Encore/Wynn Las Vegas and Stratta’s

We celebrated our anniversary with a visit to Las Vegas.    Our trip had been highly anticipated since September with reservations at The Bellagio (I have yet to get there…but no regrets!).    Room rates and vacation packages are amazing for hotel accommodations in Las Vegas right now.    Some offers and invitations are so phenomenal that if you weren't planning to visit Sin City any time soon, you might reconsider just because of the enticing packages.   

About three weeks before our long awaited vacation, we received an amazing package offer, via snail mail, from The Wynn Resorts.   The package was almost too good to be true that I was sure there was a catch and that I would find out about it once I made the reservations.    There was no catch.   Our accommodations were amazing and The Wynn continually spoiled us with sweet, unexpected surprises for spending our anniversary with them.

Part of the package was a choice of either staying at The Wynn Hotel or a complimentary upgrade to an Encore Resort Suite King.    We selected the later and enjoyed the spaciousness and modern decor of our suite.   While we were marveling and planning our dinner reservations for the evening, we heard a doorbell.    A doorbell?    Can't be….in a hotel room?    We ignore it and continue conversations when the bell sound is heard again.    Before we know it, someone is knocking and attempting entrance into our suite!    As we hurry to open the door a friendly voice announces "Special Delivery for you!"    For us?  From whom?   Who knew we were here at Encore?

Our friendly, unannounced guest introduces himself as James and wheels in a cart.  He unveils a beautiful bottle of wine, wine glasses and a bowl made of chocolate, filled with chocolate-covered strawberries.    "Who's this from?"   I ask several times.   He smiles, but no answer.   My husband and I glance at one another surprised and accusatory.   We both thought, for a moment, that it had been the other.

Turns out the surprise and well wishes were from The Wynn.   Correction here (01/04/2010):  I have just come to find out that our friends, Neal and Karen, sent us the beautiful bottle of wine and delicious chocolates!   A bit embarrassed that we didn't acknowledge it to them…the Wynn never relayed it was a gift from our friends (leading us to believe it was from Encore/Wynn).   Apologies and heartfelt warm thanks and hugs to Neal and Karen!

Although we had plans for the evening they were canceled for hours as we finished the bottle of wine with our strawberries and enjoyed our amazing view of the Las Vegas lights.

Stratta's at The Wynn

We didn't dine at Stratta's in The Wynn, but we did stop for a drink at their beautiful bar.   I really was full from a dinner we had earlier at the M Hotel, but couldn't help notice the dessert plates folks were sharing and a plate or two of pasta.    It all looked really good and I wished I had some room to  have yet another meal or at least a tasting.   At the end of the bar counter, there was a couple enjoying pizza with their drinks, and even that looked delicious.    Instead, I asked for a suggestion of a warm-type drink with liquor, something more than a Bailey's and coffee.    The bartender suggested a B-52.   What's in a B-52?

B-52 with Coffee  

1/3 shot Kahlua® coffee liqueur
1/3 shot amaretto almond liqueur
1/3 shot Bailey's® Irish cream