Element Hotel, Dom DeMarco’s Pizzeria played into Obama’s Vegas visit

David Smith was going about his day as general manager of the Element Hotel, 10555 Discovery Drive, when he got an interesting phone call from the White House staff, looking for a place for the president to stay.

"You don't normally get a call like that," he said.

He said it was possible the topic of the president's morning talk to UPS workers Jan. 26 about clean energy was the reason the Element was chosen. The hotel has a stellar LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating for its energy-efficiency.

Assured that the hotel could handle the number of rooms needed, the Secret Service swept in to assess the place. Employees' names, birthdates and Social Security numbers were taken for background checks.

As soon as the stamp of approval was given, Smith said, the hotel was swarmed by an advance team of perhaps 150. Local firefighters came in to inspect the building. Local law enforcement was notified. A SWAT contingent camped on the roof one hour before the president's arrival and all during his stay.

The president's team reserved the entire second floor, which has 44 rooms. President Barack Obama received an executive suite, one of 12 at the hotel, described as about a modest 600 square feet. The president chose a busy night to stay there. With the second floor occupied, all of the hotel's 123 rooms were booked.

The Secret Service shut down one elevator for security reasons. Other patrons were able to come and go. No formal announcement was made that the president was staying there.

"I think the hotel guests figured it out when the metal detector went into the lobby that night," Smith said.

He said there were no demands for the room to be stocked with anything and no demands that the hotel staff stay mum about what was going on.

How cool was it to have the president staying there?

"I think it's absolutely wonderful for all parties involved," Smith said.

"Regardless of your political affiliation, if you look at what the president really represents, it's a great opportunity to be involved with something like that."

Only one hotel guest complained that he was inconvenienced when he had to wait for the motorcade, which included about 100 people, Smith said.

"They couldn't get out," Smith said. "They had ordered food and they couldn't get out for dinner ... they came back happy."

Safety dictated that the presidential limo was actually two limos. It was impossible to tell which one actually held the president. He was whisked to the back of the hotel, where a tent had been erected, and entered by a back entrance.

The only other time Obama was sighted was the next morning, when he worked out in the exercise room off the lobby with armed guards nearby.

The White House party stayed at the government rate, which is $99 per occupied room. The suite in which Obama stayed could go for as high as $300, Smith said.

Before the president left, Smith went upstairs to see if his stay had been a satisfactory one. He got to meet the president, and there was a handshake and a "say cheese" photo taken.

His impression of Obama?

"He's a very busy man, very scheduled, but he seemed very genuine," Smith said. "I liked him. He's definitely fit. He definitely takes care of himself ... (it was) not a surprise he was the same person you see on TV."

Smith said he expects the proverbial "shake hands and smile" photograph will be sent later. He said it would not be hung in the lobby. He did not ask for an autograph.

Smith wasn't the only local who had a hand in the VIP visit.

Albert Scalleat of Dom DeMarco's Pizzeria, 9785 W. Charleston Blvd., was flagged down by the eatery's hostess. It seemed there was a call from a persistent customer who wanted a pizza delivery. The restaurant does not deliver pizza.

"The man on the phone said, 'It would behoove you to make this delivery It would be very advantageous to you to deliver this pizza,' " Scalleat recalled.

Then the man said he wanted "six rounds and six squares," a tip-off that he was familiar with the pizza from Brooklyn.

"Only our customers order like that," he said.

So Scalleat took the order, which included cannolis.

He took the food to the Element himself. That's when he noticed a big, black Suburban with flashing lights blocking the entry. He told the man in the Suburban he was there to deliver pizza. The man said, "I know."

"I'm thinking, 'How does this guy know I'm here to deliver pizza?' " Scalleat said.

He was directed to a parking spot and noticed big guys in suits all around and, on the rooftop, men with rifles. He helped carry the order into the hotel. He had to walk through a metal detector.

A man approached ---- the chef ---- and told Scalleat that the president loved DeMarco's pizza. Scalleat waited about 45 minutes to make sure the president enjoyed his food. He was told that Obama had found it delicious.

Scalleat got on his cellphone.

"I called my wife, I said, 'You will not believe who I just delivered to,' " he said.

"She said, 'You don't deliver.' I said, 'Just take a guess.' She said, 'George Clooney.' I said, 'No, go higher.' "

The bill for the pizzas and cannolis was almost $400. Scalleat was given a tip of $85.

"I would've given it back," he said. "I'd rather have a picture with him."

Smith was less awestruck. He said he would likely tell people who booked that suite that there is a point of interest about someone who'd stayed there.

Now I can say, 'You're in our presidential suite.' "

Contact Summerlin/Summerlin South View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 387-2949.