Can you remember ever having met a vice president of a casino hotel while staying in Las Vegas? Most would answer no. Well, that’s not the case when you visit The STRAT—especially if VP and general manager Stephen Thayer has anything to say about it.
“With the way things are right now, the current environment—employee interactions with guests play a bigger role now, in my opinion,” Thayer says. “Even though it’s always been important, now it’s very important; it’s the entire staff’s role now, including myself. … Our roles are being ambassadors of The STRAT and making sure people have safe experiences.”
Guests can see Thayer walking the casino floor daily, something he really enjoys and considers a top priority of his job. He interacts with guests and welcomes them to the recently renovated property. “The whole look and feel is completely different—it’s no longer the Stratosphere; it’s now The STRAT,” he says.
Thayer knows a little something about renovations, as well as openings and managing properties. The Delaware native has held top positions for more than two decades in the hospitality and gaming industry. He’s spent more than 15 years with the Caesars corporation in both Vegas and Atlantic City, and more than a decade with the non-gaming Wyndham International hotel group running properties in states like Arizona and Pennsylvania. Last year, he was itching to come back to Vegas, and joined The STRAT in October.
While his role does require him to oversee operations, finances, branding and growth of the property, Thayer is quick to point out that “My door is open to everybody. I say hello to everybody that I can, make eye contact. I’d say I’m a friendly leader and I like to be on the floor with guests and employees. … I like to lead by example—not sit in my office telling people what to do.”
Elevated Margarita
Libation: Elevated Margarita
The newly opened View Lounge offers guests a great laid-back, relaxing lounge experience with specialty cocktails and local and craft beers on tap. A fan-favorite cocktail is the Elevated Margarita, a mix of Patrón Silver tequila, Cointreau and fresh lime sour, topped with salt-infused foam. Guests at View can also order wings from the next-door PT’s Wings & Sports. One of Thayer’s fave spots to eat is at PT’s for the extra-crispy, buffalo hot wings with blue cheese.
Benefit: PT’s Wings & Sports offers the Vegas Brew tour—four 5-ounce flights from the best local breweries.
Click here for your free subscription to the weekly digital edition of Las Vegas Magazine, your guide to everything to do, hear, see and experience in Southern Nevada. As part of your subscription, each week via email you will receive the latest edition of Las Vegas Magazine, full of informative content such as restaurants to visit, cocktails to sip and attractions to enjoy.
