Oof. I saw your line about "yes the casinos can be pretty" and then the photo...which is basically identical to the casino that got built near Boston a few years ago, and which I generally regard as a soulless eyesore compared to the richness of Boston mixed-era architecture! Didn't realize the Encore was a chain...

My understanding of Vegas (which I know is out of date) was that it's a pretty decent place to see some awesome shows and eat some good food, because all those are cheap in pursuit of keeping you around to gamble. I regret that I never got to try out that version of Vegas.

(the one time I visited a casino --one of the largest in North America, they were hosting a show I wanted to see-- I found it a thoroughly unpleasant place, overstimulating and painful and toxic, even to someone who enjoys excess of colours, lights, and sound. Not my scene!)

~Sor