Encore

Steve Wynn continues to leave his tall, shiny, mirroed mark on the Las Vegas Strip with his newest casino tower, the Encore. Directly adjacent to the Wynn, the Encore is intended as a more boutique-y, suite-y version of its big sister casino, but the one thing everyone agrees on is that it is red. Seemingly hundreds of scarlet crystal chandeliers adorn the casino floor—which definitely has a smaller, more intimate feel than the Wynn's vast gaming room—while the carpets are patterned with crimson butterflies and many walls are bathed in vermillion paint. One assumes all this red is meant to be sexy and everyone certainly does glow, but it also makes one fear for the maddened-bull effect it may have on angry losers. Still, the Encore is a stylish casino, part-Wynn, part-Bellagio, with plenty of bars to stop for a high-end cocktail and a beautiful, deco-desgined high-limit room that positively cries out for big bets.

All of the rooms in the Encore are suites. The incardine overkill of the casino gives way to a sleeker, more modern, neutral decor, and many rooms have glorious Strip or Downtown views. Sleeping and sitting areas are divided by a wall with a rotating flatscreen, so guests may watch from either side; elaborate, touch-controlled lighting is another unexpected perk. Parlor and Salon suites have separate massage rooms and selected treatments from the Encore spa and salon can be given in the comfort of your room. The spa itself has an Eastern/Indian theme, with over 50 treatment rooms offering everything from facials to "Sandalwoond Transformation Rituals."