Arcaze, Wynn hotel and dinner at Delilah

Once upon a time, Las Vegas was a style oasis in the desert, synonymous with Rat Pack and effortless cool. With its not-so-humble mafia roots, there was a certain etiquette that governed the often illicit activities. Rude with class, if you will. This first incarnation is a story, fictionalized in film, and until my last trip I thought it was extinct.

For almost a decade, I told myself that Vegas wasn’t my vibe. Even as a music enthusiast, I have never opted for EDC or participated in one of the famous artist residencies. I had experienced my own interpretations of Fear and disgust And Hangover and vowed to leave the city of sin. To be honest, I had always done this act as a single man, which definitely fueled some shenanigans that don’t need to be mentioned. This time, when my girlfriend and I were invited for 24 hours of fun, I got to see a different side of the city and it changed my tune.

PART I — Getting There

We left on a Friday afternoon. Minutes from Los Angeles, Vegas is only a 45-minute flight. With round trips starting at just $90, and I’m not talking about Spirit, the homing pigeon of every major airline, the adult in me no longer had an excuse to put up with the ride I had done so many times before.

In all honesty, I guess everyone should do it once. The desert landscape is truly magnificent; however, after earning this merit badge several times, we took the scenic route. Less than 90 minutes after catching our flight back to Los Angeles, my lady and I were already in an Uber cruising the Vegas Strip. Our winning streak had begun.

PART II — Home base

The next level in our adult decision train was to firmly establish ourselves in the Wynn & Encore Towers. While there’s obviously no shortage of lodging and entertainment options in LV, staying within Wynn’s ecosystem streamlined every move to arrive in a way that felt frankly comforting.

No, the Wynn resort isn’t the new thing on the Strip; however, it ranks first in all statistical categories by all accounts. From their exceptional selection of restaurants and nightlife to their world-class shopping and entertainment, they’re hard to beat if you’re looking to have it all under one roof. Oh yeah, and they have a golf course. The only hotel on the Strip that can say the same, the Wynn has a full 18 holes on site. I didn’t get my shots in this round, but I’ve officially added it to the to-do list.

The Chamber:

Although we didn’t spend too much time there, we had a King room with a panoramic view of the Encore Tower. Modern but not too minimalist, everything about the design seemed perfectly in place. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors on the walls matched the same-length windows facing the strip. Aside from all the usual lights of Las Vegas Blvd, we were left with a welcome and whimsical view of the new MSG Sphere, which is constantly changing graphics.

The overall vibe was polished and sexy without trying too hard.

The Wynn has their own line of custom pillow top mattresses and I have to say the bed set overall was 10/10 from thread count. At the end of an inevitably long night in Vegas, you want your room to be as comfortable as it is stylish. When we finally settled down, it was just deep exhales, no groans of discontent.

PART III — Pre-match

After a quick refresher and an outfit change, we headed down to the casino floor. It was a lively scene on Friday, but the game was not there. Having passed the temptation of all the games of chance, we bet on a safe bet and went straight to the Tower Suites Bar to meet the rest of our crew. More of an elegant lounge than a bar itself, the Tower Suites Bar is designed as a lavish lounge. It exudes a refreshing calm and tranquility that provides a respite from the great hustle and bustle of the casino and is quiet enough for real conversations with a normal voice.

With an impressive list of signature cocktails, I opted for “The Mystic,” an agave-based (Tequila + Mezcal) twist on an Old Fashioned with a hand-laminated flambé twist. Literally, they used a torch and a clay skull with a mixture of herbs to add a layer of smoke as decoration to the glass. The palate and presentation were excellent. I loved it so much, I ordered it twice. I could have easily gone for three of a kind, but I kept it calm knowing it was just the start of a long night.

The real excitement started at dinner.

PART IV — Party

For fine dining with all the right touches, we chose Delilah. A tentpole for the ever-immaculate H Wood, Delilah brings back that signature sassy style that Vegas legends were built on. Quite literally, Wynn President of Design and Development Todd Avery-Lenahan took inspiration from the showrooms of a bygone era by analyzing old photos of the Strip to capture the nuances and details.

The result is a veritable time machine.

Delilah’s high ceilings and open floor plan give everyone in the house a full view of the huge stage where a full band in suits and ties transforms rock classics and top 40 hits into jazzy downtempo arrangements . A stunning singer in a sequinned dress wraps the entire room around her little finger as she reinterprets some of our favorite melodies. Throughout the night, girls dressed like they came straight out of a Baz Luhrman movie weave through the crowds in crystal-encrusted dresses and carrying long feather fans. It’s the perfect mix of spectacle to complement a meal without requiring you to pay attention to it at any point.

That said, we only saw this part of Delilah upon entering. We had something more in store.

Moving up another notch, we were led back through the kitchen where a small, unassuming door opened to reveal “the chef’s table.” An intimate eight-seater masterpiece with its own bar and dedicated staff, we truly feel like we’re living in a mafia movie. Champagne was poured. Giant platters of oysters and shellfish were placed at each end of the table. Dish after dish, we were treated to a taste of the best Delilah had to offer.

With old friends and a few new ones, we laughed and shared stories over a family feast. One of the new friends I was introduced to at this table was a very laid back and friendly young man named Charlie, whose alter ego I got to know later that evening as Acraze. Charlie and I got to chat about music, the love of finding a good sample, Burning Man, and much more. Shortly after, he had to excuse himself to get ready for his set that night.

I had never heard him spin before, but just from the energy he gave off at dinner, I knew we would be in good hands when our feet hit the dance floor.

PART V — Craze at XS

After a quick post-meal wardrobe change, it was time to shake off the decadent meal and dance the night away. We joined Acraze and his team and were led to the back of the XS, the Encore’s expansive indoor/outdoor poolside club. XS isn’t exactly the new kid on the block when it comes to clubs. In fact, it’s one of the oldest super clubs in Vegas, having opened in New York in 2008.

Yet XS not only kept pace with the times, he pushed the boundaries and inspired others to do the same.

I had the opportunity to have a brief conversation with Ryan Jones, Assistant Vice President of Wynn’s Day/Nightlife. He explained that a key element of XS’s continued success is intentional evolution. Taking inspiration from the hottest clubs of Ibiza, Mykonos and even the blues bars of Nashville, Jones and his team actively sourced ingredients from around the world to keep XS not only relevant, but also considered one of the best nightclubs.

In his own words: “We are in the game of global and not local competition. » For this, they do not skimp on talent. A club is just a room until a great artist brings it to life. Acraze did just that and more.

The moment he took the stage and lit up the decks, Acraze shed the modest demeanor I had encountered at dinner and showed his true colors. With a deft ear and a pleasantly surprising mix of genres, Acraze took us on a sonic journey. Mixing deep cuts from Guns & Roses to Missy Elliot and of course his own hit “Do It To It”, he kept us on our toes in every sense of the word.

We danced through the decadent dinner and more. I admit, as a musician myself, I’m picky and can quickly judge when a DJ isn’t in the pocket. I have no reservations in saying that Acraze didn’t let us down a single beat. From the first drop to the last, Acraze is an A-Game!

PART VI — Recovery

After all the decadent shenanigans of the night, we treated ourselves to an equally extravagant recovery program and booked massages at The Spa at Encore. The Forbes five-star property lived up to every other aspect of our trip. From the moment you enter the neo-Victorian lobby with its dazzling faux atrium to the monastery-like rooms, the establishment transports you to a world far from the chaos of the city. The “Good Luck Ritual” is the signature treatment of the Spa at Encore Las Vegas, designed around Chinese elements using a combination of oils and hot towels in a way I have never experienced. Honestly, it might have been the best massage I’ve ever had.

Another hour of saunas and cold plunges and I felt reborn and ready to do it all again. I certainly would have, but alas, we had a plane to catch. This was the final key to making this trip the best to Vegas yet – we knew when to fold them and leave the Wynn with a win.

POSTSCRIPT:

The best way to visit Vegas is to have a team and a plan. Lock in advance and leave little or no room for the varying temptations that too often lead to regret. Our “keep it in the building” model went off without a hitch. The biggest added benefit of not “chasing” was being able to spend quality interpersonal time that nurtures real relationships. Acraze and I were already able to meet up and chat more after leaving the lights behind. That’s an article for another time, but I can’t wait to see and share more of what he’s up to. At the end of the day, Vegas is what you make it and I’m finally a full-fledged fan.