The Wynn/Encore embraces gay-friendly

It's easy to be seduced by Las Vegas, but even Sin City can lose its sparkle pretty fast if you're gay and struggling to find accommodation that's both sensitive and welcoming to you and your same-sex partner. Want to make the most of your time in La-La-land? Start with a hotel that embraces LGBT travel in thought, word and deeds - Wynn Las Vegas (and their sister hotel - Encore Las Vegas).

What makes a hotel LGBT welcoming?

Wynn Las VegasGoGirlfriend recently visited the Wynn to check out what makes them a good choice for LGBT visitors to Vegas. Sin city is notoriously free and easy but that doesn't mean every hotel there embraces alternative lifestyles.

Whether you're gay or straight, how you feel about a hotel starts with the first point of contact - the front desk. Tanya in Ontario says homophobia at the front desk is (sadly) not that uncommon and is focused on one issue - the bed.

Pride Concierge service"When I say I only want one bed, I get strange looks," says Tanya. "Sometimes I get to the room to discover that it has been changed to two beds without even having that conversation at the desk."

GoGirlfriend recently stayed at the Wynn. When we told the concierge we were there to check out the gay scene, without hesitation, she began telling me about Wynn's offerings, including a PRIDE concierge and commitment ceremonies. Her excitement at being able to share something valuable to me was charming - and set the tone for being willing to risk asking more questions to other hotel staff.

Blush Nightclub by day"I want a hotel that recognizes us as a couple," says Tanya. "It's okay if staff asks how we're related or know each other but I expect acceptance after being told we're partners. I also don't want to see shocked looks or attitudes if we hold hands or exchange a small kiss in the lobby or restaurant (not a huge public display of affection because I don't want to see that with heterosexual couples either but appropriate behavior)."

As we walked through the hotel we saw an abundance of same-sex couples holding hands and genuinely enjoying themselves. Amber in Chicago says it's nice to see that the Wynn invests resources into sensitivity training for all their staff. "And I like that they have a concierge dedicated to queers because you know you're getting the advice you need - not just canned responses."

Wynn's dedication to LGBT

Lake of DreamsGay travellers agree, for a hotel to be truly gay-welcoming, the non-discrimination policy needs to be authored and embraced by upper management while sensitivity training is implemented across the organization. Ensuring a hotel (and its entire staff) is gay-welcoming takes strategic planning, a lot of training and seamless execution.

After all that work, one snub from any employee can destroy everything - especially if that snub is translated on Facebook, Twitter or Yelp. In May 2010, Stephanie Rosol, VP of human resources at the Wynn and Encore was honored by QVegas for her dedication to ensuring the Wynn's employees embodied their new mantra.

Lesbian wedding ceremonyBut how far does the Wynn's dedication go? Their Wynn Pride site, dedicated to LGBT travel serves as their manifesto and an online ambassador with an events calendar, commitment ceremony info and access to a dedicated Pride concierge.

Being mentioned in trusted gay and lesbian media helps build their street cred as well:

• TripOut Gay Travel Wynn Review
• TripOut Gay Travel Encore Review
• OUT traveler Encore/Wynn Review
• GayTravel Wynn Review
• Passport Magazine Wynn Review

Wynn accomodationsWhile Vegas itself is a gay-welcoming destination, the Wynn invests in details that make a difference. When we asked our  Twitter following and Facebook friends what they look for in a gay destination, one reader commented that gays look for the same things straights do - service, style and comfort that matches personal taste.

Watch for my post over the next couple of days on GoGirlfriend's spa, restaurants and nightclub experiences at the Wynn and Encore.

Love Las Vegas? Have you stayed at the Wynn or Encore? Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook and let's start talking!