I've actually stayed here twice - several years ago when my cousins from the Philippines went to Vegas and recently just this month to celebrate my 2nd year anniversary with the No1DP. Additionally the No1DP stayed here for a week to attend a conference.
CASINO: The No1DP convinced me to step out onto the casino floor to try my luck at roulette. Over the course of 3 days I ended up +$58, which ended up paying for pizza. The first dealer we were with in the roulette table was very helpful in showing us how to play as we had a table to ourselves. They use separate chips for roulette (I guess to differentiate the betters?)
POOL: On the earlier stay with family we checked out the pool. I remember there were two sections - the regular pool and the 18+ topless pool. The regular pool was quite big and there were lots of chairs to spread out clothes.
CHECK-IN: No hassle. All I had to do was show ID. I declined assistance from the bellhops. There is a $29 resort fee per night.
ROOM: The resort fee covers up to 3 devices. No1DP used all 3 devices so I had to use the cellular data plan for internet. Internet connection was decent at best, spotty at worst. No1DP also experience cellular data problems at his end.
Bed was comfortable, second to the Palazzo in terms of sleep comfort. Kudos that the TV is across from the bed. There are two power connections per side to charge phones.
There's a control panel on the left that controls everything from the privacy settings, temperature settings, lighting settings and window settings.
Living room had comfortable couches. The main phone sits on the desk instead of being next to the bed.
BATHROOM: One of the bigger bathrooms with a separate shower and tub and an Asian-style setting where the toilet is separate from the rest of the bathroom. Toiletries offered are good for standard American toiletries.
IN-ROOM DINING: Waste of money. I got the Chinese Breakfast and the No1DP got the Japanese breakfast, $39/platter. I got what amounts to a bland congee, no matter how much spicy sauce, soy sauce and vinegar I dab or if I put all my green onions. The century egg was just too gelatinous and I only ate half my eggs (usually I *love* hard boiled eggs in soups). Shu mai was the best of the breakfast but only decent when compared to traditional dim sum. No1DP's salmon had hints of ginger and his miso soup was decent but we had a better Japanese breakfast prepared at the Palazzo.
The Encore is my second favorite room in Vegas. My favorite is still the Palazzo at the Venetian|Palazzo complex. The Palazzo boasts a bigger room (standard room is a suite), there are more dining options and it is more centrally located along the Strip. Still the Encore is still quite a comfortable room for a Vegas staycation and I wouldn't mind staying here again.