Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Snooty Primadona Banned From Hotel Casino For Taking A Picture Intended For Blog.... Go Figure

The last night we spent in Ruidoso was wonderful until I was physically removed from the hotel casino for taking a picture for my blog. However, they forced me to erase my two casino pictures before they had me escorted from the casino by a security guard. Apparently, I was some sort of threat to their security, or perhaps something they were hiding that I accidentally captured on my digital camera. Uh-Huh. Whatever. A 57 year old housewife who has stayed at this particular hotel at least 24 times in the last 35 years. Oh, yes. I'm sure I was a major threat to their security for taking a couple of pictures. Not only was it humiliating but it spoiled the entire trip for me. Frankly, it spoiled the memory of every stay that I've ever had there.



We dropped a ridiculous amount of money at this hotel (The Inn Of The Mountain Gods) in their restaurants, in the casino, and on our room, valet parking, tips and room service. This will never happen again. Ever. It will not happen again even if they kiss my lily white derriere and offer me free lodging for the rest of my life. There is nothing they can possibly do to redeem themselves after having treated me (a long time hotel guest) so shamefully. And guess what? They don't care, which is not the way to run a hotel or casino.


The strange thing is that I'm always so nice to everyone and I do mean everyone. I tipped all of the nice dealers as well as the drink cart lady, our waiters, and our housekeeping person. I made so many new friends at the blackjack tables that I was literally having the time of my life. That is, until the mishap that clouded the last night spent there.


For many years I have overlooked various forms of mistreatment by the Mescalero Apache Indian Tribe even though I am myself 1/16th Cherokee Indian and have always been a champion of Indian Rights. One year, while skiing at their ski area called Ski Apache, a certain lift operator slammed me in the back of my calves with the chair so many times while I was loading on the chairlift that I had blood contusions up and down the back of both calves by the time I returned home. Did I file a complaint? No. And frankly, I should have but I've always just loved skiing there, so I held my anger in check.


One year an out-of-control snow boarder (who just happened to be a local Mescalero Apache Indian) ran into me and bashed my knee (causing me to have a second knee surgery) I still never filed a complaint. It took me over a year to go through physical therapy and return to normal. And yet, I never treated even one tribe member badly in retaliation. It never even crossed my mind.


Well, it has certainly crossed my mind a few gazillion times since the other night when I was treated like some kind of criminal for taking a picture that was intended to be included in a sterling review of the entire resort. I mean, were there SIGNS ANYWHERE stating that pictures weren't allowed? NO! So much for leaving them a positive review among the hundreds of negative reviews on Trip Advisor. I'm on the Negative Review Bandwagon now, and believe me, there are many minuses, most of which I won't even mention. However, the food at Wendell's (once a five star restaurant) was nowhere near the caliber of meals I'd had there for so many years, which was an extreme disappointment. The menu said Caesar Salad for two was served in classic style, at table side, which it was not. It also had bottled CREAMY dressing, which we both detest. I'm sure that the creator of the Caesar Salad (Cesar Cardini) is rolling over in his grave as I write. Our entrees were overdone every night and the side dishes were perfectly awful. You can read the entire food review HERE, on my cooking blog.


When the pit boss came over to me, telling me to erase the pictures, I had to go and ask why. He refused to answer me and tried to take my camera. I told him I could do it and he could watch me delete the pictures but that he wasn't taking my camera. I then put my camera back in my purse, wished the rest of the table good luck (their jaws on the armrests), intending to go to the room and to bed. This is when a security guard appeared out of nowhere and ordered me to come with her, telling me that they needed to make a copy of my drivers license for their wall of criminals files. I suspect that I'm now banned from their casino. Banned for my horrible crime of taking two digital shots of the casino, then abiding with the request to erase them. I thought I at least had the right to know why, since there had been no signs saying that pictures couldn't be taken. I tried to explain that I was just taking it for my blog but my words fell on deaf ears. Then, I had to wait for almost 15 minutes while the security guard tried to figure out how to work the copy machine.



Before our stay I read the reviews on Trip Advisor and talked with Mr. Snoots about the fact that I thought that if you treat the hotel staff well, you'll receive the same in return. This will not happen at the Inn Of The Mountain Gods. I'm sorely aware of that fact now.



We've been to hotel/casinos in Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Laughlin, where I have never been practically arrested for taking pictures. The people always smiled when I said "Cheese!". This picture was from when we were staying at The Wynn in Las Vegas, which is by far a superior hotel to TIOTMG. Go figure.


The Mescalero Apache Indians definitely have a bad attitude toward everyone and everything, which, if they were smart, they would change. Unfortunately, one must want to change in order for it to happen. The Indians will never change...

21 comments:

Daryl said...

That is beyond nasty .. I dont blame you for being upset/angry .. I think you need to write their corporate HQ a letter ...

I Am Woody said...

You should seriously send a copy of this blog post to the corporate headquarters along with a copy to every board member, tribal council member, etc.

Patricia Hannigan said...

Woody's suggestion is a good one, because these days more than ever casinos should be treating their customers well. For years we went often to Foxoods Casino here in CT. One time my stepdaugher and her husband were visiting from Greece and she won a $5,000 jackpot in a quarter machine. Of course they had to take pictures to document it. And of course they were stopped, but at Foxwoods they didn't make them erase the photos or anything just said, "I'm afraid that's against the security rules you'll have to put your camera away". Very nicely. The Mashentucket Pequot Tribe who run Foxwoods are normally very service oriented. It's a shame about the mistreatment because Casinos can be such fun places to spend a winter weekend. Unfortunately our gaming budget has been severly curtailed over the past year and we don't go often any more. >;o(

Suburban Princess said...

Girl you need to write to the owners/management etc of this place and give them your blog url! Let them know you just told at least 73 people about your experience with the push of a button (not to mention all of the people who have you in their blogroll).

Tammy said...

I agree with all the other commenters! That was very nasty treatment and should be reported. I took pictures in many of the casinos in Vegas without ever being approached. That's just crazy... I'm glad you enjoyed the skiing though.

Sjn said...

Poor Snooty P. Sounds like the last two days of your trip were quite memorable, but not in a good way. Not the "to be continued" I was expecting. You saw the best in people in the two Firemen/EMTs and the worst in the Casino staff. Sorry you had to end your mini-vacation with that awful treatment. I'd write that complaint if I were you!
Stick to golf vacations, and take all the photos you like!

nanc said...

I agree with passing your complaint on to headquarters. I'm sure your experience would have been different if they had been polite and explained whatever the reason was for no pictures. It makes me wonder what they were trying to hide.

Leave a Legacy said...

Wow, that's unbelievable. As Tammy said, we've been to Las Vegas many times and have always taken many pictures. You would think they would encourage this as it shows people are having a good time in a beautiful place. I don't get it. Such as your picture at the Wynn in LV.
Get that complaint letter started and stick to Las Vegas in the future.

Connie said...

Grr ... I'd definately wouldn't go back even if after you write a letter, let them read your blog posts and they offered you any free stays.

Mental P Mama said...

Well...you should have this ol' broad along. Heads would have rolled;)

Moms Musings said...

Definitely send a letter to headquarters. It's too bad this experience erased all your good memories of the place.

abb said...

That's one place I'll never go! I'll write a letter if that'll help.

Snooty Primadona said...

Thanks everyone! Now hubby is telling me to not make any more of a fuss because he liked the IOTMG's and wants to go back. He says I'm just a bad girl, LOL! I swear I'm not... anymore! I used to be a ring-tailed tooter, but that was many years ago. I did not cause any trouble and I did as I was told. But, I'm a tree... I can bend. I guess.

Unfortunately, Las Vegas doesn't have skiing AND scenery AND skiing.

Heather Kerrigan said...

How are your photos any different then the ones they have on their website?

What a shame!

We had a two week trip planned there for next year, but I just canceled our reservations. not really, but I'll never go now

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Yep, the Ozarks farm chick would file a complaint right to the top Indian Chief. They should be bending over backwards to keep business. I hope the remainder of the trip goes well for you.

Ya'll have a wonderfully blessed day from the hills and hollers of the Missouri Ponderosa!!!

Staci said...

That SUCKS! But hey, you can ski at Vegas, at least very close to Vegas, I've been there!

http://www.skilasvegas.com/winter/index.html

snooty daughter said...

HIiiiiiiiiilarious!

Beth Dunn said...

That does not even make sense, people take pictures of themselves away at hotels/restaurants all the time. You so don't look you are CIA or a threat-weirdos! You are fab. xoxo

Sc

noble pig said...

Yeah, I mean, I know pics are not allowed in casinos and I have taken them ut normally they just say, no pics are allowed...never escorted away...that's ridiculous!!!

imbeingheldhostage said...

Poor Form Mescalero, poor form. I know the food was going downhill when we were still there, the locals had stopped going. But when service goes, a company doesn't stand a chance.

Roan said...

How rude! I can't imagine they are that paranoid of guests taking pictures.

 

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