In the city of spectacle that is Las Vegas, wanton indulgence and brash excess are inevitably high on the agenda. Yet amidst the dazzling, high-stakes ‘winner-takes-it-all’ world of The Strip’s luxury resorts and casinos, Wynn Las Vegas distinguishes itself with a steadfast commitment to delivering unrelenting sophistication and a vision to celebrate lives well lived.
From the moment we set our eyes on Wynn Las Vegas, its shimmering golden façade rising majestically above The Strip, we knew this experience would redefine our expectations of luxury in this famed playground. While Las Vegas is no stranger to American-standard ‘luxury’ – and we’ve had the privilege of staying in many of its infamous ‘grande dames’ – Wynn is widely regarded as a benchmark for the city’s VIP-centric hospitality.
Our first impressions offered a glimpse of what was to come, as the lobby served as a theatrical introduction, with its flower mosaic floors, opulent floral displays, striking visual art and a carousel of creative whimsy. Yet there is an understated tastefulness (well, as much understatement as Las Vegas can muster) to the property. Steve Wynn’s original vision for the resort was to set a new standard for Vegas, delicately balancing gaming, entertainment, design, dining and exceptional innkeeping. As such, he crafted a hotel that simultaneously feels intimate and grand, offering the excitement and scale of a world-class entertainment destination while maintaining a sense of personal luxury and warmth.
For all its grandeur, Wynn Las Vegas never once felt overtly ostentatious, which is a rather remarkable achievement. The property undeniably appeals to OutThere travellers who appreciate a more nuanced side of Vegas and while other resorts along The Strip make bold, flamboyant statements, Wynn emphasises quality, design and understated elegance, all while remaining mindful of authenticity and sustainability wherever possible.
The resort’s construction – from the careful choice of materials to its architecture and meticulously curated décor, indeed its whole ideology – is geared towards upgrading and elevating the experience for its guests and ensuring enduring appeal. We also found the service here more intuitive and personalised than anywhere else that we’ve stayed on The Strip, even the newer, more technologically savvy properties. The Wynn’s clientele reflects this philosophy, offering a refreshing departure from the usual mass-market clatter of the other multi-brand resort juggernauts.
This approach extended seamlessly into our Wynn Tower Suite Parlor in the Tower Wing accommodation. This expansive retreat, measuring approximately 120 sqm/1,280 sqft, featured floor-to-ceiling windows that framed sweeping views of the verdant Wynn Golf Club, a rare and tranquil green oasis in the city’s heart. All rooms and suites at Wynn Las Vegas are designed to provide calm amidst the bustling energy of the Strip, appointed to evoke the feel of an upscale apartment rather than a typical American- (or rather Vegas-) standard hotel room, setting the property apart from its competitors. The East-meets-Vegas aesthetic, with a designer colour palette of soft peach, gold and black hues, enriched by luxurious textures and natural materials, cultivated an atmosphere of serene sophistication. It featured a sumptuous canopy bed, a ‘fall-into’ sofa, large televisions and vivid, handpicked pieces of art and decorative objects, each carefully chosen to create an immersive and elevated experience.
That said, some moments reminded us of where we were: the mirrored ceiling offered a playful nod to hedonism, and certain elements, like the curtains and the bench chaise, couldn’t quite escape the inclination towards Vegas kitsch. And all it took was a glance out of the window at night to spot the Sphere, brightly illuminating the Vegas skyline in all its glory.
Our vast granite bathroom was a contemporary, spacious haven with separate his-and-his vanities, a soothing and invigorating rain shower (a welcome novelty, as we’ve found water pressure across Vegas to be generally lacking) and a deep soaking tub, all complemented by bespoke, high-end amenities. This made even the simplest of wind-down rituals feel indulgent.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Escapist | LAS | GMT -8 |
| While you’re Out There |
| In the spirit of experiencing Vegas in a different light, we recommend a visit to the Arts District in Downtown Las Vegas, an 18-square-block area of low-rise commercial properties, hidden between the towering Stratosphere and the faded glory of Fremont Street. Once home to the city’s auto-repair shops, it has since reinvented itself as a vibrant neighbourhood, boasting studios, small galleries, chef-driven restaurants (where chef-owners are actually in the kitchen cooking), antique and vintage shops and independent concept bars. The first Friday of every month, marked by the aptly named First Fridays event, is the ideal time to visit, but the district offers something refreshing every day of the week, providing a welcome contrast to The Strip. Don’t miss the over two-decade-old Vegas Theatre Company, the Burlesque Hall of Fame (the world’s only museum celebrating the art of Burlesque, not the Cher movie), and Ninja Karaoke. |
Dining at Wynn Las Vegas is nothing short of extraordinary. Restaurants such as SW Steakhouse, Safta 1964 by Alon Shaya and the Michelin-starred Wing Lei are not just dining establishments but immersive experiences, where world-class chefs and designers collaborate to create dining rooms that spark joy and captivate all the senses. Each venue offers a distinctive gastronomic journey, crafted with precision, flair and an unwavering commitment to quality and the finest ingredients.
A particular highlight of our stay was dinner at Mizumi. Dining here transported us straight to Japan, with just a touch of Vegas bravado. Led by the celebrated executive chef Jeff Ramsey (who graciously attended to us personally throughout the evening), the newly revamped Mizumi showcases his award-winning approach to bold, experimental and contemporary Japanese omakase sushi and kaiseki fine dining, honed over two decades of cooking across Asia and the United States. Jeff had previously earned a Michelin Star at the Tapas Molecular Bar at the Mandarin Oriental in Tokyo. His dedication to sourcing only the finest ingredients, including freshly flown-in seafood, combined with inventive cooking techniques, ensured every dish (along with the cocktails and sake menu – a must-try, particularly the sake equivalent of a dirty martini) was remarkable.
This was matched only by the unique décor of the space, which is as captivating as its cuisine, and the impeccable service. Leaving Jeff to select his signature dishes for us, we indulged in inventive sushi, omakase style, alongside the most beautiful sashimi salad adorned with edible flowers, plump and juicy wagyu gyoza, a selection of robata grill delights, fresh uni and a somewhat theatrical nigiri sushi smoked in front of us with sacred cedar powder from Yakushima in Kagoshima Prefecture (the setting of Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke).
For those seeking a different experience, Delilah, Wynn’s Art Deco-inspired supper club, offers a sultry and spirited escape, channelling the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age. The venue is all about ‘theatre’, with live performances ranging from jazz ensembles to contemporary acts, ensuring each evening feels like a special event. The menu blends American classics with elevated ingredients and a touch of whimsy. From tableside martini carts to indulgent seafood towers, dining at Delilah is a celebration of decadence. As the night unfolds, the energy shifts and the club transforms into a lively space where guests can dance, mingle and revel in the magic of the moment. Delilah is often booking almost a whole year in advance, so be sure to cosy up to the Wynn concierge or become a high roller.
We can’t of course review the Wynn Las Vegas without mentioning its world-class entertainment. At the time of writing, the Awakening Theater was home to Awakening, a quintessentially Vegas spectacular display of light, music and acrobatics. The performance is unique to the resort. The Encore Theater also periodically hosts a rotating lineup of entertainment and guest productions and more intimate performances, with its inclusive programming often spotlighting diverse voices and perspectives.
Beyond the theatre, the property’s nightlife options – from the legendary Encore Beach Club (technically attached to Wynn’s sister property next door, but very much part of the same complex) to the more intimate settings of Wynn’s own lounges – cater to a wide range of tastes and energies.
Bringing it all back to balance, all this hedonism is thoughtfully complemented by moments of harmony. The Wynn Spa offers treatments that go beyond relaxation, verging on transcendence. Signature experiences, such as the Good Luck Ritual, inspired by Chinese symbolism and designed to align your energy (perhaps preparing you for a mammoth session on the casino floor), reflect the resort’s mission to make luxury a personal journey. We opted for a 90-minute Arnica deep-tissue massage, followed by utterly invigorating hydrotherapy. For those seeking a different retreat, The Pool at Wynn offers a more peaceful escape from the upbeat atmosphere of neighbouring Encore’s pool. Feeling flash? Book a luxury cabana and treat yourself.
And because Wynn’s intent was to send us home a more zen version of ourselves than when we first arrived, we also experienced our first IV-drip, at Nutridrip by Clean Market. Our MIC-B12, Carnitine and Taurine drip worked wonders to support our metabolism, target the liver and provide an energising boost (supposedly also libido enhancing – woohoo!) just in time for the journey home.
For those who associate Las Vegas with garishness, Wynn Las Vegas presents a compelling counter-narrative. We’ve fully embraced it and are now ardent fans. Moreover, the property serves as a reminder of what true luxury is and can be: a state of mind, a moment of connection, an experience finely attuned. It offers a full spectrum of hedonism, ranging from higher-octane excitement to serene escapism, all paired with a level of intuitive service that not only met our high expectations but anticipated them. This sets it worlds apart from much of The Strip.
Photography courtesy of Wynn Resorts
