I was hesitant about Vegas resorts during the pandemic, but The Wynn Las Vegas impressed me with its strictly enforced COVID protocols and suite-like standard rooms
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- The Wynn Las Vegas is a popular, high-end resort on the Las Vegas Strip.
- The property, which includes sister hotel Encore, features a casino, spa, restaurants, theaters, and more.
- I was impressed by my entry-level room for $149 per night, which felt more like a luxury suite.
- Read more: Is it safe to stay in a hotel right now? An infectious disease doctor, a cleaning expert, and hotel reps all share what you should know before you check-in.
Wynn Las Vegas, known more informally as The Wynn, is the flagship property for Wynn Resorts. It opened its doors on the Las Vegas Strip to much fanfare in 2005 and typifies the second wave of Las Vegas casino hotels that opened around this time, with a focus on modern, luxury aesthetics rather than novelty and themes.
The Wynn Las Vegas has 45 floors and just over 2,700 rooms. It also houses a large casino, a huge retail complex, restaurants helmed by top-tier chefs, a convention center, theaters, and a spa. Together with its annexed sister property, Encore Las Vegas, it is the 7th largest hotel in the world and holds a plethora of five-star awards. The property easily holds its place in our list of the best hotels in Las Vegas.
Even luxury hotels in Vegas routinely offer good value deals, though higher-end properties such as The Wynn don't often dip below $200 to maintain their image of exclusivity. However, in part due to the pandemic, many five-star hotels are offering steeply discounted room rates, and Sin City is no exception. When I saw an offer for the Wynn of $149 per night (plus taxes and fees), with a third night free if two nights were booked, I couldn't resist.
I was slightly wary of visiting a Vegas hotel during the pandemic, but the new policies and standards listed on the hotel website ensured me enough to book a stay. I was also keen to see for myself how large Vegas properties and casinos were really handling COVID-19 and if new policies were being strictly enforced.
The good news is that my experience was a very positive one, and I was suitably impressed with how the hotel handled health and safety. The standard rooms, which were really more like suites, were also particularly impressive, and I would place them among the most stylish of those I've stayed at in Vegas. The in-room amenities were outstanding, especially for the price. The resort wasn't quite operating on all cylinders and some of the usual draws, like the live theater shows, weren't available. But I would still recommend The Wynn as a great Vegas option right now, especially given the current low starting rates.
- The first impression
- The room
- On-site amenities
- What's nearby
- What others say
- What you need to know
- The bottom line
- COVID-19 policies
- Book the Wynn Las Vegas starting at $149 per night
Keep reading to see why I was so impressed by the Wynn Las Vegas.
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Paul Oswell/Business Insider
Unlike some large casino resorts, finding your way to guest registration at The Wynn is very easy, and it's there almost immediately as you come through the main entrance.
Huge, colorful tableaus created with fresh flowers, trees, and other foliage made for an impressive sight on entering.
I arrived at noon for a 3 p.m. check-in time. I was the only guest checking in at that time, which was a refreshing change given the lines that can often occur in Vegas. The front desk had screens, social distancing signage, and hand sanitizing stations set up, with plenty of personnel (all masked) to explain COVID protocols.
The staff were warm, friendly, and patient. They expertly explained all the necessary resort info, which at such a large resort with so many amenities, was a fair amount to get across.
My concerns about checking into a Las Vegas casino were quickly allayed, and I felt reassured by the implementation of the hotel's policies.
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I was also given a map of the resort, which was extremely useful given my lack of familiarity and bad sense of direction. Despite arriving early, my room was already ready. I was given keys to my entry-level Wynn Resort King and sent off.
It was a short walk across the casino floor to the guest elevators, and there were lobby staff available for people who might want a hand with their luggage. Security was having people swipe their door keys at a remote scanner before getting to the actual elevators, and there were plenty of stations with free masks and hand sanitizer for guests to take advantage of, and every person that I saw, guests and staff alike, were wearing masks.
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Paul Oswell/Business Insider
Once I got to my room, I first noticed the door had been sealed with a note to show that no one had been into the room since it had been cleaned by housekeeping. Entering the room, it certainly smelled and felt very clean, which was reassuring.
The size of the room, the amount of natural light, and the standard of the decor were all immediately very impressive. At 640 square-feet and with a large amount of living space, even these entry-level rooms are the size of a regular city hotel's junior suites, giving the low room rates even greater value.
The room's color palette of creams, whites, golds, and browns felt timelessly elegant. The room was large enough to comfortably house a sofa with its own leather ottoman, a work desk with a chic leather-backed chair, and a small dining table. The simple fabrics of the sofa and carpet complemented each other nicely and the floor-to-ceiling windows let in lots of Nevada sunshine. Bright, floral pop-art prints gave the room some tasteful color.
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As well as information about the resort's current opening policies, the room came with its own PPE in the form of masks and hand sanitizer, which was much appreciated. A fun immediate amenity was the voice-activated assistant (an Amazon Echo) that I could use to open and close the drapes, control the climate and lights, and also play music and the like. All of this could also be done via an in-room tablet, or, of course, manually.
The signature bed provided the firmness touted by the Sealy Posturepedic Wynn Dream Bed. Ambient room noise was non-existent, and it was incredibly tranquil, allowing for a deep, uninterrupted night's sleep.
The resort had chosen to keep its minibars well stocked, and so all of the snacks and drinks were available in the room. However, there was no stand-alone fridge for guest use. The one fridge was completely filled with drinks that would be charged to the room if moved.
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The bathroom easily maintained the high-end environment. Gold and white patterned tiling framed twin sinks and a large, deep bath that had such great water pressure it filled up within a couple of minutes. A separate shower unit with its own bench was also available, and the resort presented its own branded line of high-quality toiletries. Marble countertops completed the look, and there was even a small TV screen on the wall.
For an entry-level room, I felt that the standards were very high, and verged on opulent. The design, though, wasn't showy and didn't veer into the tackiness that some Vegas hotels end up with. Clean lines and comfort were merged thoughtfully with technology throughout.
Booking.com
There are several room types across the four towers within the resort. The same room in my tower with a more panoramic view on a higher floor starts at $199 per night (plus taxes and fees), and a corner suite offering 50 extra square-feet starts from $259 per night. For those really looking to go all out, the 993-square-foot Executive Suite with dual bathrooms and access to a private pool starts from $595 per night, and the resort's premium villas start from $2,167 per night.
Given the already huge size and excellent amenities found in my standard Wynn Resort King room, I would likely opt for the entry-level room again on a return visit. However, those traveling as a group or for a special occasion might find value in splurging for a suite. Additionally, suites in the Wynn Tower have access to a private pool that could entice me to upgrade, especially because the main pool is currently closed due to COVID-19.
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Paul Oswell/Business Insider
As a massive casino resort, The Wynn boasts a wealth of amenities. But because some are under the control of the hotel itself while others (eg. shops in the retail complex) are run by their own corporate offices, it's a mixed bag when it comes to availability and new COVID restrictions. Additionally, there's a daily resort fee of $45, which may feel steep given that not everything is available right now.
However, most of the amenities run by The Wynn are open to some extent currently. The casino floor had been comprehensively retrofitted with plastic screens at all of the gaming tables, and seats at slot machines were all six feet apart. The problem is, of course, that although people gambling are generally respecting the masking rules, masks are taken down to drink and smoke, so I had to be very cautious about where I stood.
The hotel's theaters were closed and there was no live entertainment available, in compliance with current statewide regulations. The Wynn's main pool was also closed, although I was told that the pool for the exclusive use of guests in the Wynn Tower Suites was open. The exercise rooms were open with limited capacities to maintain distancing and hygiene.
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As is the case for all Las Vegas resorts now, the buffet was closed for the foreseeable future. That said, most of the restaurants were open. I bought takeout from the excellent Red 8 Asian Bistro, and it seemed typical with its rules. It was possible to eat in, but reservations were essential and it was capping capacity at 25%.
Most of the restaurants that I walked past seemed to have lots of space and a fair amount of dine-in customers, all appropriately spaced out for social distancing. Staff were masked without exception. The Wynn Las Vegas has some great high-end eateries, including Asian cuisine at Mizumi and Wing Lei, and American at SW and Tableau, which are all open.
For those who would prefer to eat in their rooms, room service can be ordered via the in-room tablet or smart assistant, though it is predictably pricey. For reference, a 12-inch pizza was $21, and renting a movie was $16.
I felt fairly comfortable given the lowered capacities in the restaurants and the lower foot traffic in the casino. There were plenty of empty tables for blackjack, roulette, and the like.
The hotel did a good job of providing PPE on the casino floor and around the property in general. Hand sanitizer stations and signage to remind folk of social distancing rules were everywhere, and masks were available for free at the guest elevators.
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The Wynn Las Vegas is located at the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip. Directly opposite is a large shopping mall, which has Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Dillards among its units.
Right next door is the equally huge complex that houses The Venetail and The Palazzo, properties which have their own extensive shopping and dining areas including the Grand Canal Shoppes, as well as attractions such as the gondola rides.
Most of The Strip, including the Eiffel Tower of the Paris Las Vegas resort and the Bellagio fountains, are equally walkable, as is the High Roller Observation Wheel. The Wynn Las Vegas does not have its own monorail station (the closest is at Harrah's/The Linq), but that does help provide a buffer from The Strip that many guests may appreciate.
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Wynn Las Vegas receives a rating of 4.5 out of 5 on Trip Advisor and is ranked 4 out of 282 hotels in Las Vegas, with just under 27,000 reviews. On Booking.com, it's rated 9.2 out of 10.
Guests really like the high standards of the public spaces and the rooms, as well as the fact that the resort is self-contained with plenty of great restaurants to choose from on-site. Guests also love the tech present in the rooms. One recent reviewer summed up why they were repeat visitors, saying, "We come to the Wynn for the upscale feel without the really huge price tag. Rooms are really nice with all of the gadgets and amenities. Views of the Strip are great on the Western side. The central location on the Strip makes getting up and down to other hotels/casinos really practical."
On the flip side, some guests note that prices are among the highest in town during very busy times and feel that some of the restaurants are overpriced. Some also lament the lack of a cheap food court for casual dining on-the-go. However, there the mall across the street does have plenty of options for fast food.
Read reviews, compare prices, and book the Wynn Las Vegas on TripAdvisor
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Who stays here: Travelers who like the sense of exclusivity and class that the decor and location deliver, but appreciate the lower price tag.
We like: The casino is less brash and tacky than many of its peers, and the decor of the hotel is thoughtful and tasteful.
We love (don't miss this feature!): The suite-like space offered by even entry-level rooms and the amount of helpful technology that is seamlessly integrated into the elegant accommodations.
We think you should know: Dining within the resort is definitely on the more expensive side, and there are no real fast food outlets.
We'd do this differently next time: Book a room in the Wynn Tower for its access to a private swimming pool since the main pool is closed due to COVID-19.
BI
Wynn Resorts has a company-wide COVID policy, which you can find here.
In summary:
- Non-invasive thermal cameras are be placed at each entry point to the resort. Any person displaying a temperature above 100.4°F will be discreetly offered a secondary screening. Employees or guests confirmed to have a temperature over 100.4°F will not be allowed entry to the property and will be directed towards appropriate medical care.
- Slot machines, table rails and chairs will be disinfected hourly. Appropriate physical distancing are in place limiting the number of active slot machine and table game positions. Casino chips will be cleaned and sanitized before distribution. Card games will be dealt face up and customers will not touch cards.
- Face coverings are now mandatory in all public spaces throughout the state of Nevada. All guests (including children 10 years or older) are required to wear face coverings while on property at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore.
- Guests will be assigned a room that has been thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and sealed with a disinfection sticker that the guest will break upon entry. Each guest room will receive a COVID-19 awareness card outlining the health and disinfection steps being taken by the resort and sanitizer will be provided in each room for guest use.
- Hand sanitizer dispensers, touchless whenever possible, will be placed at contact areas such as driveways, reception areas, hotel lobbies, the casino floor, restaurant entrances, meeting and convention spaces, elevator landings, pools, salons and exercise areas.
- Restaurant reservations will be required at all outlets to allow for appropriate physical distancing. If there is a short wait to be seated, guests will be notified via text or phone when their table is available. Digital copies of menus will be available online and sent to guests once a reservation is made.
I felt very reassured throughout my time at the Wynn Las Vegas and can report that their COVID protocols were as thorough as I have seen. Entry points were staffed well and masks and socially distancing policies were well enforced. All guests and staff that I saw throughout the hotel were always masked unless eating or drinking. There was also free PPE in every room and plenty of stations with sanitizer and masks throughout the hotel.
BI
With massive entry-level rooms that feel more like small suites starting from $149, Wynn Las Vegas offers exceptional value, especially given the third night given free promotion I was able to take advantage of. The standard accommodations at Wynn Las Vegas are as high-end as I've seen in the city, and I have stayed in most of the hotels on The Strip over the last few years.
While live entertainment isn't available right now, most of the properties other amenities, including it's excellent dining options, are open with various new restrictions and protocols in place to ensure safety. Although I did not dine in at any of the restaurants this time, all of them seemed to be offering takeout services and the ones that I looked into had good social distancing and well spaced-out tables.
The resort staff were all handling the COVID protocols with admirable professionalism and the resort was had plenty of free masks, hand sanitizing stations, and signage noting distancing protocols throughout. The gaming tales looked to be as safe as they could be for gamblers. However, with people often taking masks down to smoke or drink, not everyone may feel super comfortable on the casino floor.
The Wynn is far from the cheapest resort on The Strip, but the hotel's elevated levels of customer service, decor, and overall ambience make it well worth the price.
Book a room at the Wynn Las Vegas starting at $149 per night
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