In Las Vegas, bellboys, maids and butlers (even blackjack dealers) had to prepare for this high-rolling executive with his long but specific list of demands.
No white vases (they bring bad luck.) but roses in vases for his room. Bowls of Glitterati Mentissimo peppermints. Fiji water (must be groups of 3 bottles each). Raisins and warmed mixed nuts. Aramis cologne and shaving brush (must be badger hair). Lint-free towels. Dom Perignon Rose champagne and Kurosawa Sake in the fridge. For the shower, Nioxin shampoo (so the hair doesn’t look like it’s falling out when it is).
And you must not…under any circumstances…approach Mr. S. from behind.
If you are a high roller, the hotels will do all this and more for you. Seven pages of do, don't and "never under any circumstances" for this one high-rolling guest were coughed up by hotel and casino employees.
When fate finally caught up with Mr. S. (Ausaf "Omar" Umar Siddiqui) it followed the rules and didn’t try to approach Siddiqui from behind. Instead fate rolled in with a full frontal assault.
Court records show Siddiqui spent $120 million in three years at just two casinos, the Venetian and MGM. Planet Hollywood Resort also says Siddiqui lost nearly $9 million in only one sitting of baccarat. Palms Casino claims he lost $2 million in one day.
At work, ”Omar” was a 20-year veteran, the steady and successful VP at Fry’s, the famous retail chain in California. At play, Mr. S.was a gambler who insisted on getting his way.
Hotel reports describe a petulant Siddiqui who demands better brands of hangers by flinging the flimsy ones across the room in his free hotel suites. Siddiqui, like others, was furious when it 40 minutes to deliver a room service order…but in his case the hotel felt it had to listen. (And with the hotel going to great lengths with a demanding guest like him, it’s no wonder the punters don’t get their room service on time.)
Hotel butlers shared notes. When Mr. S visited, "no one is to enter the suite unescorted or unannounced except the butler assigned." When Siddiqui was entertaining, the butler needs to maintain a presence, if not in the room, then in the pantry with the door open so requests can be heard. Mr. S will "dismiss you by requesting privacy. He will be very direct with this request. Leave until he contacts you."
His room stocked with Grey Goose vodka, Crown Royal, Johnnie Walker Black, Jack Daniels, Grand Marnier, Kahlua, Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur, Dom Perignon, Kurosawa Sake and expensive cognac bottles of Hardy Perfection and Remy Martin Louis XIII.
Hotel employees had to purchase a Philips Norelco Bodygroom shaver with a shaving mirror (better make that fog-free), a Sonicare Elite 7500 Series toothbrush, Clinique facial scrub for men, knuckle Band-Aids (don’t ask), ChapStick (only the original brand) and Crest (mint gel) toothpaste (OK, better add “tartar protection”).
Hotel employees even had to buy him socks (exactly 70% silk and 30% cotton). (What is it with rich people? They have no time to shop for themselves? What did he do, walk barefoot in San Jose? No wonder, he lost in gambling…he must have been too busy taking personal inventory to count cards!)
The TVs needed to turn on to ESPN. As if Omar didn’t find life in retail and life in Vegas enough of a battle, he wanted to watch the vicious Ultimate Fighting Championship matches.(Maybe that’s where the knuckle Band-aids come in?) He required Trojan Magnum condoms. Porn was on the list: it had to be available in the bedroom. The bed (the rotating bed) was to be turned down regularly, a light blanket, and comforter nearby. Candles (yes, with scent) were placed, at his orders, throughout the room. And that’s probably far more than we need to know about his love life….
In the morning, Omar wanted tea (Earl Grey) with lots of sugar (OK, exactly 4 spoons full) and cream (exactly ¾ of a teaspoon). Obviously, no one had to nerve to tell him Earl Grey is best with lemon. He generally ordered three eggs (over easy), hash browns, toast (must be sourdough), orange juice and fruit (must be papaya, mango and pineapple).
In a curious act of generosity towards the retailer where Omar was alleged to have pilfered millions…the V3 cell phone batteries and BR50 desktop charger had to be purchased at Fry's or else. Or else what? This vindictive, power-hungry, controlling, brand-conscious, con artist would pull a hissy fit and threaten to lose Fry’s money elsewhere. So there…
CEA says that about 130,000 attendees will show up, down 8% from last year…but more likely it will be even less. Nothing wrong with less if the quality of visitor is high.
