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		The Wynn Is A Winner Reprinted from April 2006 Issue -by SONDRA WILSON Imagine having to stay in Las Vegas at the new Wynn hotel for a Carlson meeting. I know, you feel so sorry for me! I hope you can stay there as well because it was a huge treat. The Wynn is really a winner. And in the world of Wow and more is better, that is saying a great deal. I remember the old days in Las Vegas where it was never about the room because you were not expected to stay in your room for any length of time. In fact it was never felt the rooms needed to be that luxurious because they wanted the guest to spend all their time in the casino. Well, times have changed. Our room at the Wynn was spectacular. Floor to ceiling windows looked out over the strip which was amazing at night. A flat screen TV in the main room and another in the bathroom was a treat. Bright colors and bright fun artwork made the room come alive and the marble bathroom was so luxurious. The Wynn has it all and it would be easy to cocoon yourself in your room and never venture out. I pulled myself away from my room to explore the rest of the beautiful accomodations. Steve Wynn who is celebrating his 40th year in Las Vegas has left his footprint on almost everything on the strip. When he developed the Wynn which was of course named after him, a great deal of planning and thought went into the execution of this hotel. It is hip and fun. And it is also hidden from the Strip by a small tree filled mountain to give the hotel and what happens there a sense of mystery. The lobby of the Wynn has gardens to walk through with trees lit with miniature lights and huge balls of fresh flowers hang in the trees like giant ornaments. The casino is of course a part of the hotel, but not the main attraction. The Wynn is almost an entertainment district with many fabulous restaurants, two Broadway caliber shows, nightclubs, the spa, retail therapy, and of course the Lake of Dreams We enjoyed dinner at one of their signature restaurants, Daniel Boulud, which is what I would call fine dining French country food. The dinner was wonderful, the service was fantastic and we had a window seat as the Wynn presented its really big show. The Lake of Dreams show looked like an outdoor movie screen but with cascading water and a sound and light show that played every 45 minutes. We could also see the show from our room. Plus the service and the food in the restaurants at the Wynn were over the top. Prices were too, but sometimes if you have a great experience and feel you are receiving value then spending the really big bucks doesn’t seem so bad. The rest of the hotel also did not disappoint. A large pool area with an adult’s only area and outdoor gaming tables made it uniquely Las Vegas. The shopping at the Wynn Esplanade was a bit over the top and very expensive but the Fashion Plaza Mall across the street connected to the Wynn via a skywalk had anything and everything from Macys to Saks Fifth Avenue, Nieman Marcus and Nordstrom. Las Vegas certainly has wonderful shopping. Back at the Wynn we enjoyed a feast for the eyes, The Buffet. Not only was the food beautifully presented but it was served up in a Victorian Greenhouse with an abundance of gorgeous blooms everywhere. The dining options from the buffet and casual café to fabulous themed restaurants means there is something for everyone. If I had the Wynn flower budget I am sure I could live well on that alone. There are two shows at the Wynn: La Reve (a Cirque de Soliel styled show), and Avenue Q (an adult version of Sesame Street). Of course, the busiest place at the Wynn is the casino for night and day entertainment. The Wynn golf course, although I love to play golf, was out of my price range with green fees at $500. Of course many of the venues at the Wynn which carry big price tags are often given as perks to the regulars. My conclusion: if money is no object or if you are a regular to the Wynn casino, you have everything you could ever need at the Wynn. Even though the rest of Las Vegas is out your front door, you really never have to leave. Indeed the Wynn is a real winner. Carlson Wagonlit Travel can book your Las Vegas getaway for you. If it’s on one of Allegiant Air’s great packages or on one of our Delta packages, we can make your dollars stretch. Of course what you do with them once you get to Las Vegas is your business. By then you are on your own! Have a ball and come home a winner. If you stay at the Wynn you already are. Sondra Wilson is president of Carlson Wagonlit Travel with offices in Richland on the Parkway, in Columbia Center Mall with extended hours, on Clearwater across from Winco and in Walla Walla on fifth street around the corner from 26 Brix. Their company is celebrating their 24th anniversary.