Wynn hotel and Joel Robuchon restaurant in Vegas get top ratings

The 2009 Michelin guidebook for Las Vegas has given its top hotel rating to the Wynn Las Vegas and its top restaurant rating to Joel Robuchon at the MGM Grand hotel.

The Wynn earned the guide's top honor of five red pavilions, which it shares with eight other hotels in North America.

"Wynn's posh playground leaves little to be desired," the guide said.

Joel Robuchon's rating of three stars means Michelin considers the restaurant to have "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey."

Three restaurants in Las Vegas earned two stars: Alex at Wynn Las Vegas, Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace and Picasso at Bellagio, while 13 earned one star. Stars are given only for a restaurant's food. The guide has separate rankings for atmosphere, cleanliness and service.

"I couldn't be more proud of this restaurant and these talented chefs," Robuchon said in a statement. The restaurant also received three stars last year.

In 26 guides covering regions worldwide, 69 restaurants received three stars.

Michelin compiles its ratings by sending anonymous inspectors to restaurants and hotels. The inspectors pay their own bills and remain unknown to the establishments in hopes of gauging a normal customer experience, the guide said. Michelin said editors and inspectors pick restaurants and hotels, which do not pay to be included in the guides.

High rankings are coveted by hotel operators and restaurateurs because they mean higher room rates, headlines and crowds of customers.

A December weeknight at the Wynn can easily cost $200 or more, while the six-course tasting menu at Joel Robuchon costs $250 per person. A 16-course tasting menu costs $385 per person.

The 2009 guide for Las Vegas highlights five hotels awarded its four red pavilions — Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Palazzo, Trump International Hotel & Tower and Ritz-Carlton on Lake Las Vegas.

Hotels are ranked for factors including cleanliness, overall service and comfort.

Base standards for cleanliness, safety and reliability are required to obtain a listing in the guides, with or without stars or red pavilions. The Las Vegas version of the guidebook includes 140 restaurants and 32 hotels.