popular thinking

WYNN LAS VEGAS: Lots of travel writers have not been kind to Steve Wynn and his new Vegas resort. But I'm not sure why they've been so tough on him. Then I remember two lessons I've kept in mind since high school: 1) context determines meaning (thank you, Mr. McKinley), and 2) expectations determine enjoyment. Some (ok, most) journalists forget this. They forget about writing for Everyman and instead write for their peers (whomever they are!). That said, here is my travel story from the Wynn. I'm already itching to go back...

LAS VEGAS - Flying into Vegas in the morning just doesn't feel right.
Maybe it's too early for sinning in Sin City. Maybe Las Vegas isn't truly Las Vegas until the natural sunlight gives way to all of the glitter, neon and over-the-top spectacles that dot the desert landscape after dark.
Then again, Steve Wynn didn't mind standing atop the roof of his namesake resort in TV spots this spring, beckoning us across the wild blue yonder to visit his latest, greatest offering along the Strip - the 50-story-tall Wynn Las Vegas.
Wynn's imprint is all over the joint. He speaks to visitors from the slot machines, from within his own art gallery (he narrates the audio tour), the stores and even from the resort's Web site.
Because Wynn reportedly lives on the resort's top floor, some of this is understandable. Not necessarily less creepy. Just understandable.
More striking is how Wynn has created a resort unlike both his past Strip offerings as well as anything else you'll find in Vegas.
For The Mirage, Treasure Island and Bellagio, Wynn included a spectacular centerpiece attraction that stopped pedestrians in their tracks - whether they wanted to watch an artificial volcano erupt, a pirate ship battle (since converted to seductive sirens) or a choreographed dancing water fountain. So much of Wynn Las Vegas, by contrast, focuses inward exclusively for resort guests.

Read the full story: In his posh new resort, Vegas big picks Wynn-er
Official resort site: Wynn Las Vegas