Here’s a policy I didn’t realize any hotels had, but wow…
In this post:
Some Las Vegas hotels ban outside food & drinks
Miles to Memories notes that the Virgin Las Vegas resort that’s opening soon has a surprising policy, which is mentioned in the FAQs:
Can we bring in our own food & beverage?
Outside food and beverage is not permitted in our guest rooms. Our resort offers an array of restaurant offering including pre-stocked in-room minibars, and 24-hour room service for your convenience.
So yeah, apparently you can’t bring outside food & drinks into your own guest room at the Virgin Las Vegas. This is totally bizarre to me, but upon digging a bit deeper, it seems that this isn’t the only hotel with such a policy.
For example, it would appear that Encore at Wynn Las Vegas has a similar policy:
Outside food and beverage, as well as coolers, are not permitted at the resort and casino. Guests arriving with these items will be required to discard these items or leave them in their vehicle for the duration of their visit.
Is this outrageous policy actually enforced?
I should mention that my interest in Las Vegas is virtually non-existent, so I’m not the target customer for these properties. I didn’t love Las Vegas pre-coronavirus, and I sure as heck won’t love it post-coronavirus.
Still, I’m kind of in disbelief that this is actually a policy, because it’s so outrageous. It’s one thing if they said you can’t cater your own party in a suite without going through the hotel, but the way these rules are written, you couldn’t even bring a Starbucks iced coffee, a Diet Coke, a protein shake, or a bag of almonds, into your room.
I have a few immediate thoughts here:
- I wonder if this policy will be enforced; if you enter the hotel with a CVS or liquor store bag, will they really search you?
- Even if this policy isn’t widely enforced, it rubs me the wrong way; I don’t want to go into a hotel knowing I’m violating rules and could be kicked out for doing something very reasonable
- I understand hotels (particularly in Las Vegas) are very much trying to push their own F&B outlets, but there’s a fine line between that and not giving people the ability to eat what they want in their room
- When staying at hotels during the pandemic I’ve found myself getting food from outside the property more often, given the limited selections available, and my general desire to dine in my room rather than in an indoor restaurant; sometimes I pick up something, sometimes I order through Postmates or Uber Eats, and sometimes I just get snacks at a drugstore
Bottom line
It would appear that multiple Las Vegas hotels have policies banning all outside food and drinks. I’m not sure whether this policy is actually enforced on a widespread basis, but this has to be one of the most ridiculous hotel policies I’ve ever seen. I totally get hotels want to push their own outlets, but this crosses the line, in my opinion.
Las Vegas hotels often forget they’re still in the business of hospitality, even if they try to operate like factories.
Were you aware that some Las Vegas hotels have policies like this? Do Las Vegas hotels actually enforce these rules?
Ya, I am at a LV hotel and was told if I wanted togo food I'd have to order it from the bar at the restaurant I was in.... no problem, I order dinner on two nights with no issues. The third night I go in and specifically ask the hostess, and a waiter if it's ok to order my dinner togo while I'm sitting with a friend in the dining room...both said it's fine....I...
Ya, I am at a LV hotel and was told if I wanted togo food I'd have to order it from the bar at the restaurant I was in.... no problem, I order dinner on two nights with no issues. The third night I go in and specifically ask the hostess, and a waiter if it's ok to order my dinner togo while I'm sitting with a friend in the dining room...both said it's fine....I get back to my room and notice a $1 charge for each item I ordered.....which did not happen the previous two nights.....I went back down to speak with the manager, he got pissed off at me because I ordered togo food while I was sitting in the dining room !!.....I explained what happened and told him I was now pissed off. I did the right thing and asked first, then said I wanted my credit card refunded for the togo charges, he got even more pissed, said just a minute, walked off, then came back and said he refunded my whole meal, but he was still pissed at me !!!
These policies the hotels & casinos have are not consumer friendly !!!
Well you probably could bring a Starbucks coffee to your room, there are 3 of them in the MGM grand and 1 at the MGM Signature
I am staying at a Very Prominent Italian themed Hotel Casino and and I have been walking past security all week with Domino’s pizza, case of beer, etc… no problem. Today I went to Walmart, bought yogurt and water and put it into an extra cooler , I had in the car, and walked to my elevator in the lobby . Suddenly security stopped me and asked to inspect my cooler. I thought it was...
I am staying at a Very Prominent Italian themed Hotel Casino and and I have been walking past security all week with Domino’s pizza, case of beer, etc… no problem. Today I went to Walmart, bought yogurt and water and put it into an extra cooler , I had in the car, and walked to my elevator in the lobby . Suddenly security stopped me and asked to inspect my cooler. I thought it was for drugs or bombs or something. He opened my cooler and said” just making sure there was no booze. Thanks and have a nice day.” What the heck! Luckily I didn’t have alcohol, this time. Though he didn’t care I was bringing yogurt and bottled water. If each individual guard enforces their own policy I smell Lawsuit. This is so open to discrimination it’s a home run for a civil litigator. I am on camera bringing in box of beer , a pizza , etc. Evidence is there that for some reason this guard decided to target me today. Very interesting stuff.
One of the first things we do when we get to Vegas is go to the grocery store and stock up. Spent $120 on food and brought it back to our room the last time. It lasted a week and we took some of it home but sometimes you want some fruit or a snack at 1:00 a.m. . Sometimes you want some powdered donuts in the morning. We had not oon but two refrigerators in our room when we stayed at Bally's. What are those supposed to be for?
That rule is unenforceable
I,ll be in Vegas next month. Nice resort. I,m looking forward to seeing how they will respond when I walk past them with a bottle of water and a small bag of pretzels .
However, bringing in multiple, large, heavy cases full of weapons and ammunition is perfectly fine. The bellman will even help you, numerous times.
You're a well traveled person, do I'm a bit surprised that you're surprised by this. Thousands of hotels around the world have a similar policy. Like many policies, if you're obnoxious and try to bring 3 coolers of beer and a catered meal for 10, they'll call you on it. If you're reasonable and/or discrete, you have nothing to worry about
When this was the Hard Rock, they had the same policy. I stayed there two times, over 2 weeks combined. I never had an issue. I would walk in with CVS bags and sometimes a bookbag full of stuff I brought at the big Walgreens on the Strip. But if they do decide to enforce this at Virgin, just use a bookbag. It would be crazy if they checked your bag though lol.
TLDR all the comments, but the reason for the no outside F&B policy in hotels with on site F&B is to eliminate liability if you bring your own food, eat it, and get a food borne illness, and blame the hotel. It happens quite frequently. Reports are mandatory and provided to public health to backtrack to investigate EVERYTHING the person says they are in the previous 72 hours of onset. 99% of the time is...
TLDR all the comments, but the reason for the no outside F&B policy in hotels with on site F&B is to eliminate liability if you bring your own food, eat it, and get a food borne illness, and blame the hotel. It happens quite frequently. Reports are mandatory and provided to public health to backtrack to investigate EVERYTHING the person says they are in the previous 72 hours of onset. 99% of the time is not an outbreak (2 or more people) and the person ate potato or macaroni salad at a picnic that sat out for hours in the heat just prior to their arrival at the establishment. A vast majority of people have no clue about incubation periods for food borne illness and always blame their hotel F&B and try to force their will to get a discount. Getting upset at the front desk staff doesn't typically work because providing a discount is equivalent to an admission of guilt (unless you are yelling at front desk noobs that are intimidated/brand new). If you've received a discount because you had diarrhea all night, super bloated, or were puking your brains out, it was probably a new employee that never had that scenario come across their desk.
I stayed at Hard Rock exclusively for 5 years, 5+ trips a year. They had this rule as well and it was never enforced. My friends would wheel a cooler and a cases of bottled water through the HRH tower lobby right past the check-in desk to their room. When everyones kids would come we'd carry up food, snacks and drinks and still not a word. I would panic because I'm a rule follower, lol....
I stayed at Hard Rock exclusively for 5 years, 5+ trips a year. They had this rule as well and it was never enforced. My friends would wheel a cooler and a cases of bottled water through the HRH tower lobby right past the check-in desk to their room. When everyones kids would come we'd carry up food, snacks and drinks and still not a word. I would panic because I'm a rule follower, lol. But they did it every time. Once HR closed we've stayed on the strip, still never a glance when our friends bring the same stuff in. Again, I still panic because I'm not brave enough to break the rules.
a few years ago, i can't remember which one, Wynn or Mandelaybay (i stayed at 2 hotels). 2 ladies saw me with McDonald's near the elevator, one of them said "ohhhh". i said "you want some?". I'm not sure they feel sorry for me or they want some.
No its not acceptable at all. Some people have extreme health diets to follow and usually these hotels have junk unhealthy food. If they want to stop the keggers then simply make a policy that says no kegs instead of no food or drink aloud in.
What rock have you been living under?
This is an accepted and widely used hotel policy at full service hotels.
From a business standpoint, if a hotel has a restaurant it's taking money out of their pocket to let you bring in outside food.
Considering, hotels in a place like Las Vegas has multiple restaurants to get every kind of food you could desire.
I won't be staying at any hotel that does not allow me to bring my own food and drink, if I so desire. Thanks for the heads-up on these two Las Vegas hotels. They won't get any business from me.
I stayed at the Hardrock countless times and on extended periods....I think one of the main reasons they don't allow outside food in the hotel because of liability...when you bring outside food then it invites people to try to cook in the room which can start a hotel fire or cause smoke detectors to go off... Not to mention any strong odors that may linger through the ventalation systems that circulates from one hotel room...
I stayed at the Hardrock countless times and on extended periods....I think one of the main reasons they don't allow outside food in the hotel because of liability...when you bring outside food then it invites people to try to cook in the room which can start a hotel fire or cause smoke detectors to go off... Not to mention any strong odors that may linger through the ventalation systems that circulates from one hotel room to the next. Also the more outside food you bring or prepare can leave alot of trash and garbage and mess. I also believe this filters out people who are coming to actually stay at the hotel and use its actual imentities...if you are looking for more of saving money and preparing your own meals then you might want to consider a timeshare style hotel or extended stay type of accomodation to your interest. They tell you to leave your coolers at home because it attracts hotel room parties and all kinds off glass bottles damaging the hotel room...
But I bring dry snacks and maybe some bottled water and put it in my luggage or snackbag. If you dont want them finding out you can always keep the privacy door tag on until you check out. Im sure houskeeping wont snitch as long as you keep things neat when it comes to outside food. Upscale or high end hotels will try to enforce these rules to keep the rooms orderly and of course push thier in hotel amenities...
Just as an observation, but I don't think this properly belongs on an FAQ page because (particularly for some limited outside F&B...say, a soda or some Gatorade) nobody would actually think to /ask/ the question. It just isn't a rational question to think of for the most part...
...so maybe some of the hotels there need a "Goofy Questions Nobody Asks But Probably Should" page?
At the old Hard Rock, security would stop you if it was obvious - ie. you would wheel in a cooler or walk in with a case of beer. But if you put everything in a separate suitcase, all was good.
Their restaurants are closed. Their pools and hot tubs are closed. Their spas are closed. So tough crap. They should be glad people are staying there at all.
I am sorry but when a can of soda costs, or a small can of Pringles cost $14 each....then that is rediculous!!! Was just in Vegas last week and I brought in food to my room, with no questions or issues!!!
They just don’t want you lugging up coolers to your room. The Borgata is the same thing
YEAH , GO AHEAD AND CHARGE ME A BOTTLE OF WATER FOR 6.00, SNICKERS FOR 5.00 AND POTATO CHIPS FOR 9.00
Good old LV. First, Resort charges abound and now this policy! Next to come: You can't use your cellphone for outbound calls and instead, must use the room phone with a 500% surcharge. Don't they make enough in the casinos??.
They don't really care. Lived here over 20yrs, been to lots of hotels on strip as well a as local casinos. Aatleast I've never had anyone tell me I cant have a cooler in my room! Casinos need not be picky these days- they're just happy to get patrons staying there. Besides no one is open 24hrs like used to be, so you have to order take out after hours otherwise casinos need to have 24hr options to eat & they dont nowadays!
Anything you bring in a smallish suitcase is going to be allowed. It’s not like a cruise ship in which the maids will confiscate it from your room
It’s not really about a well behaved solo or couple travelers bringing some beverages. It’s about giant coolers brought in by packs of Beckys and Chads to have parties in the room.
I'm sick and tired, of tourists bringing in their coolers full of beverages, sandwiches or burritos(depending on your ethnicity). Stop being cheap!! This is Vegas, not Disneyland!!! Loosen your wallets!!!!
Atlantic City casinos are the same way at least with beverages and coolers the security will not let you bring it on the casino floor I work at one of them and I've seen security many times say you can't have that here
The Establishment carries the liability what's so hard or bizarre to understand? If you have a reaction to the food you bring in from outside the property still has to pay for the 911 call.
Yes, it is illegal to bring your own alcohol, the property has to know how much have you have been served!!! That's why they have bartenders and servers other ways the will put the alcohol in self dispense machines.
The Establishment carries the liability what's so hard or bizarre to understand? If you have a reaction to the food you bring in from outside the property still has to pay for the 911 call.
Yes, it is illegal to bring your own alcohol, the property has to know how much have you have been served!!! That's why they have bartenders and servers other ways the will put the alcohol in self dispense machines.
It's not enforce it all times, but they have to mentioned it to protect themselves.
Perfectly reasonable that they don't want coolers rolled in . They're a nicer property and they're catering to upscale guests. Encore does stop and search on weekends but said nothing about a bag of snacks .
These vegas hotels that not only charge you for the room they add a resort charge on top of it. Thats t h e real crime
I doubt the hotels enforce it if one guy was able to bring in a dozen guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition into his room without ever being questioned.
This is beyond crazy.
I believe during my last time in LV, I stayed at the Palazzo as well as at Aria. They had extremely outrageous mini bar prices for bottled water. I believe a large bottle of Fiji is like $15+.
At least the don't disallow outside F&B. But they do prohibit you from storing your own beverages in their mini bar. There's a $50 charge for doing so. Seems somewhat dubious as well.
I am a Vegas regular. I stay on Fremont Street, never on the Strip and I never spend more than $75:total for food during my three-day stays. If my hotel didn't allow me to bring my food from different vendors, I wouldn't enjoy my stay, I couldn't find what I enjoy and I certainly couldn't stay within my budget. I don't go to Vegas for expensive food or (pre-Covid) shows or shopping. I go to...
I am a Vegas regular. I stay on Fremont Street, never on the Strip and I never spend more than $75:total for food during my three-day stays. If my hotel didn't allow me to bring my food from different vendors, I wouldn't enjoy my stay, I couldn't find what I enjoy and I certainly couldn't stay within my budget. I don't go to Vegas for expensive food or (pre-Covid) shows or shopping. I go to be in Vegas because I love it.
I'll take a $4 hot dog and fries back to my room any time, thanks very much.
Last time I was in Las Vegas , they had this policy and that was 14 years ago
It’s rare, but it is not isolated. The old Hilton Shanghai banned outside food and drinks. It was posted on the outside of the hotel near the front doors. Since, it has been reflagged a couple of years, this is or was the only hotel that I know of that had that kind of policy. They would confiscate it if they see it, I think.
I remember being searched and asked to discard two bottles of whisky I had bought outside at a luxury property in Manila.
The security guard explained that the hotel had some sort of rule prohibiting guests to bring own alcoholic (!) drinks for safety.
Had to ask for the duty manager who then let me in with the whisky I just bought (not to drink in my room by the way, but to...
I remember being searched and asked to discard two bottles of whisky I had bought outside at a luxury property in Manila.
The security guard explained that the hotel had some sort of rule prohibiting guests to bring own alcoholic (!) drinks for safety.
Had to ask for the duty manager who then let me in with the whisky I just bought (not to drink in my room by the way, but to take with me as gifts on my onward journey).
I've also had a branded hotel tell me in no uncertain words once that I shouldn't have ordered delivery food as this was against policy and they had in fact room service 24/7. Told them that first of all, the menu was lousy to begin with, and second, I am not submitting to any arbitrary and asinine rule of what to eat or drink in my room which only serves the primary purpose of making sure people order from the outrageously priced in house outlets (that particular hotel was charging 10ish US for a pot of disgusting filter coffee and 12 US for a slice of previously frozen cheesecake at their take away coffeeshop).
Seems to be a thing indeed, but a thing that I would ignore anywhere as it simply is none of the hotels business.
Same goes for "no outside guests". No unregistered OVERNIGHT guests is fine, but someone visiting briefly for whatever reason (be it social or to practice....marriage) is simply none of the hotels business.
As a frequent business traveler for 40 plus years and a vacation traveler now with my wife through lots of timeshares, we always bring packets of sweetener, creamers, and those sticks of coffee from the supermarket, I am also at the point of also bringing some cup of noodle soup packages and a very small ice cube tray as so many places don't have machines or only have them every other floor at the other...
As a frequent business traveler for 40 plus years and a vacation traveler now with my wife through lots of timeshares, we always bring packets of sweetener, creamers, and those sticks of coffee from the supermarket, I am also at the point of also bringing some cup of noodle soup packages and a very small ice cube tray as so many places don't have machines or only have them every other floor at the other end of the hall. You would be surprised how nice it is to have your own bag of microwaved popcorn late at night when you want to snack. These things take up very little room in your luggage and if your schlepping a large piece anyway it doesn't hurt. PS a few paper bowls and plastic ware also helps
This has been a policy at most upper end hotels and resorts for some time. The policies were relaxed after covid became a thing and most of the in-house restaurant/room services were no longer available. Le Meridien Stoneleigh made sure to mention that we could feel free to order in since the minibars were not being stocked properly and the steakhouse was closed. Now that things are getting back to "normal" I'm not surprised that...
This has been a policy at most upper end hotels and resorts for some time. The policies were relaxed after covid became a thing and most of the in-house restaurant/room services were no longer available. Le Meridien Stoneleigh made sure to mention that we could feel free to order in since the minibars were not being stocked properly and the steakhouse was closed. Now that things are getting back to "normal" I'm not surprised that the ban is being mentioned, the policy definitely isn't new. I just pack my tequila in my overnight bag and keep it moving.
Not really anything new in hotel industry in general. If you check most Hard Rock hotels (including Vegas) have this policy. It is a potential liability issue and other reasons so legally they have this policy to cover themselves accordingly. I think it is a policy like many that goes unnoticed until it gets pointed out like in this case.
@Lucky @Greg I remember when The Rio, under its original Marnell-Corrao ownership, had both mini-refrigerators *and* coffeemakers in the rooms. I believe the refrigerators are still there. The hotel pulled the coffemakers after protracted swordfights with the Clark County health department over cleaning and sanitation of the the pots/cups by hotel housekeeping staff. This was at least 10 years ago and, iirc, was largely about a perceived (by the health dept) need to sanitize the...
@Lucky @Greg I remember when The Rio, under its original Marnell-Corrao ownership, had both mini-refrigerators *and* coffeemakers in the rooms. I believe the refrigerators are still there. The hotel pulled the coffemakers after protracted swordfights with the Clark County health department over cleaning and sanitation of the the pots/cups by hotel housekeeping staff. This was at least 10 years ago and, iirc, was largely about a perceived (by the health dept) need to sanitize the in-room sinks if they were used to clean the pots/cups.
@Stuart when you go to Reno, I’ll bet you’ll still run into the *unadvertised* “Energy Surcharge” added to your room rate. I remember that one at both the Peppermill and the Atlantis. It’s a 20+ year old policy that originally resulted from an energy crisis and, somehow, never went away. The original energy crisis is long gone of course. :)
I make it a point to not knowingly stay at places that have such asinine policies. They should word their policies better to prevent those who want to bring in a bunch of booze to party and allow people to bring reasonable amounts of bottled water, soda and snacks for their personal consumption.
That's kinda silly if you ask me. I mean the casinos offer free drinks anyway, so why would they care if you're drinking your own drink on the casino floor? It's actually saving them money...
As far as drinking poolside, I think it's just a way to try to get them to purchase their overpriced drinks at the pool bar obviously...also Virgin has no resort fees so you can't complain that you're paying a resort...
That's kinda silly if you ask me. I mean the casinos offer free drinks anyway, so why would they care if you're drinking your own drink on the casino floor? It's actually saving them money...
As far as drinking poolside, I think it's just a way to try to get them to purchase their overpriced drinks at the pool bar obviously...also Virgin has no resort fees so you can't complain that you're paying a resort fee to use it....but if any other properties fuss at you, you can mention that you pay 35-50 a night in resort fees to use it...
I mean it's Virgins new hoity toity property that has that "If you're too cheap don't stay here" atmosphere and attitude anyway...
You can always tell people who have never been to Vegas or don’t care, this policy is obviously never enforced.
This is isn't new. This also isn't uncommon for hotels around the world. Not just Las Vegas.
The purpose isn't to prevent the normal take out to the be brought to back to them room. The purpose is to prevent a person from bringing large catering and kegs to their hotel room parties. The hotels just use the their discretion and I've never once been stopped for our snacks, case of water, outside food, or liquor.
I used to work for a Las Vegas hotel. This isn't really a money grab to "force" people to use hotel dining outlets. Even if outside food is banned, those guests who would otherwise eat outside will probably go eat at a cheap restaurant outside the hotel.
There are several reasons behind this rule. First, at least pre-COVID, many hotels strongly discouraged or banned food deliveries because pizza restaurants would send people with backpacks full...
I used to work for a Las Vegas hotel. This isn't really a money grab to "force" people to use hotel dining outlets. Even if outside food is banned, those guests who would otherwise eat outside will probably go eat at a cheap restaurant outside the hotel.
There are several reasons behind this rule. First, at least pre-COVID, many hotels strongly discouraged or banned food deliveries because pizza restaurants would send people with backpacks full of flyers to slip under every door. And it creates a security risk and even safety risk to have sketchy people roaming the halls sliding stuff under the doors that guests may slip on when they enter the rooms.
Also, recall that when Steve Wynn opened Bellagio, the rule was "no baby strollers except for hotel guests." Then Wynn Hotel had a similar rule. Some hotel-casinos want to promote an upscale, classy ambiance. When some modern day Clampetts are dragging coolers from the parking garage to the front desk, it makes the hotel place look trashy. Especially if those coolers leak, creating another safety risk.
If the hotels could reasonably create a rule of "all personal items and clothing must be carried in proper suitcase or piece of luggage, no pillowcases or garbage bags allowed as luggage" they would do that too. Because that also looks terrible.
I suspect that this rule isn't enforced against someone with a bag of Cokes and chips from CVS. It's enforced on people with coolers or who try to hand the bellboy a couple cases of Coors Light to be brought to the room.
Of course, keep in mind that there's a liquor store in the bag claim area at McCarran airport. Something's gotta give here.
While I stayed at Mandalay a few weeks ago, they did not seem to have, nor enforce anything like this but on a disgusting note, if you place anything in their mini-fridge, you are charged a $50 restocking fee. Need a fridge for your own junk, $35/day.
I have worked in hotels for quite a few years and I think you might be missing the point.
* outside food and drinks does NOT mean Uber Eats or take out food
* As was specifically mentioned they are talking about the cheap asses that bring the rolling coolers into the hotel with food, beer, and booze. The ones that want to do almost all their drinking (and overdo) and eating in...
I have worked in hotels for quite a few years and I think you might be missing the point.
* outside food and drinks does NOT mean Uber Eats or take out food
* As was specifically mentioned they are talking about the cheap asses that bring the rolling coolers into the hotel with food, beer, and booze. The ones that want to do almost all their drinking (and overdo) and eating in their room and then be a nuisance in the rest of the hotel.
* If you want to eat and drink in your room, stay at a hotel with the kitchen, dining table and almost full size refrigerator in the room. These hotels rarely have restaurants and it is expected that you will be eating in the room.
* Regular hotels like the strip hotels are not these kind of hotels. There is a certain expectation that if you can afford a room there, you can also afford to eat and drink there. If not then you should probably find a hotel that fits how you like to stay in hotels like the one I previously mentioned.
* This is not to say you need to be throwing money all over eating and drinking just in the hotel you are staying. There are still ways to save money eating at cheaper restaurants off property. Go ahead and stop at the Walgreens and grab a couple beers (or a small bottle of alcohol and some mixers) and some snacks for in the room. Use the ice bucket in the room or even one of the wastebaskets to keep things cold. But leave the wheelie coolers at home! These are fairly upscale hotels and they would like to maintain some sort of upscale feel.
* Think of the hotel and the entire strip for that matter as it’s own ecosystem where every business is interdependent. You don’t use the basic amenities of the hotel or eat in the local restaurants you put these businesses at risk of not being there and the more serious the lack of use goes it spreads to where the hotel has to cut back on other things to make up for the revenue that is lost by food and drink outlets on the property or not using the cocktail service at the pool. It is all interdependent. Have A Starter drink in the room and then not so many at the pool but do have some (and tip the cocktail servers)
* It is all about moderation. Saving some bucks having a bit of food and alcohol in the room but stop the wheelie coolers in hotels with bars and restaurants.
* Like I said earlier, if you can only afford the room rate and nothing more, the hotel is probably not for you. There are so many choices in so many price ranges. Find a place that does not stress your finances so much that you have to go to these extremes to afford them. If you drink so much that is so much more than you could drink in a bar in the course of an evening we have an entirely different problem there. Save all the other excuses too. (Drinks are too weak, too expensive, and on and on) this is the way things are in upscale hotels and it is not like it is a big surprise. If you don’t like the way a hotel does something. Show your disapproval by not staying there and reward the hotels that do things more to your liking. Vote with your money.
That's it, I'm packing up and going to Reno.
The previous occupant Hard Rock had that policy. I don’t think they wanted folks bringing in giant coolers of beer and water. And hard liquor.
I never had an issue with it. I’d go to the CVS across the street to get stuff like water and beer, plus an occasional sandwich from Capriotti’s a few doors down.
Especially during during the early days of the reopening in Vegas, it was hard to find...
The previous occupant Hard Rock had that policy. I don’t think they wanted folks bringing in giant coolers of beer and water. And hard liquor.
I never had an issue with it. I’d go to the CVS across the street to get stuff like water and beer, plus an occasional sandwich from Capriotti’s a few doors down.
Especially during during the early days of the reopening in Vegas, it was hard to find a meal in a casino after 9pm or at all. Every time I visited, there was different protocol.
I used to stay at the Hard Rock all of the time. Now I’m entrenched as a Gold M Life member.
Was recently sent a mailer from Mohegan/Virgin. Wasn’t enticing enough.
In the summer, I bought tacos from Tacos El Gordo, a block or so from Wynn and consumed them while playing video poker. Nothing was said to me.
Ben and Greg ....
I'm from Las Vegas and it's not fair you guys bad talk my city without knowing what is outside the strip. I'm sure your gripe is about said strip. It's tourist heaven and if you live here you pretty much don't hangout there. I live walking distance to the blvd but I never go. Theses alot of off strip local places that are different than what you tourist are familiar...
Ben and Greg ....
I'm from Las Vegas and it's not fair you guys bad talk my city without knowing what is outside the strip. I'm sure your gripe is about said strip. It's tourist heaven and if you live here you pretty much don't hangout there. I live walking distance to the blvd but I never go. Theses alot of off strip local places that are different than what you tourist are familiar with.
Vegas is the best city anyone could live in. It's always open , lots to do and I must admit when I visit other cities I cannot wait to get back. I'm not used to cities closing down at dusk. They'll all boring just like imagine where you live must be too.
I just wish half the people who flocked here to live thought like you guys. It's what is killing this town , to many people from other places who move here to be bums.
These rules are broad but they aren't intended to keep you from being your leftovers back to the room. It more has to do with people bringing coolers full of food and beer in the rooms. These coolers can cause damage to the floor if they are leaking.
Disney resort hotels in Orlando have this policy.
@Donald Mamula that was a good move on your part. In my case i'm a coffee-by-habit person so i just bring my own coffee-kit to LV (or wherever), although I still have to then depend on a kettle of some sort being provided. and when faced with a $20/night charge for a kettle at Cosmopolitan in LV, I tell the staff that i NEED the kettle to prepare my 'required morning medications'. Emphasized strongly enough,...
@Donald Mamula that was a good move on your part. In my case i'm a coffee-by-habit person so i just bring my own coffee-kit to LV (or wherever), although I still have to then depend on a kettle of some sort being provided. and when faced with a $20/night charge for a kettle at Cosmopolitan in LV, I tell the staff that i NEED the kettle to prepare my 'required morning medications'. Emphasized strongly enough, this was sufficient to have them agree to waive the daily fee for super-hot water...
Ben and Greg - My $0.02 for why I think Vegas is a great destination. I think it appeals to a lot of different crowds - party crowd (clubs, pools, etc.), hardcore gamblers (higher dollar at strip locations or lower dollar downtown), and then lots of people like me who are not at all like the first two groups. I might gamble a little at a $10 minimum blackjack table for a couple hours after...
Ben and Greg - My $0.02 for why I think Vegas is a great destination. I think it appeals to a lot of different crowds - party crowd (clubs, pools, etc.), hardcore gamblers (higher dollar at strip locations or lower dollar downtown), and then lots of people like me who are not at all like the first two groups. I might gamble a little at a $10 minimum blackjack table for a couple hours after memorizing some strategy, put a little money in a slot machine, etc. But mostly I appreciate the combination of inexpensive, but nice hotel rooms, tons of high quality, reasonably priced entertainment (including some entertainers you can't see elsewhere), high quality food, and shear grandeur of the hotels/casinos themselves. For points/mile enthusiasts, it's easy to scheme cheap hotel rooms (hotwire, casino loyalty programs, etc.), buffets (tix for tonight), and shows (tix for tonight).
We just stayed at the Cosmopolitan and nobody cared that we had brought in a cooler, Our hot pot to make coffee and every night we walked in with food from other hotels . It just seems like an unenforced policy.
This is 1000% click bate. The only quasi prohibition is bringing booze into pools. I've been to Vegas over 30 times in the last 4 years, I've stayed at nearly every property on the Strip. I've never seen any type of outside alcohol ban. Total BS.
This is their house, not your house. He who owns the gold makes the rules. Some people believe Las Vegas is like spring break in Florida. These hotels are expensive to build & maintain. Kahlua on sheets & on carpet are a bitch to get clean. Rules are in place for that reason. If you rent out a room in your home, will you have a say on limitations, or just let the renter run...
This is their house, not your house. He who owns the gold makes the rules. Some people believe Las Vegas is like spring break in Florida. These hotels are expensive to build & maintain. Kahlua on sheets & on carpet are a bitch to get clean. Rules are in place for that reason. If you rent out a room in your home, will you have a say on limitations, or just let the renter run a muck? When you go to Vegas, it there for you to gamble, not stay in your room & munch on grindage. Stop the trailer park moment's at the door or don't come to Vegas. Or stay at your mobile park & party on. Why do people like pushing the envelope, stop & grow up.Son
Once had a 9 day business stay in LV. I knew there was no coffee maker, so on day 1, I headed over to Walmart. Bought a cheap coffee maker for about $15, a pack of filters and 2 pounds of coffee. At the end of the stay, I left the coffee maker with a note for housekeeping to take it as a gift (along with my usual tip). Given the cost of the overpriced...
Once had a 9 day business stay in LV. I knew there was no coffee maker, so on day 1, I headed over to Walmart. Bought a cheap coffee maker for about $15, a pack of filters and 2 pounds of coffee. At the end of the stay, I left the coffee maker with a note for housekeeping to take it as a gift (along with my usual tip). Given the cost of the overpriced lobby coffee (to say nothing of the time and prep involved to leave the room), it was a great investment. Highly suggest this tip to anyone staying more than a few days in LV.
I remember in the early 1990's I was working for a car rental firm in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho home of the Coeur D'Alene Resort. One day the owner of the resort Duane Hagadone saw a Domino's pizza deliver come into the hotel and ordered every phone book in the building to have the restaurant section removed. He also didn't like anyone renting a car because he wanted them to only use his shuttles, so he...
I remember in the early 1990's I was working for a car rental firm in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho home of the Coeur D'Alene Resort. One day the owner of the resort Duane Hagadone saw a Domino's pizza deliver come into the hotel and ordered every phone book in the building to have the restaurant section removed. He also didn't like anyone renting a car because he wanted them to only use his shuttles, so he had the rental car pages removed and banned us from picking up people at the front entrance.
Hotels with this policy don't want to be carting away heaps of your empty drinks bottles, fast-food polystyrene hamburger containers, wrappers, leftover uneaten foods stinking up the room and so on. People can be total pigs, especially on vacation in party towns such as Vegas where commonsense and consideration of others is parked with the SUV.
People's practices I think depend on the type of hotel. I've seen deliveries and people carrying their pizza boxes etc at some low end hotel chains, but generally I don't see it at high end such as Ritz Carlton or St Regis. Some hotel brands that claim to be high end but people don't often associate it with being high end would fall into the low end behavior. Agreeing with Lucky, I'm not sure how this could be enforced and I'm sure that guests would complain etc.
I won’t stay anywhere I can’t enjoy a giant fountain Diet Coke at night. It’s my vacation. I’m paying for it. If a hotel serves Pepsi products it’s my choice what I drink. If not and they didn’t disclose this, they can refund my money.
Not surprising - hotels in many “party” areas may have had these policies for several years. It’s about preventing people from bringing in kegs, 30 racks, handles, etc and having parties in their room, both from a guest environment standpoint and also because it competes with food and beverage at the hotel. How much it is enforced depends on discretion. Bringing in a single outside food order, probably fine. If hotel security notices you wheeling...
Not surprising - hotels in many “party” areas may have had these policies for several years. It’s about preventing people from bringing in kegs, 30 racks, handles, etc and having parties in their room, both from a guest environment standpoint and also because it competes with food and beverage at the hotel. How much it is enforced depends on discretion. Bringing in a single outside food order, probably fine. If hotel security notices you wheeling in a cooler, maybe not
"...they try to operate like factories." Ha, ha...well said. I used to have to attend conventions in LV at the MGM. The hotel service there is despicable. It doesn't matter that I paid for my room and paid to eat at their expensive restaurants - if I didn't gamble I was treated like I was a worthless piece of _. So glad I NEVER have to go to LV anymore. It truly is the armpit of NV.
The Hard Rock LV for years had this policy. We stayed there a number of times and nobody said anything when we'd bring in our own stuff. Typically a few bags of snacks for the room, a case of water, and beer and liquor. Not a ton, but definitely noticeable. I did see more than a couple times big coolers being unloaded from cars and those were the types of things they were discouraging. Outside...
The Hard Rock LV for years had this policy. We stayed there a number of times and nobody said anything when we'd bring in our own stuff. Typically a few bags of snacks for the room, a case of water, and beer and liquor. Not a ton, but definitely noticeable. I did see more than a couple times big coolers being unloaded from cars and those were the types of things they were discouraging. Outside drinks were pretty strongly enforced at the pool. So much so we quit trying to bring our own down.
I am like @Mon. It is not for the average guest. It is another tool in their box to get rid of the extremely rowdy. If you flaunt it at check in or act in a way that bothers others while partying in your room, it comes into play. Otherwise, they will not care.
Nothing 99.99% of us should care about as long as they don't have a rouge employee (aka power hungry).
I stayed at the Encore a few months ago for a week and had Uber Eats / Doordash delivered regularly without issue. They make you go to the lobby to get it vs other hotels that let the deliverer come to the room, but the hotel didn't seem to have any issues with it. I think the policy is more specifically referring to outside your hotel room.
It's subjectively enforced, not really intended for someone bringing a sub back to their room.
I've seen it at other places too when someone pushes the limits, I once watched the Marriott Copley shut down a bachelor party trying to roll a cooler of bud light through the lobby to the elevator. They claimed it was against some Massachusetts law to bring your own alcohol, although I have no idea if that's true.
I do...
It's subjectively enforced, not really intended for someone bringing a sub back to their room.
I've seen it at other places too when someone pushes the limits, I once watched the Marriott Copley shut down a bachelor party trying to roll a cooler of bud light through the lobby to the elevator. They claimed it was against some Massachusetts law to bring your own alcohol, although I have no idea if that's true.
I do wish they made the policy more specific to those situations, but I get the challenges with that too.
Outrageous policy, especially in light of the pandemic.
Our culture is changing, more food delivery orders by hotel guests, and intolerance of over priced room service food + beverage offerings need to be considered by hotel management when defining hospitality. Something as simple as charging $8 for bottles of $0.50 water is just not acceptable.
If they get it wrong, yes, rooms will be emptier.
This also impacts guests who have dietary restrictions that cannot be serviced by the hotel's own offerings, such as kosher, vegan, halal, or those who have severe food allergies.
I think this policy is similar to movie theatres. Typically it is such a dumb policy that employees are too embarrassed to enforce the policy. I have brought in my own Starbucks coffee that I hadn't finished before the movie, and the clerks let me into the movie theatre. I would think the same policy would apply at the Vegas hotels. They have a policy but don't enforce it.
Another strange phenomenon at Vegas hotels...
I think this policy is similar to movie theatres. Typically it is such a dumb policy that employees are too embarrassed to enforce the policy. I have brought in my own Starbucks coffee that I hadn't finished before the movie, and the clerks let me into the movie theatre. I would think the same policy would apply at the Vegas hotels. They have a policy but don't enforce it.
Another strange phenomenon at Vegas hotels is the lack of coffee makers in rooms. Again, I think the reason for the no in room coffee maker is so guests purchase overpriced coffee instead.
I believe I am like you with regards to Vegas. Prepandemic it was not one of my favourite places to go, and surely post-pandemic it will be even lower on my list of places to visit. I never understood the allure of Vegas as I always found the shows/concerts were priced similarly to other places, food and buffetts in particular in the large convention style hotels was mediocre and poor value for the price.
I don't think that I will ever understand why Vegas is such a popular tourist destination.
This is a widely known policy in most hotels. Vegas says it to strictly discourage folks from bringing large quantities of liquor into their rooms...which is done all of the time anyway. It's no secret that hotels want you consuming their food and beverage and not something from the outside.
I remember years ago when I lived in that pit, a girlfriend of mine rented a suite and decided to throw herself a birthday party. She had every last bit of food catered and if there was an issue, I must not remember it because it was so many years ago. But that food did make it to the room and we had quite a lovely birthday party.
The reactions like "we were note searched", "we will bring what we like" do not counter the hotel policy which says "thou shall not".
Just do not stay at these properties. Full stop. They will feel the consumer bucks in their balance sheet. Book elsewhere!
Virgin Hotels will bring in the type of people that will want to throw keggers in their rooms. I can see that being banned. I am sure bringing some snacks or drinks will be tolerated as long is its not flaunted.
IHG has this policy for hotel pool areas in Asia and they strongly enforce it. (Signs are posted all around the pool area.) They let bottled water slide, but anything else, soft drinks included, is strictly forbidden. They ask you to put it away or leave the pool area. Ridiculous.
Sorry...."restaurant." I should have completed grade school...
We encountered the same policy at Le Meridien in Marrakesh. They didn't mind "corner store" stuff but no restaraunt food or alcohol was allowed to be brought in.
At the Borgata in AC, they do not allow anyone to bring coolers or alcohol up to the rooms. (It's always hilarious to see the expression on the 20-somethings' when they find this out as they try to get to their rooms.)
Simple pro-tip: Put your booze in your suitcase and roll right in. It's when you make it obvious that they stop you.
I will continue to bring my own water, snacks, and my pistol into the hotel room I am paying for. If they do not like it they can do a TSA search of my body and luggage.
Makes sense in terms of preventing food delivery services--this is a security concern and competes with room service.
Also to prevent guests from self-catering large parties in their rooms--noise, security and, again revenue rationales apply.
A bottle of Jack and some Cheetos from CVS are probably not the target.
"at the resort and casino" is clumsily worded, but I'm fairly sure the behavior they are going after is eating outside food poolside, in the casino, in their own restaurants, etc.
@ Ben -- The FCQ and I were once stopped form bringing a bottle of liquor through the front entrance of the HR downtown Atlanta. The parking garage entrance worked just fine. ;) To this day, I don't understand such a ridiculous policy.
I've definitely seen this a few places before -i think maybe at some hotels in Miami Beach. I think it's mostly to prevent self-catered parties. I've definitely never been stopped walking into vegas hotels with cocktails in my hand.
They don’t care for the most part. It’s there to prevent people from having massive keggers and stuff when they need to enforce against it. Bring in a few bottles of wine or cases of beer and nothing happens. Wheel in a keg or bunch of coolers and they might not be as happy. Never had any issues at encore carrying in a few bottles of whiskey or vodka.
No issue last week. Walked right in with take out food, even had food delivered. Wynn Hotel
I remember staying in a 5* hotel in Istanbul that had the same policy, can't really remember which hotel it was as it was 10 years ago, but it wasn't enforced. A 5* hotel near me (Splendid - Montenegro, the one in Casino Royale) had this policy for years and enforced it but had to stop due to a massive amount of customer complaints.
When it was the Hard Rock, I am pretty sure that they had a similar policy, but I never had issues bringing items in from the CVS across the street (or from the GREAT sandwich shop next to the CVS).