It’s August 22nd. My birthday is celebrated this year not only fanfare from friends and family but by the grand opening of Wynn Palace in Cotai. But while we await updates from baccarat_guy about the amazing trip and opening, in the meantime I, as an architect, can’t help but look back on Roger Thomas and Wynn Design and Development. Wynn D&D, and Roger Thomas, have been the driving force behind Wynn’s properties dating from Atlantic City through the newest venture in Cotai. And with every new hotel, a bit of the DNA of the design mutates creating splendid, spectacular and often whimsical new takes on Wynn’s original concept of “casual luxury”.
Wynn Design and Development, and Roger Thomas, have been the driving force behind Wynn’s properties dating from Atlantic City through the newest venture in Cotai.
As baccarat_guy will show us, he’s staying in a new type of room for the Wynn catalogue, the Fountain Suite. Affording views of the performance lake at Wynn Palace, it’s the equivalent of a Lakeview Room at Bellagio, only on steroids. Wynn’s taken it to the next level, and the design is right behind him.
The signature change in design for the new hotel is the use of the quatrefoil. An ancient design motif, it’s been seen in the renderings of rooms at Wynn Everett* and other new properties proposed in the US. But finally it seems like this design shift is executed in Cotai, with the theme present in lighting, furniture, and even in reverse relief in the wall decor.
Design and Development Gone Simple
Also changed is the warm but overwhelming sense of texture everywhere from Encore. Here, D&D has gone simple. Walls are warm white, ceilings are lit with inset lighting, and the room has an accent wall, bed, simple white beautiful art and clean linens. It’s the change I wanted for Encore (review of renovation forthcoming) that we didn’t get. I have to say the simplicity trumps anything over the top Wynn has allowed, in my opinion.
The DNA – Best of Wynn and Encore
And the DNA doesn’t stop there. While the room itself has the DNA of a Wynn property with a twist, the bathroom takes all the best of Wynn and Encore aesthetically and functionally. The wall to wall shelf for toiletries is there. But the cool, cold limestone is replaced with homey wood circles inset into the door and a wood (or wood look) floor. It’s all the roots of Roger Thomas, under the guidance of Steve, taken to the next level. Simplistic, beautiful, and pure.
One thing is for certain, despite wishing I was there I am sure there will be no shortage of input of the opening and what Wynn Palace holds behind it’s doors. But the certainty is that the design DNA instigated at zero hour by Steve Wynn and his hand selected right hand man has evolved to the point of near perfection. If this is the new Wynn brand, I cannot wait to see what Paradise Park brings to the United States. Luxury isn’t always about being over the top and the understated rule the world in more ways than we know. Just look at this suite for all the evidence you need.
*Wynn Everett reference: This article is from August 2016, long before Encore Boston Harbor was officially named.
Article Updated: 24 September 2019
