LAS VEGAS -- Las Vegas has some of the most lavish resorts and suites in the country. But when President Barack Obama came to visit, he didn't stay in any them. Instead, he chose a small, 123 room hotel in Summerlin.
During other visits, President Obama has stayed at Caesars Palace, Aria, and the home the Palms chairman George Maloof. So just 11 hours before his arrival, everyone at Element by Westin near Town Center Drive and I-215 was excited to learn he chose their eco-friendly hotel to spend the night.
"We got this call, this is who we are, can you accommodate us? This is how many rooms we need and are you interested in the business?" said GM David Smith.
The call was from the Secret Service, telling Smith the president wanted to book the entire second floor of his hotel. He was surprised because Element is small, and the room Obama stayed in was just 600 square feet.
"We're not a big suite hotel like the Vegas Strip hotels. The suites are all roughly about the same size," said Smith.
But what the Element is lacking in size, it makes up for in purpose. It is a clean and green hotel, from the trash cans to the fluorescent light bulbs. Obama stayed there because the Element is all about saving the environment. They even have hybrid car parking spots with battery chargers.
During his stay, he also tapped another local business for dinner.
"They called and said, 'We have a VIP here and he wants 12 pizzas and 20 cannoli's," said Albert Scalleat, owner of Dom Demarco's Pizza.
Scalleat had no idea who he was delivering to, and when he got to the hotel, saw police and helicopters. A short time later, Scalleat personally made the delivery.
"The guy comes down and was asking who delivered the pizzas. I said, 'It was me,' and he said, 'The president loved the pizzas and cannoli's and he's big fan of Dom Demarco's,'" he said.
Both Smith and Scalleat say they won't forget their chance encounter with the president. And Scalleat says the Secret Service and president left him a $20 tip.
Inside Obama's Room
