We had a great experience staying at the Encore. Everything about our stay was impeccable, except for the service, which was often slow no matter which one of the bars/restaurants we went to (which is why this is a 4 rather than a 5-star review). Despite a few shortcomings, I think the Encore the best resort in Vegas.
When compared to the other major casino-hotels on the Strip, the Encore is easily the most luxurious. From the moment you walk in the door you are surrounded by well-appointed decor and inviting spaces.
Location: The Encore is about as far north on the Strip as you would want to go while still having easy access to major sightseeing on the Strip. You can walk across the sky bridge to the Venetian/Palazzo, or you can Uber/Lyft wherever you need to go (which is what we did the majority of the time).
Check-in/out: 4/5 stars. There was only a 2 person line to check in around 10:30 PM on a Thursday night, but there were longer lines during the day, so I can see why other reviewers had issues with this. Check-out was quick and there were no unexpected charges on my bill. Breakfast was included in our rate (it works by charging breakfast to your room, with the charges removed at check-out), and the desk agent removed it without me ever seeing the charge.
The room: The room was simply fantastic. We had an Encore King Resort Suite, which was spacious and incredibly well-appointed. The only difference in the Resort Suite and Panoramic Suite is the floor level; the rooms are exactly the same. Our suite faced north (away from the Strip). This was a little disappointing at night, but during the day we could see the mountains in the distance, which was a great view in and of itself. Everything in the room was very well-maintained and modern. The bed faces a half-wall (where the TV sits) which opens into the living area. All of the lights and shades are automated. You can dim the lights, open/close either the sheer and/or solid curtains, change the temperature, set do-not-disturb, and request housekeeping all from the comfort of the bed. The bed itself was quite comfortable (not too soft and not too firm), and the sheets were crisp. The down duvet was quite comfortable. There were pillows in multiple sizes, and the one I used was soft, supportive, and exactly what I wanted (I didn't compare firmness). There is a mini bar with a wide variety of choices, including a snack/amenity tray. It's a nice touch that you can get a smartphone cord or intimacy kit without having to call someone or go downstairs.
Restaurants/bars: There are a wide variety of restaurants and bars in the Wynn/Encore complex ranging from bar food to fine dining. The drinks are overpriced (to be expected); you can expect to spend just under $20 per basic drink. The service was consistently slow, which really surprised me given that the resort itself feels palatial. The Lobby Bar was convenient for a quick drink/snacks and was a nice place to meet before heading out or rest after hitting the pool/casino. Parasol Down is outdoors and has a water show every 30 mins, but the service was absolutely glacial. It took 10-15 mins just to place our first order, and each round of drinks took at least 10-15 more minutes to receive. The only saving grace is that the cocktails were consistently delicious.
If your rate includes breakfast, it can only be redeemed at The Buffet. The spread of food was absolutely incredible. There are at least 7 separate buffet sections, each the size of a normal buffet line, with a dedicated dessert buffet where you can watch the staff make a variety of treats. You can get everything from traditional breakfast food to Indian food and sushi (and this was all for breakfast!). They have made-to-order pancakes and omelets, eggs benedict, at least 5 different parfaits, potatoes cooked in any number of ways, and that's just the simple stuff I can remember. The spread was impressive, to say the least; the only downside is the line to get in. Despite being surrounded by empty tables, we waited at least 15 minutes to be seated at a non-peak time. They won't seat incomplete parties either.
Casino: The casino was clean and a ton of fun. The dealers were friendly and we had a great time gambling overall. It was definitely the nicest of any casino we went into.
Pools: The Encore has two pools, one regular and one European. The pools were nice, but it was very hard to find chairs. There were never enough people in the pool for every chair to be taken, which made me think the staff wasn't clearing towels away. The European pool has a bar on one end (though you have to climb out of the pool to order) with casino games as well.
Spa: The spa was fantastic. I got the custom massage, which was the best massage of my life. It was well worth the $170 price tag. Everything about the spa made me feel zen. You name it, this spa does it well (waterfall shower, cold/warm pools, heated lounge chairs, steam room, sauna).