Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

Will Chef Stephen Kalt return to Corsa Cucina after all the remodeling is done?

Ouch. It hurts to read that since construction is just about the biggest turn-off for me (which is why I avoid Caesars and most recently [sorry to say] The Mirage).

I actually like all the bars at Wynn and wouldn't change them regardless of the fact that you can't just walk-up, order a drink, and play video poker. Besides, fewer and fewer strip properties are comping drinks at bartops so I don't think there's much of a need for that.

The interior shots of La Bete looked stunning--I can't imagine why they would change such an intimate setting, but then again, I never got to experience it for myself (although I've only read great things).

Did they mention any specifics as to how they're going to protect the tiles? I'd hate to see them go, but I get the feeling that might be the ultimate solution.

Even though the summer months are slow, that's when I frequent Vegas the most and I hope that the renovations aren't too intrusive to the overall guest experience.

Bellagio has more mosaic floors in heavily traveled areas than Wynn. Wonder why Wynn is having more problems?

The B Bar was almost always empty the three days I was there. There was only one evening when a stand-up cocktail crowd of conventioneers was there, not the crowd Steve probably wanted to see there. I'd like to see B Bar become more of an intimate bar with music more often, like the Petrossian. It's a great location at the intersection of two busy walkways.

When I asked where the bartop VP was, I was told there are only 8 bar VP machines in the entire casino, over by the sports book.

Thats really interesting the amount of changes that are taking place at Wynn compared to the changes made to the Bellagio after opening. But because this is Wynn's only resort and is the only one producing any income, I guess there willing to fork over more money to make it perfect. I haven't seen Corsa Cucina but I here the food was really good (and this seemed to be a better choice than the Ferrari cafe). Is it really worth doing the whole thing over for a new look 2 months after opening?

The way I heard it, Stephen Kalt actually requested the changes - he's not thrilled that his restaurant isn't catching on.

As far as the tiles go, they weren't sure why Bellagio's stood up and these didn't (I asked). They want to keep them but they can't handle the repairs as is. Perhaps coating them in some kind of translucent material - they were pretty sparse on details here.

Apparently they have a motto of sorts at Wynn Development and Design, which I won't get totally right:

'We Build Only To Embrace Possible Change'

They don't get too attached to ideas that don't play out.

Corsa Cucina has very good casual Italian/Mediterranean food and wine, but the space is a turn-off. I enjoyed my lunch there, but it's not a warm atmosphere for dinner. They could warm up the place in a few days of construction with new carpeting, paneling, art, etc. I don't think the construction would be very disruptive.

I agree with Detroit. My wife and I had a fantastic lunch there and got to talk to the chef - a Wynn-like experience. The decor is mis-placed and this change doesn't surprise me.

Hunter, any activity at Encore?

I don't know what to believe about Wynn's rates and occupancy. The free room offer which was sent to thousands of previous guests with low playing levels was supposed to expire June 30. I know two people who called to complain about the short timeframe and were told it has been extended through August. A friend in Las Vegas told me the offer has gone to locals as well. That surprises me.

Here's an interesting brief in Sunday's RJ about Wynn and Expedia:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Jun-26-Sun-2005/business/2242518.html

Hmm, that seems odd. I've got 2 stays and lots of play under my belt and received nothing except the offer with the CD-ROM.

Where do you live? Everyone I know that got this lives in CA.

Irvine, CA. I'll just wait a bit, but if nothing comes, I'll see if I can make my next reservations through red card or host and let you know what happens.

I hear theres big changes in the plans for Encore. Encore is supposedly going to have 1000 thousands more rooms than originally planed. They say the main tower is going to have more rooms than WYNN lv.

Mark, that doesn't sound too nice to me. I was hoping Encore to Wynn Las Vegas would be like what THEhotel is to Mandalay Bay--a substantially smaller, and substantially better property, but I guess not. I already knew plans changed about it, but not to that extent.

If what you say is more than a rumor, then more than 2700, 800 sq ft suites sounds absurd! Don't get me wrong as I'm sure it'll blow me away like all of Wynn's properties have in the past and I'd like to be one of the first to stay, but I think Steve's gonna have a hard time keeping occupancy rates up when nightly rates probably won't be lower than $299 during the summer months.

Mark, this was in the Reno Gazette:
Las Vegas: Wynn looking to up Encore by 1,000 rooms

Jeff Burbank
SPECIAL TO THE RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
6/26/2005 10:31 pm

LAS VEGAS � Steve Wynn�s ambitious plans for the proposed $1.4 billion Encore hotel on the Las Vegas Strip have grown by more than 1,000 hotel rooms, while owners of the Nevada Palace casino on the Boulder Strip want to demolish and replace it with a new gaming and entertainment complex.

Wynn, the Wynn Resorts Ltd. chief, is seeking to build the Encore resort next door to his company�s $2.7 billion Wynn Las Vegas resort that opened in April. He wants to increase guest rooms and suites at the Encore from the 1,757 he requested originally to 2,770, according to records released by Clark County last week.

The architecture of Encore, featuring a 61-story tower, would be similar to Wynn Las Vegas, with tinted bronze glass and beige banding. Encore would have 50,000 square feet of casino area, showrooms and live entertainment, plus 100,000 square feet of shopping, indoor and outdoor dining and convention space.

Low-rise buildings, with metal roofing and domes, would connect the project to the Wynn Las Vegas hotel, according to the plans. The buildings, as much as 10 stories high, would house luxury suites surrounding a swimming pool with cabanas and a section for live performances.

The main access for all of Encore�s patrons would be a valet parking area on Las Vegas Boulevard.

Wynn also wants to build the Encore tower about 30 feet closer to the Desert Inn Arterial expressway and about 100 feet closer to Las Vegas Boulevard than is permitted by county codes. He has also hopes to reduce the on-site parking spaces required by law by nearly 1,000 spaces, to 8,264.

The county planning staff, which recommended approval of Wynn�s plans, suggested that Wynn prepare air quality and traffic studies and provide space to construct a short fourth lane on Las Vegas Boulevard.

Wynn Resorts officials assigned all comments to company spokeswoman Denise Randazzo, who was traveling and could not be reached last week.

We also received an offer for 3 nights free and $50 in freeplay that is available July 4-9. I live in the Chicago area, and have not even been to the Wynn yet, so the offer can't be based on previous play. I think they somehow got info from MGM-Mirage databases because that is where we always stay. I am going to call to see if they will extend my offer as we are going to be in Vegas at the end of July. Its worth a phone call to be able to stay there for free. I will let you know what happens.

Wow, I am surprised the Encore would be so large. But what really gets me is the fact that they want to move it closer to the strip than allowed by code and REDUCE the number of parking spots. To me this sounds like they have learned nothing from the problems encountered by guests trying to get into the Wynn from LVBlvd. I was hoping they would use this resort to fix that problem but it looks like they are going in the wrong direction. Hunter have you seen any detailed sketches of the new hotel?

There are a lot of reasons why they would want to make Encore larger:

* Optimize use of land.
* Lower cost per room.
* Deal with high occupancy.

It does sound like parking might not get much better with Encore...

I have read descriptions of the plans but not seen sketches.

When I called the Wynn, the slot host was so nice. She let me have the offer for 3 free nights, but could not extend the freeplay. I took the 3 free nights. I don't think they would have been so generous at a MGM property. Thanks for posting all the great pics. I am sure it will look even better in person.

Just found this blog... I got the free stay letter a couple of weeks ago, good for three consecutive nights from July 4-9. The reservation desk lady said that the names came from the old Desert Inn slot club list. I signed up for that when visiting about a week before the casino closed. I've stayed at only one Wynn resort in the past - Treasure Island once, years ago (when they still had the bar up front).

I asked why they were giving away rooms, she said that it was because July is a slow month. I had to verify that there was no timeshare sales pitch or anything, it sounded too good to be true.

I WILL COMMENT ON WYNN'S IN NOVEMBER---I AM GOING OCT 30TH---NOV 4TH 2005

With Labor Day coming up, I wonder where they currently stand. I can comment on a few things I saw 3 weeks ago:

On the plus side, the baccarat salon is now much more private, I didn't see a single missing or loose mosaic tile, and the atrium did not have glass walls but velvet ropes lining the edges (better choice, I think).

On what still needs changing, the B Bar was empty as usual, Corsa still had the racing photos up, and La Bete still seems like it's got a ways to go.

With that said, there wasn't a single sign of contruction in site.

This is for Detroit 1051
How can anyone take your comments seriously when you write "I here" instead of I hear?
And you use the word "there" instead of they're.
If you don't even know that your spelling is bad, you should at least use the Spell-Check before submitting your comments.
Is someone paying you for this?

Posted by detroit1051

A. Zabladowsky, if you will look more closely, you will see I didn't write the words you attributed to me. Regardless, people make mistakes. Lighten up.

A. Zab, we all contribute to this blog because of our love for the city of Las Vegas and nothing else. No body's geting pade hear so just chill owt.

Posted by Hunter

detroit1051 is one of the most intelligent and prolific participant on the site - we're lucky to have him.