Indian internet celebrity Ishan Sharma expressed that he encountered differential treatment when staying at a hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, which he described as the “biggest cultural shock” he has ever experienced. However, shortly after making this statement, an unexpected turn of events unfolded.
During his recent visit to the United States, Sharma took to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) on August 12th to share that he did not receive the same warm hospitality as in Indian hotels while staying at an American hotel, which left him feeling the “biggest cultural shock.”
He mentioned staying at 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star hotels in the USA, with the Caesars Palace where he checked in that day being a 5-star hotel.
Arriving at the hotel for check-in at 2 a.m. feeling fatigued from his flight, Sharma requested a glass of water from the staff, only to be informed that a 200ml bottled water cost $14.99 and he could purchase it himself.
Expressing his dissatisfaction, Sharma complained, “This is a $200 per night hotel! Absolutely no empathy. Unbelievable!”
He further noted that the hotel did not provide complimentary water, nor assisted with luggage while expecting tips, which he found amusing.
Light-heartedly, Sharma remarked, “Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by India’s Taj Hotels.”
Sharma’s social media post sparked intense discussions among netizens. Some mentioned that such experiences are common in the US, attributing it to cultural differences.
A man named Sanjay Lazar responded, stating that Americans’ understanding of “hospitality” differs, whether on planes, in hotels, restaurants, or ships, as it has remained unchanged for decades.
He explained, “Their concept is just to provide basic facilities, unlike in Asia/India where we are accustomed to the additional services provided by airlines and hotels.”
Lazar pointed out that in the US, everything comes with a price. Their union regulations are stringent, and in most states, it is mandatory to tip according to the law. The day after Sharma’s complaint post, on August 13th, he made another post on X, revealing the unexpected development of the incident.
He shared that upon seeing his post, Caesars Palace decided to upgrade his room for free and arranged for his luggage to be carried, a gesture he greatly appreciated. Sharma included photos of his new room in the post.
Lazar amusingly commented on this, saying, “Hope they give you plenty of water too. The influence of influencers always works.”
Las Vegas is globally renowned as a gambling hub, but aside from the casinos, the distinctive luxurious hotels in the area are also a major tourist attraction. Lining the Las Vegas Strip, these hotels are a sight to behold, with some becoming iconic landmarks.
For instance, The Mirage, with over 30 years of history, is famous for its “volcano eruption” and is one of the well-known landmarks; The Venetian Hotel, themed after the Italian city of Venice, features canals and bridges reminiscent of Venice within; and at the Treasure Island Hotel, a pirate ship docks in the lake outside, staging nightly free shows of the battle between the British fleet and pirates.
Among these hotels, The Mirage is considered a representative one. Since its opening in 1989, it set off a trend of luxury casinos and was the first to feature a volcano attraction on the sidewalk, inspiring other hotels to follow suit by creating their own specialties.
However, The Mirage has recently become a part of history. After 34 years of operation, the hotel closed its doors on July 17th this year, making way for a new guitar-shaped hotel set to open in 2027 at the same location. A towering 700 feet (213 meters) tall giant guitar will stand in its place.
While The Mirage’s iconic volcano will be dismantled, it will remain etched in people’s memories.