectacular, with his and hers sinks, a large shower, a deep marble bathtub, and a huge mirror with a seating area.

All of the usual amenities were included as you would expect - iron/ironing board, hairdryer, TV and safe, and there were luxurious toiletries in the bathroom and robes.

An added amenity was the touchscreen tablet that meant I could control the lighting, drapes and temperature in the room while still lying in bed. I could also book restaurant reservations and order room service on it too if I wanted. 

My view was of the Strip and I could see Wynn, the golf course, and the Sphere as well as some of the Strip resorts. It was a fantastic view, especially at sunset when the neon awoke.  

The whole room oozed sophistication and luxury but with a contemporary edge. It was one of, if not the, best rooms I’ve stayed at in Las Vegas without a doubt.

And remember this was the most basic room I could choose, I would love to see what the other rooms have to offer such as the Encore Panoramic View, Encore Tower Suites or Encore Apartments. 

If you plan on bringing your pampered pooch to Vegas then unfortunately you won’t be able to stay at Encore. Pets are not permitted in resort unless they are service animals. 

Bars

Encore has very few bars and that’s probably due to limited space and the fact that Wynn has an abundance of them just a few minutes away.

In keeping with the general opulence of the place, all of the bars are high-end and spectacular in their own way.

Eastside Lounge has stunning poolside views and, despite its decadent surroundings, is actually a party place at night. Featuring a duelling piano show seven nights a week, you can really let your hair down here, enjoying sing-a-longs while sipping luxury cocktails. 

I’ve been here a couple of times and absolutely love the atmosphere. I highly recommend it. 

The Lobby bar is another eye-catching bar just off the main lobby and right on the casino floor. This gets really busy and it’s not surprising. 

The rich red walls, large sofas, gold finishing and of course the centre statue of mythic Greek nymph, Daphne, transforming into a laurel tree to elude Apollo is just exquisite. This has to be seen to be experienced really.

The final bar is the High Limit Bar, which is small but highly exclusive and surrounded by the luxury of the high limit games and the big floral display.

If you like more exuberant nightlife, then both Encore Beach Club and XS Nightclub host a series of A-List DJ’s and acts almost every week. Current line-ups include David Guetta, Chainsmokers, Diplo and Dillon Francis.  

Buffets and Restaurants 

There are a small but varied selection of dining options at Encore.

Fine-dining comes in the form of Casa Playa, for up-scale Mexican food, and Sinatra’s, serving modern twists on classic Italian food loved by Frank Sinatra himself.

Wazuzu is a pan-Asian restaurant serving from lunch time until late night and, although its classed as casual dining, there is a glittering 27-foot dragon made of 90,000 individual crystals inside, so it’s still pretty upscale. The drunken noodles are definitely worth a try!

Jardine is another restaurant that is more smart-casual and has a lovely vibe with a conservatory setting. You can sit inside or outside on the patio and they serve a delicious brunch selection.

For much more casual dining, Espresso is right in the hotel lobby and is kind of like a quick-serve gourmet café serving coffee and light bites. 

There isn’t a buffet at Encore but the Wynn Buffet is a ten-minute walk through the internal walkway. There also isn’t a food court or quick eats options at Encore, it’s all just too high-end for that. 

Shows and Entertainment

The main entertainment at Encore comes from the XS Nightclub and Encore Beach Club, but this is mostly for a younger crowd. There’s also the Eastside Lounge with nightly piano duelling shows, which are much more my thing. 

If shopping is what you enjoy, then the Encore Esplanade has a selection of designer shops running along the corridor from Encore to Wynn with prices that most of us can only dream of spending. 

The rest of the attractions and shows come from Encore’s big sister Wynn. This includes the Encore Theatre (confusing, I know) with headline acts, The Lake of Dreams nightly show, Awakening - a Cirque de Soliel-like acrobatic show, a golf course and the much-photographed Wynn Atrium with stunning floral displays. 

I have seen both live music and comedy at the Encore Theatre (at Wynn) and it’s one of my absolute favourite entertainment venues in all of Las Vegas. 

Encore Pool

In comparison to other pools in Las Vegas, I would say the main pool at Encore is just average. It is certainly nowhere near as good as Wynn for example, either in size or standards.

It is more than adequate though if you fancy a relaxing day or a quick dip. 

The pool itself is a decent size, it’s just one oval shaped pool with sun beds around it. The grounds are pleasant with some palm trees, flowers and a mini manicured garden area. 

You can get poolside snacks to enjoy and you can hire a cabana too if you want a bit more of a VIP experience. The Eastside Lounge looks out over the pool and gives stunning views on an evening.

There is a second pool at Encore which is part of the XS Dayclub and Nightclub. This looks much more impressive and has a big circular pool with a bar and gaming area in the middle. 

You can look out onto this from Jardin restaurant and there is even an outdoor patio to sit close to the pool side.

Finally Encore Beach Club is another pool area where they host pool parties and this is open Friday to Sunday for the party crowd.

Of course, if you want to really treat yourself then you can try out the Forbes Five-Star Spa which by all accounts is one of the best, not only in Las Vegas, but in the world. 

Spa

The Wynn Living Well Spa at Encore is frankly sensational, which should surprise no one given its dedication to providing the most premium and high-end accommodation in Las Vegas. 

There are a huge number of available treatments and experiences, all in suitable decadent surroundings. You can also indulge in aromatherapy and IV drip therapies as well. 

The facility also includes a fitness centre, access to which is included in your resort fee. 

As part of Wynn, Encore operates the Wynn Rewards program.

Like all other rewards programs, this allows you to claim benefits and perks by building up points when you spend money in resort.

Anyone 21 or over can join Wynn Rewards, you just have to go along to the Wynn Rewards Desk in the centre of the Encore casino with some photographic ID.

Once you have your Wynn Rewards card, then use it or show it every time you spend money in either Wynn or Encore to build up points.

The biggest way to build up points is to use your card whenever you gamble. That means inserting into a slot machine before you spin or handing it to your dealer at the tables.

You can also pick up points every time you pay for hotel stays, dining, drinking, attractions or even shopping in resort. Always hand your membership card over and ask if the points can be added. 

That way you’ll build up Tier Credits to help you get a higher status level, Slot Points which give you slot freeplay, and Comp Dollars which can redeemed to receive a variety of benefits.

There are three status levels at Wynn Rewards with some key benefits: 

• Red (0 – 6,999 Tier credits) – Hotel discounts, special promotional offers, discounted cruise for two
• Platinum (7,000 – 69,999 Tier credits) – all of the above plus $100 spa credit, priority buffet seating, complimentary cruise, birthday freeplay and dinner
• Black (70,000 + Tier credits) -  all of the above plus personal casino host, 30% slot points bonus, complimentary hotel stays, upgrades, valet, golf, and nightclub entry  

Should you join Wynn Rewards?

My short answer is yes. Even on the lowest tier you can receive rewards such as slot freeplay, dining credit and overnight stays.

All it means is that you’re effectively logging your overall spend with the resort, so that they can assess how valuable you are to them and then offer you lots of nice stuff to keep you coming back.

The important thing is just to spend what you normally would and use your card whenever you can. Don’t focus on the tier levels, for a lot of people the higher tiers are unreachable anyway, so don’t worry about it and just enjoy the benefits when they come.

There’s an added bonus to joining the Wynn Rewards program in the shape of a new member offer. This is subject to change but right now when you sign up and earn 150 slot points in the first seven days, you will get a prize wheel spin.

Prizes include between $5 and $5,000 in freeplay for slots or table games and you can earn a wheel spin every time you hit the 150 slot point target.

Another positive of Wynn Rewards is that, regardless of tier level, all gambling spend at Encore and Wynn, helps you earn Slot Points and Comp Dollars.

You earn one Slot Point for every $5 coin-in on slots and every $10 or $20 coin in on video poker, depending on the game. 500 Slot Points will get you $5 in freeplay.

With table games it’s not as clear, but you build Tier Credits and Comp Dollars by playing at the tables. Just hand your card over and points will be added based on your average bet, type of game you play, and length of play.

There’s no doubt about it Encore is a special hotel, with a price-tag to match.

The room was incredible, the customer-service exceptional and the standards throughout the resort were impeccable.

Casino wise, I loved the design, the easy to navigate shape and the spaciousness between the slots. 

Although there isn’t a large selection of bars and restaurants, what they have provides enough variety and choice for a short stay.

However, while Encore would be enough on its own for a one or two-night stay, it doesn’t have enough to capture my interest for longer than that without the help of Wynn.

Encore needs Wynn to supplement it in terms of slot variety, bar, and food choice and, most importantly, entertainment.  

Maybe it’s a Vegas thing, and I’m used to being spoilt for choice, but while I loved the intimacy and one-on-one customer service that Encore offered, I also found it a bit limiting and craved more.

I would highly recommend staying at Encore, it is a wonderful resort. Just be prepared to walk back and forward to Wynn to really get the full Las Vegas experience. 

Also make sure you know what Encore and Wynn are about. If you prefer a more casual or relaxed type of vacation, then you may feel a little out of place. 

Encore and Wynn are both specifically aimed at a high-end clientele and have standards to match. If you enjoy the finer things in life, then this is ideal for you.