Although the rates are sometimes more expensive than the advance purchase rate they are nearly always refundable and changeable plus the benefits normally outweigh the slightly increased price. It is always my first port of call when booking luxury hotels as it includes chains as well as independents. Virtuoso are a luxury travel agent network that gives you extra benefits at luxury hotels. I had booked through Virtuoso using my regular travel agents, Propeller. Once at the front, the receptionist was excellent though – very friendly and went through where everything was and what my benefits were. Alas, it was a short but very sloooow queue and I waited for about 15 minutes to check in. Despite it being a couple of days before a major Bank Holiday weekend in the US, I was pleased to see that there was only a small queue at check-in. One of the things I hate about casino hotels is the often long queue for check-in. However, in this case, the front desk did it for me. I was given a ticket and told I had to call once I reached the room which I found slightly annoying.

I arrived in a taxi (do not take taxis in Vegas – I regret it every time and go back to Uber) and had my luggage taken by one of the doormen as they welcomed me to the Encore. I liked the fact that I could easily walk to the Fashion Mall and it wasn’t much further to a drug store which is always useful. The location is a bit remote compared with the other hotels I normally stay in but there are so many restaurants and facilities on site it wasn’t a major issue. It is next to the Wynn and connected internally as well if you are there when it is very hot. The Encore is at the North end of the strip at the finish of the main run of hotels.

Water taxi to encore casino