Chicago Attorney Attests to Las Vegas' "Death Ray"

A Chicago attorney who owns a condo in one of Las Vegas' newest hotels can corroborate reports that the property is a hot one -- literally.

"I was sitting in my chair for maybe 30 seconds and at that point my head was steaming hot, in fact my hair felt like it was burning. I could actually smell my hair burning," William Pintas recalled of a Sept. 16 poolside excursion.

According to guests and staff, the curved shape of the Vdara Hotel & Spa intensifies sunlight and then reflects the powerful beam straight at the pool area  (the U.K.'s Daily Mail has an illustration).

Pintas said he realized what was happening when he ran under a nearby umbrella and noticed there was no shade. Light was being reflected off the Vdara and Aria hotels.

Employees call the beam the "death ray."

Gordon Absher, a spokesman for MGM Resorts, which owns the Vdara, said they were aware of the issue and designers were working with resort staff to come up with a solution. He said the 3,000 panes of glass on the south façade of the building are covered with a high tech film that refracts about 70 percent of the sunlight.

He added, however, that the story has been "completely exaggerated."

Absher said the hotel has had no reports of any injuries relating to the pool area, including from Pintas. The hotel may purchase additional shade devices and umbrellas and may place greenery on the pool area.

But, he said, the pool area remains fully operational.

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