The casino game today is a mix of different things. In Vegas, it’s corporate policy streamlining the house advantage while tossing out treats. In Macau, it’s one-upping your opponent, who can be bigger, flashier, better. In Atlantic City, it’s simple survival of the fittest, even if that means grinding your business from month to month. But in every scenario, Steve Wynn has done something remarkable. Not only do his hotels (recessions aside) turn a profit, but they do so with a kind of class and luxury that’s not too far removed from reality to make you feel incredible while surrounded in opulence.
In part one of our review of Wynn Palace’s Executive suite, we emphasized the subtle nature of the design. The harkening back to old themes, and the introduction of new. The layout, the pops of color, the floral experimentation and the magical that lay around each carefully planned corner of the resort. But the resort itself is just half the equation, the stay fills in the true nature of the beast. And so now we find ourselves back in front of a door with a literal picture of a key and a RFID lock. Get yourself ready for some hotel porn folks. There’s a lot of Wynn to soak in.
RFID Keys
Unlike all other Wynn properties, Palace is the first to adopt the RFID key technology that has been slowly replacing magnetic keycards. And never one to let it go as an advertisement, much like his other properties and even Revel, Wynn takes the time to make the keycard as much a literal key and a physical card as he can. Also of note, outside each suite is a doorbell with a sign indicating housekeeping needed and do not disturb being requested. And unlike the simpler models at Wynn, these are as elaborate and as beautifully designed as the rest of the resort. Wave the key and in we go!
Vestibule
Once inside the suite, we enter into a small vestibule. On the right is a mirror flanked by square wall sconces reflecting the resort design mentioned in the previous article. The simplicity of the sconce set is offset by a gorgeous white carved mirror frame that makes the simple pop as much as the elaborate frame itself. It’s also another perfect chance to perform a last-minute check before leaving the room, a typical Wynn feature. And just beyond the small vestibule are two doors with full-length mirrors, one to the left and one to the right.
Through the door to the left, when moved open on it’s sliding hardware, is a full walk in closet. There’s plenty of space here to keep all of your clothes neat and tidy, as well as a vanity, more in line with a man’s styling and space, than a woman’s. But don’t let that make you think women are not luxuriously taken care of. More on that later.
Seating & Living Area
At the end of the hall is the main parlor of the suite, the seating area and living room. Unlike Encore, the suites here are true suites, in line with the Parlor Suites at Encore and Wynn Las Vegas. One side of the suite is a seating area, with two small round tables, two armchairs and a sofa. At each end is a lamp, both controlled by a central control system (more on that later), as well as art that is abstract, yet ties the pale diamond carpet into the pops of light orange/gold that cover the walls and accessories.
On the other side of the main living room is the buffet/desk as well as a large, white, matched-frame flat panel TV. The system here is a simplified version of the Wynn system in Las Vegas, with very straightforward controls. The TV is likely the same model Wynn has put in all of his resorts as he renovates, including Encore, whose renovation we will cover in an upcoming article.
The desk itself uses the same design language we’ve already seen, with gold and white accents and a white lacquer surface. On top you get a phone, writing pad and pen, as well as a guide to the resort and pop up outlets for gadget charging through USB ports or regular (adapted) plugs. Additionally, there’s a convenient panel for plugging in your HDMI, Aux, or Bluetooth devices, for true interconnectivity with your own media, something I really wish would find its way to all Wynn resorts.
Rounding out the living area is a small niche with a mini-bar of sorts, although much, much better than what one normally finds. Inside of the niche is a built-in dresser with the signature Wynn marble top, and soft neutral wallpaper with the gold color pop and a relief in white referring to the mirror framing the background. On top, a Keurig, Fiji water (not for free, mind you), ice bucket and the likely-free Wynn water under a mirrored ceiling which helps to make the room, like Encore, feel more spacious than it might be otherwise.
In the drawers underneath we find a bit of the usual and unusual. First are the typical snacks and mini-bar drinks, all at the same unreasonable rates you’d expect in a high-end hotel. But also, in other drawers, is so much more. There’s a teapot, as is customary for a hotel in a location like this, as well as china that matches the same design cues letting you know that much thought has gone into the smallest detail. Another drawer has glassware and more barware for use in entertaining and having fun with any guests you choose to invite into your accomodations. Again, it’s luxury in a way that’s hidden, but instantly accessible. You have everything you need for the perfect stay without moving an inch beyond the door of your room, if you so choose. And before we move on, let’s note the lighting. Just like the resort spaces, the room is fully lit with beautiful inset lighting at the foot of the cabinets, the ceiling, and along the baseboards, something you won’t even find in most well-built luxury homes, yet alone hotels.
But that’s just half the suite. Just beyond a door to the right is the entrance to the real luxury of this room; as if what we’ve seen can be topped. But first, lets back up to the other sliding door off the main vestibule.
Bathroom
To the right of the entry, beyond a wall but open through a sliding door to the closet, is the bathroom. First takes aside, the look is very much a pairing of Wynn’s first signature resort in his own name with the best of its sexy sister Encore distilled into a beautiful hybrid. Beyond that, there’s much more here that brings luxury to the table in new and special ways. The bathroom itself is clad in Wynn’s signature marble from countertop to wall to floor. On the ceiling, the lights, reminiscent of the original Wynn’s design, are floral in shape and playful, yet clean. To the left, the wall mounted mirror with integrated television, chair with makeup mirror and dual vanities is a page out of Encore with a taste of Wynn.
In the middle of the vanity is an integrated TV, which isn’t perfect, but a step up from the wall mounted TV’s of his other resorts, and also something special. Atop yet another lacquered box is a perfectly perched orchid in a water-filled bowl. Inside the box are what Wynn Palace calls their “Gold” bathroom accessories. Inside you find your typical items, but with gold colored accessories. A gold toothbrush meets floss, mouthwash, hand sanitizer, and collar stays, as well as a gold razor, non-gold shaving cream and a golden comb set into rich red trays. Special isn’t the word. It’s yet more color used to pop in just the right way, with a nod to the local culture that will bring business to Wynn Palace.
At the back of the bathroom is a relaxing soaking tub, a staple of the Wynn suites. And just like those elsewhere, there’s a collection of goodies for those of us who like to relax with a long bath after a day of gaming or exploring. A loofah, soap, and bath salts are in reach while you ease into the large relaxing tub and let the day melt away.
If you’re more of a shower guy, that’s not out of the question either, with a nice large shower head providing a deluge of water as well as the typical Wynn handheld accessory. The fixtures here are not streamlined like in the past, but much more in line with the design of the resort, another nod to the overall design aesthetic. And of course there are custom toiletries, and although I can’t personally attest to their quality, I guarantee they are better than Desert Bamboo.
Rounding out the bathroom is a WC that gives you what you need in a resort in this style. Beyond the toilet, with it’s built in warming seat, there’s a full bidet as well as a door separating the bathroom proper from the WC. It’s utilitarian and gets the job done, in a setting that’s very much more luxury than necessity.
Bedroom
Rounding out the suite is probably the most important space of all in a hotel, the bedroom. On the living room adjacent wall there is, of course, the TV that you’d expect. But on the other side is a beautifully composed sleeping area that started with Wynn, evolved at Encore, and has come full circle with Wynn Palace.
The bed itself is reminiscent of the Wynn Dream Bed and is likely the same or an improvement thereof, with simple bedding that’s crisp, clean, and sleeps perfectly. (Seriously I’ve never slept in a better bed, although Aria gives it a run for its money.) The headboard is made up of a faux-wicker pattern in fabric framed in white with reading lights on both sides for discreet nighttime reading while your partner sleeps.
On both sides of the bed is a nightstand with a wave of warm gold and white per the rest of the design, as well as a tablet for controlling the available smart functions of the room. There are also more pop up outlets for charging your devices, as well as speakers for enjoying your own device on your own time.
As in the living room, there’s the same soft offset lighting here that makes the room feel all the more luxurious. It’s these little things that take Wynn Palace’s design beyond typical Wynn and over the top in a way that’s not intimidating but welcoming. The perfect balance of design and comfort.
Technology
I’d be remiss not to mention the other technology in the room, and I want to take a second to highlight it. Just like we’ve seen ramping up in Wynn and Encore and the other Macau resorts, technology is here in full force. Control panels adorn the wall near the entry, and tablets around the room, enabling control of lighting, temperature, the curtains and everything to make you comfortable. But unlike others, Wynn has done an excellent job of fusing the tech into the design. It’s a bit more seamless, although not perfect. A step in the right direction? Yes. Perfection? Not quite yet.
But beyond the design, beyond the tech, beyond every new step, the most important element that makes Wynn Palace the evolution of the Wynn design theory is not just the room and the contents, but those little special perks that come along without request. The safe, hidden behind a mirror, is a thoughtful idea that makes it easier to access and less of an afterthought
The gift of fresh fruit and macarons with a note possibly signed by Steve himself is a nice touch. The turndown service with slippers and a mat, water, and chocolates in a quatrefoil designed box, all let you know that the resort is more than a sum of its parts. That’s where Wynn Palace exceeds, and if it’s any indication of where Wynn Resorts is going, I can’t wait to see what may become of Paradise Park.
Wynn is focused on improvement and growth, evolution and forward motion. And if Wynn Palace is any indications, we cannot wait to see what happens next; whether it be in Las Vegas, Boston, or any other property he may open. Steve Wynn knows his audience, and that leads to the magic that we see at the long anticipated and well worthwhile Wynn Palace.
Also read:
Chasing Macau | Part 1 | Someone Is Opening A New Joint – Wynn Palace Cotai
Chasing Macau | Part 2 | Opening Night – And What A Joint It Is – Wynn Palace Cotai
Chasing Macau | Part 3 | Initial Impression Executive Suite – Wynn Palace Cotai
Retrospective: Wynn Palace and Design DNA
