I’m Not Going To Stay At The Wynn, Even If It’s Free. This One’s Personal

by joeheg

Apparently, the Wynn Las Vegas had a limited time promotion today where they were letting guests book a free night (even without having to pay the resort fee.) While we’re not visiting Vegas because of the number of guests who are not willing to follow social distancing or face mask requests, there’s another reason we’re not going to take a free room from the Wynn.

One of Sharon and my favorite Broadway shows ever has been Avenue Q. We saw it in New York several times, including its closing night at the Golden Theater before it moved to off-Broadway to the New World Stages. That’s where we were able to get to go backstage and even on-stage after the show. It’s one of our New York City highlights.

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Way back in 2005, the Wynn Las Vegas featured a production of Avenue Q in its showroom. Because we were superfans (but would never admit it), we flew out to Las Vegas to see the show.

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We decided to catch dinner at The Wynn before the show. We went to the customer service desk three hours before the show to see where we could get a dinner reservation. We were willing to pay the way overpriced charge for dinner at a casino hotel restaurant. The desk clerk looked at me and said, “I’m sorry, I don’t think any of our restaurants will let you in.” I asked why. The reply. “Well, you are wearing tennis shoes.”

WTH???? I was wearing my Nikes. They weren’t nasty or anything. Remember, this was back in 2005 and Air Jordans were still fresh.

The agent called the only place she thought might let us in, the Chinese restaurant,  but even they refused to seat us due to my fashion faux pas.

The only place we were able to eat in the casino was the coffee-shop lounge. Even there, it cost us over $100 for an appetizer, some sliders and two drinks. Whatevs.

So when I hear that The Wynn Las Vegas is giving away rooms, it only takes me a split second to remember that they weren’t willing to let me spend money there because I was wearing sneakers. I’m not ready to step foot back in their casino now that they need me because of coronavirus.

#stayhealthy #staysafe #washyourhands

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary

18 comments

shay peleg June 16, 2020 - 3:18 pm

You should have just walked in. They never refused entry for me.

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joeheg June 16, 2020 - 10:51 pm

Places looked busy and we didn’t feel like looking around from place to place.

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G-Man June 16, 2020 - 3:31 pm

Holding a grudge from 15 years ago. Now that’s the spirit!

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joeheg June 16, 2020 - 10:52 pm

If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right.

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Ryan June 16, 2020 - 3:37 pm

Dumb article. Yes the Wynn is super nice and who goes to Shows in sneakers? I still like dressing up a little. I have had nice meals at Wynn for less than what you claim.

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joeheg June 16, 2020 - 11:05 pm

The Wynn is nice. I had a dress jacket on but just didn’t pack shoes for a weekend trip. And if you’ve been to shows recently, many people wear sneakers.

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Monty June 16, 2020 - 6:15 pm

Having standards and sticking to them is a reason why I’ll absolutely return to the Wynn.

The Linq would be happy to have you, though.

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John June 16, 2020 - 6:45 pm

I opened the Wynn in 2005. Sorry, but that’s the way it was, and, though it’s relaxed a bit, the way it still is. They’re very strict. Even for us locals.

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joeheg June 16, 2020 - 11:04 pm

No need to apologize. The food at the lounge was tasty and we enjoyed the show. It just seemed like a silly policy.

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Willy June 16, 2020 - 10:52 pm

Is this a travel related blog or whine central? It might be nanny blog nagging everyone to do things adults do anyway, like wash their hands and wear proper attire. So, you want an exemption for your shoes but you will bitch at people who choose not to wear a mask I bet.

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joeheg June 16, 2020 - 11:00 pm

I didn’t ask for an exemption, I just thought it was a dumb rule. So we didn’t go where we weren’t allowed. And since you’re bringing up masks, if we had a country where people who don’t want to wear masks are just not allowed in, I’d be totally fine with it.

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John L June 13, 2021 - 7:36 pm

And I’d have no problems with folks who if we had a country where people wouldn’t enter a store if they don’t like the facts others aren’t wearing masks. I’d be totally fine with it.

Whine much?

Besides- get over yourself. 15 years is too long to be bitter over a petty thing that you were simply too immature to overcome.

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Mfb123 June 17, 2020 - 12:26 am

A few years ago, I was staying at a Taj hotel in Sri Lanka and paid for the Club Floor. At about 11PM, I needed to print something, so I went to the lounge to access the business center. I was wearing a RL Polo tee, nice jeans, and tennis shoes. No one was in the lounge except the attendant. I went to the computer, sat down, and was summarily asked to leave because of the dress code requiring business attire in the lounge. I get it that they don’t want people in their pajamas, but surely some discretion could be applied at 11pm in an empty lounge? I have not been back to a Taj since…I support your principled stand.

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Akuma June 17, 2020 - 3:48 am

To be fair, one of my buddies was denied entry at XS (wearing black pumas in perfect condition) which was annoying but their dress policy at the time. However this was also like 10+ years ago and since then the shoe policy has been greatly relaxed, particularly for sneakers, trainers, athletic shoes, etc. Many of those types of shoes go for over $300 a pair on ebay (especially rare Jordans), which is why I think they’re considered acceptable attire most everywhere in Vegas these days. I do agree with the previous poster that it’s sort of petty to be harboring a grudge from 15 years ago. Now, if you were going to say you refuse to do business at Wynn properties due to Steve Wynn’s decades of sexual misconduct (alleged), that I could get behind.

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mary young June 20, 2020 - 12:41 pm

I think turning someone away b/c of tennis shoes is ridiculous. I just wouldn’t want to go to such a venue b/c packing and wearing fancy clothes for most entertainment events is just not worth it for me. I understand it is a private business and thus they can set the policy they want but it seems silly. However I live in the PNW which while it has it’s share of problems, is blessedly casual in dress.

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William Miller June 20, 2020 - 10:48 pm

If you look at videos of “old Las Vegas” you’ll find that evenings were time to dress more formally. Steve Wynn was trying to bring that back. Looking around town now, I guess it didn’t work.

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Warren June 13, 2021 - 10:45 pm

The Wynn did not have a coffee shop/lounge at the time you mentioned, they had the Terrace Pointe Cafe by the pool across from the Buffet which does not have a lounge. This restaurant still exists but was cut in half by La Cave next door. What you said you ordered wouldn’t cost $100 there, even today – unless you ordered some very expensive drinks. Perhaps you went to the deli by the sportsbook, which no longer exists and was replaced by Charlies. Still wouldn’t have cost that much there either. Please clarify.

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joeheg June 17, 2021 - 12:03 am

Based on your request, I looked back at my financials. We ate at the Terrace Point Cafe. Our bill after tax and tip was $90 and I paid with my Diners Club card.

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