Birthday at WynnCore 9/27 - 9/30

This is my first attempt at a trip report so I'll try to keep it (relatively) short! Actually, this is my first trip to Vegas since I found this board so I was especially pumped for the trip!

My wife and I usually go to Vegas about once a year since we live on the east coast, and we decided to head out this year for my birthday. I'm in my 40's and my wife is in her 30s.

We usually stay south strip at Aria or Cosmo, so decided to try something different this time and stayed at Encore, which I've heard good things about here. Since it was the weekend, rates were pretty steep, and I never played there before so pretty much paid rack rates (although the package included a $150 resort credit). But what the hell, it's a nice place and it's my birthday!

Arrived via United/EWR on Friday at about 1 pm, used Presidential, and were in our room on the 55th floor by around 2:00. The standard room at Encore was very nice, modern decor and a small couch and sitting area. Windows are floor to ceiling and had a very nice view of the strip. Decided to take the strip view despite the desk clerk's warning about possible club noise. Even though we were on a very high floor, you could hear the bass from the pool club from time to time, but it didn't interfere with our sleep (except the afternoon we arrived when we tried to take a quick daytine nap before going out - oh well, I was warned, lol).

We purposefully planned very little the first day, since we are usually tired from traveling/time difference. Went to dinner at Tender in Luxor using $75 MyVegas credit, and it was actually very good. Steak was solid and the sides were very good, including a delicious mashed potatoes with black truffles that was a special that night. I've heard mixed reviews but we were happy with our meal for the price. After dinner, wife went to bed early and I hit the casino.

The casino at Encore is pretty small and, as others have mentioned, their VP offering leave a lot to be desired. So I took the 3 minute walk to the Wynn casino, which is much bigger, more active, and has a much better overall vibe. I am primarily a VP player and will also play BJ and Craps on occassion. Played some VP with mixed results, then broke even at $25 BJ, and made about $150 at craps. Debated going to bed but decided to stay and play some more VP, when I hit this just after the stroke of midnight on my birthday. To be continued...

 

Day 2

Wife woke up early and went to the Encore spa, which she said was absolutely stunning and the nicest she's every been (and she's been to a few spas, lol). I headed to the Lobby Bar where they serve coffee and muffins and such. Enjoyed a coffee and blueberry muffin in my seat overlooking the casino floor and watched the interesting people go by. The CWs at Encore are exceedingly hot, although for my money no one beats the Borgata CWs for eye candy factor.

Saturday was to be a pool day, but while my wife was still at the Spa I decided to play some STP for a bit and won another $1000 in about 5 minutes. Cashed out and went back to room to get ready for pool.

We had thought about going to EBC but decided it wasn't worth the cost and that it would be packed since David Guetta was DJing that day. Decided to go to the European pool instead, and was glad we did. It was beautiful, very chill, with good music and drinks. Got a pitcher of margaritas and some snacks and relaxed. There were several, ahem, enhanced ladies sunbathing topless around us, which was nice. Fortunately, my wife is very hot herself and not the jealous type!

After the pool, we gambled a bit. We like to play BJ together, so found a $15 double deck table (my wife does not like to play high stakes). I broke even again but my wife made a couple hundred and was happy. I then played some more VP and my luck went bad, losing the $1000 I won in the morning. Then it was off to get ready for my birthday dinner.

Had an early reservation at Bartolotta. I had always wanted to eat there, being a seafood lover and this is supposed to be among the best, plus the beautful outside dining cabanas. I won't go off on a rant, but let's just say it was highly disappointing. The prices were obnoxiously high and the food was average. I don't mind paying for a knock-your-socks-off meal, but this was just meh. Oh well, lesson learned.

Plan was to go to a strip club after dinner, but wife was too tired. We had some cocktails and she went up to bed. I, of course, was no where near finished gambling lol. Went over to the Wynn high limit room to try some VP, had a few nice hits but ended up down a little (see attached). To be continued...

 

ACMike: Enjoying the trip report so far. You started out with some great hits. Hope they continued for you. -- Lorna

 

Third and Final Day

Sunday morning. Found out I had a comp at Society cafe based on my play so far, so we headed there for breakfast, which was pretty good, not great. I had the "bacon and eggs", which was poached egg on top of this potato/avocado/pepper mixture, and some pretty tasty thick cut bacon. Wife had steak and eggs and said it was just "ok". Not bad for free though.

Thought about going to the pool again, but didn't have much time left in Vegas so decided to walk the strip and do some drinking/shopping/gambling, not necessarily in that order. Walked over to Palazzo (the casino was not as nice as I remembered, but did have some fun VP multi-hand games), Venetian (very nice casino), Harrahs, the Quad, Casino Royale, Flamingo, etc., did a little gambling at each with no good results. I have to say, maybe I'm a snob, but I just don't enjoy the lower-end casinos, lol, I just don't like the atmosphere. Although I recognize in many cases they have lower limits/better rules.

In the mood for Italian, so we stopped at Otto Enoteca in the Canal Shoppes (we have the original one here in NY) for lunch and got their amazing carbonara and a margharita pizza. Not as good as at the original, but still quite tasty!

Sunday night we had tickets for Michael Jackson One show at Mandalay. I am not a huge MJ fan, although I can appreciate his music, but damn this show was really excellent and well done. We both enjoyed it from start to finish, and I never found myself wanting to nod off like at some other Cirque shows.

After the show, we headed to Monte Carlo so I could do the MyVegas whiskey tasting. I chose the bourbon tasting and enjoyed it, although none of the bourbons was unusual or rare. The pours were generous, the bartender was cool, and I got a nice pleasant buzz. I would recommend it if you're into whiskey. My wife had a 2-for-1 cocktail coupon from MyVegas, so she had a couple cocktails as well and we had a good time.

Got back to Encoure about 11:30 pm and discovered we never ate dinner and were starving. We wanted Asian food, noodles and dim sum, but Wazuzu was closed for the night, so we went over to Red 8 at Wynn. I don't know if it was because I was drunk or what, but they had some of the best dumplings and noodles I ever tasted! I would definitely go back.

After Red 8, my wife decided to go back to the room and I stayed at Wynn to try a last bit of VP before we had to leave early Monday morning. Lost a little bit, then was getting tired so threw $500 in a $5 machine and hoped to get lucky. I put the money in and pressed deal, and was dealt a pair of Aces. Held the two Aces and pressed draw: Jack, Ace, Ace - BOOM, four Aces for a cool 4 grand! I just started shaking my head and laughing, cashed out and called it a night. Great way to end the trip.

The next morning I went to see a host to ask if any room charges could be comped based on my play. They agreed to comp the most expensive room night, so I saved about $500 bucks. Combined with the $150 resort credt and a $500 Wynn gift card I got with Amex points, the whole stay including room, food & drink charges, and my wife's spa treatments came to a little over $800.

Overall impression: Encore and Wynn are beautiful properties with a great atmosphere and outstanding service. (Needless to say, the talent going to and from the Encore clubs on Saturday night was freakin-amazing). It didn't hurt that I won a few thousand, either! I would definitely go back. Hopefully they will send me some decent offers now that I've stayed/gambled there.

Oh well, this was pretty long, but hope you enjoyed.

 

ACMike: Great TR so far and I agree with you about the Borgata CWs!

 

ACMike: You did very well hitting the Aces this trip. Congrats! Thanks for the trip report. -- Lorna

 

Congrats on a winning trip and all the nice hits! Enjoyed the VP porn!

 

Happy Birthday indeed!

I agree with you about Red 8 - the food is delicious there. Congratulations on your wins & the fabulous trip.

 

Loved your TR as I really love Wynncore too. It just has a feel and a vibe. Cant wait to go back! Beautiful way to end your last night

 

Great TR and pics. Congrats on the wins! I used to go to the Wynn poker room and some of the CWs were stunning.

 

I am so excited about this trip!

That sucks about the seafood. Pretty interesting about MJone. You had some nice hits!

I was enjoying the trip so much and then I read about the comps, gift cards, and all the extras that made the trip be $800 and I can't wipe the smile off my face!

 

Good stuff, ACMike!

Glad you enjoyed Wynncore (I'm an unabashed fan myself). Nice hits - heckuva way to start your birthday.

Sounds like I need to get out of my Wazuzu rut and give Red 8 a go.

Thanks for the report and congrats on the wins.

 

Thanks everyone!

 

Excellent vp hits.....making me drool on my screen. I hope I have your luck at Wynncore next week!

I have never eaten at Wazuzu, but I love the food at Red 8. Frankly, we just don't get over to Encore much and usually stay in the Wynn casino for the reasons you mentioned.

Thanks for posting your report and happy belated birthday!

 

In your 40's & 30's... Ah to be Young Again!!! What a way to celebrate your Birthday! Good Job! I've never stayed at Encore but Wynn is my favorite Resort at the moment.
Although I like exploring other properties I've never stayed at. I was on a solo trip once and was given a Golf View and I could hear the Bass Booming from the Night Club too!
I've said this before -- I think Wynn is a perfect example of how a Resort and Casino should be designed. I especially like the layout of the Casino. Thanks for the Trip Report!

 

Love Wynncore; great place to celebrate your birthday! Happy Belated Birthday and congrats on the nice win to end the trip! The CWs are hot at Wynn and a few always remember me from trip to trip, which always impresses me with the number of people who pass through. Great drink service there!

 

ACMike: Thanks for the trip report and lovely photos. Congrats on a winning trip. -- Lorna