Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

Just finished my first walk through of the property... I will be adding some pictures to Flickr in a moment.

What did I think? In short: Wow.

The place is amazing. The attention to detail is impressive. The place 'feels' great.

One thing that detracts a bit is that it is mobbed with people. I hope things settle down tomorrow through Tuesday so I can walk the floor without being pushed around. Parasol Up/Parasol Down in particular is just FULL of people.

The floors, carpets and chandeliers are great looking. The uniforms, glassware and casino tables are striking.

In general, this place looks great. Yes, some things remind me of Bellagio, which isn't a surprise. Wynn clearly learned from some mistakes at Bellagio and fixed them this time around.

Anyway, this is sparse on detail but I have a lot more to see. I will be posting more shots tomorrow, including the room and the pool. Also, dinner tomorrow is at SW, which should be a great time.

Wynn Las Vegas Opening Photos on Flickr

At 12:01 AM PT Wynn Las Vegas opened its doors to the public.

The casino was taking bets but most restaurants and retail outlets were closed due to the late hour.

Hotel guests begin checking in later Thursday morning.

The opening of Wynn Las Vegas marks 5 years of design and construction but also many years of Las Vegas expansion to come.

Bad quality. Sorry.

Wynn Las Vegas Casino Shot

Here are some last minute photos of Wynn Las Vegas prior to the opening:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lasvegas/tags/wynnlasvegasopening/

Thanks to Brian Fey for letting us publish the photos.

Enjoy!

Update: Don't forget that you can sign up for an RSS feed of our Wynn Las Vegas opening night photos using this feed URL:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/wynnlasvegasopening

In the lead up to the opening of Steve's new property, I've seen many variations on the name...

It is NOT:

• The Wynn
• Wynn Resort
• The Wynn Resort
• The Wynn Las Vegas

It's called Wynn Las Vegas. Ok? Just like there is no 'The Paris' in Las Vegas, there is no 'The Wynn'.

Thanks to the 2004 MGM MIRAGE annual report, we have a new rendering of their CityCenter project, going up between Bellagio and Monte Carlo.

Project CityCenter (large)

MGM MIRAGE announced today the completion of their acquisition of Mandalay Resort Group for $7.9 Billion.

Expect additional announcements regarding specific property heads soon.

MGM MIRAGE now owns the following Las Vegas properties:

Mandalay Bay
Luxor
Excalibur
NYNY
MGM Grand
Monte Carlo
Bellagio
The Mirage
Treasure Island
Circus Circus

There are also some non-Vegas properties (like everything on the way in on the 15) and non-Nevada properties as well. Yikes!

Update: Many people keep asking me when the slot clubs will be integrated. I fully expect this to happen but it will take some time. While I am sure that both companies have been working on possible synergies for the past few months as it was obvious the merger was a done deal. Even then, the slot clubs are complicated, mission critical applications. To integrate them properly will take careful planning and some time and that could take anywhere from 6 to 18 months to complete.

Second Update: MGM MIRAGE has announced several management changes:

• Bill Hornbuckle becomes president of Mandalay Bay.
• Felix Rappaport becomes president of Luxor.
• Renee West becomes president of Excalibur.
• Mike Puggi becomes president of the Primm Valley Resorts.
• Randy Morton becomes president of Monte Carlo.
• Bill McBeath continues as president of Bellagio.
• Scott Sibella continues as president of The Mirage.
• Tom Mikulich becomes president of Treasure Island.

Many of you have already seen the property map that has been posted on the Wynn Las Vegas Web site since it launched on February 1st. Leading up to next week's opening, I wanted to post a few comments based on the map, aerial photos, and other things I've heard. While I won't be revising this after experiencing it for myself, it will be interesting to see how our predictions and analysis stack up to the real thing.

If you want to follow along, the PDF of the map is located here:
http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/pdf/property_map.pdf

The main entrance is located just North of Spring Mountain/Sands on Las Vegas Blvd. Immediately to the left is the Ferrari/Maserati dealership.

The lobby will feature at least partially glass ceilings in a nearby atrium and the desk will overlook part of the mountain and lake area, similar to how Bellagio's check-in overlooks a small garden.

Just past the lobby is a foyer where there are curving escalators to the lake level, where two of the resort's highest end restaurants (Daniel Boloud and SW Steakhouse) and a nightclub are located.

To your left is the main casino floor. To the right, the path curves and leads in a semi-circle to the Wynn Esplanade, the resort's main shopping area. Interspersed with the stores are several restaurants and a food and beverage outlet called 'Sugar and Ice', which we believe to be a bar/lounge.

Back in the casino, most of the gaming space is located smack in the middle of the low-rise building that makes up most of the public areas. The poker room and sports book are the two main gaming areas that are set a bit outside of the main casino area. There is a private gaming salon that overlooks the pool, but if you need more information on private gaming, you will surely want to hire me as your personal consultant to make sure you make it through your trip alive. Contact info is on the RateVegas site...

On the outside edges of the casino are additional restaurants until you reach the opposite side of the casino where the main tower guest elevators are located. Right next to those elevators is 'The Drugstore', Wynn's main guest oriented retail store featuring Wynn merchandise, newspapers, magazines, medicine, etc...

The spa and salon are located on the second level via the guestroom elevators. This level also includes the villa suites, which have their own small swimming pools. These villas in the tower are similar to the villas at Bellagio.

While there is only one hotel tower currently built at Wynn Las Vegas, management has divided the resort up into the main guestroom tower and what they call the 'Suite Tower'. These rooms have their own check-in area and a semi-private restaurant, Tableau, at which breakfast and lunch are restricted to these guests (dinner is open to the public). Suite Tower check-in overlooks the pool area and is serviced by a second porte cochere and valet off of Sands Avenue.

In this same area are a few additional restaurants, including Alex, Red 8 and Wing Lei, along with Lure, Wynn's ultra lounge.

The buffet is located back towards the casino floor, on the way to the pool and is quite large at over 600 seats. Further down the hall is the Terrace Pointe Cafe, which we believe will be a 24 hour 'coffee shop' type restaurant, similar to the Bellagio Cafe or Caribe Cafe at The Mirage.

Beyond the cafe is the Broadway Theater, home of Avenue Q which opens in September. The theater is still under construction.

The Wynn Golf Club features its own restaurant and pro shop. It is located just adjacent to the course and convention meeting rooms at the far end of the property. Also in this area are the 'Fairway Villas', the highest end room product at the hotel. One of these villas is being rented by Steve Wynn and his wife Elaine as their home.

There are other retail outlets scattered throughout the property in small clusters. Several areas are not identified in the key - they have either not been finalized or some of the details are being kept under wraps.

The pool is located on the East side of the high rise tower and features two areas reserved for 'Suite Tower' guests. Two large pools are for all hotel guests. The Cabana Bar and Casino provides drinks and gaming poolside. Expect the pool deck to be more akin to a Bellagio vibe than say, The Mirage.

As of today, April 24th, non-paying guests are in the hotel. Wynn invited select employees the opportunity to stay overnight before the hotel premiere, not only to test the systems for the opening but also to give them a feel for the product they are selling. Since Wynn employees are under heavy non-disclosure agreements with threat of termination, we don't expect many first hand accounts until the resort opens to the public later in the week.

Seven days from now I will be checked into the hotel and broadcasting live. It should be a fun time and I'm looking forward to it. Cheers!

Today's Review Journal has several articles on the opening of The Steve's new hotel:

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Apr-24-Sun-2005/news/26306655.html

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Apr-24-Sun-2005/news/26306652.html

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Apr-24-Sun-2005/news/26306676.html

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Apr-24-Sun-2005/news/26306865.html

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Apr-24-Sun-2005/news/26314562.html

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Apr-24-Sun-2005/news/26321028.html

Some have some good photos, take a look!

We were pretty sure that this would happen... According to today's Norm! column, Sibella is quoted as the head honcho at The Mirage... When Bill McBeath moved to Bellagio it seemed natural that MGM MIRAGE would reward Sibella's profits at TI by moving him up the ladder. It seems like we were right...

Note to Scott: The Mirage is a very special place. I witnessed the blandification of TI and while I realize TI's profits have never been higher, I hear dissatisfaction with the changes again and again from hard core regulars. I hope that the same kind of changes aren't planned for The Mirage... If you want to chat about what we think makes The Mirage such a special place, let me know.

Also, any MGM MIRAGE employees that have any inside info, shoot us a line: editor@ratevegas.com

We're going to be at Wynn Las Vegas just a few days after it opens to the public and we're planning on sharing our thoughts and pictures with the world. I went out and bought a brand new digital camera just to make sure the pictures are top notch for you miserable addicts.

Live coverage begins Sunday May 1st, here on the blog. All photos will be posted here: Wynn Las Vegas Opening at Flickr.com (nothing there yet suckers!).

I expect to upload photos at least a couple of times per day and to post as often as I can. We'll see if I can stick to that or not... I guess I'll be springing the $12.99 for high speed access in the room!

We are in the 'Suite Tower' section of the hotel so we should get to check out all the amenities offered.

We recently asked our readers what they wanted to know about Wynn Las Vegas. We've compiled the following list of items to hit on our trip (in no particular order):

• Bars and Lounges - Are there nice places to hang out and grab a drink? What kind of views and atmosphere in these areas?
• Pool - What is it like? Is it shaded all day?
• Cocktail Service - How is it? What kind of uniforms are they wearing?
• Nightclub - Any good?
• Casino - Limits? Slot cards? Games? Video poker?
• Sportsbook - How does it compare with other high end books?
• Parking - Easy access?
• Shopping - Good selection or just the high end stuff?
• Glass Ceilings - How many? Is light streaming in from the outside? (Based on aerial shots, it looks like the answer will be yes.)
• Restaurants - How are they? Design? Decor? What is the buffet like?
• Room Details - Are they nice enough? Views? Designs? Furnishings?
• The Steve - Is his voice everywhere?

Those were the most common requests... Above all, I will be focusing on the following:

• How does the place feel? Much has been made of the 'design from the inside out' philosophy that Wynn is employing here. I want to see if this plays out or if it is just a bunch of hype.
• Details... For me, the magic in The Mirage and Bellagio is the attention to the smallest details. The stuff that 90% of the guests miss or cast aside but the kind of attention that MAKES the experience for the other 10% of the guests. That's what I'm looking for here and to be honest, if I don't get it in spades I will be disappointed. This is his chance to live up to the hype.

I've decided not to see the show. Why? Well, I made reservations at a few restaurants and to get the seats I wanted for the show I would have to cancel those reservations. I decided I would rather check out the food than the show. I'm sure many will write about the show. I am sure the theater will be amazing and I'm sure the show itself will be a spectacle... That said, these elaborate production shows take a few months to get the bugs out. I saw Zumanity early in its run and my understanding is that it is VERY different now. Same with Mystere... So, I will see Le Reve but it might be a few months.

Where are we eating? As it stands now, we're eating at the steakhouse (SW) and at the Chinese restaurant (Wing Lei). I considered swapping Wing Lei for Okada, since it is a fairly spectacular setting, but decided against it this time. We may try for Daniel Boloud for lunch... No matter how you slice it, there is a shortage of time! I guess some things are for the next trip.

So, that's the low down. This is your last chance to ask for some specific piece of info if there is something we're missing.

The Sun gets the scoop!

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2005/apr/19/518626651.html

Many folks know that 2005 is the 100 year anniversary of the incorporation of Las Vegas. Over the course of the year, many events will be taking place.

One exciting development is the release of two fantastic documentaries.

'The Story of Classic Las Vegas' is a look at a small town trying to survive as it explodes and grows into the Las Vegas we know today. 'The Women Who Built Las Vegas' is the fascinating story of the women who were essential in the development of Las Vegas.

I have seen the trailer and I can say the work is stunning. This stuff is a must see for anyone interested in Vegas.

While release details are still being finalize, I recommend you check their Web site to get more information:
http://www.classiclasvegas.com

In our last installment we checked out MGM Grand, the Tropicana, New York New York and Monte Carlo. Check the archives to read the complete series.

In this installment we visit the Aladdin, Paris Las Vegas, Bally's and Bellagio. A little something for everyone with a highly themed property, a struggling casino trying to regain traction, a giant from the old days and the Strip's best performing property. Lots of ground to cover, both good and bad in this installment... This one took many hours to write and edit - I apologize for the length. Here we go!

Aladdin/Planet Hollywood

Oh boy... We could write a whole segment on the Aladdin and its many changes. Originally opened April 1st, 1966, it had the largest casino floor in Nevada. Since then the place has been leveled and rebuilt, gone bankrupt and sold. Sometime in 2006 it will be reborn as the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino. We're going to focus on the state of the property as it is today, and touch on some of the proposed changes coming when the conversion is complete.

What's Good

Guestrooms - One thing they got very right here is the rooms. Fairly nice, spacious and never too far from an elevator. The bathrooms are large and the tubs are huge. Plus, they don't cost a fortune (see below for more on pricing). It seems like the hotel tower hi-rise got all of the design attention though, as you'll see from our discussion of the casino below.

Dealers/Casino Employees - The crew here are great. Friendly, helpful and talkative, these are the kinds of dealers you want to play from. What maybe makes this a little bit surprising is that the Aladdin isn't pulling in the Benjamin's and thus these guys can't be getting the amount of tips they deserve.

Price - Due to its mmmmm... limited success, shall we say, the Aladdin is usually a great deal when it comes to Center Strip properties, and a new one at that. Of course, this may change post remodel but as of now, it is usually a lot cheaper than its neighbors and the hotel is now managed by Starwood, so if you have points in their frequent rewards program, you can use them at the Aladdin.

Theater for the Performing Arts - It's the only concert venue of its size on the Strip. At 7,000 seats, it is not the cavern that is the MGM Grand Garden Arena but can still host large size acts. Expect this venue to be used quite a bit more as Planet Hollywood ramps up.

Buffet - The Aladdin buffet is pretty good. Better than most. Some say the best on the Strip but I still think the Bellagio's is much better. What this buffet does provide is a reasonable cost buffet that has some interesting choices. Not many of these all you can eat stuff-a-thons feature much Middle Eastern cuisine choices, so that's another distinction. It is in a claustrophobic basement, which isn't great... but once you get down there you don't even notice.

What's Bad

Exterior Design - Probably the worst thing about the joint (though the interior is pretty darn bad too), this is one of the main reasons this place has never done well. When walking the Strip past the Aladdin you have to climb steps and walk into the casino. This violates Las Vegas Casino Design Rule #1: People are lazy. Even if you ignore the poor pedestrian flow, the building is still just ugly. When you consider how much this place cost to build, it's bewildering how they got it so wrong. THERE ARE LARGE PLASTIC JEWELS AT THE TOP OF THE HOTEL TOWER. HUH? For a $1B+ property, their signage is pretty pathetic as well. I've always been amazed at how dim the letters are that spell out 'Aladdin' and that there isn't any signage at the top of the hotel. In my opinion the design flaws were totally avoidable. It wasn't a money issue, the problem was that its design was supervised by folks that hadn't done this sort of thing before and it really shows.

Interior Decor - It's basically just really tasteless. Again, the plastic jewels adorn the main support columns. What's with the plastic jewels? They are wretched, clearly conceived during some kind of drunken and depraved design orgy. Beyond that, there is a huge lamp in the middle of the casino... Okay, while it is pretty ugly, this is Las Vegas, not Paris, so we can't get too upset about the lamp - and hey, steam does come out of the top! I remember when this place was opening, reading about the 'beautiful electronic flowers that change color every few minutes'... Man, these things are terrible. It's like some kind of million dollar kaleidoscope that should be junked immediately. There are other offenders - the giant horses, the interior signage, etc... but it's really all the same problem. While I hope Planet Hollywood will clean this up, they will probably just replace it with the same disaster interior design that is standard in their restaurants.

High Ceiling in Casino - This is something I keep coming back to. I think this is a major design flaw in every casino that I have seen it implemented. It makes the place feel like an airplane hangar, not an energetic, happening gambling joint.

We're Not Sure

Most of the Other Restaurants - I had a very expensive meal at Tremezzo that was only average but I have friends that swear by Elements and since I haven't eaten there, I can't harp too bad. The Zanzibar Cafe is just average as 24 hour spots go - you can do a lot better elsewhere.

Pool - Sorta like Paris, nothing but a concrete hole filled with water. It's up above the casino so you don't have to walk through the slots in your bathing suit, which is kinda nice.

Aladdin Photos on Flickr.com: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lasvegas/tags/aladdin
Aladdin at RateVegas.com: http://www.ratevegas.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/VMGEngine.woa/wa/Vegas/Aladdin

Paris Las Vegas

Bonjour! Opened in 1999 at a cost of $785 million, the 2,916 room hotel includes a half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower. The designers of Paris Las Vegas made a lot of good choices and a few mistakes. Let's check it out.

What's Good

Guestrooms - Nice sized rooms that are comfortable and tastefully decorated. Nothing too out of the ordinary but certainly not the kind of room that would make you open the door and shudder at the ghettoness.

Buffet - This buffet consistently gets very high reviews. While I think it is good, I don't rate it quite as highly as others do. Still, a wide selection of well prepared, fresh food served up in what is meant to feel like a Paris cafe.

Exterior Design - A very well executed theme. From the Eiffel Tower being built from the original plans to the incorporation of several Paris landmarks into the facade, this works really well, especially considering the plot of land it sits on is actually fairly narrow compared to neighboring resorts.

Interior Design - Another win. The casino is well segmented, which makes it much more interesting to explore. The ceilings aren't ten-thousand feet in the air and the support columns are disguised as trees. An interesting fact: the original plans called for a replica of the Seine River to flow through the casino. This was actually built but carpeted over and never filled. The bridge that leads to the Eiffel Tower observation deck would have spanned part of the river.

What's Bad

French Accents - When you leave your car at the valet, step out of your taxi or even your limo, the doorman greets you in French. Nice touch, you say to yourself. You reach the front desk and the gentleman with the thick Brooklyn accent mangles his own introduction in the language of love... Well, it doesn't stop there. The employees are required to greet you in French when they see you, answer the phone or drop off your bagel in the morning. It's a linguistic train-wreck of epic proportions and if management was smart, they would tone it down a bit.

Snotty Dealers - I wouldn't say this is an epidemic but on at least a half-dozen sessions in the casino I've been 'greeted' by some pretty surly dealers. I see the same thing next door at Ballys (see below), so perhaps its part of the training program? "Make sure you are as mean to the customers as possible! The miserable swine love it!" Any Caesars Entertainment employee want to send me a copy of the employee manual?

We're Not Sure

Pool - The pool is quite simply unremarkable. Nothing special about it at all...

Paris Photos on Flickr.com: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lasvegas/tags/paris
Paris at RateVegas.com: http://www.ratevegas.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/VMGEngine.woa/wa/Vegas/Paris

Bally's

Bally's opened in 1973 as the original MGM Grand. Built by Kirk Kirkorian, it was the largest hotel in Las Vegas when completed. Sadly, a 1980 fire killed 85 people and the hotel was shut down. The hotel was repaired and re-opened in 1981. The hotel was sold to the Bally Entertainment Corporation in 1985 and the name changed first to Bally Grand and finally Bally's. Now a part of Caesars Entertainment, the hotel will soon be owned by Harrah's. Since it was built, Bally's has catered to higher end guests. Even with larger, more expensive hotels being built nearby, the hotel has held it's own against the competition.

What's Good

History - A Las Vegas casino that is more than thirty years old and doesn't have a wrecking ball in the front yard! Amazing! This place was built as a pleasure palace for the rich and famous and has been fairly well maintained through the years. It's fun to walk through and get a taste.

Prices - Bally's typically offers a good value, not just for the rooms but for dining and entertainment as well. Also, getting an upgrade into one of their suites is not as impossible as it can be at some other properties.

Restaurants - Some good choices here, with the most opulent brunch buffet in Las Vegas. The Sterling Buffet, Sunday mornings in the steakhouse, offers caviar, crab, lobster and more. Granted, it is not inexpensive, but it ain't cheap either. Their 24-hour joint, the Sidewalk Cafe, is also a good bet.

Architecture - The original structures were designed by Martin Stern Jr., one of Las Vegas' most prolific architects. The massive porte cochere was a defining design element and that legacy continues to today's resorts. Also, the maze like interior design of interconnecting casino areas, restaurants and lounges was a pre-cursor to design techniques used today.

What's Bad

Dealer Attitude - Similar to Paris, the folks at Bally's don't always look so happy to be there. Despite the fact it was once the crown jewel of the Strip, let's face it... Today this is a mid-level property... In my mind that means the dealers and casino staff should be going the extra mile to get my dollar... Instead they seem hostile, which I just don't understand.

Bally's Photos on Flickr.com: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lasvegas/tags/ballys
Bally's at RateVegas.com: http://www.ratevegas.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/VMGEngine.woa/wa/Vegas/Ballys

Bellagio

I could probably write a whole series on Bellagio, one of the hotels I have studied the most closely since its opening in 1998. At the time, its designer Steve Wynn referred to it as the most amazing hotel ever built. If I had to sum up my feeling on Bellagio in a sentence I would say that there are a lot of wonderful things about the hotel but it still lacks a certain feel that Wynn wasn't able to capture. I'll try to elaborate a bit on that below... The key to appreciating Bellagio is looking at the little things, the details that show set it apart from other high end resorts in the city.

What's Good

Fountains of Bellagio - A truly amazing feat of engineering and technology that can stir the emotions. If you visit Las Vegas and you haven't seen this, you're missing something fantastic. A crowning centerpiece of a marvelous accomplishment.

Exterior Design - Designed to look like a small Mediterranean village surrounding a lake, Bellagio is well thought out, tastefully executed and well landscaped. The parts of the operation required to make a resort of this size hum are hidden and even the back of house areas feature the same design choices. Wynn believes that treating employees well is the most important first step at guaranteeing quality service to guests.

Interior Design - This is an area where the hotel really shines. Not only do you have innovative ideas such as the Conservatory but you have a large scale art installation in the lobby (Dale Chihuly's Fiore de Como). The casino is well segmented and fun to explore. Beyond that, the place just feels good. Most of the visitors won't think twice about the pedestrian traffic, slot placement or access to key amenities but they will notice that the resort 'feels' accommodating and that is key. If you really want to experience Bellagio and appreciate the design, take a walk around the entire property. Not just the main casino floor... Do the entire back convention loop around the pool and into the new Spa Tower. You'll notice a lot of little things you didn't before, trust me.

Attention to Detail - The reason that Wynn succeeds again and again has nothing directly to do with volcanos, fountain shows or Cirque de Soleil. The secret to his success is that he pays very close attention to all the little details. Things can't be 'good enough', they have to be great... Everything has to exceed the customer's expectations and that is why people leave his properties and tell their friends about the great experience they had at Bellagio or The Mirage, etc...

Restaurants - Bellagio has some great restaurants. While all are good, there are a few standouts. Be aware that all are pricey, but if you're looking to treat yourself, this is a great place to do it. For Chinese, Jasmine is a real standout. The steaks at Prime aren't as good as Delmonico but they are still fantastic. FIX is one of the newest restaurants on property but they have some great food in a casual environment. Olives is great for lunch and the buffet is true decadence.

Conservatory - Granted, most folks take pictures of themselves in front of the flowers, the dancing water, or some of the large props but what none of those pictures capture is the SMELL.

Bars - Normally I wouldn't include a bar in the list but there is a notable item here. Two of Bellagio's bars, the Fontana and Baccarat Bars, both serve freshly squeezed fruit juice with their cocktails.

What's Bad

Missing 'The Magic' - I'll probably have a hard time explaining this but I'll give it a go... I think that The Mirage has a certain magic to it. It's very hard to quantify but it is a feeling of mystery, excitement and... well... magic. While Bellagio is a great place, it just doesn't have that feeling. It may be the fact that the property feels quite a bit larger... Maybe because there is so much more light at Bellagio or the wider walkways and brighter colors... Whatever it is, not all of the 'learning' that Wynn did when designing Bellagio was a good thing. It's a collection of grand public spaces but it doesn't feel as intimate as it could... or should.

Cost - This problem just keeps getting worse. Even with new room inventory, prices are going higher. When Bellagio opened, you could get rooms for less than $200. Now that price is a special weekend on the hottest day of the year when the roads from LA are blocked. It's crazy how high the prices are getting.

We're Not Sure

Pool - The pool is nice and fairly large but it isn't all that remarkable in my opinion. Like ever other Las Vegas pool, it is mobbed by 10am, so come early. For the top hotel in town, I still think the pool could be better than it is. It's not a draw for the resort. More like a checkbox on a list of included amenities.

Bellagio Photos on Flickr.com: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lasvegas/tags/bellagio
Bellagio at RateVegas.com: http://www.ratevegas.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/VMGEngine.woa/wa/Vegas/Bellagio

Next up: Caesars Palace, The Flamingo, O'Shea's, and the Imperial Palace.

With the resort opening in just over three weeks, I thought I would recap the restaurant information here for those that haven't seen it.

The prices break down as follows:

• $ - Under $10
• $$ - $11-$15
• $$$ - $16-$20
• $$$$ - $21-$30
• $$$$$ - $31+

• Alex (French) $$$$$ - Open for dinner, James Beard winning chef Alessandro Stratta moves from his previous home, Renoir at The Mirage. The restaurant seats 162 and overlooks the pool. Most likely a prix-fixe menu with optional wine pairings, this will be one the most high end restaurants in the resort.
• Bartolotta (Italian) $$$$$ - Open for lunch and dinner, James Beard winning chef Paul Bartolotta has been a midwest fixture for years. This restaurant will feature fresh seafood and seats 226. It overlooks the Wynn lake and mountain areas near the shopping promenade.
• The Buffet (Buffet) $$$ - Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this buffet seats a whopping 574 and is located near the Wynn Theater. Expect prices to be similar to what is being charged at Bellagio and expect this buffet to rival or surpass that previous achievement.
• Daniel Boulud Brasserie (French) $$$$$ - The only 'celebrity' chef on site Daniel Boulud is well known for several New York City restaurants. Open for lunch and dinner, this restaurant is located on the lower lake level and seats 304.
• Corsa Cucina (Italian) $$$$ - Featuring pizzas from chef Stephen Kalt, this 118 seat restaurant is open for lunch and dinner near the main entrance.
• Club House Grill (Variety) $$$$$ - Located inside the Wynn Country Club, this restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner for up to 100 guests. Update: Jimmy Snead reportedly is no longer with Wynn Las Vegas.
• Okada (Japanese) $$$$$ - Located on the lake above La Bête, Okada features Japanese cuisine from James Beard award winning chef Takashi Yagahashi. Open for dinner, this restaurant seats 207 and is named after Wynn's financial partner in the resort.
• Red 8 (Asian Bistro) $$$ - Near the Tower Suites check in, Red 8 is a combination of Hong Kong style dim sum and Cantonese noodle dishes. Open for lunch and dinner, the room seats 86.
• SW (Steakhouse) $$$$$ - Award winning chef Eric Klein brings the classic American steakhouse to Wynn Las Vegas. Open for dinner, SW seats 284 and is located on the lower lake level.
• Tableau (Variety) $$$$$ - American cuisine with some original flair, prepared by chef Mark LoRusso. Breakfast and lunch are available only to Wynn Tower Suite guests, while dinner is open to tall. This restaurant features 134 seats and is located just adjacent to the Tower Suite elevators.
• Terrace Pointe Cafe (Variety) $$$ - This restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, overlooks the pool. With seats for 486, we expect this to be a 24 hour facility.
• Wing Lei (Chinese) $$$$$ - Open only for dinner, this Cantonese style restaurant seats 152 and is located near the Tower Suites entrance.
• Zoozacrackers (Snack Bar) $$$ - Located near the sports book, a quick way to get a snack.

Along with these restaurants, there are several bars located throughout the property.

• B Bar - Located near the Tower Suite elevators, this is an ideal meeting place.
• Parasol Up/Parasol Down - Near the main lake terrace, featuring live music in the evenings.
• Sugar and Ice - Located in the Wynn Esplanade.

Wynn Las Vegas will feature two main nightlife options when it opens. The addition of the Encore project in 2007 will bring even more options.

• La Bête - A full fledged nightclub, La Bête will feature bottle service and lake views.
• Lure - Wynn's 'ultra-lounge', Lure is located near the Tower Suites elevators.

Hopefully this rundown has been helpful. We'll have more details after the resort opens.

Business Week has an article discussing the opening of Wynn Las Vegas. Some interesting info that hasn't been widely published until now.

Enjoy.

http://yahoo.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_15/b3928109_mz017.htm

Wynn Las Vegas


Originally uploaded by VegasMediaGroup.

Coming soon to a gambling capital near you!