We really like staying at the Encore. It is so elegantly decorated - vibrant and serene at the same time. You do not have to walk miles to get to your room or from one end of the casino to the other. Parking is very convenient. The location on the strip is great - across from the mall and near other nice casino properties. It is only a short indoor stroll to the Wynn to have a larger casino and more restaurant selections. The rooms are spacious and well appointed (although showing just a little wear and tear) and we never have heard noise from the hallways or from other guests. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. We loved the buffet - probably the best we have been to in Las Vegas.
The only reasons for 4 stars instead of 5 stars is because if you just want coffee, juice, yogurt, or a muffin in the morning the prices are high - the ventilation in the casino isn't great - the casino seems to have tightened up on slot machine payouts - and if your room is on the Strip side you may feel or hear vibrations from the nightclub (we did one night - on the 25th floor - but we were warned about it when we checked in and chose that side of the building anyway.)
Overall, we definitely recommend the Encore for an above-average experience.