Just spend the weekend at Encore and within 2 mins of arrival, the HORRIBLE service started. I got an email invite with a special rate directly from them as a Red Card Member. My reservation was booked at least 3 weeks in advance over their reservation line since that was the only way I can get the deal. The agent on the line asked me if I wanted 2 Queens and I replied with a "Yes."

Problem 1: Check in time, reservations they have in system is for 1 King bed and for 1 person.

Problem 2: they DID NOT have ANY rooms available. How is that possible when I made a reservation 3 weeks prior?!?!

Problem 3: they were going to send me to Wynn for a King bed room

Problem 4: I will be paying the SAME rate as for Encore. (Deal was Encore $159/night & Wynn $139/night)

My bro refused to be sent to Wynn and asked to speak with the manager. Manager replied "we can have house keeping to check if there are any free rooms." The first guy guys just told me they DID NOT have any rooms based on their system. 3 mins later manager said "Ok, we found a room with a King bed that we can put you in IMMEDIATELY." How did they suddenly "found" a free room when their system said they were completely booked?!?!

Problem 5: Check out. System check out on the TV does not work.

Problem 6: Called front desk to check out. They were going to charge me close to $1,000 for 2 night stay? Ok turns out girl was reading the wrong room which happens to have the same last name. And she sounded extremely confuse with what she was doing.

I'm will stay away from Encore until they clean up their act. Their rooms however are very nice and comfortable. With the exception of their customer service, I would probably stay here again.

My husband and I stayed at Encore for one evening, the first week of January 2009.

Right after Wynn opened a few years ago, I played for a while on their players card. I earned a few points, got on their mailing list but haven't received any deals worthwhile since then. In December Encore (Wynn's other hotel/casino) sent a deal with complimentary nights and free play so we decided to give it a try for a night.

After parking, we went to check in (around 3 or 4 pm). Lines were long, and quite literally Not moving...at all. We stood in line, in the same exact spot, without moving for around 30 minutes. It was really unacceptable. After that amount of time one of the workers assisting the lines grabbed two or three of us in line and brought us to concierge for a MUCH quicker check in. The concierge escorted us to our elevators (nice touch). Every employee that we encountered was very helpful, just check in lines were S-L-O-W.

We stayed on the 14th floor. The hotel had just opened a week or so before that, and the room still had the 'new room' smell. The room was clean and fairly spacious. It has a similar feel to the Venetian hotel, with the 'suite' being a bedroom with partition (no door) between bedroom and living room area. The bathroom was spacious, and the room had a very modern feel to it (with electronic drapery, light switches for the lights to all the room at the bedside). The bed was by far the most comfortable bed I've ever had in my 10 trips (and 9 different hotel rooms) in Las Vegas. It was a very soft pillow top bed, with wonderful linens.

Overall, I would most definately stay here again...I just wouldn't try to check in at 'check in time'.

Stayed at the Encore from January 6-11
I was a bit nervous heading to the Encore on January 6th after reading a few negative reviews.
However, my fears went away once I arrived and checked into the hotel.
I had requested a non-smoking room, and upon checking in, the front desk specialist noticed that I had accidentally been put in a smoking room. She immediately corrected the problem and gave me a room on the 61st floor with the South ship view. This small gesture went along way.
The rooms were simply fantastic. The only complaint was the fact that you could hear conversations in other rooms. I'd like to see them address this problem.
I loved the fact that the casino and main floor floor was SO SMALL and manageable. This is hands down the best feature of the Encore.
The casino's in virtually ever other hotel are just massive and way too big. and you're constantly getting lost. The Encore allows you to pass through the casino the restaurants or Esplanade in under 2 minutes time. It was great!
I had rented a car too and parking was awesome. It was always easy to find parking spots right near the elevators. The walk was again 2 minutes from parking garage to elevators. Very convenient.
Most importantly, it never felt overly crowded in the Encore. I don't know how anyone can like staying in the Bellagio, Venetian or Palazzo. These placed were mobbed on Wednesday and Thursday nights with wall to wall people bumping into each other!!
Also, the fact the Encore attempts to have smoking ONLY in the casino area (or in your room) is a good idea. This limited the brutal smoke smell in other areas of the hotel.
My wife loved the Spa, as well.
I know a lot of people don;t like the fact that the Encore is towards the end of the strip, but I loved that fact. It keeps the walk through crowds to a minimum. You could still be at the Palazzo or across the street at the Fashion Show mall within 10 minutes.
All in all, it was a great stay. I have stayed in many places in Vegas, and the Signature at MGM is the only other hotel that can compare. Good job Steve Wynn!

I'm giving Encore 4 stars compared to other hotels in Vegas. Compared to other premium hotels (Morgans, Kimpton, Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, St. Regis and even W, it would be 3 stars).

What works: Room size,electronic privacy notification, advanced phone system, fiber optic lighting, electronic bedside control of lighting and drapes, bathroom details, seperate shower from tub and toilet, art in the hallways, windows in the casino (maybe a first), newspaper delivery to room, good bedding, premium selections in minibar.

What does not work: Service, service service. You'd think unemployment was at 1% in LV based on the awful staff at the Wynn. Steve, fire more people, hire folks who are motivated.

Not once was a door held open by staff. Check in had a "greeter" who seemed confused about what was expected of her.

Actual check in was slow, never offered a choice of papers that I later found out was supposed to be standard. Who would choose the LVRJ instead of WSJ or NYT?

Rooms are nice but pale in amenties to world class 5 stars. Here's what needs top be added to make Encore globaly competetive in the ultra luxe market:

Pillow Menus with 4 to 5 choices (offered at several high end brands).

Bedside amenities such as sleep masks and lavender.

High end coffee maker (with pods or premium offerings and high end teas). Best hotels in the worls have great coffee and tea cups as well.

Proper turn down (Shades were drawn and TV on but no pillows removed not sheets actually turned down. Un-making the bed before sleep should not be necessary post turndown service). Chocolates left bedside, but cheap. Could be much more creative and make a better impression.

Attention to detail. Towels not always replaced. Bath towel replaced but not on shower bar. Walking accross the slick floor with wet feet is hardly the end of the world, but if housekeeping can put the bath towelnext to the shower befoire check in it can replace them there during daily service.

Add something fun to bath amenities. Some of the W's have fizzy bath salts. I've been to several Le Meridians with bath oils and salts as well.

Service at every bar and restaurant was horrible. East Loungue server took 15-20 minutes to bring a cigar, glass of wine and some water. I eventually asked for a manager who never came. Order arrived and was offered a comp on the drink but the check reflected a $2.50 charge for it. Comp it or don't but what's up with the discount?

Ate at Wynn Buffet twice. Both times no one was refreshing drinks. I saw at least 3-4 tables go to the bussing station to get more watrer and ice tea on both occaisions.

Service at parasol was also bad. I've been treated better at Denny's.

Hopefully a work in progress.

At $150 it's a great value. At $200-250 it's good. At $400-500 it's overpriced.

Just my opinion.